The Art Game

Friends in the UK who usually come to visit in August were prevented by an illness this year. Big disappointment, but there it is.

On the visit last year we got into some rainy day playing with art – painting rocks and leaves and acorns and so on. I was looking forward to some more art fun this summer. (They are both talented.)

So, what to do?

And then I remembered – The Game of Cards I had read about on Claudia McGill’s blog. She is one of those endlessly creative people who seem to be able to do everything!

This was a long distance – Pennsylvania and Nevada – collaboration between two talented and creative people Sharon Mann and Claudia McGill. You can read about their process and product on their blogs. And see what they created.

And that led me to my own version of an The Art Game – an exchange of half-finished items (post card size mostly) that would cross the Atlantic to be completed and returned as a finished mistresspieces of great art!

Now, I’m a cheerful, jump-right-in splodger and dauber.

My collaborator actually has talent and can draw. 

But nothing daunted, off we go.

I jumped in and made a few 50% done pieces and shipped them off. And received this week two beautifully finished cards in return.

So here are the first two items. And – I have to say – they are much improved! In fact just lovely and I happily have them on display. Great investment of postage stamp.

The first return is a landscape on a postcard: :

The second is a coastal fantasy with a flying whale and a color wheel of fortune that favors yellow. 

But – here’s the problem. My challenges were met, exceeded, finished, returned and I am the happy possessor of two beautiful cards.

Trouble is – look at what I got in return as a challenge to me  – this exquisite little half card. Look at the detail! The art supplies under the table. The cake stand. The cherry on the top of the cupcake. The Shippam’s fish paste bottle and all. 

Now what? “It can only go downhill from here!”

But, nothing daunted. I shall just have to leap in and ruin it!