One Of 8 Great Paintings . . . .

I started this 16 x 20 canvas yesterday and am loving it so far.  These are new techniques for me but one of my favorite color palettes.  I am using payne's grey, raw umber, titanium white and buff.  The titanium white is one of  Golden's new OPEN paints which is giving me extra working time. 

The techniques I am using to create this piece are from a great online class with Julie Prichard  titled  "8 Great Paintings".  If you have never taken a class with her you need to put it on your "to do" list!  Julie and Chris Cozen host a network where they teach multiple classes in mixed media techniques and have also just released a new book "Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer By Layer"  also fabulous and a must buy for your collection!  

I have taken many of the classes Julie and Chris offer and have yet to be disappointed.  Actually of all the online classes I have taken (and believe me there have been many) in my opinion they offer the best.  A couple of the things I love is that you have unlimited access to the content (not an easy find these days)  and instructor support and feedback on your work.  Within 24 hours there is a response.  It is truly an interactive learning experience.  The classes are super affordable as well.  

For more info on all the classes they have to offer 

CLICK HERE.  

I will be sure to post the finished piece soon.  I was not sure where to take it next but thanks to Julie's feedback I will be stepping it up a notch and creating more contrast!

See you soon!

xo

In Balance . . . A New Face Shows Up

Hope all of my US friends had a nice Thanksgiving yesterday.  It was a quiet one here with just Lou, me, and the pug.  Although I miss having lots of family around the quiet does me good especially lately as I am just a sponge for the crazy energy out there in the world.  I think it is that energy playing a role in shifting my art.

This piece is quickly becoming one of my favorite's.   I was inspired to use colors I typically don't put together, yellow with payne's gray.  I started this once again by smearing the colors around the page with my hands.  Then I stepped back to look for what showed up.  I saw the face over on the right and what looked like it could be a birdie on the lower left.  The heart was the only thing I purposely created when I was pushing the paint around.  I scribbled into the paint and later realized that it looks as though the bird has a string or something in its mouth connected to the heart.  With the eyes off kilter on the face I feel like the bird is trying to balance that person.  

I long to create pieces like this, pieces that tell a story, and hopefully make others "feel".  

I am sharing this over at Paint Party Friday.  

Click HERE to join us!

Also, my work is being featured today over at Julie Prichard's blog for another installment of her Art Gallery Tour!  Be sure to check it out HERE!  

A Face Emerges . . .

I am not quite sure how but since this storm my art seems to be changing.  I suppose due to the emotion of it all.  I am liking where it is going.  It is starting to feel more like "me".  Yesterday I posted my first painting where the change can be felt.  Just visit my last post for details on "eye of the storm"

This face emerged from a messy background.  I used watercolor crayons and gesso mixing them together with my hands.  Then I looked around and saw what looked like eye shapes from the background.  I decided to go for it.  I typically don't like to paint a face but this messy imperfect thing feels right to me.  I didn't care that the eyes were lopsided or the nose was too long.  I added the pink along the top for "hair".    The drips just felt right.  

I am sharing her over at Paint Party Friday.  Click HERE to stop by!

Speaking of parties, Julie Prichard from Land of Lost Luggage is hosting one of her own.  Actually it is an art gallery tour and I am excited to have some of my work  featured along with other great artists who have taken classes with her and Chris Cozen.  I have taken many a class with them and they are fab!  Be sure to stop by Julie's blog for the first leg of the tour!  

Click HERE!

NYC Inspired Black and White Photo Art

I am back to my former love!  I got out some of my NYC black and white photography and used it in these  new photo art pieces.  All I used was some black and white paint, a sharpie, and a white out pen for all the details. They were super fun and quick to create.  

I miss incorporating my photos in my art.  Some of you may recall my article published in Somerset Studio last fall that was all about creating black and white photo art.  You can check out that post HERE!

The techniques I used in these pieces were from Julie Prichard's "Mixed Media Variety Hour" online workshop.  I shared another similar piece in yesterday's post.  To view that post click HERE.  

 Sharing today over at Paint Party Friday.  If you haven't joined us yet please do!  Thanks as always to Eva and Kristin for hosting this great party every week!

I am thinking these will look cool framed.  I may do just that and hang them up in our living room.

xo

Art + IPhone = Cool!

The other night I created a simple journal page.  I grabbed my sharpie and did some quick writing all over the page which felt quite freeing!   And then I added some watercolors over it in shades of purple and pink.  I sprayed some water on it, then pulled some away with a paper towel because  love the droplet effects that you can see in the above photo.  

