40 More Days of Collage

Christmas is Coming!

2011-12-13T14:32:00.000-08:00

So much to do and so little time. Then Christmas comes and everything that was on my list to do list for this year goes on next years list. That is my explation for not doing Christmas cards. The race to Christmas eve. This year during Advent I want to spend more time with my family and less time running around like a crazy woman. Which is what I do all year long. Here's my angel from yesterday at the studio. Only there for an hour---feels so good to stop and do some art.

She is a glitter pink watercolor.

And she is a red ink angel elf.

It's Tuesday night. Movie night. More tomorrow.

November 19, 2010 Thanksgiving Tags

2011-08-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

Studio, then Artists on the Bluff Gallery, then tags.

I am so excited to do some tags for my snagging stampers group.

Summer 2011 Workshops

2011-08-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

Paint Box Gallery, Ephriam WI (Door County)

Paint Box in January. I will be there in July!

Paste Papers---July 25, 26, and/or 27---10:30 - 1:30
Acrylic Painting on Paper decorate with rubberstamps stencils and other divine stuff. Then use these decorated papers to collage, make cards and more.

Altered Books---July 28, 29, and/or 30---10:30 - 1:30
Bring your favorite book to turn into your own piece of art.

Class are $45 per day
Call 920-854-4435 to Register (10-4) Tues-Saturday

36 Angel Card Designs for Labor Day Show

2011-08-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

So I had this really great idea. I am working on 36 angels (a few are cats) in a minature format for card designs for the Artisan show on Labor Day in Lake Forest.

Just love the fact that when I give myself a project---I learn as I go.

Here is my first set. Have only painted the blue and black to start. What I learned---Don't forget to leave some space between the angels for trimming. Simple to fix.

Here is the second batch. What I learned---Work on a smaller piece of paper so it fits in my scanner. I did remembered to add space between the images!

Here is the third batch penciled tonight.
the red mark are eraser. (I will touch up at the studio. This sheet of watercolor paper fits in my scanner. Lost the lines on the far right and the bottom. A few more cats on this sheet.

Tomorrow I teach. That makes Friday my card design marathon day!

Deerpath Art Leage Art Camp

2011-07-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

One more week of art camp. We are having the most fun this year.
Next week July 18 - 21. Our theme will be constuction. We are going to do a Louise Nevelson project, work on South American molas, and decorate a frame like Hunderwasser. We are having so much fun, drawing and painting.

Here are some photos of what we did last week!

Summer 2011

2011-06-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Just got home from a week of plein aire watercolor in Door County. Don't really like anything that I did but the potential to do new work is great. GOOD NEWS--I have a piece of art at the Hardy Gallery located at the Anderson Dock in Ephraim. The show is fabulous and my mom Vera Lenz has a pastel painting in the show too. This is a first for us. Showing together.

Here's the piece that got in. It was painted on the 4th of July 2010. It will be up in the show until the middle of July. If you are in Door County WI this summer go visit it!

Flower Journal Dream
Watercolor
14 x 18

Children's Book

2011-04-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

On deadline to finish my new children's picture book.

Here's a sneak peak at the cover page.

Why do Squirrels Live in Trees?

Lot's of work to do before it is presented next Tuesday downtown.

Better get my taxes done now!

Need to do some Art!

2011-02-11T16:33:00.000-08:00

My sisters and I in our German Dresses---1963

What does it mean when you loose all the chargers to your electronics?

AND there is still a squirrel in my basement. It's been that kind of day!

This is a photo of tree out my back window that the squirrel is suppose to live in. Not in my house. Setting up a trap now hope we don't catch the cats.

Sketchbook Challenge

2011-01-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

I am doing the sketchbook challenge.

A year's worth of challenges.

http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

And here's is my Make Your Mark sketchbook
but I am having trouble getting all the photos in
here. My sister took on her iphone last week.

Next I will try to put them into my flickr account.

Most important I will work on
sketches tonight so I have more
to post tommorrow!

Holiday Boutique

2010-10-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Holiday Boutique

Thursday October 21st

It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping! Join us at the

home of Debbie Tometz for an afternoon or evening of shopping in a warm

and friendly environment. We will be featuring gifts and

art from a variety of creative vendors.

