Kindred Spiritz Arts

Zentangle

2012-01-29T14:22:00.001-08:00

My attempt at creating a Zentangle with the tangles I learned on Saturday.

What I have been doing....

2010-03-02T12:37:00.001-08:00

I have been working on doing my portraits for various classes. I am currently enrolled in two Suzi Blu classes ("Angels" and "The Goddess and Poet") and "Pursuing Portraits" with Pam Carriker. I finally broke down and ordered a set of the portrait Pan Pastel colors. I love working with pastels and am looking forward to trying these out. My Creation of Adam was done completely in Charcoal and Soft Pastels.

I originally had decided to do the Delphic Sibyl (I love Michelangelo's work) but ended up doing this piece. I had to find a book to take the image from as images from the net sometimes distort the colors. After picking the image, I had to "grid" it out. Once I had the grid done, I then had to make a larger image as the final piece. After drawing the grid on drawing paper, I then filled the grid in to match the original grid of the smaller image. For this assignment, one of the parameters was that we had to use dry media for the color. I decided on pastels. I used many different pastels (pencils and soft pastels) to color it. It took me 6 weeks from beginning to end to finish this piece (and I was still rushed to complete the piece).

Here is the original image of the "Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo.

New portrait sketch

2010-01-08T09:43:00.001-08:00

Here is my second sketch for the class "The Goddess and Poet". All these sketches have been done using graphite drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, and 3B). I am really enjoying the class. If you are interested in doing faces, you should take a Paulette Insall and Suzi Blu class.

Suzi Blu Classes

2010-01-08T09:37:00.001-08:00

I am currently taking two Suzi Blu classes "The Goddess and Poet" and "Angels". Here are the sketches I have done for the first week of the class. I also posted some images of features that I have been practicing.

Gallery Piece

2009-12-14T19:32:00.000-08:00

This was the first drawing that I did that was exhibited in an invitation only exhibit. I thought I would re-post since I have started getting back to my artistic roots of portraiture and figure drawing.

The Redhead

2009-12-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished my second painting and did end up putting red hair on her. Not sure how I feel about her not having bangs but I guess it is okay.

I used pastels, colored pencils, caran d'ache, Golden paints (both heavy body and fluid acrylics), and a white gel pen to create this image. I love the way the background shows through her hair. I need to finish her top and do something more with the background.

Mixed Media portrait -- a work in progress

2009-11-15T23:41:00.000-08:00

I decided to experiment on a canvas board using different media. I transferred a sketch of a face that I made onto an already painted background. For the skin tone I used a layer of titan buff fluid acrylics, after that was dry, I applied a layer of Golden's Acrylic Ground for Pastels. My next step was to use pastels but I picked up the wrong box (non-smear) and, as expected, they didn't blend very well. I then moved over to Prismacolor Colored Pencils and did the rest of the shading and highlighting. For the very bright highlights, I used a white gel pen.

My next step is to add her hair. I think I am going to make her a redhead after which I will finish off the background. Check back to see how I finish her.

Paulette Insall My next step

2009-11-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

This is the next step in the painting process. I added in more depth by adding a bit of blush on her cheeks, neck, and forehead. I added a touch of highlights to her lips and shadowed the darker areas. i still need to finish off the background and then I think it will be done.

I have not been working much on this portrait the last few days as my son is sick. Anyway, check back soon to see how the whole painting turns out.

Paulette Insall

2009-11-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is yet another part of the class. I have painted in the hair but no eyebrows yet. I wanted to do the detailing of the eyes and then paint in the eyebrows. I have detailed the face using Caran d'ache watercolor crayons and water soluble pastels. Here is the image which is still a way from finishing.

Here is a close up of the face.

I still have more detail work to do but here is my WIP as it stands now.

Paulette Insall -- Week 3

2009-11-06T16:22:00.001-08:00

I have transferred the image to a piece of canvas board. I used canvas board because they are relatively inexpensive and if I make a mistake it will be no loss. Anyway, I didn't have any wax-free graphite transfer paper so I used a trick I learned in my art class. I keep the images I am going to use in my sketchbook. I pick an image and then photocopy it. After photocopying, I use an 8B or 4B pencil and color over all the lines on the back of the photocopy (you have to use a light box to see the lines). Once the "scribbling" is done, I place the image on the canvas (scribbling side down) where I would like it. With the image face up, I start outlining the image either using a pencil or a round embossing tool. I usually use a 2B pencil. A word of caution, if you lean on the photocopy image, it may transfer the areas where you were leaning to the canvas. Here is the image copied to the canvas with the face, mouth, and eyes painted in. The eyes are pretty much finished but there is still some detail work to be done on the face.

Paulette Insall Class -- Week 2 -- Backgrounds

2009-10-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of backgrounds I painted for this class. I was experimenting with colors. Of course, there will be much more to add when the face is done.

The top image was painted using a titanium white (golden paints) mixed with an adirondack reinker (pink sherbert) with acrylic glazing liquid (golden paints) added in. I painted the outer edges with a touch of Paynes Grey (golden paints) mixed with acrylic glazing liquid. I then softened the edges by using a damp paper towel and feathering the colors out. I then used sequin waste to create the texture using Metallic Olive Green (Lumiere). I tamped a paper towel over the wet met olive green, sprayed it with water and then touched other parts of the color around the canvas.

