More Grunge!

 

 

So here are a couple of new little paintings that I finished today.  They're only 6" square with 1.5" sides, so they sit nicely on a shelf or bookcase.

 

 

I know that a lot of my friends and family don't care for this kind of painting - but I'm loving it!  They look old and weathered - and the freedom to not have to have them look like any one thing is amazing!  Who knows if this is something I will do forever - I just know that I love learning - and will continue to try all sorts of ways of painting, and see what sticks!

 

 

Christmas Cactus and a New Idea

Last summer, my sister, Barbara, and her husband bought a home in Michigan, David's home state.  So now they are officially Snowbirds - coming back to Florida in the Winter.  So, she gave me her gorgeous Christmas Cactus last summer as they left - and I was sure that I would kill it before it got a chance to bloom this year.  My Black Thumb is legendary!  What a nice surprise!  It LIVES!  And, it has been blooming for a couple of weeks!

There are so many colors in this plant!  There are blooms in Coral, Hot Pink, Softer Pink and almost White at the bottom!

Now for the New Idea!  While I was making bookmarks, I was wondering what else I could use to collage on them.  Well, I happen to have a huge stash of paper napkins, that I love to use for collage - so I decided to try them on the bookmarks.  And, I think they turned out really cute!  Especially for those who don't like abstracts, but want to see familiar objects!  After I collaged them, I outlined some things in gold paint, and did some stamping on the backs.  They make me smile!

New Bookmarks

I've been working on things for the Art/Craft sale.  Bookmarks are always a good seller, but trying to come up with an idea that isn't so labor intensive is tricky.  Cause, no matter what you do, it's hard to sell them for more than $2 or $3.

So these are only a 5 part project (on each side).  1.  Collage dictionary paper on bookmark stock.  Let dry.  2. Do other side.  3.Collage hand-painted tissue paper.  4.  Do other side.  5. Use stamps and paint to add dimension.  6.  Do other side.  7.  Cover with gel medium.  8.  Do other side.  9.  Spray with matte acrylic.  10.  Do other side.  And, of course, dry between everything.

I do love the feel of these bookmarks - kinda feel like shiny leather!

A39

This is my second painting using the technniques I learned in Julie Prichard's class.  It's bigger, 12" x 16".  I sorta like it - it has the grunge effects that I like, but I think it's a little too rigid - too many straight lines, too many equal parts.  Gives me something to do with the next one!

I've been super busy lately - working on bowls and coasters and other things for an Art/Craft Sale next month.  Whatever doesn't sell then, will just go to Mount Dora, so it's a good busy!  Also, we're starting to work on the next Mystery Theater for church.  This time, I play the lead dectective (and Director), so I have more work than usual for this play.  But again, it's a good busy!

Lost & Found

This is my first attempt after watching all the videos of "Act Natural" - an online workshop by Julie Prichard.  She has many more that I would like to attend, so I just have to keep making money in Mount Dora!!

This workshop is a lesson in Grunge -- making interesting naturals - making it look old and used - minimalistic, simple.  I can see that I need to work on my brush strokes more, and probably should have added many more layers.  But, all in all, it's exactly what I needed to take my artwork in another direction.  This painting is only 6" x 12", but it's encouraged me to start working larger.

A True Adventure!

 

 

 

I named this blog "Adventures With Paint" because I envisioned myself on a journey, learning all kinds of different ways to put paint on canvas. Today, this became a real adventure. If you saw my post a couple of days ago, I started this painting with lots of texture, then adding paint. I was just at the stage of adding additional color.

And, of course, after I added the color, I HATED IT!!!!

So, today, this is where I began -- deciding to add some dark rectangles, like the guy in the book.  Taping off the sections, so the lines would be clean.

Well, that only works in theory (at least for me!).  My colors ran, but then I decided that I liked it and made them run more!!

 Once that was done, I realized that I didn't like the way I had made the colors follow the texture - so I decided to do some color blocking.  Of course, I can't paint (or draw) straight, so it all looks kinda wonky.

After working on it some more, I finally came up with something that I like - Imagine That!!  It's still wonky, but for some reason, it doesn't really bother me - I've never liked straight lines anyway!  Beauty is definitely in the Eyes of the Beholder!

Art Journal Open House



I've blogged before about this Collaborative Art Journal project, and today Nancy Moskovitz had an open house at her gorgeous home to show us the finished journal!  It was so nice to meet some of the other artists. The journal is stunning - and will be part of an art showing in Ocala at City Hall later this month!  Here are the artists that were at the party today - I photographed them with their journal pages.

 

 



Our Hostess - Nancy Moskovitz

Me and Gail (Our pages were next to each other)

Peggy

Mary

Jane

Jackie

Carol

Barbara

Cara

Time to Learn!

 

 

I'm finally starting to play -- after reading this book!  I've decided to photograph the process - since I'm not sure how it will turn out!

 

So, here is the beginning -- I've covered the canvas (in this case, it's a little one - 6" x 12" just to try) with Light Molding Paste - the artist in the book used Heavy Gesso, but I don't have any.  I used a knife and a comb to make texture, then I let it dry completely, and covered it with a coat of  Gloss Gel Medium, then let that dry.

 

 

Then, I used a regular kitchen sponge - dropped 3 colors of  Golden Fluid Acrylics on it, and painted the canvas - letting the colors run together and made sure to get the color in all the texture.  When this was dry, I added another layer of Gloss Gel Medium.  Discovered that it was really fun to paint with a sponge!

So this is where I'm at right now.  I hope that tomorrow I can start adding in the cool colors and darks & lights and get this puppy finished!  You'll see it as soon as I do!

On another note - I was reading Seth Apter's blog, and learned of some exciting online workshops by Julie Prichard and Cris Cozen.  I know of at least 2 of them that I'll soon be signing up for - just as soon as I get my check from Hart & Soul!  I love it when I find some classes to take!

My Etsy Shop is now closed

I made a decision today to close my Etsy Shop.  I haven't had any sales for several months, and since I'm doing so well at Hart & Soul in Mt. Dora, it just makes sense to take everything from Etsy to there.

There may come a time when I decide to re-open Etsy, and that option is always there.  If you saw anything on Etsy that you would like to purchase, you can still purchase it directly from me (or Hart & Soul).

Mandala Class

I finally spent time today watching all of the videos of the free Mandala class (see info on right).  It was a lot of fun to do, and very Zen!

I did this first one on plain cardstock - so I was only able to use the Pitt pens that I have to color.  I've discovered that as I age, I have trouble coloring inside the lines!  Maybe that's why I've begun to like Abstracts!!

I think I will make another one - probably in my journal, and then I can use watercolor paints, pencils and crayons for the color.

You can't beat a Free Class!  Give it a shot!