QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #46: POEtry

First, a brief announcement:  The Quote the Raven website has decided not to have a Design Team at this time.  I still love Edgar Allan Poe and I still love the monthly challenge from Quoth the Raven, so I will still be around and submit my work as I can.  I hope you will continue to follow! And, now...

A new month brings a new challenge from the Quoth the Raven website.  We are asked to pick one of Edgar Allan Poe's poems and to illustrate it.  I thought this would be pretty simple, but found it, indeed, a challenge.  

I picked Poe's poem Eulalie, a rather short poem and, as many of his poems, is said to have been written about his young bride Virginia Clemm Poe.  I have used only the first few lines in my artwork below. You can read the entire poem here.

My first step in creating this project was to print my computer-generated text onto a piece of Ranger "specialty" stamping paper.  Next, I stamped the Dream Girl image (from Unity Stamp Company) for my "yellow-haired young Eulalie."  I then stamped the image again on scrap paper and cut it out.  I "masked" the first image with the second and stamped the Poe image (from Lost Coast Designs) over it to make him appear to be in the background.  I used my Distress Markers to color in the hair and add a bit of blue eye shadow.

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment so that I will know you were here.  I hope that you will find some time this month to play along with the POEtry challenge.

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #45: PICTURE INSPIRATION (WEEK 2)

It's Week 2 of the June Quoth the Raven challenge and I am here to invite you to join us in creating artwork honoring Edgar Allan Poe. This month, the theme is "picture inspiration."  It's kind of like "anything goes," but you must draw your inspiration from the picture provided below and it must, in some way, be related to Edgar Allan Poe.  

I drew my inspiration from both the black and red color palette and the arrangement of the images.  The background in my work was garnered from a Google search for "free images of ravens."  The stamped image is from Stampotique Originals and is called Friend.  Here, the image represents the narrator of Poe's poem of Lenore (you can read it here).   His heart is broken after the loss of his beloved whom he will see nevermore. 

I hope you will find time this month to do something creative!  It's good for your frame of mind and, therefore, your health!  Thanks for coming by today and for taking another minute to leave a comment!

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #45: PICTURE INSPIRATION (WEEK 1)

A new month brings a new challenge at the Quoth the Raven site. This month it will be about "picture inspiration."  It's kind of like "anything goes," but you must draw your inspiration from the picture provided and it must, in some way, be related to Edgar Allan Poe.  Here is the inspiration picture:

I drew my inspiration from both the black and red color palette and from the arrangement of the image in the foreground and the raven(s) in the background.  I used red cardstock from my stash and a brand new stamp from Stampendous! called Crowscape.  This single stamp provided the entire background.  The silhouette was cut from a picture from a website called Assorted Ideas.  My art, when attached to a card blank, will make a perfect Halloween card!

I hope you will play along in June with this fun challenge.  Don't forget that art is therapeutic.  It just might change your state of mind!

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #44: RAVING RAVENS (WEEK 2)

I am here to inspire you to participate in the "Raving Ravens" challenge over at Quoth the Raven.  Edgar Allan Poe refers to ravens only a few times in all other works, yet has dedicated an entire poem to the raven who knocked on his chamber door.  You can read (or re-read) The Raven here.

In my own re-reading of The Raven, I was reminded of the fact that the narrator is struggling with whether this raven is actually just a bird or whether, indeed, it might be a devil calling on him.  

It is for this reason that I have included two ravens, one the mirror image of the other, in my artwork today.  My quote comes from this poem.

My background was created by using another of the 8 backgrounds purchased in a pack (Poe Boy) from Smeared Ink.  The background was reversed in a photo editing software program, then both backgrounds were trimmed and taped together in the center.  The entire piece was then trimmed to a size of 12" x 12".  The quote was computer generated and printed on my color printer.  The image of Poe (Lost Coast Designs) was stamped with Ranger Archival Ink on heavy cardstock, then fussy cut and added to my project.

A rather simple project, but one that goes far in illustrating a portion of one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous works!

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  I hope you will try to find some time this week and throughout the month of May to participate in the "Raving Ravens" challenge at Quoth the Raven!

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #44: RAVING RAVENS (WEEK 1)

A new challenge has been posted and the Quoth the Raven website is all about RAVING RAVENS! The interpretation of this challenge is totally up to you, just as long as it is related in some way to Edgar Allan Poe.

I wanted to use another of the digital backgrounds I purchased from Smeared Ink called Poe Boy Digital Paper Pack (set of 8).  I ended up using a full background, then printed and cut the raven from a second. The quote I used is from The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.  You can read the poem in its entirety here.  (The quote is the first line of the last verse.)