There is something for everyone on your holiday list.

Accent Jewelry Debbie Tometz

Find a wonderful gift (or for yourself!). These unique, hand-crafted designs

are richly detailed and beautifully textured pieces of wearable art.

b.gracious gifts Kathy Knezevic

Handmade bags, purses, cell phone carriers, key chains….

perfect gifts for teachers, friends, or you!!

Lezlie Lenz Graphics

Handmade cards with a whimsical style…

watercolor creations sure to bring a smile to all.

Mosaics by Me Patrice Curry

Mosaics made with vintage china, stained glass and Italian tile.

Snuggle Buddies Mindey Johnson

Specializing in unique tye-dye pillow cases,

baby blankets, embellished clothing and more!

Wood Creations Lisa Paqura

One of a kind hand crafted wooden pieces made from a variety of woods.

Each piece is handmade by woodturner Frank Pagura, Sr.

Methods of payment: Cash or Check payable to each individual vendor.

September Angels

2010-09-16T08:14:00.000-07:00

Tea Angel

Blue Angel

White Angel

Lately at the studio I want to create cutout angels. I hav e Christmas Cards to design and paintings that need to be done but these angels are what I want to work on.

August 5, 2010

2010-08-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

Had a break through last week! I love the faces on these girls. If you know my art, you know I never put faces on my girls and angels. What do you thing of these?

I am so happy with them!

Thursday May 27

2010-06-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Here's my bear bench on his way to the Madison Zoo. Opening at the Zoo is Saturday morning.

Auction is in Septembear!

Wednesday April 28

2010-04-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

Time is flying by. Polar bear bench is one third done. Must spend more time at the studio.

Cricut Cake came today. I will be demoing at Michaels on Sunday.

Tomorrow will be an all day paint party.

Thursday March 18

2010-04-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Back in my studio after being gone for 32 days. Oh my!

Here's what I did.

I love making art!

Studio Time

2010-04-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

I am back at my studio. Painting, Painting, Painting. Life is Good.

April 14, 2010

2010-04-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

Working on my polar bear bench for Zoobilee at the Madison Zoo this summer. Good thing I looked up my drawings from last September.

Here they are not exactly how I remembered them.

Monday March 22, 2010

2010-03-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Taxes today. Must get this done today.

Sunday March 21, 2010

2010-03-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Art Sale today at Pasquesi's in the Green House.

Pansies everywhere. It was beautiful. Didn't take any photos today.

Made 8 collage cards and sold 5--- So much fun

3 Days Off

2010-02-22T19:07:00.000-08:00

I am in Kansas City at my daughter's apartment a couple of blocks north of the Kansas City Art Institute. I have 3 days off between Costco Road Shows. Time for computer play, collage and reading. This is my last Costco Road show. I will be returning to my studio to do ART. There are paintings that need to be done. And publishing that needs to happen.

All is Good!

Blessings
Lezlie

Watercolor Commission

2010-01-20T14:26:00.000-08:00

When I have the oppurtunity to do a commission I always like to give my client a choice by doing two. Here are two small watercolors that I did last week.

Which one do you like best?

2010---A Collage A Day

2010-01-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2010!

I have decided to rename my blog---A Collage A Day.

I was so happy when I did my 40 days of collage this fall before Art and Soul Retreat, Portland, OR. For 2010 everyday will be a collage day.

Now all I need for 2010 is a business manager to help me to get my freelance illustration, design and commissions done and invoiced!

My first collage of 2010 done in early January.

Everyone needs an angel!

2009-12-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

I am selling my angels this week. I am so excited about my new angel ornaments. (Need to photo today and post tonight) Angel cards, ornaments and art at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest Thursday December 3. And at the Lake Bluff Train Station Gallery on Friday and Saturday (December 4 & 5) 9-5 all three days.

If you are in town come visit!

Winter is Coming!

2009-11-15T18:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we spent the day cleaning the yard and planting bulbs.

The weather is changing. Saturday may have been our last nice day before winter arrives.

I hope the squirrels don't find the 100 bulbs I planted outside. The squirrels were so busy this weekend. Do they know something that we don't know?

