"Ever Vigilant" Mixed Media Collage

Finally!  This piece is done!  You know how it is.  Sometimes you get a piece of art to about 90% done and then it just sits there, sometimes for months on end, because it just isn't quite right yet.  Well, this is one of those pieces.  It has been sitting on the desk literally for months just waiting for the right couple of pieces to show up that were needed to finish it off.

As it turned out, I was waiting for other little soldiers to show up to keep the central image company on his watch.

Dedicated to the service our Canadian troops provide us every day and to all military personnel worldwide who work so hard to keep the peace.  This one is for you.

Namaste.

More Repurposed CD Art

Here are a couple more of those recycled CDs turned into collaged art magnets made recently.  The first is 'Key To My Heart' and the second is 'Gypsy Spirit.'



Returning To My Roots

I've been having so much fun "returning to my roots" lately.  I've been revisiting the early days of my online art career by going back to creating work similar to that I produced about twelve years ago.  Along with my miniature art (magnets), I've been doing some collage/assemblages on reclaimed CDs again.  As always, I so enjoy keeping even the smallest bits out of the trash and creating something for someone to treasure.

Here are a couple of simple little collages I did this weekend entitled, "Character and Beauty" and "Angel Watching Over."  They are made with assorted recycled papers, vintage images and stamped images.  Each has a decorative ribbon loop to hang them from (not shown), as well as a large, flat magnet on the back for maximum display potential. 

I think I'll make a few more of these.  Lord knows I have enough discarded CDs collecting dust around here!




"Virtue" And "Soar" - Altered Plate Mixed Media/Collages

I salvaged a couple of square plastic plates from going in the trash.  They're about six inches square and are bevelled (concave).  It dawned on me that they would make a great base for some kind of collage or assemblage.

So, here are the results.  Both pieces are highly textural and very primitive in finish, with lots of lumps and bumps from the many, many layers of stuff I used to create them.  It was a bit of a challenge working on something bevelled and not flat.  They are both quite dark pieces, not just in color but in feel.  Kinda gothic in some ways.  I used all kinds of recycled materials to make them and it took the better part of six months to finally get them to the point where I am happy enough with them to let them go.

Each has a wire hanger on the back.  Because of the bevelled shape of these plates, they are about a half inch or more deep.

Although they don't show up well in the scans, the little blocks on the pieces are vintage dictionary definitions of "virtue" and "soar."



Journal Pages

It hasn't been easy for me to embrace this art journal thang.  As a kid, I never was one to keep a diary.  God forbid I wrote down some highly personal thoughts and someone else saw them!  The thought of that just terrified me.  Even doing this blog is weird for me, but hey, I'm adjusting in my old age.  ;-p

Anyway, I decided to bite the bullet and start a couple of art journals last year and while I still struggle with what to do with them, I do enjoy their portability and flexibility.  I like being able to leave my studio with one, in some state of done-ness, and go join my husband in living room.  He often complains when I squirrel myself away in the studio evenings on end, so it's nice to be able to do something in front of the television he always has on.  I'm one of those people that can't just sit and watch tv.  I have to do something else while it's on otherwise I feel like I'm wasting time.

So, doodling, zentangling, coloring or otherwise enhancing my journal pages fills that need nicely.

The first journal page (called Feather Your Nest) says "Be Sure To Feather Your Nest With Love, Laughter, Dreams, Memories."

The second journal page (called Mom's Advice) has a number of sayings we all heard from our mom, including, "Clean Your Room," "Call Your Grandparents,"  "Mind Your Manners," "Eat Your Vegetables," "Say Your Prayers," "Brush Your Teeth," and "Take The Dog For A Walk."

To be listed in my Etsy store soon.  Thanks for looking!!



Magnet Madness

I've been on a real roll lately with making art magnets.  Those of you who know me from when I first started selling my art online will remember that original art magnets, all one of a kind, was my signature or trademark in the first few years.  I had so much fun in those days creating miniature works of art from all kinds of recycled materials.

So, these photos of what I've been up to today are a throwback to the good ol' days, but with a twist.  Yes, I'm still into my zetti and oddball stuff, and of course it wouldn't be the same without using wonderful vintage Victorian images too.  But, if you'll look closely some of the magnets have little snippets of my zentangle art included.  I just love how easy it's been to integrate my love of zentangling with my collage/mixed media art. 

Anyway, here's a couple of photos of the magnets I finished up today.  Can't decide whether to just give them as gifts or put them in my Etsy or ArtFire shops.  Hope you enjoy them.




Joanna Banana Design Originals: I Found Even More Bookmarks / Art Tags

Joanna Banana Design Originals: I Found Even More Bookmarks / Art Tags: Just when I thought I'd found all the art tag / bookmarks I'd made, lo and behold, here's a few more!! Probably going to list them soon on ...

I Found Even More Bookmarks / Art Tags

Just when I thought I'd found all the art tag / bookmarks I'd made, lo and behold, here's a few more!!  Probably going to list them soon on etsy or artfire for Christmas gift giving ideas.