The other canvas was painted using a mix of titanium white, quinacridone nickel azo gold, and acrylic glazing liquid (all golden products). I then smooshed some cobalt blue onto the background and wiped off with damp paper towel. I then painted some of the quin nickel azo gold onto a handmade stamp and stamped around the canvas. After that I used titanium white painted on another stamp and stamped again over the canvas. I added some texture by adding circular images which were rubbed with a damp paper towel. Finally using Payne's grey I added more texture by patting paint through sequin waste onto the canvas.

All About Faces

2009-10-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

This is the class I have been taking with Paulette Insall. Here are some of the sketches I have made of eyes, noses, and mouths.

Here is an entire face with hair. My other faces have no hair because I would like to vary the styles as needed.

Paulette Insall Class

2009-10-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

I am taking Paulette Insall's All About Faces class which is a lot of fun. I have been spending my time drawing faces, noses, mouths, and eyes. Drawing them individually hasn't been a problem but putting them all together has been. I am a perfectionist when it comes to my art. I would post some images but they are all bald right now :).

Updates coming soon....

2009-10-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

I have been woefully remise in updating my blog because I am working diligently on changing my website which is a job in itself. Anyway, I'll be posting some things soon so do drop by again and check out the new look of my website: www.artsychix.com.

Thanks for dropping by!

New website look

2009-09-21T12:06:00.001-07:00

I have been working on my website and finally have a site I am beginning to like. Although I have changed the art on the homepage, the links are in the old style. My website address is: www.artsychix.com and I would love to hear any comments anyone has. Thanks.

New Digital Collage

2009-09-17T21:55:00.001-07:00

Here is another digital collage I did using only the photoshop brushes from Annika von Holdt of The Fifth Muse. She makes beautiful brushes which I really enjoy using.

Mona Lisa Eyes

2009-09-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

I changed the name of this digital collage after I highlighted the Mona Lisa's eyes with a flourish mask by endlessdeep. She also has a link to a tutorial on how he makes his masks. Endlessdeep(she) includes the image packs in her downloads so that you can make your own masks.

da Vinci Collage Updates

2009-09-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

This is the final product for the da Vinci digital collage I started previously.

I made some significant changes to the inital collage but like the end result. I love the photoshop brushes from Yasny-Chan (the swirls and flowers).

Fairy Dust Revisited

2009-09-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

I accidentally left out the handpainted layer when I saved this version of fairy dust. This is why I like digital collage, you can alter an image without having to paint another canvas. You can see the techno bursts in the upper right hand and left hand corners of the collage.

Fairy Dust -- Digital Collage

2009-09-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have to say that doing these digital collages has become something of an addiction. The two fairy images were the inspiration for this new collage. The collage is made up of approximately 19 layers consisting of: a handpainted background, images, and a variety of photoshop brushes.

The initial background layer was a solid sheet of black. I followed this layer with a handpainted background I did on a stretched canvas. I usually photograph or scan in my backgrounds so that I can reuse them. This is the painted background that I started with.

The next 7 layers were made up of different photoshop brushes ranging from nature (plants) to techno (bursts). The full body fairy was the next layer followed by another layer consisting of photoshop brushes. The next layer was an ellipse I drew and filled with color onto which I applied another layer consisting of the upper torso of another fairy. The colored ellipse highlights the face of this fairy. After the fairy torso, was another 5 layers of photoshop brushes. The final layer was the text which I toned down by using a light grey.

I switched between black and white for the various brushes I used and I altered the opacity of some of the layers which ranged from 55% to 100%. I try to use "free for commercial use" photoshop brushes in the event that I would like to sell these pieces. Finally getting the layers the way I liked them, I flattened the image and saved it as a jpeg.

Da Vinci Digital Collages

2009-09-05T13:37:00.001-07:00

This is a digital collage I created using images from the artwork of Leonardo da Vinci. The swirls and grunge touches were added using photoshop brushes. The texture/grunge touches I used were from sanami276 and the swirls/flowers were from Yasny-Chan.

The background was an old world map onto which I applied a copper patina layer. With the cooper patina layer, I used a cookie cutter to create the irregular shape.

As a side note, I download my photoshop brushes from a variety of sites. I pay particular attention to the "Terms of Use" of all the brushes I download. If there is no "terms of use", I don't use any of the brushes on my commercial projects as I prefer to err on the side of caution.

Serenity -- Digital Collage

2009-08-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

I created this collage using an image from a painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti who is one of my favorite pre-Raphaelites. I haven't seen a painting by the pre-Raphaelites that I haven't liked and especially enjoy the Sleeping Beauty paintings. I titled this piece Serenity because of the expression on Elizabeth Siddal's face (she was Rossetti's wife). This particular image is entitled Prosperine or in Greek mythology Persephone. The myth of Persephone is one of my favorite mythological stories.

Mask

2009-08-30T21:19:00.001-07:00

This image is my newest digital collage creation. I have used the theme of Carnevale with its mask as my theme. I started out with a white background as the "background" layer. The next layer is an image of a painted background that I did on watercolor paper using a variety of acrylic paints. I followed this layer with a book page layer, then two mask layers, and finally a layer of the doge's palace in Venice. I added some photoshop brush images (those fabulous swirls). And last but not least, I used a different opacity for each layer giving it the depth that the image required. The painted layer that I used is:

It is always interesting to me to see how these images start out and where they go from the initial idea. As I have said many times before, I let the art lead me to the final product. This is the inital idea I started with:

My New Projects

2009-08-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

I took two classes with Margo Field on August 6 through August 9 at the Creative Castle in Newbury Park, California. I was intent on working on my project when I returned home but while I was up there I spilled several vials of beads and have been sorting them out. It has been quite the job (especially since some of the beads are size 15) but quite addictive. I just want it done. I hate those little plastic vials (the lids keep popping off) so I am transferring all my beads to those resealable poly-bags. So far I have filled 80 bags and I still have 100 bags more to go. I will take some pictures to post of the projects as they stand right now.

