New Paintings

Ok, so it's been awhile!

I have been busy with other projects, so I haven't been able to paint.  And, yes, I have been blocked.  I knew what I wanted to try, but just couldn't get in the zone.  Finally, I just started - and I am somewhat pleased with what became of that!

I must have watched a million videos on YouTube, trying to get into the mood!  Then, I took a tip and trick from a few, and came up with the vases of flowers.  I took these photos with my phone, then somehow downloaded them to my computer. Very tricky!

Pumpkin!

I found some small cream colored ceramic pumpkins at Hobby Lobby.  I decided to drip and pour, and use canned air to move the ink around, and finally ended up with this glorious pumpkin!  I made several as gifts, and even sold a few!

I can't stop!

I made this 4" tile with a less busy background, and used a stamp on top.  I think it might become a set of coasters!

And, here is a set of coasters I made, using only one color and firing them several times.  I also put cork on the bottom, and sealed them with Krylon Triple Thick Gloss spray.

Wall Art

Today, I watched a video about making wall art with alcohol ink.  So, I took the glass out of the 8" x 10" frame, dropped on some color and fired it.  This is the result after only one fire.  I could add more paint and alcohol and fire, but I really kinda like it!  I also think that it would look better in a white frame.

Stencil play

When I saw Mary Beth Shaw's video on using stencils with alcohol ink - I was very intrigued.  It is what started me on this journey.  Since then, I've found myself learning more and more about this fun medium.  The stencils don't work as well on tiles (below) as they do on Yupo, but I still like it!

Still Playing

So, I'm still playing with alcohol ink on ceramic tiles.  Still playing with fire. It's so much fun!

This one is on a 6" x 6" square ceramic tile.  I stamped the dragonfly after it was done, using Stazon ink pad.

This one is on a 4" tile, playing with monochromatic tones.

My Favorite Burn

This was the first tile I set fire to, and I think it is my favorite, so far!!

Playing with Red and another Burn

I bought another set of alcohol inks, and had to play with them immediately!  Needed to try to make a flower, and I think this is ok.

On this smaller, longer tile, I used fire, and just wanted to see what the colors would do.

This one was a really cool burn - even ended up with a flower!

More Play!

More play with alcohol ink!  This one is done on a 9" x 12" piece of Yupo paper.  I'm a little miffed, cause my camera didn't pick up the yummy purple color right.  Believe me, it's bright!

"Under the Sea" 

This one is done on another 4" square white ceramic tile.

"Night Walk"

Sunset

Here is another alcohol ink "Dreamscape"painting on a 6" x 6" white tile (the first one was 4" square).  This time I used more of a paintbrush to add texture and dimension.  Parts I love, others, not so much - but it really is kind of Zen to work on these!  I'm looking forward to working on Yupo!

Down Another Rabbit Hole!

I know I haven't posted in a long time, but I just haven't been inspired to paint lately.  Of course, once I get started watching YouTube videos, I just have to do something! 

Several years ago, I got on the alcohol ink train -- but I was only working on dominoes, and that faded quickly for me.  But now!  Dreamscapes and flowers on tile!  Set fire to it!  Other wonderful ideas for Yupo!

I ordered a new book -  "Pigments of Your Imagination" by Cathy Taylor.  I haven't gotten it yet, but she shows how to use alcohol ink on various substrates.  So, I went on YouTube!  After spending a little money on Amazon, I think I have everything I need.

This is my first tile "Dreamscape", and I think I am in Love!  More Later!

Art & Wine Walk

I've started working on some art for this coming "Art & Wine Walk", here in downtown Blue Springs, this coming Saturday.  Mainly, I'll be selling prints and original watercolor paintings, as well as some new acrylic/mixed media art, and some cards and other goodies!  I hadn't planned on doing this, since a couple of the shops downtown are selling my newer art and other handmade items.  But, then, I just decided to bite the bullet and get busy!

This is one of the pieces that I've done this week

Inklings' Coffee Shoppe

Inklings' Coffee Shoppe is now open in downtown Blue Springs.  They are open until 2:30pm each day, and serve not only coffee and tea, but muffins, lunch specials and gelato!  

