Ganesha stamp collage time capsule

I made a little time capsule for the back of the Ganesha.  I put a couple of envelopes from the original stamp collection along with some cards talking about who made it and who collected the stamps.  Thank you Mrs. Alice Miller, without you this project could not have happened.  I'm hoping that this piece will last long enough for it to be interesting to someone someday.  One of the envelopes has a 1965 cancellation, so the collection is already fifty years old.

Ganesha stamp collage

I finished waxing the Ganesha today.  I had John hang it right in front of me so I can keep looking at it.  I really enjoyed this project and glad to have it done and out of my way.  It was a big challenge and I feel really good about how it turned out.  Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Ganesha stamp collage

Stamp Ganesha collage

Those white train stamps just weren't working with the background.  After a lot of searching my husband reminded me of the Janis stamps!  They fit perfect so on with the background.

He likes to cook and I love to art so the new studio is perfect for both.  I can hang out with him while he bakes delicious fresh peach cobbler!

Stamp Ganesha collage

Working the background.  So much easier than the elephant.  Hope I have enough stamps.

Stamp Ganesha collage

I'm so excited that me, Riki and the Ganesha didn't get blown away this afternoon.  The storms have been training through the area for the last few days and I've been pretty nervous.  

Worked another row on the base and I think I'm ready for background.  That should be really easy as long as I don't run out of stamps.  I do have a line on those if needed.  

Ganesha stamp collage

I gave him new toes today.  I hope these are better and I'm almost out of green so they have to work!

Ganesha stamp collage

His toes have so many layers of mistakes but I'm liking this version.  At one point they looked like monkey toes instead if Ganesha toes.  

Stamp Ganesha Collage

After spending way too many hours trying to set up a wireless printer through my router I enjoyed losing myself in the Ganesha.  To hell with that printer I've got stamps!  I did some fine tuning and the dreaded left hand.  It wasn't as hard as I thought, I have been trying to right brain this collage from the very beginning.  While I'm not working on it, that is.  Thankfully once I get started the left brain takes over and the tiny communists turn into fingernails.  My husbands thinks maybe all those men are royalty but to me they are communists.  Ha.

As for the printer I might take the S.O.B. back.  I called tech service on both the router and the printer and they tag teamed me, stating that it was the other device that was the problem. Once I changed my network password twice and called the Canon people back the guy told me that it was ten til ten there and he was basically off.  What would y'all do?  This wireless stuff is really great if you can get it to work.  I'm all ready for the new desk!

Ganesha stamp collage

Worked on his shoulders today.  While sorting some stamps last night I found the rest of the goldfish with gray. I've lost track a couple times by throwing the last few stamps on a tray at 2am and assuming I can pick up exactly where I left off.  Can't take my eyes off him.  Love the mellow color and all the stories those stamps have to tell.  Such amazing art. I'm nervous about his fingers and toes but excited to have him looking so cool so far.

Ganesha stamp collage

I spent the weekend looking at the Ganesha and man that right eyebrow was bothering me.  I had left both unfinished and must have used the stamps elsewhere because I had a hard time finding two more in that particular shade of eyebrow blue.  I finally found two that were close and then then one was a little larger so it looked crooked to me.  Had to find one more and I think it is better now.  I'll know soon enough because I have such a critical eye for my work.  Actually I think I'm a really harsh critic.  I know what doesn't look right but sometimes my skills are lacking.

Stamp ganesha collage

Did some more work on his belly today.  I will have to admit that I have been chanting while working on this collage.  I can feel that energy they talk about and love being able to tap into it so easily. Sometimes my brain just won't stop thinking when trying to meditate and the chanting helps.  I started out just a few minutes the first day and learned how to say the words.  Nam  Myoho  Renge Kyo.  I'm up to 15 minutes and don't really want to stop then.  Only alone of course.  I would be embarrassed if my husband were home.  I found a you tube of Tina Turner chanting on Larry King.  That girl vibrates!

On another whole different plane...I found a vintage steel tanker desk in the most lovely shade of green today!  My husband thinks I'm crazy but I am feeling the industrial steam punk trend and can't wait to get it!  My buddy Dave is in Vegas but said he would pick it up for me on Monday.  That seems like forever.  It is in really great shape and takes me back to one of my first jobs in a bank in downtown Kansas City.  That building was really old and all the office furniture and equipment were from the 40's.  I had this huge desk that was gunmetal gray and it was parked right next to a window overlooking Grand Ave.  I would roam around and explore that place every chance I got.  The stairways were majestic.  I've had about fifty jobs since then that were better but never one with such a desk.    I think I will enjoy this new one even more than the wooden one I lost in Katrina.  It was really cool and came out of the Sear's and Roebuck building in Kansas City.  I like old stuff.  The best part is I bought it from an old neighbor in Raytown, MO.  Juanita, she and her husband Don were great sports when we lived next door as newly weds having frequent pool parties.  They never complained one time.  We tried to be respectful but we did like to party.  The color is better in person and I will repost when it is in place!

Ganesha Stamp Collage

I did some belly work on the Ganesha today.  

Ganesha stamp collage

Worked his belt and sash tonight, his belly needs some more work but it is really late. Riki has been so good today, he let me ART!

Got the sad news that my favorite Aunt Pauline has passed.  I miss her already.

Ganesha stamp collage

My Fude Ball pens arrived today, just in time I think.  The farther I get on my collage the more I think I'm going have to outline it.  We shall see.

Now my dilemma, I also received my Raskog cart from Amazon!  Not IKEA, a normal person would probably just go to IKEA and buy the cart but NO I ordered it and waited a solid week and opened the BOX and OH NO they sent the wrong color.  They sent the turquoise.  I know, how could that be the wrong color?  That is my dilemma.  I love it but I ordered the grey because it matches my current desk.   But, just as I'm writing this I'm deciding to keep the turquoise because it is the perfect shade of turquoise and I love it! Off to organize my new paint cart.

Ganesha Stamp collage

I overcame my fears and did his belly.  I also placed a big order at Amazon!  So excited that they have the paint cart from Ikea!  My husband of thirty three years (today) turned his reward points over to me in the form of Amazon gift cards.  What a guy, I think I will keep him.  I have a fude ball pen, stabilo pencil and the six inch circle gelli plate on the way!  So excited.  Oh and some really over priced deli paper.  They have us ladies figured out out and have raised the prices online.  I like the Brown Paper brand better than another kind so paid the inflated price.  I also ordered some rice paper to print on.  All that and a crop-a-dile.  Woo hoo!  

Hope I'm not violating any copyright laws by using the stamps.  I don't plan on selling it, although it would make a great puzzle.  

Stamp Ganesha

I'm feeling a little nervous and stuck at this halfway point.  Trying to decide how to do the rest of his trunk.  

Stamp Ganesha

Riki had a really bad spell today so didn't do much until he went to bed.  He went outside and ran until he depleted all his sugar.  It took several hours to get him to come back around.  All that after him eating a four inch toothpick on Tuesday.  I swear I thought he was a goner then.  So stressful to have a seven pound dog with low blood sugar.  

Anyway he is fine now and I got to work on my Ganesha.  Ohm. 

Stamp Ganesha

I worked the forehead area last night and it is work!  So far I can still see the elephant.

Ganesha stamp collage

I've had to drag out my art journal for a little fun art in between the serious stuff.  It is all fun but the stamp collage is more challenging of course.