I used a strip of washi tape from my stash so that the raven might have something upon which to "sit" as the quote reads.  The quote was computer generated, then printed directly onto the background.

I hope you will find some time during the month of May to create something for this great challenge.  Thank you for stopping by today! Both your visits and your comments mean a lot to me.

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #43: TIC-TAC-POE (WEEK 5)

I am here with a simple piece of tag art as a reminder that this is the last week of the Quoth the Raven Tic-Tac-Poe challenge.  It's a fun and simple challenge where we provide you with a grid and you select three elements--horizontally, vertically or diagonally--and create something related to Edgar Allan Poe.  Here's the grid:

For this week's reminder art, I have chosen a diagonal pattern and have used some stitching, the well-known quote "Nevermore!" and a stamped image of a raven.  (Please don't tell the raven it is actually an image of a crow from Stampotique Originals!)

Here's my tag:

And, a list of supplies:

• Ranger's #10 manila tag (shortened)
• Dylusions ink sprays in Pure Sunshine and Dirty Martini
• Stampotique's Moon Girl's Crow
• Stampotique's Circles Cube (grounding under crow)
• Yellow ribbon from my stash
• Sticko stickers (nevermore)
• Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
• Wendy Vecchi's Archival Ink (Watering Can)
• Sewing machine
• Basic tool kit

I hope you can find some time this week to participate in the Tic-Tac-Poe challenge at Quoth the Raven.  You can submit your artwork here.

Glad you stopped by today.  I thank you both for your visit and your comments!  Have a great week!

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #43: TIC-TAC-POE (WEEK 2)

Reminder inspiration is up on the Quoth the Raven website, and I have a new piece of art to show you today. The theme Tic-Tac-Poe will continue throughout the month, and I hope you will create something for this challenge. 

We are using the following Tic-Tac-Poe grid to help you with your project. Just pick any three elements--horizontally, vertically, and diagonally--and get crafty! Just remember--in some way--your work must be related to Edgar Allan Poe.

For this week's project, I have chosen 3D Decoupage, Poe, and Lace! The 3-D decoupage segment was, indeed, quite the challenge.  I first had to Google the term to find a description of this technique.  What appeared pretty simple turned out to be not so simple after all.  Fussy cutting and pop dots were the mainstay of this project.  When I finished and showed it to my husband, he said that it appeared as if Poe had had a stroke!  I hope there is a learning curve here and that I can only get better!

The background was created by mixing three colors of re-inkers and alcohol on my craft mat and dragging Ranger's specialty stamping paper through it.   I also dripped a bit of alcohol directly onto my page to encourage the inks to move and blend.

The quote is my "Poe" segment.  Although these words will not be found in a search of his works, he is credited with saying it (here).  The wine glass I found on the internet and is a penciled drawing by Aimee Flom. The lace is called "Venice" and is from Simplicity.  The metal skull and crossbones are from Tim Holtz' idea-ology "adournments" collection.

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking the time to leave a comment--both are important to me! If you have not already done so, please also take a moment to become a follower of this blog. If you would like to receive e-mail notifications when I update this blog, you can also "follow by e-mail." You will find both options in the upper right-hand corner.

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #43: TIC-TAC-POE

The calendar says April, but the weather still does not herald the arrival of Spring in the Northeast of the United States!  That said, I continue to search for Spring's earliest blossoms--in the snow!  

Thinking of flowers made me curious about whether Edgar Allan Poe wrote about flowers, and, indeed, he did.  His short story Eleonora tells of star-shaped flowers never seen before, and that captured my creative interest.  You can read the short story of Eleonora here.

Today's challenge is a creative game of Tic-Tac-Poe!  This new twist on an old game is here to inspire you.  

I chose to use flowers, Poe and feathers--straight down the center!  I have been making a lot of tags lately, so decided I would make one for this challenge:

The background paper featuring red feathers is one of an 8-pack of digital 8-1/2" x 11" images that I purchased and downloaded from Smeared Ink and is called "Poe Boy."  The flower, flat-backed pearl, and butterfly are all from my stash.  The ribbon is uncolored crinkle ribbon from Tim Holtz' idea-ology collection.  The excerpt from Eleonora was computer generated and printed.  

I hope you can ferret out some time this month to get inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and our Tic-Tac-Poe challenge this month. This challenge asks that your choose 3 elements from the grid above--horizontally, vertically or diagonally--and use them in your project.  The only rule is that it must--in some way--be related to Edgar Allan Poe.  