Joanna Banana Design Originals: "Your Inner Light" ACEO/ATC Art Doll

Joanna Banana Design Originals: "Your Inner Light" ACEO/ATC Art Doll: There are very few of my pieces that I cannot part with. I am usually very happy to send them out into the world to find their new homes wh...

Joanna Banana Design Originals: Please Help Me !!! I Can't Stop Making Art Ma...

Joanna Banana Design Originals: Please Help Me !!! I Can't Stop Making Art Ma...: It's true. In addition to my obsession with making art tag/bookmarks, I can't stop making art magnets from my huge collection of reclaimed ...

Joanna Banana Design Originals: "The Original Fan Club" - mixed media collage orig...

Joanna Banana Design Originals: "The Original Fan Club" - mixed media collage orig...: A fun and whimsical piece on gallery-wrapped canvas and measuring 6" X 8" X .5". As I chose the images for this piece and laid them out on t...

Joanna Banana Design Originals: The Messenger - Original Mixed Media Art

Joanna Banana Design Originals: The Messenger - Original Mixed Media Art: A new piece that will be listed in my Etsy store shortly. It is a gallery-wrapped canvas measuring 6" X 8" X .5" It's a highly textured...

"The Original Fan Club" - mixed media collage original

A fun and whimsical piece on gallery-wrapped canvas and measuring 6" X 8" X .5". As I chose the images for this piece and laid them out on the canvas it made me think of groupies for a rock band, hence the title of the piece.
I'm sure even back in this time musicians had a following.

Available soon in my Etsy store. Watermark does not appear in the original.

Thanks for looking and rock on!


The Messenger - Original Mixed Media Art

A new piece that will be listed in my Etsy store shortly.
It is a gallery-wrapped canvas measuring 6" X 8" X .5"




It's a highly textured piece with a very primitive finish. I am so pleased with the final product
after being stalled out on the background for many months.
I just didn't know where to go with it. Love the Asian, otherworldly quality of it.

Of course the watermark does not appear in the original.

Please Help Me !!! I Can't Stop Making Art Magnets !!

It's true. In addition to my obsession with making art tag/bookmarks, I can't stop making art magnets from my huge collection of reclaimed slide mounts. They are just too cool for use as frames for miniature collages.

Here are a few of the latest ones, all listed either in my Etsy or ArtFire stores.

"Your Inner Light" ACEO/ATC Art Doll

There are very few of my pieces that I cannot part with. I am usually very happy to send them out into the world to find their new homes where they will be loved and treasured always. This piece is different. For some reason, I just can't bring myself to list it.

I challenged myself to create an ACEO that was also an art doll and here is the result. As always, it incorporates a number of recycled items including an old floral piece, a vintage wooden milk bottle cap for the face, reclaimed mat board and beads recycled from old jewelry. I love how it can sit on a ledge or shelf with the legs and arms posed.

"Open The Door To Your Soul; Let Your Inner Light Shine Through"

"Remember" Mixed Media Shadowbox

This is a piece I made quite a while ago but only just relisted recently. I am not sure why it hasn't found a home yet but I know that someone will find it and it will speak to them and they will have to have it.

It's made with a recycled post-it-note box, and assorted other vintage images and little reclaimed treasures including two handmade clay face cabochons.


Look Out Boots !!

I'm finally seeing some time ahead of me where I can fulfill a long-time goal of creating some music-themed art work. I have been wanting to focus on more collage/mixed media art that incorporates song lyrics and images to satisfy my soul's need to express it's number one creative outlet: music.

Yes, it's music, not art (although art is a close second). I played for a number of years a long time ago until my instrument was stolen from me and then never got back into it again. And while I know the words to almost every song on the planet it seems, I would do best to keep my singing voice "solo." So low that no one can hear me.

Anyway, I can live the musical life vicariously through my art and here's a piece to start it off. It's a sassy, fun little take on the 1960s hit by Nancy Sinatra. You probably can't read the text on it but it says, "These boots are made for walking and that's just what they'll do, one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you."

Hope you enjoy it. It is listed currently in my Etsy store and of course is made with recycled materials.

"Preparing For Flight"

I am so pleased with how this collage turned out. The inspiration for it was my dear friend Ann who, amongst her many and varied talents, is a belly dancer. Over the years I have watched how Ann's confidence has soared because of her dancing and she has simultaneously developed an incredible talent for costume and accessory design. She's the total package when it comes to a belly dancer. I am so proud of her!


It's Been A While ...

Boy, what a whirlwind the past several months have been. Our big move home to the Okanagan Valley is done, I've started the new job and my husband has started on the home renovations. Did we have a summer? It was all a blur to me.

Anyway, now that things are mostly settled down and I have a somewhat functioning studio to work in, I thought it was time to get back to doing some posting to this blog. I have been stuck on making art tag/bookmarks lately (again). I just love how quickly these little treasures can come together.

I've listed most of these in my Etsy and ArtFire stores in case you're looking for original art that is inexpensive for the upcoming holiday season.