Artist Trading Cards

Recently, I was invited (well, rather invited myself) to join an Artist Trading Card (ATC) exchange. The purpose of this exchange is to share a small piece of art with a fellow artist and, in return, they share a piece with you.

The standard ATC size is around 2.5 x 3.5 inches. This is small for me. I prefer working in the 11 x 14  to 16 x 20 range. I enjoy a challenge and getting involved in a project such as this is quite motivating for me.

This past week, between working full time and other things demanding my time and attention, I was able to churn out 3 of these miniature works. I worked with ink stains, acrylics, gesso, charcoal, ephemera, and molding paste on canvas paper. My goal was to create fun, whimsical pieces. Here are a few examples of some of what I'm working on thus far.

Robin Red Breast

5th Sister Original

Copyright 2015

Snow Angel

5th Sister Original

Copyright 2015

Island Girl

5th Sister Original 

Copyright 2015

Hope

5th Sister Original

Copyright 2015

I recently received my 1st ATC from a dear old friend (going back to 3rd grade!). Her substrate was a small wooden panel. I think I shall borrow that technique on future endeavors. I love her loose work, and bold use of color. And being a Kansas girl, myself...I can't help but be drawn to a subject matter dear and near to my heart: Sunflowers! Thank you, Chris!

Sunflower

Chris Exline Olson

Kitchen Table Studios

Copyright 2015

Shadow Girl

Shadow Girl

Original Mixed Media work by Polly Janos

Copyright 2015

shadow girl clings to edge of night

risking exposure at dawn's first light

Hope Chest

childhood dreams, neatly folded, safely tucked away

wrapped within whitewashed sheets, cleansed with salty tears

by victim of perverted desires, to demons falling prey

childhood dreams, neatly folded, safely tucked away

locked away in sturdy chest, forgotten were those years

buried ‘neath emptied bottles of Zin and Chardonnay


childhood dreams, neatly folded, safely tucked away

awaiting realization after facing all those fears

time capsule to be opened in light of present day 

childhood dreams, neatly folded, safely tucked away

wrapped within whitewashed sheets, cleansed with salty tears 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright 2015

Flower Girl

The Flower Girl

an original work of art by yours truly

Copyright 2015

stepping from ashes of darkest night

into world of Love's pure light

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I finally found time to complete a mixed media piece I began in a workshop I took from one of my favorite contemporary artists, Kate Thompson. 

In My Dreams: A Flash Friday 55 Offering

I developed

a secret “super power”…

an ability to hover,

in my dreams,
as I began creating.

Exhilarating, 

yet remaining
earthbound

As artistic endeavors unfolded,

I soared,
slightly higher,

still tethered by rules,

restrictions,

and those silly little limitations 

labeled "Laws" of Gravity.

Presently exploring,

Risk taking,

fearlessly,

(rules be damned!)

learning to fly!

Copyright 2014

The 5th Sister

~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, so I'm rusty. I haven't written in awhile but thought I'd surprise G-Man with a Friday 55.

For the Love of Dog

The Carolina Panthers may have lost in their playoff game

but Daisy reminds me that the "Love of Dog" puts everything into perspective. 

A Friday Funny

We've all seen them...those cute dog shaming photos popping up all over the internet. However, I do believe there is a human cause for all those shaming incidents. Case in point:

Lost and Found

This past year found me lost...in my art.

I began to experiment with different mixed media techniques.

I became open to pushing myself in directions I never thought possible.

By doing so, I believe I was found...

All images copyrighted by Polly Janos and 5th Sister Studio. 

Use without permission is strictly prohibited. 

Inspire

Inspire

An original work by Polly Janos

As many of you know, I am a Respiratory Therapist working in a small Respiratory Care Department at our local hospital. We're a fairly new hospital that is home to wonderful works of art. Unfortunately, our department walls have remained bare. I decided to do something about it. The above is the result. It is 11x14, matted and framed and now hanging on our walls! I'm pleased with how it turned out. 

The Spider Dream

I experienced a particularly disturbing dream one night. I had been bicycling. It had gotten late. I decided to stop along the main street of a tiny town and wait for my brother, whom I left far behind. While waiting, curiosity got the best of me and I decided to investigate the dusty cellar of an old brownstone...an ancient shop long closed. Cobwebs, bugs, debris, and cloudy apothecary bottles were scattered about. I spied the dead spider up on the window ledge facing the street. I have no idea what possessed me to pick it up and eat it. I was pleasantly surprised to find the crunchy carcass tasted very much like Cheerios. 

Where Have All the Blackbirds Gone?

Copyright 2012 The 5th Sister

Image may not be used without permission

I looked o'er the cottonwood

towards prairie and beyond

wondering to myself

"Where have all the blackbirds gone?"

~

Today marks the beginning of Lent...a time of preparation, through prayer, penance and self sacrifice, in order to ready ourselves for our Risen Lord. 

I have designated this year as my year of change. One of the things I am doing is focusing more on my art. I have decided to take my more unusual dreams and bring it to "life" through my particular art form using textiles. The above is a 1st in a series. Enjoy. 

This is a Test

I know, I know. I've been gone quite a while. I have no excuse except to say I've been extremely lazy and am spending a lot of time with my new hobby: marathon napping!

I did complete a self portrait in my spare time between naps, work, and kid's activities. I am also experimenting with my iPad to see if I can post a blog on the run. It would be nice if I am able to post a photo as well. Hence the "this is a test" Let's see if this works, shall we?

