New Beginning

Now that "The Box" has left the building, I thought it would be fun to play with some of the new papers that I got. So, I gessoed a quarter sheet of watercolor paper, and played with some paint, watercolor pencils, stencils and stamps to make a fun background. My intent was to then collage in a vertical manner on top of this beginning.

Well, I was having a grand time until I decided that the little boy needed a kite! After trying to draw and paint a kite - it looked like "you know what" (cows do this in the field)! So, more gesso has been added and I'll try to figure out how to save this piece. I really like most of it, so I want to make it work!

Tomorrow is Bill's surgery, so I'll be tied up all day. Hopefully, I can get back to it on Tuesday and magically, things will work out!

It's Finished!

Yay! I finally finished the box today! For those of you who have never used this particular technique - here's how I did it. First, I painted tissue paper with the colors that I needed. Then, I tore the paper into little pieces (usually about 1" x 2"), and glued them on with gel gloss medium, one at a time, overlapping - around and around the box. Going around the curly bits was tricky, as was going into each slat on the top. By the way, it took me about 30 minutes to go around each time. I was standing all the time, and it got so sticky I was constantly washing my hands! Needless to say, it was hard to do more than one round at a time.

Next, these are the letters that will go on the front of the box. I will let the committee chairman glue those on after he puts on the closure and the lock.

I'm Done!

New Pretty Papers!

Last month, I subscribed to "Somerset Studio" magazine - and yesterday, I received this pack of 24 art papers in the mail! There are some really cool papers here to play with. That is, IF I ever get to paint again ....

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, cause I've just been to lazy to do anything! Then, last week, I decided to start a Prayer Quilt Ministry at church, so I made a quilt and got it all ready for church on Sunday. I also did a little bit of work on the "box"!

So, my goal this week is to FINISH the box! I'm finally past all the curly bits, and am now working on the top - the end is in sight! I truly think it is turning out great - but I will be glad to get it out of my house!

And, on top of everything else, my husband has some cancer in/around his bladder. So, we've been going to Gainesville to the VA Hospital a lot. He'll have another biopsy in early August, and then more surgery after that. I'm praying for a good outcome for all of this.

Frustrating work

Ok, so now I'm at the middle of the box! And, I'm about to pull out all my hair! Didn't realize how hard it would be to try to collage around all these curly hinges! Well, actually, they're not hinges, just decorative things - but still! I was having such a good time with the bottom - it's all smooth, and just going around and around the box! And yet to come is the top -- it's got it's own set of issues! Please say a prayer for me!

Another rainy day...

12" x 16" Collage/Acrylic on Canvas

So, last night when I was trying to go to sleep, this painting appeared in my head. Well, kinda. Anyway, I got up and drew it so I would paint it today. Now, in my head, it was different colors, and not quite so stylized - more free-form. But, you know how it is - you get started, and the paint chooses itself, and I decided to actually use a ruler, and drew a real circle... so here you go.

And, when I showed it to my husband, he interpreted it as something religious - well, it is a cruciform composition - but I only saw shapes and colors! I don't even know what to title it - so far I've come up with "Pendant". That seems to fit. (Actually, it looks like an earring to me!)

China Wok Collage

11" x 15" Collage

Last night, I put black gesso on this 1/4 sheet of watercolor paper. I knew I wanted to collage on it, but all day today I just kept looking at it and going away. I could not get inspired!

So, I watched more videos, and read more books, mainly Jane Davies' Collage Journey, and Sharon DiGiulio's Collage Therapy. I tell ya, it was the "Blank Page Syndrome" all day long! FINALLY, about an hour ago, I just went in and started! And, finished!

It started out as one thing, and ended as another! Per Jane Davies, I was going to make an all-over collage, then either cut it up into bookmarks, or find cool "little paintings" to then make into bigger ones. But when I got started, I discovered that this is an "all about me" collage. And, believe it or not -- I like it!

Collage Therapy Redo

I was searching in all my piles for some collage paper, and I came across these three little collages that I did back in March, when the collage bug first hit me. I never really liked them, but I didn't know why - so I just started playing around with them, adding some paint and some stamping - and some shiny gold, of course. Now I don't hate them quite so much!

The way they were

And now.

Since it's going to rain all day - I think I will get in the studio and play some more!

Simplicity

12" x 16" Acrylic

I'm so worn out, working on the "box" -- I just had to take a time out and play with some paint! Yesterday, I spent a good portion of my day in front of the computer. I did a search on bing for "mixed media" - and was rewarded with lots of little videos on different techniques! So, it got me all excited to get in there and try something!

This piece started out with gesso on the canvas, and drawing objects in the gesso - let it dry then play! I'm still not too happy with my results, but what I really need to do is practice, practice, practice!

So, of course, I went to Ocala today and stocked up on supplies and three new books! Good Night Nurse! You would think with all the stuff I already have, and all the books I've already read, that something would stick! Can't help it, I'm addicted to it!!!

The Box Has Been Started!

Well, I've started collaging the box that I told you about a couple of weeks ago. Here's the process: I hand-painted tissue paper, and now am tearing it and collaging it to the box with clear gel medium (I covered the box with clear gesso first and let it dry)

I'm using the same colors that I used in the banners -- each color represents a month, a disciple and a power of man -- these colors are used a lot in our services. I still will be adding reds, oranges, russet, gold and yellows. Then, I'll be adding words that represent our Capital Fund Campaign - "Youth" - "Education" - and "Seniors" that I have stamped on silver painted paper.

It really looks beautiful in my mind! Hope it translates to the box!

Gold Sky Workshop

12" x 12" Gold Leaf/Acrylic on Canvas

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a painting class put on by my friends, Lynne & Kelli - also known as: Hershberger/Huff! They have opened a new studio/gallery in Ocala, and they've started having these Friday Night Painting Parties! For a very small fee, you can come and paint, eat, drink and just have a great time! Everything is provided - and it was so much fun!

Here are our hostesses and teachers! The horse is for "Horse Fever" - Lynne will be painting him!


Here is my beginning - they had already painted the canvas fuschia, and I had just applied the first of my gold leaf.

Some of the class - all in all, there were 10 students. Everyone did the same painting, but they were all different! What a great experience! I've wanted to learn this technique ever since I saw the first one that Lynne did - over a year ago.