Artist Trading Cards of Tape

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Last Thursday I enjoyed a wonderful evening in the studio of Jerry Simpson at an Artist Trading Card "Trade 'em; Make 'em and Trade 'em." Well something like that. The evening began with trades of cards made with tape. I used tape to make print plates which I then printed onto printing paper. Then I collaged various other things into the result. Pictured are three cards that I called "Taped Music" that used cutouts from an old German hymnbook. 

Other people showed once again the vast world of ideas and applications. I traded my cards for others make from tape. Some used commercial tapes simply but artistically taped to the cards. Others were more adventuresome in ways I cannot adequately describe. One artist made monoprints, another collages, another mixed media with wrapped tape around tiny frames with dolls inside. You'd have to see them. As always the ideas seemed endless and the company even more than fine. 

Denver, 2016

Printing from Tapes

Tape and acrylic paint by Phillip Hoyle 2016

An experiment with making prints off of tape left me with an interesting piece of art. I adhered masking tape, artists tape, electrician tape, Scotch tape and a few other tapes to a couple of pieces of board in order to make some Artist Trading Cards. I put the paint directly from the tubes onto the tape-covered board and rolled away with my brayer. By the time I cleaned it all up, I had printed quite a few cards--some to make ATCs, others to serve as backgrounds for more ATCs, some I don't quite know what to do with. AND I have from one of my tape plates this nice horizontal piece of art measuring 4" x 11". The rolled-on acrylic paints made interesting fluid designs to contrast with the rigid marks of the tapes themselves. 

Sometimes an artist just lucks out. I guess I'll keep this one for myself. May you have good luck in your artistic efforts.

Denver, 2016 

Birch Bark Art Cards

I got the idea from my grandson Matthew. He found birch bark pieces on the grass where we were staying in Kansas City a few weeks ago and cut out a card on which he wrote a thank you note to his grandma who was hosting us at a beautiful hotel.

I saw more bark scraps on the grass and, following his initiative, collected some for several experiments of my own.

The birch bark in these cards was printed on my little copy machine. Then I found an unusual petroglyph from Ojibwe country where native folk used to make birch bark canoes. (Some still make them.) I cut a block and printed an approximation of the petroglyph onto the prints.

I’m sure I’ll trade them soon if I haven’t already done so when you read this! (Most of them traded on Saturday at CORE New Art Space monthly swap.)

The source of my idea!

I love art and even more than that I love doing artwork. And I love my many artistic grandchildren! 

Denver 2016

Back to Art Work: New Artist Trading Cards

Colorado Flora Artist Trading Cards
Phillip Hoyle 2016

Due to a terrible combination of a cold, seasonal allergies, and who knows what all, I did not make my trip to Missouri last week. I haven’t been walking around prairies and forests of Mid-MO to draw plants. Since I promised something, though, I did make four ATC cards of Colorado wildflowers. Actually they represent the only artwork I have accomplished in the past four weeks—the longest stretch of not doing the work (the work of art) I have had in years and years.

I went to work and made some rather interesting cards with rather interesting results. At least I think so!

I am quite a bit better and am making a modest comeback into the world of flora art working on mono-print backgrounds with an assortment of pens and Prismacolor pencils. I have many other plans for projects and hope I continue my recovery. Who knows what will happen.

Then, before long, I’ll have to take up family responsibilities and see what’s happening in Missouri.

I hope you have a good week. Do something artful or at least artsy.

Colorado wildflowers
Artist Trading Cards Phillip Hoyle 2016

Denver 2016

Springtime flowers and joy

Artist Trading Cards of Missouri springtime flora
by Phillip Hoyle 2016

In a couple of days I'll be on my way to Mid-Missouri to see my family and to engage in a couple of art projects, one a writing project, the other drawing wildflowers. I did something similar last May and enjoyed myself and the work immensely. 

The family things also involve creativity. I'll attend the graduation of a grandson who has been studying welding and metalwork at Missouri State Technical School in Lynn MO. I'll also attend a baby shower looking forward to the birth of a second great grandchild! Both celebrations will mark celebrations of new beginnings. 

Artist Trading Cards of Missouri springtime flora
Phillip Hoyle 2016

While there I plan to finish two chapters in the manuscript I've been working on for a year. I plan also to draw, draw, draw in Jefferson City Parks, the Runge Center, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, and my son's farm. Of course there will be wonderful conversations, meals, card games, and laughter. I plan to post something from there to keep you abreast. Hopefully I'll also experience success.

Denver 2016