Tell Me . . . What Do You See??

9x12 mixed media on watercolor paper

Who knew it could be so much fun to paint with a squeegee!  Lou gave a an extra one he had from home depot (which btw is a great place to look for painting tools!)  and I wasn't sure if I would ever use it.  I quickly gave it a try on watercolor paper using a limited palette of payne's gray, quin nickel azo gold, and some titanium white.  These are colors I don't normally use together but I was inspired by a lesson in Misty Mawn's online class "Open Studio"  and thought I would give it a whirl.  

I only used my hands to lay down the initial layer of colors and then started scraping with the plastic scraper thingy.  I was nervous at first wondering how much of it I would mess up as I just randomly scraped away, blending and removing color all at the same time.  It also came in handy to scratch some lines which I often love to do.  

I was just about to add another layer over it because I did not like it at all when my husband came in and said he liked it.  He told me to leave it overnight and look at it with fresh eyes in the morning.  Pretty good advice.  He told me he saw a white house, and I realized I saw a bird in the center.  I also see a waterfall in the right lower corner.  When I posted this on facebook a friend told me he saw a nativity scene!

This is what I love most about painting abstract . . . each person who looks at it sees something different.  I love the discoveries!!  I love the images that just show up!

So now its  your turn.  What do you see??

Sharing at Paint Party Friday

xo

Meet Emma . . . A Portrait

"Emma"

mixed media on cardboard 8x10

As I have mentioned too many times on this blog I am scared when it comes to portrait painting. So much so that I avoid it at all costs. I just don't have the patience for anything less than perfection despite the fact that I love art that looks messy and imperfect.

I am continuing to be inspired by Misty Mawn's class and was finally ready to try a portrait. I went into it thinking that I would be messy and not worry about getting everything just so. I was the first portrait I ever tried with just starting to shade in shapes. Typically I would sketch out something perfect and try to fill it all in. While that may work for some artists I enjoyed this process more.

I used a piece of cardboard again that I layered with paper collage and gesso. Using only watercolor crayons and gesso this girl eventually emerged. The most fun for me were the final touches, the stamping, outlining, shading around the edges to bring it to life. I really like her face. I surprised myself with this piece. Of course in the end I got a bit perfectionist when it came to her eyes but I just love the eyes!

The name just popped into my head when I finished her. Not sure where it came from but maybe she told me! ;)

I am sharing Emma today at Paint Party Friday.

xo

Challenging Myself . . .

untitled

mixed media on 8x10 cardboard

I feel tired as I write this post. I was up late last night painting. Creatively, I seem to do my best work at night. I try not to though because I need my sleep! But this was just one of those moments when I had to break the rules.

I am taking Misty Mawn's "Open Studio" online class. Up until now I have just been soaking it all in and not creating much. But something finally got to me and I needed to try to take my art to another level. I have been wanting to paint faces and also sketch directly onto the canvas. I wanted to not be afraid of painting a messy face. I want to embrace the imperfect. I am finding that of many things I am learning from Misty that is a big lesson for me.

I used a piece of cardboard for a canvas and I love it! I also loved painting directly onto a layer of gesso. The texture and tooth feel good under my paintbrush!

It was just fun to be messy and just let this girl speak to me. It was a whole new experience for me. As you can see from the initial sketch below I didn't intend this girl to be sad and teary eyed. I was originally thinking, light, happy, and lots of hearts. I initially resisted the colors I chose, didn't like how her face was coming out, and then just gave in.

I initially resisted the colors I chose, didn't like how her face was coming out, and then just gave in. And I am so happy that I did! I really love her! I think I will be using more cardboard for a canvas in the future! Its a cool surface to paint on!

For those of you who have painted on cardboard . . . any tips on finishing? I need to spray fixative on her but other than that what do you recommend?

I am sharing her over at Paint Party Friday. Click HERE to join us!

xo

First Self Portrait . . . I Am Here

self portrait, 1/2012

taken with iphone, processed with instagram filters

I am here
waiting,
hoping,
always fearing.

I am here
wondering truly what there is to be afraid of,
hoping to let go of it,
and trying to be more patient with myself.

I am here
still feeling the pain of lost love,
gazing over my shoulder
staring at the photos of days gone by,
fearing the pain will never go away.

I am here
missing, always missing.
missing the love,
missing the moments
missing the present.

I am here
longing to be free,
just wanting to be brave,
and let myself live.

I am here . . .