be the light ...

“Light is to darkness what love is to fear; 

in the presence of one, the other disappears.

Marianne Williamson

I have posted this collage on my P.O.P. site (society6and Redbubble) and I will donate the entirety of my portion of the sale of this print, 'be the light ... ' to UNICEF to help the children in the Ukraine.

print on society 6:

https://society6.com/product/be-the-light6628744_print?sku=s6-23296111p4a1v45

Print on redbubble: 

https://www.redbubble.com/i/art-print/be-the-light-by-Virginiacreate/103391524.1G4ZT?asc=u

Click here to go directly to UNICEF's site to donate directly:

www.unicefusa.org

When I sat down yesterday to create this month's collage for my #virginiacreates monthly calendar - this collage came quite clearly to me.  I didn't struggle with it or question it, which usually happens with most of my work.  But this piece seemed to flow. 

 I was listening to an interview with the lovely and talented Anne Lamott (see link below) and she was speaking about the importance of being the light - especially for creatives - and so I named this collage, 'be the light ...'  However as I was putting together my March calendar page I started seeing that this piece speaks to the heart-breaking situation in the Ukraine.  

As I do with many of my collages I cut shapes from  pages of different foreign text.  I am always picking up foreign books when I see them!! Unknowingly I used pages from one of my book that is in a Slavic language.  This particular book seems to be about Walt Disney and is in some East Slavic language though I am not sure which language. I love to use text in my work and especially text using different alphabets.  I find lettering/text/language so inspiring and beautiful of many levels.  

Also when I first sat down to make this collage I felt the need to stamp a peace sign, something that I don't always do, but yesterday it felt important.

I mention all this because I really wasn't consciously thinking about the Ukraine crisis, but as I look at the finished collage I feel like it speaks to the crisis, peace & light with a slavic text sprinkled around.  And this is an idea that Anne Lamott talks about, that we, as creatives, need to be open so that we are receptors of the world and that it what feeds our work.

A Conversation with Anne Lamott - 2007:

Best-selling author Anne Lamott returns to San Diego with more hilarious tales of her life as a mother, daughter and writer who is drawn to the struggles of imperfect characters. The humor of host Dean Nelson puts the normally reclusive Lamott at ease and the two keep the audience laughing throughout this edition of the 2007 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, sponsored by Point Loma Nazarene University. [4/2007] [Show ID: 12220]

https://youtu.be/PhP5GmybvPM

It's Cyber Monday!! I'm spreading the word :)

tapestry on society6

knapsack on society6

HAPPY CYBER MONDAY!!!

aline dress on redbubble

Just wanted to send out the links and sale codes to my online shops as today is Cyber Monday.

zipper pouch on redbubble

I have two online shops where you can find a myriad products featuring my designs, one is Society6 and the other is Redbubble.

I have the LINKS to my shops as well as some photos BELOW.

Each site features some different products and there is a variation in designs as well.

My shop on Redbubble included my illustrations and patterns, as well as some of my 'from the land of dragons …' & 'lilith contemplates …' photos and many of my images from my 'dailydress …' blog.

Society6 features some of my most recent work, my collages. 

small zipper pouchon society6

Some of these products make great gifts for groups,  the 'get thee to the library ...' small zipper pouches makes a nice gift for your book group members.  Many of the designs would make great teacher gifts, a mugs with books or a 'let it go ...' mug.  I also have some designs that work for men,  'dapper dad ...' and 'man of the hour ...'.

'dapper dad ...' coasterson society6

Sadly navigating these sites can be confusing, however these sites are the best way for me to get my art out there, until I set up my own online shop (something I have wanted to do for YEARS!!)

coffee mug onsociety6

I'm hoping to make them as clear and easy as possible, 

however if you have questions, please leave a comment and I will help guide you as best as I can.

Hope that you had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday and sending much love and peace for the coming weeks.

