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!

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

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

Abstract Turns Into A Flower . . .

Acrylic on 6x8 canvas board

This started out as another attempt at an abstract and somehow a flower came out! I was trying another monochrome piece this time using quinacridone magenta with only white and black to vary the shades. As I started blending the shades together I saw a flower in my head and decided to add it.

I am very uncomfortable painting this way with no reference except whatever is in my head. My mind is so crowded all the time there is no room for imagination sometimes! But I will keep working nicely with my left brain and hopefully find a more comfortable place in abstract mixed media.

This piece and my first attempt at abstract piece are inspired by a new class I am taking with Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen over at Land of the Lost Luggage. I love their abstract art and am learning alot so far about color in the Color Beyond the Basics class.