Small Original Art, A Boy and His Chicken

Introducing Thomas, who is the main character of my newest children's book; Thomas and Autumn (written by Jan Laiz illustrated by myself, Melody Lea Lamb)

Thomas and Autumn is the sweet story of a little boy named Thomas who has a very special relationship with a very special chicken, Autumn. It is a book for tiny children and for chicken lovers of any age. Thomas raises and shows chickens. He sells eggs. Thomas works hard in the barn. It takes him a while, but finally his egg sales earn him enough money to buy his very own chicken, a Banty hen that he names Autumn.

Here's the first illustration!

The miniature painting in progress:

This is an example of how Thomas will look framed:

Prints are available here

The support (surface) I've used for this little painting is called Art Board and is a 5" by 5" by 1.5". The media is Watercolor, India ink, Colored Pencil, and some Acrylic.

Art Board has Arches Cold Press 156 lb watercolor paper mounted to Natural Fiber Panels. The panel is about 1/2 thick with little holes on the back so it is ready to hang. The Arches Watercolor Paper is mouldmade in France with 100% cotton fiber content, pH neutral and gelatin sized.

Any watermark of my name you see here does NOT appear on your original. The frame is not included by shown as an example of how your little painting will look all dressed up.

Enjoy!

What Is An ACEO?

Shown below is one of my ACEOs (Art Cards Editions and Originals) "in hand" so that you can get a sense of the size of these little (2.5" x 3.5") works of art. You can find my nearly 400 other ACEOs here!

ACEO Defined: 
In 2004 the unique little art form known as ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Originals) was born on online. ATC (Art Trading Cards) have been around for centuries and are usually traded or exchanged rather than sold. In contrast, artists primarily create ACEOs with the intention of selling them. ACEOs came to be as a result of the public's interest in acquiring and collecting these tiny works of art.

Today ACEOs are flourishing, (on any given day at least 100,000 ACEO originals are sold somewhere on the internet) More and more people are collecting ACEOs and art supply stores are beginning to stock specialized materials that help artists create them. Two of the greatest appeals for the ACEO are that they small enough to fit inside standard card-collector pockets, sleeves or sheets, and they are an affordable way for people to acquire original art.

I personally discovered ACEOs on eBay in 2005 and began creating my own versions of these little works of art. My ACEOs began to sell immediately and I found myself inspired to create more. Over the years I've been able to perfect some interesting techniques and mediums for my little ACEOs. Below is one step by step of my ACEO "Houdini".

One of my ACEOs step by step:
This is the third portrait of little "Houdini". This special mouse has a sweet story that you can read here.

After I had created and sold over 500 of these little paintings, I began to think of other ways to use the finished works of art. The result was eight unique virtual "shops" where I sell prints of the small paintings as well as hundreds of art gifts such as magnets, bookmarks, greeting cards, tiles and wearable art jewelry!

Although I now paint in a larger format and illustrate children's books, I still occasionally create ACEOs. For example, here is my most recent original ACEO. The creative process of painting ACEOs "Miniature Masterpiece", is still such a joy.

Enjoy!

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Find Melody's Animal Art Here:

The Win-Win of Art & Business

Written by Karen Lideen, guest writer (and new Beaded Art Business partner)!

When Big Businesses form partnerships a chain of events occur. Here’s one example: Big Biz 1 respects Big Biz 2, likes what they’re offering and recognizes the potential for a profitable partnership. Big Biz 2 wants to make money but can’t afford to give anything away. Big Biz 1 really needs Big Biz 2, but wants to make sure they end up with more. So we have a vicious cycle, a waste of time, a couple face saving moves and headaches all around. At the end of the day whoever has the most wins.

Take a deep breath and slowly let it out. We’re not Big Biz. We’re artists and poets, crafters and dreamers. We’re the creative animals on the planet, but we’re not giving the store away, either. We want our creation recognized for the heart and soul we’ve put into it. We want to be respected by our peers. We want to be known for our individuality. And, yes, at the end of the day we want to be paid.

But can we share?

Creating and maintaining a healthy (profitable) partnership is our opportunity to listen, ask questions, compromise and be flexible. It’s our chance to take a genuine interest in the success of another person because their success is ours as well. Most of us were taught to share as children. Perhaps we didn’t always want to let another kid play with our favorite toy, but we learned by sharing we’d be happier if only because our parents didn’t punish us for being selfish. As grown-ups there’s something to be said for that feel-good feeling when you see someone else grow and succeed because of your input; it’s called integrity.

There’s the seed.

Until we are in sync our partnership will struggle. "Great minds think alike" – "It takes one to know one" – "Two peas in a pod". We’ve all heard these phrases and use them often, but their definitions are the key –the seed – to a win-win partnership. We must have like values and a desire to achieve the same goals before we want to learn more from and about each other.
Melody Lea Lamb and Karen Lideen (The Beaded Pillow) have met only on the Net. Through emails they’ve developed a rapport that has led to a new venture – "Beaded Art." Melody’s artistic talents from canvas to fabric; Karen’s approach to "painting" with beads. Something quite unique is being created all over again. Of course, there’ll be glitches and wrinkles as they move forward, but the seed is planted. They’re not Big Biz, they’re Win Win.

Enjoy!

Win Valentine Art!

WIN these tiny handmade Valentine's Day cards

On Feb. 7 Alison WON the charming cards tucked inside a petite hinged plastic box, each featuring my original painting of a super adorable Scottie dog. There is an ACEO print (also of the cute Scottish Terrier) inside the box lid.

All you need to win is to "Tweet" this post (upper left), "Like" me on Facebook (click "Like" upper left), and leave me a comment here. Remember to leave your mailing/post address in the comment OR

If you live out of the country I will need to ask for shipping costs,($8.00) In the US I'll mail your Valentine treat FREE.

The little cards are created by one by one, in my studio, printed on archival paper with archival ink that will last a lifetime, each measures 2 1/8 inches by 2 5/8 inches. The handmade envelopes (by Etsy artist Claudia Aguilar, Etsy id: moncy3) vary slightly in the rich colors that coordinate with my Valentine Scottie Dog. My signature and website are printed on the back of each wee card. Blank inside. I can even add the name of your gift recipient, signed from you, and get this charming art gift shipped directly to your special someone!

Your Four Card Mini Set consists of:
• One signed ACEO print of my original art
• One little white organza bag
• Four handmade cards with my colored pencil art (all four printed with little Scottie Dog as shown here)
• Four tiny handmade envelopes
• Two wee stickers with my art
• One foot of white satin ribbon
• One small sheet of gold tissue paper
• One small hard plastic hinged box
• One wee little gift card on which to write your special someone's name. These vary slightly in design, but all are charming and hand made.

Good luck!