Another painting started

It’s been a long dry spell; however, I did get some images in Florida that inspired me.  This is the stern end of an old rowboat that was obviously a working boat.  Those usually get my attention and I have visions of at least 4 paintings based on this boat . For now, just the stern end with the lines laying on the seat.  The initial drawing is done; now to transfer it to watercolor paper and then the slow process of masking and pouring. 

I think I’m going to do this one twice.  First a small piece to add to three other boats that I am thinking of reframing in a different way.  No decisions on that yet as there are several possiblities floating around in my head.

For the moment I’m just happy to have a painting underway.

Working with metal and other stuff

My mind is running full tilt with so many ideas that I haven’t really been able to do much finished work; I’ve been going in circles it seems.  I have done a lot of experimenting though.

First with metal:  I made a couple spinner necklaces based on a lesson  in Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet by Mary Hettmansperger.  I didn’t have all of the  equipment or materials so I worked with what I had on hand.  The photos are fuzzy but you can get the idea anyway…

Then with fabric:  I’ve been working on a quilt project over on Craftsy.com.  This one is my favorite so far.

And I’ve done a little more experimenting with painting on fusible.  The gull in this was painted on fusible, then stitched to the background fabric.

 

And finally, I decided I need to do a Prayer Flag, praying that my mind will stop spinning and land on something to focus on… The flag says Dream but along the side it also says “Then DO, only you can make your dreams come true.”

Along the way I did some sketching too but I haven’t bothered to scan those so I can’t show you.  Trust that I am working,  just not focusing.  Guess my muse decided she needed some variety, she was getting bored.  Hopefully, the focus will come and I’ll get back to regular work and regular blogging.

“In For The Night” and another in the works

I’m back and feeling much better.  Back into the studio feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work.  When we left I left this one hanging.  I didn’t like it when I took the mask off but I know that sometimes when we put them away and get them out a couple weeks later they look better than we thought.  When I first removed the mask and hung in on the wall this is what it looked like to me. 

I adjusted the photo in Photoshop to more accurately show what I first thought I saw.  I was expecting more vivid and didn’t think I got it.  I didn’t do anything more to it, just left it and left town for 10 days so I didn’t even glance at it.  When we returned and I walked into my studio this is what I saw.

So much closer to my vision.  I’m leaving it hang for awhile because while we were away I realized I really need some brightness in my life and my work and may want to add more to this. 

Meanwhile, I’ve started work on another one that I’m thinking will be called “Still Working.”  Here is the start of the initial drawing.  I always do my value study as a careful drawing rather than a rough sketch because I like drawing and I can eventually use the image to transfer to my watercolor paper.  I’ve got a couple more photos of this old boat so there will probably be more than one painting of it eventually.

And just because I haven’t done a WDE (Weekend Drawing Event) in a very long time, last night while watching the Oscar pre-show I did a couple quick watercolor sketches from the images Bonnie posted.

Here’s a link to the WetCanvas All Media Art Events site where the Weekend Drawing Events happen every weekend.  

I need a little sunshine

I love winter when it snows.  I detest winter when there is no snow and the world around me is grey and dirty.  Unfortunately, this winter is of the grey and dirty variety.  The last time we had a winter like this was 1982.  I know that because we have this photograph of my son and I on the pier Christmas day when he was 4.

That year by the end of March I was a basket case.  This year the depression has begun and before it really gets me, we’re heading south for a short break.

I’m hoping that by the time we get back we’ll have snow.  At least we have another ski week planned and there is snow on those hills so that will feel better.

Meanwhile, here’s another of  my mixed media daily pieces.  This one is an encaustic.  I started with an acrylic on canvas that I didn’t like and some strips of a watercolor that didn’t work.  I wove the strips and glued that to the acrylic piece.   A layer of encaustic followed and I added a tissue layer with a sketch of the lilies on it.  More encaustic, a little more color added and it was done.  I’m pleased with the result.