Tuesday's Tale: Legacy

(file from Google Images-layoutsparks.com)

Blackbird perched upon her branch

(a for-bearer of pending doom)

patiently waiting for his chance

as burgeoning buds eventually bloom

Flowers give way to emerald leaves

while blackbird nests, keeping watch

other birds surf gentle breezes

he bides his time sipping Scotch

Blackbird stirs as time draws near

'twixt her foliage he lustily recites

poems of love, chivalry into her ear

words...wound tight, delights, excites

Blackbird left in stealth of night

stealing from her bountiful tree

sweet tender fruit, not fully ripe,

though she’d gladly given for free

Blackbird drops pilfered pit

over seedy part of town

‘tween asphalt sheets & butts well thrown,

nourished by rain of spilt Royal Crown

Weeping golden tears upon the ground

she empties self, mourning loss

of love imagined, so pure, profound

comforting self with layers of winter moss

Meanwhile ‘cross city-scape

her daughter burrows deep

taking root as night sky drapes

wintry blanket under which she sleeps

Thus story begins anew

when unto chaos she emerges

(against all odds it survived), and grew

her marrow with pavement merges

Generations came, decades spent

(mom's) memories coursing through veins

this time, she thought, will be diff’rent

as blackbird settles in, taking reign

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A d'Verse Poets Pub "Open Link Night" offering

Renewed Resolve: A Micro-fiction Monday Post

17 months passed

since stepping

into dark confines

beyond cellar door

Vision adjusts

yielding truth:

empty barrels

stark reminder

of life once led

(140)

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Fairy Tale, V.2: d'Verse Poetics Offering

 

Once upon a yesteryear

I believed in fairy-tales…

Prince Charming came

slaying dragons

wakening, writhing,

dancing in tempo

to rhythmic beat; 

a troubled heart

pound, pound, pounding…

truth

drown, drown, drowning

‘neath blood spilt

through pierced flesh;

sword’s tainted tip

eventually exposing
Prince’s flaws...

defeated, he left

once upon a yesteryear

I believed in fairy-tales…

Fairy Tale: A Flash Friday 55 Offering

Photo Credit

Once upon a yesteryear

I believed in fairy-tales…

Prince Charming came

to slay dragons

wakening, writhing,

dancing in tempo

to rhythmic beat

of troubled heart

pound, pound, pounding…

truth

drown, drown, drowning

‘neath blood spilt

through pierced flesh;

sword’s tainted tip

eventually exposing

Prince’s flaws

as well…

once upon a yesteryear

I believed in fairy-tales…

Tuesday's Tale: What is it About Kids Today?

What is it about kids today...
self centered,
greedy,
uncaring,
unfeeling,
whiny,
over-inflated egos,
with the attitude of entitlement
and so on...

Right?

WRONG!

I was witness to something especially amazing this past Friday. There is a courageous young man in Munchie's 7th grade class who is undergoing treatment for osteocarcinoma: cancer of the bone. This young man recently turned 13 and a celebration was held in his honor at his school, attended by the whole 7th grade class.

(Don't you just love that smile? And that Grover hat, too?)

In addition to birthday cake, streamers and balloons, music blasting on loud speakers outside, there was something quite different going on in the middle school lobby:

As an outward sign of support, and to give encouragement to this young man as he battles cancer, many shaved had their heads and/or donated their hair to Locks of Love in his honor.

Participating were teachers...

students...

 

Munchie Boy...

a parent or two...

and even a brave young lady, who not only donated to Locks of Love, but had her head shaved as well as a show of solidarity...

Students gathered at the rafters, windows, and doorways to cheer them on...

What a great looking bunch, don't you think?

This was a truly wonderful celebration of HOPE! 

Hope Chest

childhood dreams, neatly folded, safely tucked away

wrapped within whitewashed sheets, cleansed with salty tears

victim of perverted desires, to demons falling prey

childhood dreams, neatly folded, safely tucked away

buried ‘neath  emptied bottles of Zin and Chardonnay

locked away in rotting trunk, forgotten were those years

childhood dreams, neatly folded, safely tucked away

wrapped within whitewashed sheets, cleansed with salty tears

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In addition to my usual Friday 55 post (although I had a lead foot and exceeded the speed limit just a bit) I decided to participate in d'Verse Poet's Pub challenge: compose a TRIOLET. What is a triolet you ask. It is a poem composed of 8 lines with an ABaAabAB rhyme scheme. The first, fourth, and seventh lines are identical; the second and the last lines are also identical. 

Micro-Fiction Monday: Breaking Wind

Harold and Maude,

deliberated at great length,

as Southern winds

blasted the atmosphere

surrounding them

only to conclude

that it is true:

he who smelled it, dealt it!

(140)

Saying Goodbye: A Saturday Centus Post

(Prompt is in GREEN)

deep within 

she knew

time was nearing

despite desperate denials

fearful, bitter truth

came through child’s cry

“Mommy, please stop!”

how hard she had tried:

countless times 

countless ways

a few days here 

a few weeks there

eventually succumbing

to his always appealing
seductive spell...

his charismatic charm

controlling encounters:

different places

different times

secretly meeting
hiding

even cheating with others…

never worked
always resulting in

guilt

remorse

shame

deep down she knew

he was toxic…

he could

and would

kill…

destroying her soul

and yet

saying goodbye

was harder than she thought

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