Digital Collage ATC -- Edgar Degas

2009-07-27T10:52:00.001-07:00

Here is an ATC I did using Photoshop Elements 6.0. It is my tribute to Edgar Degas whose ballerina paintings I love.

For this collage, I used white for the background layer. The next layer I used was a background that I had painted using Golden Paints. I used sequin waste to give the painted background some texture. Here is how the hand painted canvas looked before altering it.

Once the layer was added, I changed to opacity to 70% so that the background layer of white would come through and lighten this layer. I then added various images such as a sheet of music, two images of ballerinas, a self-portrait of degas, and I used some photoshop brushes for the folliage.

Digital Challenge #2 -- My Favorite Things

2009-07-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

This is the second digital challenge issued by Cindy from our Yahoo group. The challenge this time deals with layers. We have to create an ATC with at least 12 layers (which I did). This is what I started with:

After creating an image with 12 layers (I eliminated a couple), I ended up with the following finished project:

I called this piece My Favorite Things because this particular collage contains elements that I love: da Vinci's Vetruvian Man, an image from the Pre-Raphaelites, swirls, architecture, a mask (of course), lace, flowers, and leaves. The background was painted by me and textured with gel medium and ephemera. I do kind of like how this turned out even though these are not the usual colors I work in.

Blog Change

2009-07-22T20:23:00.001-07:00

I changed the look of my blog today. The design is just so me....chaotic. Hope you like.

Another background

2009-07-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

I created this background using a stamped pair on watercolor paper. Well, at least it isn't a mask :).

Another background

2009-07-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I seem to be stuck on the theme of Venice and masks. I wonder what Freud would say about that.

The background is a piece I painted on 140-lb watercolor paper using Golden Fluid Acrylic paints putting on with a brush and then blending using a baby wipe. I also used alcohol wipes sparingly to lighten up the areas of color.

New Digital Background

2009-07-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

After Cynthia's workshop, I have become addicted to doing backgrounds. This is another one that I did using a painted canvas. The yellow background was created using Golden Paints on canvas board. I brushed some watered down fluid acrylic paints on the background and allowed them to dry a little. I then sprayed the canvas with a bit of water and wiped some of it off with a rag. I then stamped writing on the background using Espresso Adirondack dye pads. After all of this dried, I used gel medium to apply the little bits of ephemera, dabbed very lightly areas of Cobalt Teal Golden acrylic paints (you can use your rag to wipe it off a bit). Lastly, using sequin waste, I dabbed some watered down gesso over the sequin waste which created the little circles of white.

As a rule I always take pictures or scan in my backgrounds for further use. Because I could not scan this background in, I photographed it. Using photoshop I add various elements to create the final background.

Earthquake Today

2009-07-11T19:30:00.001-07:00

Well, we had an earthquake today at 7:34am which woke me up from my sound sleep (I thought it was all a dream). It turned out to be 4.0 on the richter scale and the epicenter was off the coast of La Jolla. According to what I have read, the most interesting thing to come from this earthquake were all the giant squid that washed ashore. Oh well, the pressure is building up at the San Andreas fault so I guess that the "big one" is coming.

Carnevale di Venezia Digital Collage

2009-07-11T13:30:00.001-07:00

I have been doing a digital workshop with Cynthia Powell from The Latest Trends in Mixed Media yahoo group. We have worked through 4 tutorials at this point and on the last one she challenged us to come up with a digital ATC. We had to use the techniques learned in the tutorials PLUS use one we hadn't learned from the tutorial. So here are some of the things I did. For the first layer (the background) I used a solid color of white. I tried black, blue, magenta, purple, etc. and found that the white background highlighted the layers the best. For the next layer, I used a piece that I had created in a class with Karen O'Brien.

The next three layers were 3 different masks which I tried to find with colors that went with the background I was using. I then used a sheet of music for the next layer. I varied the opacity with each of these last 4 layers.

The 7th layer was the image of the masked lady. This I had to extract from the original image. After placing her on the O'Brien background I decided I needed to add touches of color from the background on her dress. To do this I had to use the adjust color option under the Enhance menu. From there I chose replace color and then highlighted her dress with varying shades of green, blue, and magenta.

The last layer was the text iteself. Originally the text was in white but it was just too stark so I "greyed" it down. After moving the text box around, I placed it where it is presently.

Whew, after saving all of this I saved in the Photoshop Elements 6 format (.psd) and resaved as a jpeg file for posting on the web. This is the finished product.

I would like to send a special thanks to Cynthia Powell for her most excellent tutorials on using PSE 6.0. If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section below.

Digital Collage

2009-07-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I posted but I have been working diligently on several projects: history of costume/fashion slideshow, a piece for a magazine, two workshops, and whatever happens to strike my fancy. What I am posting today is the digital collage challenge for one of the Yahoo groups I belong to. The image on the left was the piece that inspired my digital collage. I fell in love with this photo when I found it on the web. I am fascinated by the Carnevale in Venice, Italy from both a modern and historical perspective. Some of my favorite artists (Longhi, Guardi, de Gobbis) painted scenes of Venice (18th centory) during Carnevale in ridotti (state run gambling houses), convent parlours, etc., wherever the patrician class gathered. The piece on the right is the digital collage inspired by the woman sitting on a harlequin type floor. I had a great deal of fun creating it and do like the way it turned out.