** the description under each product picture is a direct link to that product's page.

Cyber Monday @ Society6:

Cyber Monday promo (up to 50% off and free shipping on almost everything)

 with code: CMSHIP

Virginia Fitzgerald shop on Society6:

https://society6.com/virginiafitzgerald

hand towel on society6

totebag on society6

Cyber Monday @ redbubble: Use code 30CYBER

Expires November 26, 2018 at 11:59pm

Virginia Fitzgerald shop on redbubble:

https://www.redbubble.com/people/virginiacreate?asc=u

aline dress on redbubble

here is redbubble's a-line dress, a dress that I own and LOVE,  with an image from my 'from the land of dragons …' series.

Here are the redbubble leggings in my 'live, laugh, love …' design which is a BIG favorite in my yoga class, with Maggie Sky!! 

leggings on redbubble

Again, thank you and peace,

XXX, Virginia

www.virginiafitzgerald.com

for your sunday pleasure .... Sale! on both Society6 and Redbubble!!!

'brenda's flowers ...' throw blanket

Over the summer I have been adding new designs to both my Society6 online shop and my Redbubble online shop and today they are BOTH offering sitewide sales!! 

'wonky wildflower waterfall ... 'A-Line Dress

https://www.redbubble.com/people/virginiacreate/works/29334712-wonky-wildflower-waterfall-multicolor?asc=u&c=804288-patterns&p=a-line-dress&rel=carousel

On Society6 : 30% Off Everything Today with Code S6FAM 

On Redbubble: 20% off sitewide with code STUDYUP

Below are just a few of the products you can find in my online shops on both sites!! 

a harlequin party in pink! Backpack

https://society6.com/product/harlequin-pink-party_backpack?sku=s6-8963668p63a209v733

tango in blue ... Tote Bags

https://www.redbubble.com/people/virginiacreate/works/33087820-tango-in-blue?asc=u&p=tote-bag&rel=carousel

'LOVE squared ...' zipper pouch

https://www.redbubble.com/people/virginiacreate/works/24246484-love-squared?asc=u&c=804288-patterns&p=pouch&rel=carousel 

'blue vine madness ...' greeting card

https://www.redbubble.com/people/virginiacreate/works/33087440-blue-vine-madness?asc=u&p=greeting-card&rel=carousel

'tiptoe thru the tulips ...'

https://society6.com/product/tiptoe-through-the-wildflowers_bag?sku=s6-8519682p29a26v196

'rainbow peace ..' totebag 

https://society6.com/product/rainbow-peace133746_bag?sku=s6-6296616p29a26v196 

https://society6.com/product/brendas-flowers_throw-blanket?sku=s6-6023744p49a64v437

click for:

Society6 online shop

https://society6.com/virginiafitzgerald

SaveSaveSaveSave

SOS ... any suggestions for my #100DayProject?!??

It is that time of year again!?!? The100DayProject starts its 5th year tomorrow, and even though I am still in the throes of moving I must participate.

And I use the word 'must' for a few reasons. One is that I love participating in creative community challenges. Two, this is a perfect catalyst for me to unpack and find my paints and studio after this chaotic move. And lastly I choose 'must' because this desire comes from deep inside me which is how Elle Luna describes one's passions in her inspiring book:

The Crossroads of 

Should and Must

I first read "the crossroads of should and must ...' in August 2016, after stumbling upon it and I devoured it and it has changed my creative life, or at least gave me a new perspective. 

My 'must' to do this year's 100 day project is so strong that I have numerous lists of possible projects that I'd LOVE to devote the next 100 days doing, such as:

100 days of ...

• Virginiacreates patterns - this would be a continuation of the class, Daily Painting Challenge: 31 Painted Patterns with Lisa Congdon by CreativeBug which I participated in this January and LOVED! For this challenge I could use different materials,  different styles,  and it could be simplified if I am traveling (like when I joined  Francisca Nunes for her #30daysofpatternstudies in February 2016) 

• art blogging - posting here on my art blog, as I really want to get back in the habit of chronicling my creative journey.

• SCRAPs: Seriously Creative Recycled Art Projects* this is my trademarked name I made for my bottle cap jewelry (decades ago) and I was thinking I would resurrect the name for 100 days of collage and working with scraps.  One thing this move showed me was that I LOVE scraps, scraps of paper, of fabric, of labels, of yarn.  This would be similar to my dailydress journal(see below), however or the 100 days of SCRAPs I wouldn't necessarily add a dress?!?! 

