Star Heart Art Creations

I spent my career, 3 decades, working with all types of paper. As a printing press operator, putting ink on paper, and matching color proofs or a customer's approval was my job. Since the world was turned upside down by the pandemic, I have been out of work. Looking for things to do or a part-time job to fill my time, nothing shone a ray of light on my endlessly gloomy days.

Then, one rainy Saturday afternoon, my wife brought home a small package of poster paper that had a one inch variously colored glittery border on all four sides. Along with that little suprise, an eight pack of different colored Sharpie markers were included. There it was, paper and ink.

I hardly realized at the time; this was the missing link in my time. It began so innocently. That first piece of blue glitter bordering the shiny white paper. I took my eighteen inch metal ruler out from inside my writing desk. Then, with sharpened number two pencil in hand, I lightly drew lines of equal distance horizontally across the paper. Inside these lines I drew letters, in block style,that formed a quote by St. Paul. A verse from the bible that I liked. That small poster, which sits on my desk, brought a smile, not only to me, but to my wife's lovely face as well.
Since that afternoon, I have created many colorful posters. I get tremendous satisfaction by creating beautiful posters, full of color.

Honestly, I don't know where the ideas come from when lightning strikes. It happens so suddenly. A picture appears in my mind and I am literally overwhelmed by the need to bring these ideas to life. I am very meticulous with every aspect of a project that I hurl myself into. I know that may sound a bit absurd, but truth be told, I spend hours at a time measuring and cutting and drawing out the image that I see. I spend time finding colors that work together, for the sake of the project, but may not neccesarily match one another. I love spending the time in the production process, but I am especially pleased when I finish a project and it has an effect that have had many people, who have witnessed my work, say, "Ahhhh! Ooooo!" and "Can you make me something like that for my son or daughter?", or for themselves.

I don't go out and buy pictures or paintings for the walls of my apartment. I have covered my plain old white walls with beautiful, handmade colorful artwork. That's not to say, if I came across a piece of beautiful artwork, I wouldn't hang it on my wall.

Creating, either by writing or by crafting a poster, is such a delight. There isn't anything that I begin and finish I consider laborious. All the energy that I put in to a project pays dividends of sheer joy, along with feeling productive. I can't emphasize enough how spending time immersed in the process has seemingly brought the light back to my days. I love nothing more than a big white sheet of poster board looking at me, as if it were saying, "Tom, turn me into a beautiful, colorful work to be hung up, in plain view for all who enter this humble dwelling may feel the love and warmth that radiates from me through your inspiration and delicate hands."

Alright, I know that the paper didn't speak to me! Or does it? As I wrote earlier on, I don't know where the inspiration comes from, but it comes. It comes at anytime it desires. I have learned to keep a stock of many of the items that I use, so that when the inspiration switches on that light bulb in my head, I can begin the raw drafts. I have also created stencils, letters and shapes, some that I have taken from work that is complete. Some that haven't found there homes but they will be ready to deliver their purpose when called upon.

Because I have filled up nearly all of the wall space in my wife and I's bedroom, I, now, find it neccessary to use our ceiling.

I believe, that through my years as a printer, I developed a keen eye for color, as well as shapes. I incorporate many of the skills I used in the pressroom, as far as angles, or geometry, and measurements to find precisely the look I want these posters to portray. It's extremely tedious, meticulous work and majorly time consuming. This craft, has given me the ability to look forward and plan again. The posters I create, as well as the stories I write, (don't want to leave out the writing) have brought a sense of purpose back to my life. Being out of work, after having nothing but that habit, took me down a road that was growing darker by the day.

I, now, feel such freedom in my days. The creative juices are flowing and the inspiration to compliment this new found freedom is just beginning. I am travelling down a different road in my life and can't wait to see and encounter what is at the next corner or around the next bend or over the crest of that hill.

The title to this little narrative is the name of the company I plan to launch as I venture deeper into my imagination. I wish to make people smile by my creations and find the love, warmth and happiness that this activity has brought to me.