Artwork

2009-06-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

I realized as I was paging through my images that I didn't supply instructions on what I did to get some of the artwork. I will be going back to re-post the images with instructions on how I did them.

Wired

2009-06-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

This instructions for this mixed media pin are in the book Jewelry Beyond Time.

I am going to be published!!!

2009-06-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have a piece of mixed media jewelry being published in Jewelry Beyond Time which will be available for purchase in Summer 2009. This is the second book published by Cynthia Powell, Stephanie Chavez, and Sherre Hulbert featuring projects from easy to complex. For more details about when the book will be available and where you can buy it from, please visit: http://thelatesttrendsinmixedmediaart.com/.

Fabric Paper

2009-05-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

I am going to be trying out making some fabric paper today. I am gathering my supplies and will post pictures and instructions as soon as I have something to show :).

Before and After Paintings

2009-05-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

These are images of a before and after of a painting. The first rather plain image with the green splotches on it was done by applying purple craft paint mixed with gesso to 140lb watercolor paper. An old credit card was used to move around the paint. Pieces of ephemera were applied using gel medium to the painted background. Green paint was blotted over the ephemera which was put aside to dry. I then applied a light layer of gesso over the dried painting to mute the colors a little more. I applied glazes of Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, cobalt blue, payne's gray, and quinacridone magenta to the dried painting.

More backgrounds.....

2009-05-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering why I have so many backgrounds, I always either scan them in or take snapshots which I then alter and use in other art projects. Here are some more backgrounds that I made. All of these were done on canvas using both Golden, Liquitex, and Sherrill's sorbet paints.

Backgrounds

2009-05-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

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I am really hung up on doing backgrounds. This particular background is being done on a canvas board. I started out by applying a layer of molding paste. After letting this dry overnight, I applied two layers of gesso over the molding paste. After this dried, I then applied a wash of yellow ochre. I added some texture at this point using a sea sponge with Quin Nickel Azo Gold. Once dried, I added a couple of ephemera using gel medium. I then washed the whole canvase using Quin Nickel Azo Gold. I added touches of Cobalt Teal with a baby wipe (my newest favorite tool) and applied some Burnt Umber around the edges of the canvase using a paintbrush. I stamped a word image using a Adirondack stamp pad (Expresso, I think). I applied some texture by using Titan Buff through sequin waste. I am partially done with this canvas so check back again to see where I go from here.

Canvas Backgrounds

2009-05-21T18:58:00.001-07:00

These are canvases I painted today although the photographs aren't that great....the sun was going down when I took the pictures so I waited too long. I will take new pictures tomorrow.

Background 1 (the bottom image) was done using Golden's Yellow Ochre and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold with a paintbrush. I am not done layering yet so the next layer I will most likely be a cool color such as blue.

Background 2 was done on a canvas board which I had gessoed first. I then applied a glaze of yellow ochre (Golden) and then spot colored using Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold. Then I added with a baby wipe touches of Turquois (Phthalo) and Quinacridone Magenta. I added darker touches of color with a paintbrush which I then patted with a baby wipe. I save all of these baby wipes as they can be incorporated into other artwork.

Background 3 (top image) was done on a stretched canvas. I had used this canvas before but did not like the way it turned out. The texture was achieved with molding paste on which I used dry wall tape. I had also applied some vellum using gel medium which immediately buckled giving another great texture. Before painting, I applied two layers of white gesso. Once the gesso dried, I applied a mix of acrylic glazing liquid and Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide as the base of the painting which I then highlighted with Quin Nickel Azo Gold. I then used a baby wipe to add touches of Cobalt Teal and Dioxazine Purple all over the canvases.

Final Project

2009-04-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

The final assignment in the first semester of my art class was to take a master and re-create one of his pieces of art. I chose Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel for my inspiration. I chose this for two reasons: 1) because I love the artist's work (for me it is all about the emotion), and 2) I usually draw female figures and decided to do a male image for a change. I used the grid method for this piece and we could only use dry media such as colored pencils, pastels, etc. for the final project. It took about 4 weeks to finish and even at that I was close to not finishing when the final exam rolled around. My art teacher, Diane, would have a mini-exhibition for our final where we would present our piece and then give a report about the artist and the piece at the same time. Our families were invited to the exhibition and the food and drink (non-alcoholic) made the evening all the more enjoyable.

Gallery Exhibit Piece

2009-04-27T11:33:00.001-07:00

This piece was invited to be part of an exhibition at the Boehm Gallery at Palomar College. The piece is called "Camera Shy" and was done completely in white charcoal on Mi-Tientes paper. This piece was done using the grid method. We had to take a small picture and make it at least 25% larger.

Beethoven -- Graphite Drawing

2009-04-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

This was a piece I did a while back from a bust that was in our art classroom. I used a regular graphite pencil to do this piece which was a study of light and dark. It took me a couple of hours to do this freehand and without the use of a grid. I didn't use the "thumb" method either. My art teacher told me I have a really good eye.

Mask and Vase -- Pastels

2009-04-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

We did this piece from a black and white photo picking out the colors of the pastels we wanted to use as our shadows. We had to group these items in a way that pleased us and then draw them without using a grid but keeping them in proportion. This was a challenging project.