Sunday

2009-11-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

At the computer all day. Did I get anything done????

Not really. Here are two angels of mine from last year that live in Kim's stamping room. They have a good home in Grayslake.

Thursday November 5th

2009-11-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

I have 4 days off. AND I have picked up 4 more jobs. I need to be smart and work on this work now!

I always need a deadline. Really it won't get done without a deadline. This morning I am going to clean the kitchen, (smelly frig) do my timecard and expense report, go to the studio and finish that painting.

Tonight I am going to a Golden paint workshop in Lake Bluff. And this is what I worked on!

3 Days Home

2009-10-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

I am home for three days before I go on my next sales trip.

I need to post my projects from Art and Soul. And today my watercolor class is going to use rubberstamps! It will be fun! Going over to the studio now to set up. Pictures post more pictures. Who wants to read boring words?

Lezlie

October 7, 2009

2009-10-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Just got home from Art and Soul Retreat in Portland OR. It was fabulous. My friends the art girls are wonderful! It was inspiring, delightful, hard work and relaxing all at the same time. Here is a photo of me in the trees in the National Forest on the way to the ocean. Can you see me?

Day 34

2009-09-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

Now that I am packing, shipping and ready to leave for my collage retreat in Portland OR. I leave for Art and Soul on Monday---It is time to finish up all of my 40 collages.
I seem to have gotten out of the groove of one hour of cleaning, one collage a day and blogging everyday.

I actually like cleaning and love collage. And having a blog ROCKS. As my forty days of collage ends I plan to continue this for the next four hundred days. May need to change the name of this blog! LOL

I did find myself going back to watercolor without collage, so maybe it will just have to be: clean, collage, and watercolor everyday. AND blogging once a week!

Monday September 21, 2009

2009-09-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Did two collages on Monday. Did not like them while I was doing them. Did them anyway.

Now that it is Saturday I like them.

September 15 Angels

2009-09-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

What was I thinking? Why did I stop scanning? I don't know but now I am going to catch up. My 40 collages for 40 days of collages, cleaning and commisions before Art and Soul in Portland is almost done. These angels are from a week ago.

40 Angel Wings & One Red Dot
5" x 5"

paper, pencil, marker

Fall is Here
5" x 5"
paper, pencil, marker

Lemon Myrtle Tea
5" x 5"
paper, pencil, marker

One Thing at a Time
5" x 5"
paper, pencil, marker

Day 26 I think?

2009-09-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am in KC to hang out with my daughter. Did 4 collages yesterday. Photos to come.

Article on Artisians in Gazabo News

2009-09-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

Permalink

090909 Day 16

2009-09-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Good Cleaning today. Did wash, and got everything off the bed in my DD's room. Still have to attack the dining room table. Why is the dining room table such a paper magnet? (I know I have asked that before!)

Talked to Barbara today! Good to hear her voice. She is in Monrovia CA. I was worried about the fires out there. She told me they have heat, smoke, but no ash and there is no immediate fire threat. She is working on her card business. Way to go girl! Best tip for a great cheap treat---McDonalds Sundae on the dollar menu. Sounds good to me!

These are the layouts that I did for Zoobilee in Madison on Monday and Tuesday.

A Bear Paw Quilt Bench

Mary had a Little Lamb

A Graffiti Penguin Angel

A Pink Princess and the Pea Flamingo

Off to do a couple of collages.
Lezlie

Today

2009-09-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

Today is the day after the art sale.

The art sale was fun and I talked to many friends and customers. I didn't get to do my 5 x 5 collages today, or yesterday or the day before that. What I did get to do was create a bunch of prodotypes (is that spelled right? is this even a word?) for the Madison Zoobilee (I will post those tomorrow). I also put together a Sailor Valentine that I submited tonight to Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. All is good!

A random shot of my portfolio.

Here is the box top that I worked on tonight.

For background information google Sailor Valentine images. This is a very loose representation of a Sailor Valentine.

This is the inside of my box. There is a cut out watercolor on the left side. She really isn't part of the project.

And this is a cut out watercolor girl with an octopus leg on her dress. I have no idea where she came from or how I got there.

