Sunday, February 15, 2015

Birds in Winter

The feeder near our window is a busy place. The birds perch in the rhododendren as they wait their turn to approach the feeder and pluck a few seeds.

Our cat, Maci, lounges on the back of the recliner only inches from the glass and watches avidly. With the frigid winter and deep snow, the level of seeds in the feeder goes down quickly. We drive miles out of our way to buy shelled sunflower hearts. Can't let our feathered friends down, can we?


Friday, February 13, 2015

Going Stir Crazy or Fun With Ice

There is a lot of snow out there and instead of soft snowbanks we have hard icy ones. Last night's low was -2 and it was windy all day. Tomorrow we are to get another big snow. Predictions are from 6-12 inches or more. So maybe I am going a little crazy about now.

I did have a wonderful art day with two friends. What can be better than friends, lots of polymer clay, a fired up woodstove, plenty of food and large windows for watching a snowfall of fat, fluffy flakes? It was food for the soul in this long cold winter! Did I take pictures? No. Too busy eating and having a good time.

Today's picture is me having fun with ice.This is a pot of ivy that has turned pink in the cold. The leaves are decorated with icicles. I used a filter to change the look and ramp up the color.





Saturday, February 7, 2015

Art Chain on Facebook

My artist friends are doing an Art Chain on Facebook. After an artist posts three artworks a day for five days, he/she nominates another artist to do the same. So now it is my turn. I want to share some of the work I have been posting on NancyOliviaDesigns Facebook page.


An early freezing rain coated these leaves while they were still green.



An ice storm later in the season coated these branches to sparkle in the sunshine. 
 

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Fine Art America - National TV Photo Contest

Do you ever buy a lottery ticket knowing the odds are against you but hoping and wishing anyhow? I have done a similar thing by entering Fine Art America's National TV Photo Contest. Each person can enter three images and each image must receive 250 votes from the public to be considered for the final judging by Anne Geddes.

Every person can vote 100 times but only once for each image. For the front page of the Photo Contest click here. You can click on the voting tab and see the thousands of entries. To find my three entries I will put the links here for you.

Thank you for your votes. Please share my links with your friends and ask them to vote. Help a struggling artist succeed.
Nancy Olivia Hoffmann


CORAL BELLS WITH RAINDROPS
http://fineartamerica.com/contests/national-tv-photo-contest-3.html?tab=vote&artworkid=11303218





DREAMING OF SPRING
http://fineartamerica.com/contests/national-tv-photo-contest-3.html?tab=vote&artworkid=11104765





SOFT GLOW
http://fineartamerica.com/contests/national-tv-photo-contest-3.html?tab=vote&artworkid=11168520




Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Staying Creative Against All Odds

You might have noticed I have been absent a lot lately. My husband's health issues are very time consuming. We are still adjusting to our "new normal." I am trying to stay creative and optimistic. A lunch with artist friends tomorrow is something I am looking forward to. Both of those friends can do anything. Among other talents, one makes guitars, paints and drums; the other spins, felts and does woodworking. A visit to either of their houses is a treat!

My son-in-law gave me a Gelli plate for Christmas. I am having a ball experimenting with it. So far I am making backgrounds for collages and also tearing some of the papers to use in the collages. This is taking me off on a new track.

At the same time, I keep my hand in on photography. I will be displaying a digital art work on canvas at the Snow Ball Dance in Willimantic, CT, and donating a framed piece to the silent auction to be held the same night.


This collage, "Into the Red" uses torn photographs, stone beads, and rolled paper beads.