(In 2011 I  created a dailydress journal in which each day I created a page from some detritus from the course of the day ~ a receipt, a paper bag, packing material, whatever catches my fancy, then I'd build a collage around that element and eventually I add an origami dress. Sometime the dress is large, sometimes small.   

• dailydresses - it almost feels too obvious, but I would love to create 100 days straight of dresses; ephemeral dresses, embroidered dresses, food dresses, sculptural dresses, painted dresses, collages?!? .... you get the idea.
• visual gratitude - you know how gratitude is the best attitude?! I thought I'd create an image of something I was grateful for each day

'from the land of dragons ...'

• food puns -  I have been considering rendering food quotes/puns, such as 'Olive you' with hand-lettering or using my understanding of the non-traditional material to create some interesting looking phrases.
• 'from the land of dragons ...' since Scruffy past I haven't been walking as much so not wondering through my land of dragons ...
• Virginia's kitchen knowledge - illustrations of helpful food facts, food prep and storage tips, recipes and whatnot.
• my morning coffee - some kind of rendering of my morning cup of coffee 
• 'Karoline Kitty who lives in the city' 100 drawings of the life and times of Karoline Kitty
• Portraiture: I've learned from agent and teacher Lilla Rogers that a strong illustration portfolio shows that an illustrator can do faces!! 

• 100 days toward opening my Etsy shop?!?!
• 100 new designs/posts to my Society6 and Redbubble shops

OMG - the more I write this blog the more ideas I have ....

So I'm not sure how I am going to decide but I need to decide by tomorrow! if you have any thoughts I would LOVE to hear them as I am feeling pulled in many directions!! But one thing I know is that it can not take up too much time!! This project's goal is to be creative on a daily basis. And as much I as would LOVe to do all of this project and spend all day in my studio, I need to unpack! 

thank you & peace, 

va

just saying ... it's cyber monday

new 2018 dailydress calendar on redbubble

Tis the season once again, to find that perfect gift for a loved one or to show your appreciation, and with today being #cybermonday it may be a good day to start the fun.  Below are photos of just a few of the products available in my online society6 and redbubble shops and today these web sites are offering big discounts and some free shipping.  I have added the direct link to the products in the captions, below each photo, just in case anything below catches your eye. 

Also these sites offer the work of many designers and artists and when you buy any of the products from these sites, the artist gets a percentage of the sale.  So if you buy a product with my design Society6 and Redbubble produce and ship the item and then if you are happy with your purchase they give me a percentage of the sale.  Lastly, but very important, both sites have great refund policies, see more about that below.  

Also you can click one of the above links in the menu to go directly to one of my online shops.

Happy surfing and Enjoy!! XXX

'rainbow peace' clock on Society6

all wall clocks on Society6

'breathe, deeply, repeat ...' tapestry on Society6

Gratitude is the best attitude ... tote on redbubble

'cherry-berrie jumble ...' zip pouches on Society6showing today's sale price

You can combine different products to create a one-of-a-kind gift ... 

Here is a dailydress 'follow your art ... ' notebook, mug and tote bag from Redbubble

 for the creative on your list.

'follow your art ...' mug

'follow your art ...' tote

'follow your art ....' notebook 

'get thee to a library ...' mug on Society6

'rainbow peace ...' laptop skin on Redbubble 

* and as always, a percentage of all sales of any 'rainbow peace ...' products, will be donated to Natick's Rainbow Peace Flag Project, so it is a win-win!!

'wonky wildflower waterfall... ' throw blanket on Society6

'a little light lifting ... ' zipper pouch (small) on Society6

'oh dear wise one ....' on Society6

'out beyond .... ' tote bag on Society6

Last but definitely not least the tremendously soft and
incredibly large (74"x37") beach towel from Society6.

'pink love power ...' beach towel from Society6

Thank you for taking the time to pursue.  If you have any questions or see a design you like but it is not on the product you need, PLEASE email me or leave a comment.  There are only so many hours in my day and so many designs with so many options!!  

I honestly love seeing how my designs work on different products. 

AND both these sites have WONDERFUL return policies so if your order is not to your liking 

they will work to make you happy.  

Society6's return policy