Lezlie

Day 12 I think

2009-09-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how a little thing like doing a collage everyday really gets into your soul. I didn't do a collage yesterday and almost got up in the middle of the night to be accountable to myself. Today we cleaned the garage. I packed for the art sale and did 2 collages today.

I feel so much better!

Artisan Sale Tomorrow
5" x 5"
colored pencil, cardstock, and ink on watercolor paper

The Real Reason I am doing this

2009-09-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

Notes from Day Four that got lost in my blog world.

Okay the word is out. I have a secret. 40 of days of collage is the fun part but the real down to business part is 40 days of decluttering. I had to back track and clean.

I set the timer for an hour. AND GUESS what I did it.
Lezlie

Day 11 September 3

2009-09-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo! I made my reservations to fly to Portland. I used Kayak.com and found cheap tickets. Bought them directly from United. Of course they are not nonstop I will be spending time in the Denver Airport on the way out and on the way home. I like the Denver airport good shopping there!

Yesterday I did some deep cleaning and didn't make it to the studio. Today I made it to the studio at 1:00 but didn't do any cleaning. I did two collages today. One is for today and one is for yesterday.

Too Much Time or Not Enough?
5" x 5"
marker, colored pencil, cardstock, scrapbook paper, ephemera on confetti cardstock with snail adhesive

My Favorite Tea
5" x 5"

watercolor, ephemera, cardstock, printed pictures on watercolor paper with snail adhesive

Tomorrow is Friday. I need to get packed for the art sale this weekend. I will be with the LFLBArtisans in the Lake Forest Bank parking lot on Sunday and Monday. Did I already blog this?

Come visit me and see all these collages in real time.

Lezlie

Day 8 & 9 = 4 Collages

2009-09-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

Why is it that once you are behind you can never catch up?

The trick would be to never fall behind.

AND If you are 11 months behind wouldn't make you one month ahead?

Too Many Acronyms
5" x 5"
Paper, Pencil and snail
Tuesday September 2, 2009

I went to the Welcome center of the Waukegan School District today and met with Martha. She helped me get my application for substitute teaching started. Thank you Martha! We have the same birth date. I also found out what I need to do to get my teaching certificate for the state of IL. AND many more job leads (too many acronyms).

Nothing Black and White
5" x 5"

Paper, rubberstamping, ink and glue on watercolor paper

No Cash Value
5" x 5"

Paper, pencil and Snail

On Monday I took another piggy bank to the real bank.
I had a ziplock sandwich bag full of coins. $56.49 the coin in the collage was given back to me in my empty bag.

Final House Inspection
5" x 5"

Paper, Pencil and snail adhesive on watercolor paper

House passed the final electrial inspection. My house project is done. Good thing I have this collage project, and three undone commisions to work on.

Still have cards to package for the Artisan Sale on Sunday and Monday in the Bank of Lake Forest Parking lot. I hope the weather stays the same. TODAY was fabulous.

Lezlie

Day 6 was Saturday

2009-08-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

Paris Journey
5" x 5"

Blue Journey
5" x 5"

Saturday got up and meet DD for coffee. Mailed bills and cleaned in the basement twice. (Before lunch and after lunch---did I eat lunch?) Went to the studio for a couple of hours in the middle and cleaned there too.

Spent a lot of time looking for a stamp set that was right where it belonged.

Went to McHenry and stamped with the Art Chics. Did the collages last. It's hard to collage at 11:00 pm. (too late) It's hard to collage when you have been stamping (making cards to match samples). It is really using two different parts of your brain.

I will post the cards we stamped on my Card blog on Monday.

I have not done my collage for today. I did find lots of collage material when I cleaned my desk upstairs. Maybe it's okay if I don't collage on Sunday. I will have to collage two times on Monday. That sounds good to me!

We are going to have record cold tonight. It is fall!

I am a day behind.

Lezlie

Day 5---Sketchbook Collage

2009-08-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

Linda's Garage Sale this morning. It was rainy. It was wet. It was fun!