Multi-point perspective -- Charcoal Drawing

2009-04-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

In the second semester of the art class, we started using both white and black charcoal. It was a little more difficult to use since we weren't allowed to mix them. This was a study in perspective which was an excellent lesson for me since I had been away from the art world for so long. I also have to give credit to my art teacher Diane. She was great and I always recommend her.

Boxes -- Charcoal Drawing

2009-04-27T11:09:00.001-07:00

Much like the bleeding hearts, this was a project done over a period of a couple of weeks which we were to draw without using a grid. I used my thumb and a pencil to keep the proportions correct. We used white and black charcoal on Mi-Tientes paper.

Bleeding Hearts -- Charcoal Drawing

2009-04-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

I had been away from art for some time so I decided to start taking some art classes. I started out with Drawing & Composition which was a class that used only dry media. For this particular piece, we were supposed to take a color picture and convert it to black and white using black and white charcoal. It took about three weeks to do this project. This was a little outside my box since I prefer doing portraits and figure drawing. We did this drawing using a grid much like the old masters. It started out as a small picture which we were to increase by size.

Karen O'Brien Class -- Transfers

2009-04-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

We also did some transfers on our prepped background pages. We applied soft gel medium to the background and placed a double-sided image on top of the gel. On the page with the map, I let the image set for a very short time and then pulled the map off leaving remnants behind. For the other page I used a peeled paint technique with masking tape. The masking tape technique had some really interesting results. The image with the music notes peaking through is the one I used with the masking tape. I am not finished with this page as it was time to pack up bevause the class had ended. I think the colors are too bright but I am not sure what I am going to do as of yet. With one of my other pieces, the colors were a little bright so I covered the page with some gesso then recolored it. I am thinking of using some Titan Buff over this one since the colors run on the cool side.

Karen O'Brien Class -- Gel with Stencils

2009-04-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

The next background we created used gel medium applied through a stencil. The background had been prepped from the blotting off the excess from the covers so these next two backgrounds were the same as the cover before paints were applied. I didn't have a before/after picture for these next two images. I used a Dreamweaver stencil with regular gel medium (matte) for these next two images. If you look closely you can see the pattern created by using the stencil.

Class with Karen O'Brien

2009-04-25T20:44:00.001-07:00

I took a 3 hour class on Friday with Karen O'Brien. It was really messy and so much fun. The time went by and before we knew it the time in class was over. I really must recommend a class with Karen. The workshop focused on backgrounds and a book to hold them in. These backgrounds could be used for anything but were intended as a reference for different techniques. The first thing we did was to create the covers for the book to hold our backgrounds in. The first thing she had us do was squirt some paint and gesso onto a piece of watercolor paper which we then spread around. If there was too much paint, we used another piece of watercolor paper to blot off the excess. We applied approximately 3 colors of acrylic paint before moving to the next step. Using soft gel (matte) medium, we applied images and words to our painted background. I always like an odd number of items since it is more pleasing to the eye. After the gel dried, we stamped on the background using stamp pads, paints, gesso, whatever was handy. The the real fun started and we began adding paints, glazes, reinkers, etc. to the pages. I have posted a before and after picture of the cover pages. What a difference, huh?

A book recommendation

2009-04-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

I just got a book in the mail today and so far it is fabulous. I have always hesitated doing a self-portrait because I don't like my looks. This book is having me look at things a little differently and I highly recommend it. The title of the book is: Mixed-Media Self-Portraits by Cate Coulacos Prato. One of the things that has always fascinated me about self-portraits are those done by Frida Kahlo. I think it is very interesting to compare her portraits by Diego Rivera and Frida's self-portraits. It is interesting to see how she viewed herself and how he viewed her.

Lariat necklace

2009-03-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

This is a lariat I finished recently from a kit I purchased from Laura McCabe. I really love Laura's jewelry and own a few of her kits, patterns, and book. This is a really pretty piece when worn with a darker color such as black or purple (the lariat is lavender colored). I have also included a close-up of the lariat ends so you can get an idea of the intricacy of the beading. The lariat rests on an white-worked antique table cloth I got from my grandmother. If you are interested in seeing Laura's work, I have a link posted on right side of the blog ["Just Let Me Bead"]. Her work is beautiful, enjoy!

Felted Vessels

2009-03-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well, here are the images of my felted vessels. I had a lot of fun doing this. These are knitted first on circular or double-pointed knitting needles and then felted in the washing machine with jeans or towels. The pinkish vessel took me about a day to knit. I had to run it through the washing machine 3 times to get it the way I liked. The green vessel took 2 days to knit. I ran it through the washer for the same amount of time. Both vessels took approximately a week to dry after I stuffed them both with plastic Target bags to hold their shapes. Anyway, a lot of fun. I still need to embellish them but I haven't decided what I am going to do as of yet.

Been a while....

2009-03-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while since I posted. There have been several family crises and health issue to deal with. Although not perfect everything is moving along right now. I have some new things to post once they are finished. The newest thing I have gotten into is felting. I just love it. I made a couple of felted vessels but haven't taken pictures as of yet. I will post the pictures in a couple of days. Check back again!

Thanks for visiting.

Beaded Swap

2008-12-13T20:39:00.000-08:00

We had a swap called Beadazzled for one of the Yahoo groups I belong to. I made this cell phone fob for my swap partner. The fob design was from a pattern I did by Laura McCabe. I like these so much that I have made several of them for friends as gifts.

