When I was painting on the hubcap I was so enthused by the metal canvas as Ken calls them that I decided to involved myself once again with my recycled metal lid project. A few years back I picked up a self sealing can opener which makes a small sealed edge to each can as it opens it. Since that I have created an infinite amount of works using these can lids. Last year I created a rubber stamp image printed them, cut them and applied them to the tin lids. Decorated them with embellishments and handed them out as last year ornament gift. If any one out there would like to send me their sealed edged can lids I promise you, they will go to good use. Through the making of these simple ornaments I stretched my imagination along with my teaching skills, both myself and my students made miniature books, mobiles, boxes utilizing both the lid and the tuna-fish can bottoms, dioramas in sardine cans, large hanging and free form plate like sculptures with over sized can lid covers. I really to think that with imagination, the recycling of these junked objects into something fine is infinite. See some pictures posted of projects by reading my full blog. [...]

Illulstrations and caricatures are a fun way to express myself and please others. This is Kristi and Justin Beiber. Enjoy Artworks by Anthe! [...]

I have exciting news to report. I have been busy working on new paintings, teaching several students and baking many new concoctions. This is not a complaint but an update. I have 5 new students and I am enjoying getting to know them as well as helping them develope as artists. I have recently painted a few paintings and mixed media pieces, with more to come all with a musical theme. This series started when I attended the Monteaux School up in Maine while on vacation visiting my artist friend Dan Miller with another artist Bea Pitcairn during the summer. We went to a concert where I was able to sketch the hands and the feeling of the music. From my drawings, when I returned to my studio, I worked my sketches onto the canvas to capture the music. I worked hard to grab the musicality and motion and believe that the pieces so far accomplish my goals. On another note...recently I saw the movie "Julia and Julia". I found it quite entertaining but realized for me the balance between writing and creating are much harder than they were for Julia who wrote a blog daily in the movie as she baked each of Julia Child's recipes. I have written poetry and children’s novels in the past however, it is usually when I am blocked and can’t make art. It seems to free me by moving from one medium to another still allowing my creativity to flow through another venue... [...]

The Traveler

I started this piece last year when I was working on several small miniature collages for the National Collage Society’s “Wish you were here” postcard exhibition. I like making several at once with different themes when working in such a small format. I tend to work in series with much of my work; I feel it helps me to focus as I enjoy so many mediums. I decided to not to submit “The Traveler” mini collage I made at the time but another collage which was a torn paper piece of a sunset which I created to resemble a stamp. I was fortunate enough to have it win an honorable mention. The Traveler took a life of its own as I prepared the mini collage for a much larger format increasing the size and overall concept for the new layout. [...]

I f you are interested in any or all of the following; Painting, Printmaking, and Mixed Media – Collage then Acv Studio is the place for you. Acv Studio is open for learning and creativity with personalized instruction and critiques offered by Anthe with an enrollment plan to suite your busy schedule. You don’t need to have any experience. If you would like to draw, paint, or make prints, with personalized instruction from beginners to advance level . I am a classically trained artist and graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. I will be glad to help you develop art work you will be proud of hanging in your home, office or give as the perfect gift. If you work at home on projects, get stuck and then they never get finished or you don’t know where to start Acv Studio is the perfect place for you. . If you just can’t get started I can jump start your creativity and get you on track. Or bring in your partially done project and I will help you through your troubled spot and spark that creativity to enable you to finish your masterpiece Come have fun…. [...]

I have been utilizing many supplies that I already posses which is helping me to increase sales profitability in difficult times as well as continue to create fun and exciting new pieces. I have always loved creating crafts as well as my fine art. Right now with the economy I have developed a creative fun new way to reach out to new prospective clients; mommies, their parents & / or grandparents and others who like these Word-art images which are appealing works that are affordable as well as the perfect accessory to give just the right personalized flair to any room.

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I recently was asked to participate by representing Pennsylvania in a project by Ken Marquis called Landfillart. I accepted and put into place a surreal painting of memories from my recent trip to New Mexico by combining my hot air balloon experience with the scenery. I have included pictures with this blog. Landfillart is an international effort encompassing one-thousand-forty-one (1,041) artists to claim a piece of rusted metal garbage and create fine art. The 1,041 pieces of rusted metal are actually old automobile hub caps from the 1930’s through the 1970’s. Each hub cap, after being cleaned and primed, is affectionately called a “metal canvas.” I have decided to make [...]

Well at long last. I have finished my studio renovations, with a clean and organized space in which to create my new chaos. I am off to New Mexico for the Red Rock Hot Air Balloon Ralley. I will be taking lots of photos, making paintings and sketches and I plan to return with enough imagery to start my next series " Up, Up and Away!" I hope you will check back for more images. [...]

Louis B. Sloan - Philly Daily News on This month’s blog is in memoriam for Louis B. Sloan, a dear man, friend, mentor, well known prize winning landscape artist and teacher died last week. He was a critic, who really listened, a shoulder to cry on and a buddy to paint with whatever you needed he was there. A quiet man with a gentle caring soul who reached out to many of his students in a way no other teacher did. He was one of the kindest caring men I have known. Lou attended the Pennsylvania Academy of [...]