I’m also working on a quilt project.  Craftsy.com has a free block of the month workshop.  I’m doing two projects… this one is going to be a table runner for Christmas.

I’m also going to make one for our bed.  I made my first quilt 31 years ago.  This is my second.  Actually, for some reason I am feeling a real urge to stitch rather than paint so it must be what I’m suppose to be doing right now.

I am going to take my paints along with me to the warmer weather though.

More Mixed Media Daily

The painting is almost finished.  One of the downsides of my painting process is the wait while layers dry.  However, it’s also a positive because it gives me time to experiment with the mixed media pieces I’ve been playing with.

I’ve been reading an interesting book, Plaster Studio, by Stephanie Lee and Judy Wise.  One of Judy’s projects in the book was a wine angel using joint compound, collage and encaustics.  Since I collect angels and drink wine the project appealed to me; however,  I didn’t happen to have joint compound on hand the day I decided this would be my daily piece.

I used a piece of board, covered it with unbleached muslin that I had tried doing some transfers on but that didn’t work, covered that with some yellow ochre watercolor, decided it was too dark so the next layer was gesso. 

Next I sketched my angel and did the writing.  On my way to finding something else I came across some wine labels so I decided to add them.  Then I used collage for her dress, wings and halo before adding a layer of encaustic.

Once the encaustic was done I used watercolor crayon to add the rest of the color.  She was fun to do and now hangs over the wine rack in our kitchen.

Yesterday’s piece was another sunset.  This time a fabric collage using watered  down acrylic on fusible.  At the moment it’s collage on fabric but I think it’s going to become a small art quilt so this may serve as the basis for another piece sometime this week.  Meanwhile, I’m off to do the last pour on my painting.

Finally, A Painting In Process

While art has been happening in the studio, not one full painting has happened in a very long time.  It’s time.  I have a sketch in my sketchbook that I had titled “In For The Night.”  That will be my next painting. 

Normally I use my sketch as the basis for my value study which means a lot of pencil work.  I was watching a video done by my friend Linda Baker.  She uses Pitt Pens for her value studies – much quicker than graphite and I have the set she uses. 

I’ve also thought about doing this in with more of the boats that were there; however, that would require an odd size and I already have an idea for framing the half sheet above.  I think I’ll save the longer version, until I find a suitable frame.  This is the longer version.

I’m still working on my daily mixed media piece.  I haven’t scanned or photographed any of the new ones.  When I do I’ll post them.  Meanwhile, Michigan Watercolor Society Exhibit entries are due soon so I need to get busy with “In For The Night.”

And go over and check out Linda’s website.  She does beautiful work!

New Year – New Resolutions

How many times do we make these resolutions and then promptly forget them? I know I’m guilty though I did work harder at least one of last year’s resolutions than I ever have in the past. That prompts me to think maybe I can do better this year too.

One resolution this year is to continue to finish at least one piece every day. Awhile back I challenged myself to do one small mixed media piece every day. First it was going to be the same size every day; however, since I was doing mixed media I decided to use some starts and soon the sizes weren’t the same.

A few were ATC’s done for friends

and some just for me

One day it was a broken mosaic sphere that I didn’t want to let go of.

This one isn’t finished; I think it’s going to get taller. The sphere has some pieces in it that can’t be replaced so I don’t want to get rid of it for sentimental reasons.

It got broken because my grandson loves balls. He was in the garden, saw a ball and being 1 ½, didn’t know the difference between a ball to throw and a sphere to look at. (Grandpa neglected to tell him.) He tried to throw it; it hit a rock in the garden; there went my wonderful sphere

On days when nothing else strikes me I think I’ll work on the mosaic. It won’t get done in a day because the pieces have to dry before they can be grouted so I’m going to consider the tile or ceramic pieces glued on as one project and the grouting another.

I love mosaics though I haven’t done many. Now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I’ll add that to my list of techniques to learn.

Another resolution that I’m really going to work on keeping is to get back to posting regularly on my blog. It won’t be every day but at least once a week.