Are Face Masks the New Bumper Sticker?

What does our face say about us? Nonverbal communication is very important. I have had a few sarcastic remarks bomb because my smirk was hiding under a mask. (Or, at least, that is my excuse.) We have been pushed into this state of social interaction where we are using the same facial expressions but no one sees them. Our brains struggle to interpret the nuances of communication as the speaker is half covered. I have started to use more head and eye movements as I try to craft my messages in the most understandable way. Some muffling of sound and not being able to augment our hearing with some lip reading also push the need for more nonverbal/non-facial expression.

Face mask art is now a thing. People are designing their own at home, making some to sell, uploading designs to print-on-demand sights. Designers and clothing manufacturers are getting in on it. I wonder if the planned fall designs are all getting a mask accessory? Should I match my purse to my mask or my shoes?

Jokes, quotes, sports, and art

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COVID-19 Face Masks: Art and Self Expression

Face masks are now recommended by the CDC. Even before the official recommendation, people had taken to their sewing machines, staplers, and other tools, to find ways to help with mask shortages. There have been creative solutions all over social media. From shop towels and hair ties to sewing machines and colorful fabric, the options seem to be growing. Face masks may be Time’s person of the year.

With half of your face covered, it is a little more difficult to express yourself. POD (print on demand) sites are now helping the sewing challenged to express themselves. I have had a store up on Zazzle for awhile but had not been adding new designs there for a couple of months. This weekend, it occurred to me that customized masks would fit perfectly in their wheelhouse. I clicked on over and, sure enough, they have added cloth masks.

Anyone can design their own or browse through designs that Zazzle has approved. There is an approval process for sellers. It seems Zazzle does that any time they have a template that may be more challenging to fit correctly. If you would like a particular color, pattern, picture, or design to express yourself, this is one way to achieve your goal. Zazzle’s masks are cloth and you can insert a disposable mask or filter into a built in pocket for added protection. They have defined and capped the % commission that artists can get from selling designs on the masks. All appear to have the same listed price.

Two of my designs are still under review but should be cleared in <= 24 hours.

UPDATE: The links are up! Update 2: I ordered one of the masks and while I like how the design came out, the elastic ear loop pieces were cut short. I plan to keep it and either use an extender or sew on new ones. I was able to slide a regular mask into the pocket and use that mask’s ear loops.

Here are some different artists’ designs to get your creative juices flowing:

Work in Progress

Just a quick update: The product that I am developing has been taking up most of my flexible time. A Chinese manufacturer is working on samples now. Due to usual length of time in shipping from there and some virus thing that has been on the news, I am not sure if I will get the sample in weeks or months. The manufacturer has not said anything about a delay….yet. The package design is almost done but there are a few requirements and images that I cannot produce until I have the samples. In the meantime, please enjoy my Easter Bunny fun time creation 🙂

https://society6.com/product/hazmat-easter-bunny_sticker?curator=activeart

Update: The above link for Society6 is broken as they chose to “suspend” this art image. I have inquired as to why but have not heard back yet. –Heard back a few days later and they did reinstate the selection :). **New update. I took this image down.

Artist Shout Out: LEMANSHOTS

Josephine R. Unglaub is a photographer and digital artist living in Germany. I came across her blog, Lemanshots – Fine Pictures and Digital Art awhile back and made sure to note her page. The images are stunning and mind bending. I love the surreal feeling she creates with her compositions and color choices. With permission, I am sharing some of her images here. There were so many that I enjoyed, it was hard to choose. I attempted to present a nice variety and encourage you to click the link above to check out more of her work.

Lemanshots_Birds
Lemanshots_Stairs
Lemanshots_Exhibits
lemanshots_stillife3
lemanshots_city
Lemanshots_Kinder
Lemanshots_dreamy

Holiday Coloring Pages

I spent a good bit of time designing holiday images for a Zazzle contest. I did not expect to win, but figured my chances were better than the lottery. You can use designs loaded on their site, create a design on their site, use your own photo/design, or any combination of the above. They have all kinds of different products (shirts, wine labels, cards, shoes).

Here are some of my designs that you can print out to use at home. I will add a link at the bottom if you want to find them on Zazzle.

Snowman and Dog Winter coloring
Free Holiday Coloring Image Fireplace

https://www.zazzle.com/collections/color_me_holiday_collection-119284887742226865?rf=238715875794612999

New Abstract Painting Collection

acrylic texture
Abstract Acrylic texture

I began playing with paint textures back in college. There is something about exaggerating brush strokes and playing with how thick the paint lays on the canvas that tickles my brain. I also get to play with tools and tools are always fun!

The collection is not done yet but I could not wait any longer to share my new paint carvings.

I love walking through the forest. Florida State Parks are a beautiful resource to use for reconnecting with nature.
Fall colors Lake Side
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15
Idealist reality Abstract acrylic Painting
Hard to stay an idealist when surrounded by the night
Blood Moon Textured painting
Blood Moon

Do you have a favorite creative tool?

Acrylic Pour & Spray Paint

I love layers and combining techniques. This painting was a lot of fun to make.

I began with a flower pot acrylic pouring experiment. I liked the painting but did not love it. This made it the perfect recruit for this spray paint technique. Planned out and masked my favorite sections of the painting and went to space.

The video editing got away from me a little on this one but if you would like to see the process:

I have started an abstract acrylic painting series that emphasizes textures and layers.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

Artist Shout Out: Miss Diagnoses

The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) is having their annual conference right now. Lyme and tick born diseases are complicated and can be misdiagnosed for a host of reasons.

It is for that reason that I thought it would be the perfect time for me to pen a post that I had been thinking about for weeks. This is an artist I have followed and admired for a long time.

Vicki Novinsky at MissDiagnoses.com creates cartoon art that entertains and informs. She brings a lightheartedness to serious issues, making them more approachable. Vicki’s humor and style have allowed many in the Lyme and other chronic illness communities to relate and have a laugh over some small and some big frustrations that we run into.

Brain fog jeopardy game show

Miss Diagnoses had wonderful, recent interviews published by RawlsMD.com and The Mighty. So if you are interested more in the story that led her to create these wonderful pieces, I encourage you to check out her blog and these articles.

Lymie Movie Classics Blair Itch Project
People trying to remember names when they run into each other
Spoonie awards non-accredited medical degree
MissDiagnoses Lymie Skills Faking pregnancy
At least my disease is not controversial

Blog: https://missdiagnoses.com/

Facebook: Miss Diagnoses

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_diagnoses/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/miss_diagnoses

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