Category Archives: mind wide open contest

Mind Wide Open Challenge December

December 4, 2008 By in art, butterfly, collage, etsy, mind wide open contest, mixed media, winter, zne 22 Comments

Well, Gail went and did it again! I really was going to give this months Mind Wide Open challenge a pass due to a very busy schedule. But I just had to sneak over and see what the image was and I ended up staying up into the wee hours last night to do this piece.

I am calling it ‘Capture The Moment’, which I have represented with the little caged butterfly. The word prompt at MWO is ‘Beginnings’ and I have included the beginnings of wings, sprouting from her back. These represent her first attempts to soar on her own. The beginning of the journey to find her true self. Remember when your child first starts to venture out on their own? It can be frustrating and make you proud, all in the same moment.

Using a 10×10 canvas, I applied the image first and then added molding paste around it, stamping into it for even more texture. Acrylic paints, water soluble crayon, stamping, drawing, and some charcoal combine to give it a wintry feel. A little butterfly also hangs from a string

a true ‘captured moment’. Voting starts on

December 8th.
This piece is available in my etsy shop and remember, I am offering free shipping the entire first week in December, on all original works.

Mind Wide Open November Challenge

November 5, 2008 By in man, mind wide open contest, mixedmedia, portrait, windo, woman, zne 22 Comments

It is that time again, time for the MWO challenge! This months image is shown in the detail shot on the left. A truly lovely one. The theme is ‘Beloved’.

I had already started this pieces on a 16×20 canvas. It is one I was working on for my bedroom and though I had the window in the corner, it still needed something. Gail’s image was the perfect thing! Inspired by the feeling that I am always, eternally, waiting for my DH to come home from his pilot job. The words read, ‘She waited for what seemed an eternity’, finish that off with ‘for her beloved’. She keeps him in her heart as she looks out the window anxiously awaiting his return. Voting begins November 8th. My beloved comes home tonight:-)

Mind Wide Open Challenge October

October 6, 2008 By in Christmas, etsy, girls, mind wide open contest, ornaments, zne 16 Comments

It’s that time again, time for the Mind Wide Open Challenge. Gail provided another stunning image for us to use. The little girls look like they are all dressed up for Christmas, so I decided to make some Victorian inspired ornaments. I used a template from The Stampers’ Sampler, and some of the techniques I used in my pieces that are featured in there this month. The little windows have collaged bits of papers, and are filled in with Diamond Glaze to give them the appearance of old glass. The card stock has been distressed, stamped, inked and has bits of papers collaged onto it as well. Some lovely beaded fringe hangs from the bottom and some have a beautiful red cardinal attached. Ornate hangers, crystal snowflakes, paper roses, old, rusty keys, and ribbon complete the embellishments. These are completely decorated on the back as well, with bits of real vintage sheet music, a vintage Santa, and more. Voting starts on the 7th, so don’t forget to head over to MWO for inspiring ideas and lots of beautiful goodies to look at.

Mind Wide Open

September 19, 2008 By in art, interview, mind wide open contest, mixed media 1 Comment

I was honored to be asked to do an interview at Mind Wide Open awhile back. The lovely and talented Sherry Smyth conducted a very fun interview, making the whole process a joy. I have completely enjoyed being a part of the ongoing monthly challenges there, and would encourage you all to stop by and see what it’s all about. There is an abundance of beautiful artwork to scroll through each month. So take your cup of coffee over and have a nice visit:-)

Mail Art

September 15, 2008 By in gail schmidt, mail art, mind wide open contest, somerset studio, zne 7 Comments

Two fun things today to share! One is that I just finished my article for the new publication from Stampington & Co, Somerset Apprentice. I decided to mail my WIP pieces and final copy in a package decorated to go with the artwork. It has been fun and exciting working on this project and the people are so nice at Somerset, I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This is all the glimpse you get until March:-)

My second little bit of happy news, is that I again placed third at Mind Wide Open. My prize is another of Gail’s lovely collage sheets. I will have to really wrack my brain to come up with something stupendous for next month, stiff competition over there! That is the fun of it though, stretching yourself. Thank you all who visited and voted over there. Hope you all have a creative day!