QUOTE THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #42: DREAM ON! (WEEK 3)

It is Week 3 of the Quoth the Raven, Nevermore Challenge, and I am here to remind and inspire you to come play with us!  For the inspiration for today's art, I chose part of Edgar Allan Poe's work "Dreams."  You can read the full poem here.  

The Poe image I used in my project today is a stamp from Carmen's Veranda.  The background paper is called Poe Boy and was purchased as a digital download (including 7 other backgrounds) from Smeared Ink.  

I hope you can find time to get inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and our "Dream On!" challenge this month. This challenge is subject to your personal interpretation; the only rule is that it must--in some way--be related to Edgar Allan Poe.  

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #42: DREAM ON! (WEEK 2)

It is Week 2 of the Quoth the Raven, Nevermore Challenge, and I am here to remind and inspire you to come play with us!  For the inspiration for today's art, I chose what I believe is the most well known of Edgar Allan Poe's works, The Raven.  I have used just the first two lines of Stanza 5, but it is really worth reading (or rereading) the whole poem. You can do that here.

I wanted a dark and dismal feel to my project, so I chose a monochromatic theme, using white, gray and black.  My focal image is from Stampotique Originals and is called Dweeze.

I hope you can find time to get inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and our "Dream On!" challenge this month. This challenge is subject to your personal interpretation; the only rule is that it must--in some way--be related to Edgar Allan Poe.  

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #42: DREAM ON!

The "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore" website has posted the challenge for March, and it is all about dreams!  This challenge is subject to your personal interpretation; the only rule is that it must--in some way--be related to Edgar Allan Poe.  

When I searched the literature for references in Poe's works to dream (which also would include variations of the word), I found more references than I had time to count.  As an artist, I did find a quote to which I could definitely relate!

Eleonora is one of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories.  Like many other of his works, it is said by most reviewers to be autobiographical in nature. If true, then it is clear to me that Eleonora is actually Virginia Clemm Poe, his cousin/bride.  However, the two introductory paragraphs of the story seem to be a defense of the narrator's sanity.  I cannot separate the quote I have used as my inspiration from those sentences that precede it:

I AM come of a race noted for vigor of fancy and ardor of passion.  Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence -- whether much that is glorious -- whether all that is profound -- does not spring from disease of thought -- from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect.  They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.

You can read the whole short story here.

My artwork today measures approximately 5" x 5" (without matting) and features a Stampotique Originals stamp called Bob's in Time Out.  Bob, with that mustache, does remind me a bit of Poe!  A supply list appears below the image.

Supplies used:

• Beige and brown card stock from my stash
• Graphic45 A Ladies' Diary Collection (background)
• Dylusions stencil (DYS34216)
• Wendy Vecchi's Crackled Texture Paste
• Tim Holtz' Tea Dye Distress Stain (to colorize paste before applying)
• Tim Holtz' Vintage Photo Distress Ink (to colorize paste after applying)
• Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool
• Stampotique Originals Bob's in Time Out stamp
• Computer generated and printed quote
• Ranger Black Archival Ink

It's a brand new challenge today at the Quoth the Raven site, so come on over and play.  There are prizes to be won and fun and inspiration galore!

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #41: FOR THE LOVE OF POE (WEEK 4)

Two of my Design Team sisters from the Quoth the Raven, Nevermore website are hosting the reminder challenge this week, so I want to share their artwork with you.

First is the project from Nanette, who used a photo taken during a recent visit to a Louisiana plantation for her beautiful background!  The poetry she shares is from Poe's work To One in Paradise.  (You can read the whole poem here).  The image Nanette has artfully colored is a digital stamp from Ike's Art.  

Next is Shell's project.  She created a triangular wall hanging.  Her background is full of texture and interest and perfectly supports the "love" theme this month with her heart elements.

I hope you will make an effort this next week to create something "For the Love of Poe." 

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #41: FOR THE LOVE OF POE (WEEK 3)

This is Week 3 of the February challenge for the Quoth the Raven, Nevermore site.  The theme is FOR THE LOVE OF POE, and can be interpreted as you please--as long as your artwork is inspired by Poe.