This year Linda, Sue and I have been meeting up on the last Friday of the month. This is good. Old friends are good. (Our history goes back 30 years---We all started working at Hewitt Associates in 1979!) It's nice to have friends with history.

I didn't make it to the studio today. I spent most of the afternoon cleaning in the basement. Did you know that cleaning can be like a collage treasure hunt? I found glitter---lots of glitter. (3 different stashes---sorry Lizzie no pink!) I didn't use it in todays collage but maybe next week. Glitter only works in moderation.

Did you know that a CD is almost 5 inches across. (4.75" to be correct) Since my trusty template was at the studio I used a CD and a ruler and I did this collage is in my sketchbook.

Women Artists

4.75" x 4.75"

Magazine, Scrapbook Paper, Prismacolor Pencil and Ink with gluestick on paper

Lezlie

Day 4 of 40 Days of Collage

2009-08-27T19:13:00.001-07:00

Good Day!
Rainy Day!
Clean Up Day!
One hour at the studio Day!

My simple rules. . .

1. Do at least one collage a day.
2. Spend no more than 15 minutes.
(This may be a stupid rule because I am not going to time myself.)
3. Do one hour of cleaning my clutter a day. (My DH's new rule!)
4. Blog each night.

My glue and my 5"x 5" template.

Red Hat
5" x 5" collage

My daughter said she liked the feather hair of Day 2 collage A Friend and Oak Leaves below.

Oh what a good idea! A feather for hair. But it turned into a red feathered hat. Those of you who know me, know I don't put faces on most of my ladies and angels---Today she has a face. I don't really like her face. Maybe that's why I never put faces on them.

Blue Hair
5" x 5" collage

The hair moves. (That is why I posted 2 views.)

This one is for Lydia, my DD's BFF. She is on a plane to Bulgaria right now for a semester abroad. She will not be back until January 4, 2010. She is in my prayers. We will miss her but can't wait to hear about her treasures and experiences.

Speaking of Lydia. Our family sent her off with an UGLY DOLL. Have you heard of these? http://www.uglydolls.com/ I want all of them! After 6 text messages and photos we gifted her Mr. Kasoogi . So kewl.

Oh and did I say I found $40 cash while cleaning today.

Happy Day!

Lezlie

Day 3---3 Collages

2009-08-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Today I did 2 more collages and I scaned in my collage from Tuesday.

Messy House with New Blue Door
5" x 5" collage

Yes my house is a mess, and I have a new blue door.

The City Wife
5" x 5" collage
(Still thinking about the movie last night)

A Friend & Oak Leaves
5" x 5" collage

Three days of collage, 37 to go.

A messy house.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Lezlie

Day Two

2009-08-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Today did not go as planned. Got to the studio at 11:00 decided to do my collage first thing. Then got a call from the electrican. Left everything undone and at the studio. Will have to finish and scan tomorrow.

Went to the movies with the girls and saw The Time Travelers Wife. It was good, sad but good.

Tomorrow I will be back on track.

What I did today

2009-08-24T18:53:00.000-07:00

First is my collage from today.

Prayer

5" x 5"

Yes, one of her wings is from my yellow maple tree.

It was the last thing I did today before coming home.

Next is my watercolor.

Angel in the Storm

5" x 9"

Last is a watercolor I did early this spring. It is 9"x 12".

Three Angels out on the Lake

I like having these angels grounded but with water all around them.

They are ready and waiting to fly off when needed.

Lezlie

August 24 Day ONE

2009-08-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, my first day at full time art at the studio.

My plan for the next 40 days---I am going to do a 5 inch x 5 inch collage everyday. REALLY!

In 40 days I will be meeting up with my art girl friends at Art and Soul in Portland OR. Can't wait.

In the meantime I am going to post art that I have worked on or finished at the studio every day.

ALL I NEED to do now is scan today's work and download OR do I mean upload. Okay I am just going to post this and work on scanning todays art now. NOTE TO SELF Scan art work first then write dailey blog.

I can do this.

The image on the left is my painting at Deerpath Gallery this month. I know I need to go in and edit it so it rotates to the correct way.

The art I did today is still on the kitchen counter I am going to scan, upload and post that next. Who knew there was so many things to make right before blogging.

Lezlie