It has been a while, but I have not stopped creating art!

I have added a ton of 5x7 matted pieces of art to my shop such as the one pictured, under the 5x7 art card section.

These hand painted cards are NOT just cards, they are attached to a blank inside Strathmore watercolor greeting card ready for your personal note.

The best thing is that this is not simply a unique card, but also a piece of original art, as you can then pop the entire card into a 5x7 standard frame and hang as wall art.  I have some abstract art, as well as folk style art, and some doodle paintings.

Lots to choose from.  As always my prices include shipping with a tracking number to Canada and the USA (any other country please contact me first).  These art pieces come with an envelope so you can not only send as a card but also as a gift of art.

Great gift idea for anyone on your list who likes original artwork, or you simply do not know what to buy them.  Great office decor, bathroom decor, kitchen wall art and more.   Easy to send in the mail too!

I love to paint and draw and be totally creative, but what I am not that good at is displaying my creations!

As I have continued on my journey of selling my artwork, cards and prints online and finding new places to sell them, I have also had to learn how to create the best photos I can as well as displaying them in such a way that enhances them instead of taking away from them.

I am not rich, and personally find many of the photo editors out there super expensive and difficult to use.  But I was introduced to PicMonkey and was totally amazed.  I watched a few you tube clips on how to use it, and it just clicked with me, plus there is a free version to get you started.   It was not a difficult learning curve compared to many photo editors out there.

​Here is a Step by Step of How I used Picmonkey for an Overlay Mockup

Step 1 - I purchased a mockup (blank frame online from Etsy, just put mockup in the search box)

Step 2 - Opened up PicMonkey and chose "Edit Photo"

Step 3 - Click "Open New" then "from computer"  find the mockup you purchased and want to use and open it.

Step 4 - Click on the "butterfly" symbol at left, this is called the Overlay

Step 5 - Add your painting, photo, drawing or print

Step 6 - Adjust to fit your mockup with on screen tools
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Step 7 - Hit "export" and send to your files.

I have been super amazed with this website.  I don't often recommend sites, but this one is perfect for those starting out and professionals alike.  I quickly upgraded to the paid version and it was totally affordable for a once a year low fee.

Click on the banner and at least check it out and see if this would be a better way for you to  adjust your photos, paintings, artwork, prints or whatever.  I have even used it to create really cute printable art on Etsy by adding words and overlaying pictures.  

I have been spending more time on PicMonkey to find out many other ways of using it.  You can check out some of my printable word art images that I sell on Etsy as well as my original watercolor paintings I sell on this site.  

In this coffee mug drawing.  I had a separate drawing of the dog and the mug.  By using PicMonkey, I was quickly able to merge them together onto one print and added words.

If you are an artist, photographer or someone who simply wants a cleaner way to show your work online or actually create new pieces, then using a photo editor is a necessary part of your business.  But you don't have to pay through the nose to get professional looking pieces.

So that is my promoting today.  I had some questions from customers on just how I created my photo booth or my light box to create nice images.  That is of course another option, but it is still nice to have a photo editor ready to make your images look their best. 

I tell them, I didn't.  I scanned my paintings and then adjusted the image to look exactly as the original on Picmonkey.   There are so many ways you can work with this site.  So if you haven't checked it out, check it out now, there is a free version to help you get started.  Just click any of the banners and have some fun with some of your photos.

I have signed up with a Print on Demand Site (POD) that will take my art to a different level.  After some customers asked if I could get printed mugs of my work or postcards or actually onto canvas, I decided to research and found this company to be awesome when it comes to printing on products.  There are loads to choose from. 

Everything from canvas prints to mugs to shower curtains and so much more.  Worth checking out if you want something other than the original piece of artwork.

You can find most of my art on this site ready to be printed on lots of different merchandise.  If you would prefer to have usable art, such as with mugs, shower curtains, totes and more, then you can simply click this link here to find many different ways to get prints.

Fine Art America - Diane Palmer

First of all what is a dip pen?

A dip pen is usually a metal nib with channels that fits on a metal, plastic or wood handle.  Also known as a "nib pen", they do not carry their own ink as with a fountain pen, you must dip the nib into the ink to use.  The channel absorbs the ink to allow you to write or draw before needing to dip again.

I personally use a dip pen for most of my drawings that are labeled "ink and watercolor"  I also should point out that I do use permanent India ink so that the watercolor wash I use afterwards does not smear it.    I have found this video that better explains how to use these awesome pens.  Video called DIP PENS 101.

I much prefer the dip pen for most of my artwork as you can control the thickness of your lines by simply adding or taking away pressure.  They are affordable and fun to use.

When I first started out, I was watching Youtube videos on using various art mediums.  At the time I was more of a pencil drawer than a painter, but I really took a liking to the dip pen drawings and then washing them with watercolor.   Alan Owen was my favorite artist to watch in action on Youtube.  He is a British artist and I found his videos calming! He referred to the process as "pen and wash".