I am currently reading a book called The Raven's Bride:  A Novel written by Lenore Hart. Although there remain allegations of plagiarism, I am enjoying this bit of "fiction" about the life and loves of Edgar Allan Poe. This book has made me curious about Poe's older brother William Henry Leonard Poe, and I have done some additional reading about him.  Henry,  also a published poet and author, died in 1831 of tuberculosis at the age of 24.  But, what of his relationship with his brother?  There are as many biographers who say the brothers were estranged as there are that say they were close.  I have chosen to believe the latter.  The younger Poe is credited by Wikipedia with writing, "There can be no tie more strong than that of a brother for brother...."

For my artwork today, I searched for copyright-free images of William Henry Leonard Poe.  I found many, but the likenesses to Edgar were overwhelming and I dismissed them as actually being of Edgar.  I do believe the drawing that I used might just be of Henry.  

For the background, I used "Daniel's Hearts"  (stamped twice) from Stampotique Originals.  The title was computer generated and printed on white card stock, then matted in black.

I hope you will find inspiration to create something for the Quoth the Raven challenge this month.  

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #41: FOR THE LOVE OF POE (WEEK 2)

Reminder inspiration is up on the Quoth the Raven website, and I have a new piece of art to show you today.  The theme of "For the Love of Poe" will continue for the next three weeks, and I hope you will create something for this challenge.

One of Edgar Allan Poe's most easily understood poems is Annabel Lee (you can read the poem in its entirety here).  It is a simple poem, said to have been written about his recently deceased wife, Virginia Clemm Poe (although other rather prominent women in Poe's life have claimed that honor).

This was a fun project for me, the basics of which came to me as I lay awake in the early dawn hours.  I seemed to be fixated on the line in the poem which reads "In a kingdom by the sea."  I was remembering a photograph taken by my husband Russ Wallace one morning as we walked along the seashore in Salisbury, Massachusetts.  The beach was abandoned, cold and with only a lone seagull in sight, which seemed oblivious to the crashing waves foretelling of the storm ahead. I asked Russ to print off this photograph in black and white to serve as my background.

For my image, I used a Stampotique Originals stamp designed by Daniel Torrente called Relaxin'.  This stamp reminds me of what I believe Virginia might have been, rather simple, yet regal.  Since Virginia had already died when the poem was written, I wanted her to appear more as a ghost in this project, so I used only the outline of the stamp.

To support the challenge of "For the Love of Poe," I used only the first stanza of the poem, with emphasis on the last two lines:

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.

Perfect in my book!  It is not uncommon for a poet's lyrics to be put to music, but I find it a bit strange that Poe's poems have been among them.  Give a listen (here) to Joan Baez, an American folksinger popular in the 1960's and 70's, as she sings "Annabel Lee."

I hope you can find some time this week to get crafty and create something for this fun challenge.  I appreciate your visit and your comment today!

QUOTH THE RAVEN CHALLENGE #41: FOR THE LOVE OF POE

The "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore" website is challenging us this month to find love in Poe's life.  It's almost Valentine's Day, so choose a Valentine theme or something from Poe's writings about love.  The choice is yours.

For me, it's all about Poe's "real" valentine, his wife.  Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe was born August 15, 1822, in Baltimore, Maryland.  At the age of 13, she married her first cousin Edgar Allan Poe, then 27.  History tells us that in order for her daughter to be married, Virginia’s mother provided a sworn statement testifying the age of both to be 21.  

Virginia, at the age of 24, wrote the following Valentine’s Day poem to her husband.  In 1847, two years before Poe’s death, Virginia died of pulmonary “consumption.”  From what I have read, Virginia truly loved "Eddy," and provided not only care and support for him, but seemed to serve as his muse.

The story is told that Poe realized after Virginia's death that he had no "likeness" of her, so commissioned a portrait before she was entombed.  The likeness I have used here seems to be a penciled drawing of that original work, but that information was not available.

This creation is rather simple, but I thought perfect for this month's challenge.  You can see the poem in Virginia's own hand here.  As many times as I have read this poem and even as I was working on this project, I never knew that Virginia's poem is an acrostic poem.  If you look at the first letter of each of the lines of this poem, you may be surprised at what you see!

The red hearts in the center were stamped using "Daniel's Hearts" from Stampotique Originals.

I hope you will find time this month to play along with the "Quote the Raven" challenge.  Thanks for coming by today!

POE-ETRY

This is Week 4 of the "Snow Poe" art challenge at the Quoth the Raven, Nevermore website.  I hope you can find some time this month to create something (white plus one color) with Poe in mind.  Inspiring examples created by the Design Team can be found here. 

Edgar Allan Poe is best known, I think, for his short stories, but he was also a poet, with more than 50 poems to his credit.  Although the quote I have used in my project today does not appear in any of Poe's works, he is credited with having said it.

