Take Me Home . . . Something New I Tried

Take Me Home

8x10 mixed media on canvas board

I have to admit I almost didn't post her. She started out as a sketch and then I had to paint her. This is the first time I have tried one of my faces/figure onto a landscape background. I like how the background came out and am warming up to her slowly!

I am still finding my way. Trying to find my own style and what I like. It is hard when I try something new. That is when I can be most critical of my work. Have any of you felt that way when you go in a different direction for a piece of art?

Some Happy Little Flowers . . .

I am having fun painting faces right now but still enjoy my landscapes. So I thought I would share something cheery and bright on this Monday morning. At first I wasn't pleased with how it came out but after stepping away for a bit I realized that it makes me happy when I look at it. This was done on 9x12 canvas paper (which I have been using for practice) with acrylic. I did use red cadmium light as a base which helps add some color with all the green.

I have a hard time painting a scene off of the top of my head at times but this was one of them and I like how it came out. I did some more sketching over the weekend and hope to get painting later so I can share them with all of you!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Be Still . . . New Angel Painting

Be Still

8x10 mixed media on canvas board

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. I wanted to share another angel painting I did yesterday. She is a similar style to my recent post Listen to the Angels . . . She's Painted!(see that post here) I am just not sure about the hair thing. I am a fan of the wavy hair because it is easier for me to do! I had to stop myself from starting all over with her hair. I transferred the sketch onto the canvas board after I did the background. It is strange to see how different it looks with paint versus the pencil.

The words I wrote just popped into my head. I suppose because she told them to me! I like her and I hope you do too!

Any tips for doing straight hair? I always appreciate any input you have!

Capturing the Ocean in Black and White . . .

I shot these photos last fall when my husband and I took a long weekend trip to Rhode Island one of my very favorite places to go. It is less than a 3 hour drive from our home in NY. I have been going up there for 10 years now and there is just something about the area that I love. We usually go to Newport and stay at a beautiful B&B situated right on the ocean shore. The above shot is the view from our beach cottage which is pictured below.

Soon after I was diagnosed with cancer 9 years ago I took a drive up to Newport alone and spent the day sitting on some rocks near the ocean shore. It was 2 days before my surgery. I sat there for hours just listening to the waves crash against the rocks as I pondered life and death. I found peace there that day that I believe helped me to move forward with all the dark road that lied ahead.

I will never tire of spending time near the water. It is what brings me peace and helps calm me. It is the place I turn to for solace and for hope. I believe that nature can heal us with its energy.

Where do you go to find peace? In some of your darkest moments what has helped you?

Listen to the Angels . . . She's Painted!

Listen to the Angels . . .

8x10 mixed media on canvas

She was calling to me yesterday. I have to admit that I freehanded the sketch onto my background. So she looks a bit different than the sketch I posted the other day. I did use that as a guide. I had fun making the background. I put down the yellow first and then mixed some red and raw umber to wipe around the outside. I like how the yellow makes her look as though she has a glow behind her. That was something I didn't plan. I am finding that most of what I do with these paintings has no plan. And that is the way it is meant to be.

I picked folk art italian sage for her shirt but wanted to leave a little of the background showing through. Have you used that color? I so love it! I wasn't sure how the lashes would come out on the painting but I used the same technique as the sketch and I really like her eyes. As you can see I am a fan of large eyes.

I have always been drawn to angels. Maybe because I feel as though those I have lost are watching over me amongst them now. I like to think that now I have my own personal angels protecting me.

Are you still amazed at the far off land that your creations seem to come from? I know I am!

Hearts . . . One of my first paintings

Hearts

8x10 acrylic on canvas

I have always loved hearts. Not only for what they represent but the colors and shapes of them. Heart shapes are one of my favorites when it comes to jewelry as well. One of the first gifts my husband gave me when we were dating was a small silver heart on a delicate chain. To this day it is my favorite piece. I can see myself incorporating many hearts into my art.

This painting was one of the first ones I did back in the winter when I finally picked up a paintbrush for the first time. Although I really didn't know what I was doing I just had fun swishing the paint around. I used crimson and white to mix the shade of pink I liked and also mixed an ivory shade for the background. I used a 2 inch paintbrush for the hearts. I was pleased with how it came out for the first try.

Is there a favorite shape you like to incorporate into your art? Are you a fan of hearts?

Listen to the Angels . . . New Sketch

Thanks to all of you for your lovely comments on yesterday's post and for the transfer advice! I haven't started painting yet but I did more sketching! This one seemed to be calling for angel wings. I used the dark grey colored pencil again along with my Pitt artist pen and my trusty shading tool . . . a Q-tip.

I really like her too. For me the sketching can be just as fun as painting. And both are meditation for me . . .