You can get as detailed as you want.  I found the dip pen perfect for anything that didn't need super refined lines.  I loved that I could adjust the pressure, but it can also blob a little here and there which can add to the painting but if that is not the plan for your painting, these might not be the best idea.  In which case you should consider a fine permanent artist marker.   I loved how these dip pens could make my work slightly more rustic.

But for me personally, these are perfect for my artwork, my ink and watercolor paintings that I sell in my store.
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I personally prefer the black ink for my artwork but you can get these is so many colors online.  When I first started out using this process of a dip pen and ink, I didn't want to spend too much money.  I found one in a garage sale and played with it for a while.  But then I discovered many of these products are online for quite a lot cheaper than my local art store. 

I am not saying you should bypass a good art supply store, but if you are just starting out and are not sure if this is the medium you wish to use, check out Amazon.  Click any of these links to find out more.  

Many of these nibs are sold without the handle.  So you will need to get a handle or some artists just use the nib in their hands.  I prefer to have a handle.  You can then change out the nibs as you need them for different styles of lines.  

This particular handle is the same brand as the nibs above and are quite often sold together.  Just remember that unless you get a kit, the nibs and the handles are usually sold separately.  This particular brand of nibs and handle has the highest feedback on the Amazon site compared to some of the other brands and kits.   So for under 20 bucks you can get a quality dip pen to change up your art style, medium or maybe get into calligraphy.

Keep the Nibs Clean!

This is so important, and something I was not the best at in the beginning.  I would simply wipe them clean and then I would find the next time I went to use it, it was clogged.  In the beginning I simply used soap and water which works, but really it is best to get a dedicated cleaner that works even better and extends the life of the nibs.

This solution cleans brushes, technical pens and dip pens.   This too is affordable.  If you order all your supplies in one go you can save on shipping.   It will keep the channels clear and stop blobbing on your work.
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I hope I was able to explain the dip pen and its uses.  Yes you can get fountain pens that contain ink cartridges, but there is something about the dip pen that adds tons of character to your drawings, and letter art.  

I will continue to use this style of pen.  I have always used black but I may venture into other colors of ink now that I have grown totally comfortable with the process.  If it blobs I work it into the drawing.  

To some this is an old fashioned way to create, but for me it is the perfect way to create as I just feel like I have more control. 

Practice, Practice, Practice!
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This is something different and fun to try.  If you are used to markers, then give this a try.  Have some scrap paper around and just let yourself go and try different pressures and have fun.  Once you get the hang of it, you will enjoy it!  

I am really enjoying working with the bright colours of watercolors but for this cat I used acrylics to create the bright red background.  

I painted this cat card on canvas paper and then attached it behind this acid free quality 5 x 7 mat.  This tiny painting and mat were then affixed permanently to a blank quality Strathmore greeting card that comes with an envelope.

These are a great way to share ACEO art cards that many times just end up in a drawer or maybe an album.  I love the idea of sharing them as gifts with your sentiments written inside.  This 5 x 7 card can then be framed in a standard frame or one that will hold a 5 x 7.

​This idea makes them really the perfect gift for anyone who has everything and you just don't know what to get them.  I have signed the back of the card.

ACEO art cards are traditionally 2.5 x 3.5 inches (same size as baseball and trading cards)  It was always a great way to afford artist's paintings!  They are still quite popular today.

I have been experimenting once again with little tiny paintings also known as ACEO art cards.  (art card editions and originals)

These are pieces of artwork that traditionally measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches and can be any type of artwork.  As you all know I love to paint, so mine are miniature paintings. 

Since they are so tiny, I have decided to mat them using a quality acid free black mat with white inner accent to really accent the color of my abstract art card.  The paintings are done using watercolor pens and the background is acrylic midnight blue paint.  I have signed the back of the card.

I have attached them behind this quality mat with permanent adhesive and then attached the matted artwork to a blank Strathmore greeting card.  You can write your sentiment inside and send with the envelope (included) and it can stand as a card or be popped into a standard 5 x 7 inch frame to frame as original artwork.  

Little trading cards are fun, but I love the idea that they can be art cards to frame and display on a wall or anywhere to add a tiny bit of color!  ENJOY!

I think I will take many of my present little ACEO original art cards and I will mat them too with these quality black mats and put them on here..  So watch out for some changes to my ACEO category coming soon...

I painted this little thatched roof cottage, as this is my "one day dream" cottage.  Something cute with a little garden to tend and a place to do all my creating!  Check it out.
It is matted to fit a Standard 11 x 14 inch Frame.

It will be shipped matted using an acid free white mat and includes a backing board.  

-I love to draw and paint, and lately I have been enjoying abstract art.  

With life sometimes getting quite overwhelming, it takes me away a bit to draw and paint something that doesn't have to be seen to be drawn.  Check out my new section.

I love to draw circles and can do so for hours.  But in the painting pictured I added watercolor to the circles, and let them blend on their own, not totally knowing what the result would be.  Dream in Color.

This type of painting inspires me to remember that when life seems overwhelming, take time out to dream and de-stress.