Did you ever wonder what inspires an artist? For me it can be the smallest things. Sometimes I see the news or read an article and a visual appears in my head that I need to translate into a piece. Other times it is upon going to sleep or waking. Yet sometimes it is just observing what can be found right in front of me. There was a time just a few months ago, when I worked on a series of mini collages, while preparing for a show for the National Collage Society, NCS. The theme of the exhibition was “Wish You Were Here”. While working [...]

I FEEL ROBBED Why it is important to know which starving artist you are supporting. Have you ever wondered who creates those paintings that you see and many have bought in those starving artists’ shows? Do you really think it is a local American artist who is starving and needs your help and support to create more artworks? Well I can tell you that very few, if any of those shows consist of original works created from local artists. I have studied hard and worked for many years on my education and training to be able to capture the light that God created along with the trees, people, experiences as [...]

I became a member after looking for something that of course I did not find right away and stumbling across Odysseus on the web. Pursuant to sending several e-mails back and forth to Greece, Odysseus and I met and we shared our work and passion for art. This occurred in 2006. Since it has been an interesting journey with my participation in an international exhibition in Athens soon to come. Information about him and the organization follows. Odysseus Yakoumakis discovered Stuckism in July, 2004, while surfing the net, and saw in it an antidote to what he deems "the ailments of the contemporary Greek 'artscape'".[1] He contacted Charles Thomson, the [...]

Here are the finished photos of the kitchen mural I blogged about and completed in January. I accidently deleted the photos in progress as well as the finished work. I was unable to post the process but I hope you enjoy the finished work. When I was in Greece I studied and painted olive branches to help me remember just what they looked like so on my return I could create paintings in my studio. The watercolors came in handy as a reference when creating this mural. [...]

Well, tonight I sit down to type my latest blog, reflecting over the past month. I lectured today on “the art of the print and my life as an artist” more or less to a local Art Center. While speaking I mentioned how when I was young my “Yiaya”, that’s Greek for grandma, use to give me pie dough while she was baking. I think she did it to keep me quiet. I use to sit there for hours making all kinds of weird little pie dough sculptures. So...it worked and sparked my creativity. While speaking I realized just what an [...]

The holidays are a joyful time but it is almost impossible for me to work in the studio other than on crafts for Christmas presents. Yes, I still give gifts that I make to several friends and relatives. Yes it is time consuming, and if I started earlier instead of later each year it would probably be less stressful, but I do enjoy the process most of the time. Besides I think it is important to try and share a piece of you with those you love and through my art I feel I can do just that. It is when the daily routines pile [...]

As I reflect... I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Time marches on standing still for no one including me. As I get older I realize that each holiday marks an event in my life, a time which can never be recaptured. This is why I try to capture moments in time, a feeling, a mood, or some image that can convey what is special for that second in my mind's eye. These lost moments are also something to be grateful for as they help me to realize what was important in my life when I look back. My God... Whom I thank [...]

I am overdue with this blog. I am reflecting on my trip to Greece last year. The beauty of the countrysides, the clear fresh air of the mountains, the aroma of oregano in the air mixed with other sweet herbal smells, walking the beaches and looking into the water seeing with clarity all that is there. I am saddened by the tragedy of all of the fires that consumed a tremendous amount of Greece, taking mothers,children, fathers, sons and daughters not to mention the many livestock that perished as well. The landscape was marred and much of the land was torched with century old trees vanished. I thank God that [...]

The months of May and June have presented me with new challenges. I have recently bid on and accepted a job painting murals in a hospice. It is quite a responsibility as well as a very rewarding experience to have your work veiwed transforming what could be a sterile cold room into a warm soothing environment for those facing their journey's end here on earth. Encompassing the patients with colors to quiet them and surround them with images to make the transition easier. As well as to caress the family and transport them to another place for maybe only a moment at a time, but nonetheless providing a respite [...]

Well today I have been working to try and offer some of my previously purchased images the opportunity to be purchased as novelties such as mugs, posters, t-shirts, etc. I have offen wondered about the marketablity of many of my images. I have been told to do it but was unsure of which items to begin offering and the quanities etc. I am able to test this process through this site. I will keep you posted. In the meanwhile I am painting more and more. I will post again as soon as dry. Here is a link to one such item. A Celebration of Life http://www.zazzle.com/AcvPress* [...]

Well I have completed 25 paintings for the exhibition in the spring. I find that painting these scenes of summer have helped me to keep the winter blahs from getting to me. I do love the sunshine and warm summer breezes. However I do not live in a tropical climate so I have to make the best of where I am. These landscapes have helped me to imagine it warm and sunny once again just like it was when I visited the locations in my paintings. This painting is one of the paintings from a series of landscapes from my travels to Greece and the American Southwest. More images [...]

Today is a nice and sunny day. My series "Food for Thought" has many watercolors from a few years ago. It brings to mind the many landscapes I have painted and will paint reflecting God's warmth and light. This day is another of those days, as I am working on many new oil paintings from my recent journeys to Arizona, New Mexico, and then Greece the home of my heritage. When I work in watercolor I puddle my paint and push the colors, adding more color as I go, creating forms, tone and substance. However working in oils is completely different for me, as I have [...]