Laurie Mika Class

2008-11-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

I also took a class with Laurie Mika which I really enjoyed. She does such beautiful work. Here is a sample of what I did in the class although it isn't finished yet. I have the main piece constructed (in the middle) and a few of the tiles done. I used black polymer clay with blue, pink, and gold mica powders. Before I applied any of the mica powders I coated the pieces in Golden Copper Fluid Acrylic. After all the colors were applied, we baked the tiles for 20 minutes in a polymer clay oven. The baked tiles that came out had a faux raku look. The colored tile above the dragonfly wings was a white polymer clay tile that was baked then colored with mica powders and copper paint. Laurie brought the white polymer clay already baked.

Karen O'Brien Class

2008-11-15T14:26:00.000-08:00

I took a class with Karen O'Brien and I must say it was the messiest most fun class I have taken in a LONG time. This is the book cover. I'll be posting the rest of the pages (although they pretty much like this one) eventually. She is really organized and I highly recommend taking a class with her if you have the opportunity.

Cell Phone Fob

2008-11-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Here is a cell phone fob that I did from a kit by Laura McCabe. It worked up very fast and was a lot of fun to do. I made one for a friend that she uses as a pendant to wear around her neck. They are addictive so I had to move onto other things. I wish I could design like she does. I use components of hers for some of my own jewelry. If you are interested in her work, she does have a book out and is featured frequently in Bead and Button in addition to Beadwork magazine.

Jewelry

2008-11-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

This is a copper Byzantine bracelet which we make to sell.

Emboss Resist Image Finished

2008-11-15T13:25:00.001-08:00

This is an image from a fat book techniques swap I was in. I used the technique of Emboss Resist from Bernie Berlin's book The ATC Workshop. For the swap, I had to make 120 of these 4x4 cards for the participants. I got my box of the 120 techniques cards and I must say that all were beautiful and inspiring. I can't wait to try some of these techniques.

Image Transfer Swap

2008-11-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

This is the card from an Inkjet Image Transfer Swap that I was in. I used Lazertran's Waterslide for Inkjet printers to produce my transferred image. I was impressed by how crisp and clear the waterslide image was. I had tried using gel transfers but the image just kept washing away. I tried this several times but finally gave up. I prefer using images printed from a laserjet or copier for my gel transfers and tape transfers. The image I used was Molly, the Duchess of Nona by Frank Cadogan Cowper. Cowper was considered the last of the Pre-Raphaelites. Don't you just love her clothes and the expression on her face? I also included a little Cupid on the front of the card since the Pre-Raphaelites were also into mythology.

Misty Mawn Swap

2008-10-10T22:17:00.001-07:00

Well, I finally finished my canvas. This was the 4th one I created (I discarded the other 3) and I liked the way it turned out. I sent it off to England today for my swap partner.

Scissor Fobs

2008-10-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

I had fun making these. I started with a basic shape and just went where the object told me to go. I ended up with 2 scissor fobs. One scissor fob started with a crystal ball element (the green one) while the other started with a rosebud flower which I learned to do in a class I took with Laura McCabe.

Bandanalabel Swap

2008-10-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

This is for a bandanalabel swap in one of my yahoo groups. I am not quite finished yet...not sure if I will make this into a card or the cover of a book. I'll post the results after I decide.

Lotus Flower Necklace

2008-10-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is a necklace I made for a craft fair on Saturday. The pendant was a design by Laura McCabe in one of my beading magazines. The spiral necklace was my doing. I had to sub some stuff for the pendant as I didn't have everything that was required. I used a different size rivoli and pearls instead of crystals. I really like the way this piece turned out. I included a close up of the pendant that I made for this necklace.

Kells Mixed Media

2008-09-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

This piece is one I forgot about. I received it in the mail today and thought I would post the image. I created this in 2007. Lots of stuff going on in this artwork. I used molding paste for part of the background to give it texture. Then imprinted a piece of drywall tape into the molding paste making an interesting square pattern. I then painted using lumiere and some background images. Oh well, one of the first pieces I did on my own. I used Illuminated manuscripts as the inspiration for this piece.

Fall Beaded ATC Swap

2008-09-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my finished ATC card. I need to make 3 more which I am in the process of doing. For the background I used: tissue paper, acrylic glazes, and angelina fibers. I made the beaded flower (bead weaving) and attached it with a die cut leaf. We were challenged to use 3 techniques to create the ATC plus it had to contain a beaded element. I will mail these off in a couple of days.

Bandana Swap -- Tags

2008-09-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

These are the tags that I sent as part of the Bandana Tag swap with the Creating Chaos Swap group. I also posted a picture of the back so you could see how I hinged both tags together. I used Adirondack dye ink pads (Butterscotch, Wild Plum, Stream) for the background. I stamped the dragonfly on the front first and followed with a stamp that had butterflies. I then outlined with a white inkssentials and Sharpie white pen. I just signed up for another bandana swap so I will post them as soon as they are ready. I am currently working on an ATC swap with Fall beads as the theme. We had to use three different techniques and I chose: tissue, glazing, and angelina fibers along with a bead on the card. As soon as they are done I will post a picture.

Board Book Page 2 Finished

2008-08-28T08:01:00.001-07:00

I have finally caught up with the rest of the group and finished the last step of page 2 for the board book project. I decided to create a theme throughout the book of butterflies. This will tie all the pages together despite the fact that they all look so different.