To support my quote, I have used a stamp by Inkadinkado, as well as a border stamp called Streamers from Stampotique Originals.  My 6" x 6" card was made with paper scraps, and I used an orange marker to color the flowers and ribbon, as well as to highlight the streamers.

Thanks so much for visiting today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  I appreciate both!  I hope you will also sign up as a "follower" today (options are in the upper right-hand sidebar).  

POE AND HIS DEMONS

Let this post serve as a reminder of the January art challenge at Quoth the Raven, Nevermore. You can find all the details for the "Snow Poe" (white on white, with a spot of color) challenge here.  

It has been written in many biographies about Poe how life-long demons seemed to pursue him. Poe, himself, even wrote of demons in more than a dozen of his works.  In his poem Ulalume, Poe's reference to the demon seems to be almost personal.

In my artwork today, I have featured a stamp from Stampotique Originals called "Heads" by designer Daniel Torrente.  My quote is computer generated/printed and is from Ulalume by Poe.  

Thanks for stopping by again today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  Both are important to me!  If you are enjoying these posts and want to continue learning new things about Edgar Allan Poe, please join as a follower.  You can do so in the upper right-hand corner.  There is a further option to follow by e-mail if you wish to receive a notification when this blog is updated.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. POE!

Let this post serve as a reminder of the January challenge of Quoth the Raven.  You can find all the details for the "Snow Poe" challenge here.

January is the month of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday; January 19th, to be exact.  Poe lived from 1809 until late 1849, making him 40 years of age when he died--premature by today's standards.  Yes, I did say "premature!"  Having this thought reminded me almost immediately of Poe's short story entitled, The Premature Burial.  I read this story for the first time in college, but decided to read it again to refresh my recollections of it.  

It was as horrific as I remembered it to be, but definitely worth the time to read it.  I believe it tells a lot about Poe; more, perhaps, than most of his other works.  The quote I used for my project today will not be unfamiliar to a Poe enthusiast, yet easily absorbed by the new follower.  It is from The Premature Burial and appears on the inside of this card.

"The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague.  Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?"

So, to you, Mr. Poe, a belated Happy Birthday!  I can't help but wonder what he might think, at the age of 206, looking at the efforts of our group today struggling still to understand his work.

ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW DESIGN TEAM FOR 

"QUOTH THE RAVEN, NEVERMORE" 

I am delighted to announce that I have been invited to be part of the creative design team at the popular website "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore"!  Joining me as new members are Nan and Jane, as well as continuing design team members Ike, Black Dragon, Shell, and Fiona.  

"Quoth the Raven, Nevermore" is a website about Edgar Allan Poe, both personally and professionally--his failures and his successes, his stories and his poetry, his humor and his melancholy, and how we, as artists, might interpret those very parts of his being.  

My introductory artwork for the current theme (white-on-white, with one additional color) uses an excerpt from Poe's poem Annabel Lee. The two stamps I have used (Skull Moon and Goth Candelabra) were created by stamp designer Arwen McCullen from Germany.  Her stamps are sold through the Stampotique Originals website, and they ship worldwide.

So, come play with us!  Each month during 2015, as a team, we will be presenting a different challenge for you to incorporate into your artful Poe projects.  Quest #40 is now posted on the "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore" website.  Details here.

Thanks again for visiting my blog and for leaving a comment.  Both are important to me! Please take a moment today to become a follower of my blog.  Just click JOIN in the right-hand sidebar at the top.  If you want to receive an e-mail notification when I update this blog, then you can additionally "follow by e-mail."  Thanks for that, too!

POE: IN THE HATRED OF A MINUTE

As some of you know, for the last year I have been part of the Design Team at the Stampotique (a rubber stamp company) challenge blog.  As such, it was my pleasure on November 26 to create and host the weekly challenge.  Long being an admirer of Edgar Allan Poe and his works, I created the challenge In the Words of Edgar Allan Poe. The idea was to create artwork around a Poe quote. Many of the stamps sold by Stampotique are by stamp designer Daniel Torrente.  Torrente's creations lean to the "quirky" side, much like Poe was a bit quirky, so I thought the challenge was a good fit.  

The challenge was a huge success, in part because many who participated were already Poe fans and partly because some who participated had never heard of him and needed to do a bit of research to find their quote! If you would like to check out other Stampotique Design Team creations for the Poe challenge, you can find it here.  You can find my post submitted for this challenge here. My artwork is below.

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking the time to leave a comment.  Both your visits and comments inspire me!