Below are some photos I took today.

My artwork is hung in a corner of the front room.

More beautiful artwork - the owner is making a little gallery for local artists!

Just a sweet little place!  I hope if you are anywhere in the area, you will come check it out!

Bird #4

Today I finished the 4th and final bird painting.  I'm still not sure about them, but we'll see when the coffee shop opens.  In the meantime, I'm wanting to do another series that is light and bright.  Just haven't come up with an idea yet.

Bird #3

I am so far out of my comfort zone with these dark (both literally & figuratively) paintings.  But, they are stretching me, and I'm having fun with them.  I also think that the customers in the bookstore just might like them -- at least I hope so!  One more in this series, and then I'm going to try another little series.  Stay tuned!

Bird #2

Here is my second "Bird" painting.  Once again, I used lots of layers of texture and paint.  Here in downtown Blue Springs, there is a bookstore called "Inklings".  The owner is putting in a new coffee shop in the lower level, and will have lots of gallery walls available for local artists.  She has agreed to let me hang some when she opens in late March or early April.  The art will also be for sale.

The Birds

Do you, like me, watch a lot of art videos?  I watched a painting video on YouTube last night, and it really inspired me to make a new piece of art.  So, using techniques from that video and some techniques from Donna Downey, I came up with this.

It's painted on a piece of wood - and has layers of texture, as well as layers of color.  It is sort of somber, but it reminded me of the movie, "The Birds".  I'll be making another piece soon, that might not be so dark, but I want them to be in a series, so I'll see.

Be-4

 

WOW!  I can't believe that it's been so long since my last post!  But, I've finally found something to post about. 

 

I just started Donna Downey's workshop:  10x10x10x10 .  The idea is to paint 10-10x10 canvases in 10 days, using the same color palette and subject.  It's all about working in a series.  This is something I've always wanted more info on, so here I go!  I'm using 12" x 12" canvases, since that's all I can find right now.

 

You know, I love collage - and I've wanted to master abstracts for a long time now.  Donna provides 10 videos showing how she goes about painting them, and it's very informative.  It's just not as easy as she makes it look!  LOL  But, it's good - it's making me learn new techniques, and that's always a plus.

 

So, this is my #1

 

 

If nothing else, it will make me post more in my blog!!

The Talk

I decided that I wanted a piece of artwork that I saw in Pier One -- except it was too large for the place I wanted to put it.  So, I kind of copied it, in a size that would work.  I usually don't try to do this, and I would list the artist's name, but I can't find it on the photo that I took.  Oh well, it's not going on sale, and it's for my private use, so I hope my apology will be enough.  And, of course, it really isn't exactly  like the original.

I started with collaging, of course!  I love the way it always adds texture and shadows.

Then, I added white, ecru and blue paint to distress the collage.

Next, I worked on the Mama and Baby Birds.

And, played with it some more, and added distress ink around the

edges.  I think it worked out fine!  Now I need to hang it!

Artist Appreciation Month

I received a wonderful email the other day, from Marietta Gregg - she is the Marketing Director at Patience Brewster (and also Patience's daughter).  She made some very nice comments about my artwork, and asked me to blog about the artist(s) that have inspired me, since this is Artist Appreciation Month - which I did not know!

So, in order to do that, I have to go back to the beginning, which was about 8 years ago this fall.  I was retired, and really wanted to learn to paint.  I had done some things on my own, and with videos, but really needed some one-on-one instruction, so I headed to my local art supply store.  There, I found Carlynne Hershberger!  She and her friend, Kelli Money-Huff, offered a weekly workshop, for artists of all mediums.  I was in Heaven!

Below are just two of the many paintings that Carlynne helped me with, back when I was working in oil.  Later, she and Kelli helped me transition into watercolor, and later, she gave me a private class on acrylics!  I have always admired her work, and even though I no longer live in Florida, I follow her on Facebook to see what she is up to!  

I hope you will go to her blog, or her Etsy shop and see what this incredible artist (and friend) is involved with.  Carlynne, I thank you for sharing your amazing talent with me!