So Artful Challenges: January 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

Victorian Romance

I love Victorian Valentines. They are filled with

love, beauty and romance. Have you seen these beautiful

Victorian Valentine's in Google Images?

During the late 1800’s, handmade Valentines were elaborately crafted from paper lace, ribbons and delicate die-cut paper. Embellishments like gold and silver gilt and soft pastels along with the traditional pink and red gave each Valentine card a romantic air. Some of the most popular designs included bouquets of flowers, lovely young ladies and charming young children with ringlets of curls. There were also plenty of Valentine cards featuring hearts, cupids and love birds.

The Victorians didn't skimp on the extras on their Valentine cards and by the turn of the century they could purchase manufactured cards that were true marvels. Details might include embossing, scalloped edged, die-cut lace, watercolors, honeycomb detailing or intricately engineered pop-up versions that could be proudly displayed on the mantel.

Victorian ladies sent Valentine cards to their dearest friends and young swains would send them to the girls they admired in hopes of winning their hearts. Married couples always exchanged Valentine greetings, as did family members.

Written by Joanmarie Moccia

Victoria's Jewelry Box

My Soartful challenge for you this week is to celebrate

Valentine's Day with your own creation of love, beauty and romance.

I must apologize because I didn't note where I found this

lovely Victorian image for your inspiration.

Last week for the Edwardian Era the sinking of the Titanic

was a favorite subject.

Sarah

Grannie Annie

Blue Giraffe

Have a wonderful and very creative week.

Jeanette

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Edwardian Era

Oh dear, I'm late getting this post up this morning.

I thought this week we would explore the

Edwardian Era

The Edwardian era corresponds with the reign of King Edward VII, whose short-lived governance (1901-1910) preceded the modern House of Windsor in England. The "Edwardian" style broadly encompasses the years of 1901 through 1919. One author described the Edwardian era in the following vein: "The end of the century brought the dawning of a new age and a new attitude toward life. It was an era when social differences dissipated and the mores, customs, and expectations of the citizenry came together." The Edwardian era was a historical moment of tremendous technological and social change. The wonders of the modern world, which had only sprang into being in the 1880s and 1890's, brought the first rewards of modern industrialization and mass-produced abundance. Americans during the Edwardian age experienced new-found wealth and indulged in cuisine, fashion, entertainment and travel as never before. Perhaps the Edwardian era was best captured in the Titanic, the grand ocean liner which embodied the human progress, opulence, and excesses of the time. The Edwardian era is aptly remembered as the "Gilded Age." excerpt from Eras of Elegance

Ladies who sailed the Titanic in 1912 may well have worn gowns based on similar designs.

Be inspired and create you own interpretation of the

Edwardian Era. You can use this image or not.

Here is something else that inspired me this week.

This Artistic Journal entry was drawn by

Clemencia's young daughter. Clemencia added the red highlights.

Have a good week everyone.

Jeanette

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The Artistic Journal

I was absolutely dazzled by the beautiful creations

for last weeks Vintage Lady challenge.

It always amazes me how you all take something already

beautiful and make it even more beautiful.

I am inspired every week by your marvelous creativity.

My inspiration for this challenge came from an interview

with Lucrecer Braxton at the Empty Easel.

Lucrecer Braxton has kept a written journal since she was ten years old. Six years ago she fell in love with the idea of combining her love of art with her love of writing—and thus began a wonderful journey into the world of creative art journals

A short excerpt from the interview

Lucrecer: Art journals are more visual than written, or traditional, journals. Unlike traditional journals, where words are simply captured on paper, art journals tell a story with pictures.

Written journals are great for mind dumping, but art journals are visual. They are created to be explored. While the words may not always go with the sketches or ephemera on the page, you can tell what that person was thinking about or doing at that particular moment just by looking at the imagery.

Art journals are a place to explore and experiment with different painting techniques or lettering styles. They are like a playground for artists.

The challenge this week is to create

your own art journal pages.