Board Book Page 1 Step 3

2008-08-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

These are the first two pages of the board book and they are now finished. I have moved onto the next two pages which will be done shortly. I am almost caught up to the rest of the group as I started a bit late. This is for one of my yahoo groups Next Generation Stampers.

Alcohol Ink Bandana Tags

2008-08-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

I decided to do some tags using alcohol inks. I took glossy paper and ran it through my Wishblade to create tags. I then did the background using Adirondack dye inks (Stream, Wild Plum, Butterscotch). After the background was dry, I stamped on it using Staz-On Jet Black ink. After making sure that was dry, I used the Inkssentials gel pen (white opaque) to highlight around the card. I noticed that on the glossy cardstock that the white pen showed up much more than on the previous tags that I had done. I am going to keep trying other backgrounds so keep checking back.

More Bandana Tags

2008-08-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

I did another set of bandana tags today and here they are. What I find so much fun about them is how different each set turns out. This time for the background I used Colorbox Chalks, Inkssentials Opaque White Pen, and a Sharpie White (Extra Fine).

Board Book

2008-08-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

One of the yahoo groups I belong to decided to do a book board project. This is my first step in the process. I am a little behind because it took me forever to find my board book. I will post each step as we do them.

Another set of Bandana Technique tags

2008-08-15T22:41:00.001-07:00

I did a second set of tags which were a little smaller than the first set. This time for coloring I used Memories Cherry Red, Blue, and Mango. I stamped the images using Memories Black ink. Then I used the white Sharpie Pen to highlight places around the image.

Bandana Technique Tags

2008-08-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

Here are my first bandana tags. I used Stazon inks (Teal Blue, Pumpkin, Mustard, and Royal Purple), Adirondack Wild Plum ink, Brilliance graphite black, and a white sharpie pen. Had a great deal of fun with this project. I chose the middle stamp because it reminded me of the artwork of Maria Sibylla Marian. I fell in love with her artwork when it was on exhibit at the Getty Museum.

Technique Swap

2008-08-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

I am in a techniques swap with one of my Yahoo Groups. The total number of 4x4 cards I need to product using my technique is 120. I am doing am emboss resist technique which requires four steps. I am about 1/2 the way done and I do a little each day so that the deadline won't sneak up on me. I have attached photos of step 1 and 2.

Clear Tar Gel Skin

2008-08-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

This is a small piece of clear tar gel that I made into a skin. I put it on freezer paper which didn't want to release it once it was dried. Thus the reason I started using Parchment Paper. I used a palette knife to spread it onto the freezer paper. The tar gel goes on cloudy but clears as it dries leaving you with little doubt that it is ready to be peeled off. However, I let it dry for 24 hours just to be on the safe side.

Clear Tar Gel Skin with Stamped Image

2008-08-09T20:51:00.001-07:00

This is a sample of clear tar gel skin with an image stamped on it using Staz-On ink.

Self Leveling Gel Skin

2008-08-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

This is a very thin sample of self-leveling gel skin. This gel also dries clear. Using a palette knife, I put on a thin layer of the self-leveling gel on a piece of parchment paper and then let it dry for 24 hours. After it was dry, I picked at a corner until it lifted up. Once lifted enough, I gently lifted the rest of the "skin" using a palette knife to carefully pull it away from the parchment paper. I like storing my skins on parchment paper because nothing seems to stick to it. If your skins should stick together, place them in a freezer. When they are cold enough, pull apart the skins being very careful not to break them as the skins will be brittle.

Glass Bead Skin -- Blue

2008-08-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

This is a sample of a "skin" that was made using Golden's Glass Bead Gel. It was colored blue while the gel was wet. I am not sure what I am going to do with it but I am sure I will figure something out.

Painted Muslin Part Deux

2008-08-07T20:06:00.001-07:00

Here is another piece created in Sherrill Kahn's class. Sorry about the crease but it was folded over under a stack of stuff :).

Patterned Muslin

2008-08-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

This is from a class I took with Sherrill Kahn. I painted a background on dry Muslin using acrylic paints. After the painted background dried, I stamped designs (already painted with acrylic paint) on the background piece.

Copper Paisley

2008-08-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

This is a piece of 30 gauge copper sheet that was run through the Cuttlebug using the Paisley folder. I haven't done anything with it yet but I am thinking.

Watercolor Pear

2008-08-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

I love to paint using watercolors. I painted the pear using watercolors and then stamped the image on a piece of watercolor paper. I do like the way it turned out.

Glass Bead Image

2008-08-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

This was done on a piece of canvas board. First we coated a small space with soft gel (gloss) and placed a stamp on it. I let this dry and then applied a layer of glass bead gel over the stamp and waited for this to dry. I thought it turned out pretty cool.

Michael deMeng Class Artwork

2008-08-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

A while back I took a couple of classes from Michael deMeng. We had to alter a shoe and a can (I used diet coke). It was fun although I had a bit of a time with the glazing. I am an oil painter so I paint like one. Michael came by and said "you are such an oil painter". Thanks to my Mixed Media group and Chris Cozen I have now a better understanding of glazing. It is really fun and once you get it, well, I wonder why it gave me so much trouble to begin with. I have posted both pieces from the deMeng workshops. Enjoy.

That's all folks!

2008-08-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

Well, that is all for today. I will start posting again tomorrow. I have decided to make a commitment to post something everyday if there is anything. Here is an ATC background I created using Golden Acrylic paints. Like the others, I will be scanning this in to keep and use at a future date.