I find myself using only my iPhone to snap shots of my artwork.  It is just so convenient.  So much so that my Canon  DSLR  is collecting dust.  Anyway I took an image of my journal page, put it in one of the iPhone apps, and the above image is the result.  And I love it !!  I am thinking about framing it to hang up in my living room.  I am always altering my photography but it was super cool to alter an image of my artwork.  

I then took it a step further . . . 

I created this 6x8 mixed media piece with the same image.   It was quick and super fun to create!!  I used techniques I am learning in Julie Prichard's "Mixed Media Variety Hour" online workshop.  You can check out the details HERE ! Now is a great time to sign up because she just announced a sale on all of the workshops offered over at her ning site The Land Of  Lost Luggage.  

I will be back tomorrow for Paint Party Friday!

xo

Act Natural And A New Grungy Abstract

 Today I am feeling hung over from staying out late Wednesday night ( not from drinking sadly, just from lack of sleep. lol).  Lou and I went to see Def Leppard.  This was the 4th time we have seen them in concert and its always a great show!  

However, in the creating department I was feeling uninspired alot this week. I hate when this happens to me as it tends to do from time to time.  So I headed over to "The Land of Lost Luggage"  where I am taking a few online classes with Julie Prichard and that did the trick.  

 I  created this journal  page with techniques I am learning in Julie's "Act Natural" online class.  She shows you how to use a limited neutral color palette to create aged, grungy art.  Its really cool!  Once I watched the promo video I knew I was in!  Watch that video along with the class info HERE.  

 The techniques were easy and fun.  I do really like how this piece turned out.  I love how it looks old as if paint was peeling along the bottom.  You all know by now how much I like drips and of course I couldn't help but use my white out pen to add some scribbles.  

If you have never taken a class over at Julie's network I highly recommend it!  The classes are super affordable and always open!

Sharing this piece today over at Paint Party Friday.  Thanks as always to Eva and Kristin for hosting this great gathering each week!

I have been getting back to some digital collage and will share some of that soon  :)

xo

Texture Town And A New Work In Progress . . .

Don't have too much to show you this week as far as painting.  Have been stressed out yet again this time its because Lou's german shepherd Toby is failing.  He was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago but he is 13  years old and his back legs are no longer working.  It is just so sad to watch it all unfold.  It has not even been a year since we lost Bosco.  No matter how old they are it is still so heartbreaking.  

Anyway, I was able to get a new canvas started the other night.  I am taking yet another online class, my third with Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen over at the Land of Lost Luggage.  This one is called "Texture Town".  How cool is that name!  I am having fun watching a marathon of videos as they are all available when you sign up.  The classes are so affordable and there is never a time limit and you always get very prompt instructor feedback no matter how long the class has been up.   You can check out the available classes they offer HERE.  If you have not taken a class with them I highly recommend  it!  

Not sure where I am going with this canvas but wanted to share where I am at so far!  I got frustrated and stuck so this is where I am at for now.  I love brown and dark blue's together.  I am thinking that is the direction my colors will be heading.  

I will keep you posted on how this progresses!  

Sharing over at Paint Party Friday.  

xo

Collage, Mark Making And Where I've Been . . .

"scattered"

5x7 journal page

I just realized that I hadn't posted anything since last weekend. Well, let me tell you why. I have been pretty sick this week. Some of you may know about my angry arm cyst from a previous post. I was on antibiotics for a week which ended Monday. Then Tuesday evening I started not feeling quite right and woke up Wednesday morning with what I thought was just a bad headache. It turned out to be a really bad stomach bug. So I was pretty much down for the count all day Wednesday and finally yesterday made it up off the couch in an attempt to celebrate my husband's birthday. So not how I planned it!

Anyway, I am happy to be posting today and sharing some new art! The above journal page was done with collage, a wash of raw umber, and lots of mark making with my sharpie fine point marker. That was the best part to me. I love scratching and scribbling. Helps to get out the angst! Despite the fact that this piece looks as if a crazy person created it I do like it.

This piece was inspired by techniques I am learning from Julie Prichard in her new solo class "Act Natural". I am really enjoying learning from Julie about all things grunge! If you like grunge, a neutral color palette, and the look of worn papers than do check out this class!

I am sharing this piece over at Paint Party Friday. So glad I made it this week!

xo