"Theres No Sunshine When She's Gone"

Goofy title, I know. Its been a particularly cool and gloomy summer in the Midwest. Unlike most people, I haven't minded it. I can have the windows open, don't have to turn on the air conditioning, and don't have to water my plants as much. But today, the gloom is finally getting to me.

Even with all the lights on in my studio and using both my desk lamps, its still hard to really see color. Thats a particular problem with my work as its all about color! For this same reason, gloomy skys also pose a problem when photographing artwork. I was going to shoot pics of and blog about my newest mixed media on canvas, but mother nature thought otherwise.

So instead, enjoy one of my sunny favorites, "Summer Blooms". The original collage was sold to a local collector, but it is available as a print in both ACEO(2.5" x 3.5") and 5" x 7" size in my Etsy shop.

Rain, rain go away. Come back some other day.

What's In a Name?

What should I call this?, originally uploaded by Jennifer Mullin.

I just finished up this ACEO and I'm struggling to title it. I need your help.

I've done dozens of these tiny florals, and named many of them "Floral Improv # " I've grown tired of that naming system and started picking out titles from bits of magazine text I found on my desk while making these pieces.

I didn't want to add any text to this one, it looks fine on its own. So, what do I name it? The color and use of stripes lend this piece a playful, almost "Suessical" or "Wonka- like" quality. The petals themselves remind me of those candy corns (worst tasting candy ever !)

So, I turn to you my bloggies. Suggestions?

And the Winners........

Thanks so much to all who participated in my giveaway. I've contacted the three winners and once I hear back from them, I'll make an annoucement here.

Check back soon for another giveaway. I've got one in the works for late August.

Cheers, Jennifer

My Love Affair With the ACEO

ACEO stands for Art, Card, Edition, Original. Funny name, I know. These tiny pieces of art measure 2.5" x 3.5" and are the same size as a trading card. I have grown to love working in this compact format.

The ACEO grew out of the ATC, Art Trading Card. Born in the 1990's, the ATC is a piece of art meant to be traded, not sold. ATC "swap meets" were organized and artists traded their wares just as children traded baseball cards. As their popularity grew, artists did start to sell their ATC's and called them ACEOs.

I was first introduced to the ACEO when I started selling on Etsy. One of my fellow Etsyians suggested I try the format as I was already working quite small. The size is perfect for my tiny collage work, and because they are so small, I can sell originals at a very reasonable price. I quickly became hooked on the ACEO!

You will notice that most of my ACEO's have rounded corners. I found these card blanks on ETSY in the shop of Fanshefolds. Frances handcrafts these blanks, which are available in many different colors and finishes.

ACEO's have become the top seller in my Etsy Shop. Once an original sells, I will offer it as a print. I don't make prints of all the pieces I sell, just the ones I really like. Because these ACEO's are so detailed, I can even enlarge them to 5" x 7" and they still hold up.

I hope that you enjoy your weekend. Not much in the works for me, which is just the way I like it.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Going Home to Roost Interview!

Hi! Another beautiful summer day here. Sunny and bright and a refreshing cool breeze in the air. San Diego weather! This must be why my brother has no intentions on moving away from his Ocean Beach, San Diego home.

Just wanted to let you know that I was interviewed by Bonnie Forkner on her beautiful blog "Going Home to Roost." Thanks so much Bonnie!

Click here for the direct link to my interview.

Enjoy the day friends.

Bounty From the Farmer's Market

Farmers Market July 15 2009, originally uploaded by Jennifer Mullin.

I am an admitted farmer's market junkie. I adore the freshest of fresh, locally grown goodies I buy there each week.

My love of the farmer's market really began in 2006, when I spent the summer in Portland, Oregon. The climate and overall "greeness" of Portland make it a Farmer's Market hotbed. I was astounded by the number of different fruits and vegetables available. And the artisanal cheeses! Some of the best goat cheese I've ever tasted came from the farmer's market.

I came home later that summer, ready to shop at Rockford's farmer's market. But in 2006, they left much to be desired. Unfortunately, many of the vendor were selling produce they'd bought from the wholesaler. There were very few actual vendors selling locally grown goods. It was disappointing.

The farmer's markets have come along way since then. Gone are the "faux" farmers, now replaced by dozens of local farmers producing anything from garlic to beets! Today I bought garlic, carrots (I love how they look with the tops still attached!), organic mixed greens, cucumber and rasberries. Yum. I purposely scheduled a dinner with my parents for tomorrow night so I could buy what I need from the farmer's market. Can't wait to cook with my yummies.

If you haven't already, be sure to enter my giveaway. Have a great day friends!

Yeah! A Giveaway!

Hi Friends.

What a better way to celebrate my new blog than a giveaway! I'm offering up three of my favorite prints to three different winners.

THE GOODS:

1. A tiny ACEO (2.5" x 3.5") sized print of "Love Sweets Love".
2. A 5"x 7" print of "Floral Improv Number 8".
3. An 8" x 8" print of "Work With What You've Got".

TO ENTER:

• Visit my Etsy Shop and pick out your favorite item.
• Leave a comment on this post with your favorite and your contact information.

EARN ADDITIONAL ENTRIES BY:

1. Following my blog.
2. Twittering about this giveaway.
3. Blog about this contest, and link to the post.

* Make sure you let me know if you've done these things, so I can give you the extra entries.

DRAWING WILL TAKE PLACE:

• Midnight, Sunday, July 19th
• The three winners will be announced on Monday Morning.

Good luck!