Painted Writing Background

2008-08-06T14:20:00.001-07:00

I just love this background. We painted a piece of acrylic paper with various golden paints including interference colors. After getting the colors the way we liked them, we then set the piece aside to dry. After drying, I ran it through the Cuttlebug with the writing folder. I have decided to use this as a background also.

Altered Illuminated Page

2008-08-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got around to finding the photo of my final art project for my art class. We were supposed to take a piece of artwork and alter it at least 25% which I did. The gold foiling didn't work so well. I used colored pencils to color in the piece as it was supposed to be very bright. I removed some of the religious text and put in a "cead mille failte" which means a hundred thousand welcomes in Gaelic. I am planning on redoing it as I want to redo the gold foiling.

This was a page inspired from the Book of Kells which is located at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. I have a particular love of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art.

Swirl

2008-08-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

First, I put a layer of Quinacridone Magenta and Interference Red on the acrylic paper, after the first layer dried I created texture by applying paint through a stencil and stamp (the monkey tails). I still didn't like what I was seeing so I took a foam stamp of a swirl and painted it with Titanium White and applied it over the squares which now became more interesting. I then took a white pen from Inkssentials and started applying dots in a pretty methodical method (influenced from my years as a computer geek no doubt) in and around the stenciled square. I then started writing words on it. I didn't like the piece originally but sure did like the way it turned out.

I really love doing backgrounds and am always willing to try out new things as I guess you can tell from some of these posts.

Marbled Background

2008-08-06T13:28:00.001-07:00

This piece was a mistake. We were supposed to paint on acrylic paper and then use various tools to create texture. Unfortunately, I didn't know that I had dropped a piece of paper on it before it dried. When I pulled the paper off, I found a really neat background that had some features such as you would find on marbelized backgrounds. I have found more things that made great techniques by accident. Oh, I never throw anything out. I always keep stuff as I find that I can always find a use for them.

3 ATC Swaps

2008-08-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some ATCs that I used in 3 swaps. The first is the subject Red where I used a red card background, a quote by Pablo Picasso (on color), a shrink plastic heart painted red, and finally a pre-Raphaelite image. The second is an image of a Clown (Harlequin) based on a character from the Commedia dell'Arte. I used a blue background background card with a printed image on it and 3-D fleur de lis on the card. The last card had a subject of Flowers. I printed an image on cardstock (the flower), then placed a fairy image on top with a quote from Shakespeare. The final addition was that of a 3-D flower. The one I had the hardest time with was the flower card which was surprising for me.

Faux Metal Background

2008-08-06T13:02:00.001-07:00

This piece was created to look like a piece of metal. We used cosmetic sponges to apply paint patting it on then lifting directly up to create a texture. I used a variety of regular and metallic paints to get this to look the way it was. You can see bits and pieces of the black background peeking through. Again, this will make a great background.

Plate Images

2008-08-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the pieces we created using those styrofoam plates created using the Cuttlebug. Once the styrofoam plate was run through the Cuttlebug we applied acrylic paint to the plate using a palette knife. We then printed the plate on acrylic paper which I sometimes sprayed a little water on creating areas where the paint bled. Then another color was added to the plate using a palette knife and this was printed on top of the previously applied layer. Once we got the background looking the way we liked it. A wash of fluid acrylic paint and water was applied over the top or not. These were REALLY fun to do and will make great backgrounds for other art work. I usually scan these images and then print out on cardstock so that they can be reused.

Yosemite Bark

2008-08-06T12:24:00.001-07:00

This was a photo of tree bark that was taken by Chris Cozen while she was at Yosemite. She printed the image on a piece of copier transparency that had been coated with the new non-porous digital medium. The transparency was set aside to dry. Once dried, a piece of acrylic paper was lightly sprayed and the transparency (image side down) was placed on the paper and burnished. Depending on how wet the paper was determined the color of the image. My image was pretty true to what I put down as my paper wasn't soaking. I did water wash it giving it a kind of purple hue after the image was applied to the paper. This was an option but I wanted to see what would happen. It made the colors brighter on the paper.

Squiggles

2008-08-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

This background art was made by a stamp I created myself using an impression in foam. I applied Golden's Turquoise (phthalo) as the first layer through a dotted stencil. I then painted the stamp pad with various paints and applied it on top of the dotted layer. I left it as is as I could see potential of this piece as a background for other artwork.

Serendipity Piece

2008-08-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

This was a piece of square styrofoam that we ran through a Cuttlebug creating a dimensional pattern on it. We then used this piece as a plate to create patterns on pieces of acrylic paper by applying paints using a palette knife. Once the color was applied, we applied the plate to either sprayed or dry acrylic paper creating a different look for each of the printings. This was my first serendipity piece.

Angels

2008-08-06T12:10:00.001-07:00

This was a canvas I created in another one of Chris Cozen's classes. It was a combination of elements, paints, and textures. It was a tribute to the Medieval and Renaissance art I love so much. It was one of the first pieces I ever created so there was a LOT of room for improvement.

August Workshops

2008-08-06T12:05:00.001-07:00

Over this past weekend I took four classes with Chris Cozen. One was a two-part class on transfers, the second was using the Cuttlebug, the third was creating backgrounds, and the 4th was using the new digital mediums with the inkjet printer.

This is one of the pieces that I did painting through a stencil and then using a white gel pen to start outlining features on the design. I like dots and the overall organic feel of the piece. I used a variety of Golden paints along with some metallics. Darned if I can remember which ones. I usually scan these pieces that I created to keep as backgrounds for future use.