Another Paint Party Friday!

The topic of PPF is what size of canvas do you like to paint on?  I like any size but prefer larger because it's hard for me to paint really tiny. 

I love canvas for formal paintings but if you've read my blog, you'll already know that I love recycling newspaper, coupon books, junk journals.

These are a  few of my junk journals, recycled  paper, and newspapers.

I like reusing my own work in collages to make them authentically mine.  I print a photo of an art piece, repaint it or color with watercolor and markers, cut it out and use as collage.

This was recollaged from a drawing.

This is a cut out of a watercolor added to some painted coupon book.

This is painted newspaper.

I cut these up and collage them too.

Have a great day and happy painting!

New painting for class.

I like to see other artist’s works in progress.  It’s good to see how  others work.  That’s why I’m posting the beginning stages so that you can see the progression.

This is the photo I’m working from….

  I don’t really care for really dark backgrounds but I’m darkening this one for drama.  I want to try creating a lot of brushstrokes and play up the colors in the pear.

Ahhhh…my nemisis the grapes!  They are becoming so dreary to me.  Practice makes perfect!  ;)

I miss doing my mixed media art.  I've been working many hours on the first and now this painting.  I think I need a little break and do something else.


I have joined an artswap so I'll be making matchbox shrines soon.  I'll post them as well.

Have a great evening! 

Happy Easter!

Death

Resurrection

                                       Signs of Rebirth

                               Seeing God in everything...



First 4 photo's by me, all the rest are from Tumblr



                              HAPPY EASTER!

Paint Party Friday!

This week flew by...I've finished my Easter bunny shopping and now I can get back to painting. 

 Funny but the topic is a question about how each person became an artist.

For me, I've always drawn, painted, crafted things my whole life.  I wanted to go to art school but was strongly discouraged by my parents who thought that wasn't a good way to make a living.   I was also interested in science and this was encouraged so that is what I went to school for.

I've been sporadic in making art ever since college.  I've had times where I did a lot of painting and then would go years without doing anything. 

 I've been happiest when creating.  Last summer I picked up the paint brush once again and the art has been flowing freely since then.


Here is the still life I did from the previous post...

This is the same still life today...a work in progress.  I still need to work on the background and the table.  Also the branches...but I'm almost done.

 Sorry the photo is so bad, I shot it on my cell phone as my camera battery is dead.

Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!

Oil Painting

I recently signed up for a formal oil painting class.  It is an online class with Daniel Edmondson. 

I saw his Youtube videos and felt compelled to attempt his "still life" style of painting.

I've never been formally trained in painting, I took one painting course in college which was (ahem) 22 years ago.

This is the photo of the painting I am attempting.

I changed the arrangement a bit to fit on an 8 x 10 canvas.  Some berries had to go.
Here is my attempt, so far...it is still a work in progress.  I haven't got the grapes right yet.

It is harder than you may think to get those grapes right!

I painted it on Tuesday night and then last night went back to it and holy cow was I off!

It is amazing what walking away for awhile can do for your vision.

I thought how could I not see how off my perspective was!

Anyhow, I'll keep posting as I go along because I also like to look at it on the computer to weed out other areas that I've overlooked.

If you're interested here is his website http://www.danieledmondson.com/  It is a 10 video workshop where he sends you 10 DVD's, plus online videos, 10 critiques of your work etc.  I think it is a great bargain.

I also like him, he has a very "easy-going" nature.  His videos are step by step instruction of him painting the exact same picture.  He tells you what colors to use and the in's and out's of the technique he uses.

I really never thought I could do this style of painting.  I never thought I could have the patience.   He makes it all manageable and acessable.  I'm very happy with the class and having a great time!

Risk taking in art

Drawings in my journal today

Work in progress...

Watercolor, markers, pens

Another work in progress...

Took some spray paint to it, kind of like it that way.

A little marker doodle, I paint shopped it to posterize it...

To become this...

I just downloaded an old version of paint shop pro 5 for free on old version.com and fiddled around for awhile.  I took my recent watercolor and reversed the colors and viola...a new painting!

Pretty cool!

Paint Party Friday!

I just linked up with Paint Party Friday today, looks like fun!

I bought these manila envelopes for sending out packages.  I was happy to buy a box because they are made from recyled paper.  However, they are too light to ship packages in.

So, instead of throwing them in the closet, I couldn't resist painting them like journal pages.

I painted some faces.

Used a bit too much elbow grease blending her nose and ripped a  hole in the paper!

                                        They held up pretty good with oil pastels.

These ladies were a mixed bag of acrylic, oil pastles  and watercolor.

I love to see how I can use something unusable for something useful.  I will paint on just about anything.

Happy Friday!

Hummingbirds

This film is so amazing.  I found it last night on YouTube.

 I  am fascinated by birds, and these little gems are astounding!

Hey there this site is awesome!

Just a shout out today to anyone interested in some FREE ART CLASSES!

Yes, I said FREE and  FOR LIFE!

 Two fantastic artist's teach online classes together.  Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen have taught over 2,000 people art.

  To enter, all you need to do is promote this video on your blog and/or purchase a class and you will be entered into the lottery to win!

This site is really cool, lots of art displayed and " how to tuturials".  Whether I win or not,  I'm going to take a class soon...just saving up my nickles.  In the meantime, it's fun stuff.  Add the site to your favorites bar because you'll definitely want to go back!

HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY!

This month's sketchbook challange is "Branching Out".  The way in which i branched out was to paint in watercolors.

Most people, I believe, think that watercolor painting is easy.  I guess because we play with them as children.  They are inexpensive and can be taken anywhere.

I picked up a cheap little watercolor set and decided to play

 I love watercolor, but, I get intimidated by it.  Watercolor painting needs a bit of planning ahead.  You need to think about where you are going to lay down the paint.   Fixing watercolor is not so easy.   I like to not think about what I'm doing and just let the paint flow.

 

  Acrylic is my main staple for paint because anything can be fixed with another layer of paint. I decided to just go ahead and play with it like I do acrylics.

You can see where I muddied up the color a bit.  I get frustrated when I do that but remembered that "I'm JUST Playing".
I slopped on the paint any ole way. Then I went back into it with a black pentel pen.  I just doodled.

                                              It was quite fun!

I do love the vibrancy of  watercolors .

              Not a master piece, but, I like it...and enjoyed working in that medium.  It's all about the journey!  Now, I'm going to be more opened to playing with watercolor.

A little painting

She morphed from a painting to a pastel

Finishing up the Dotee sisters to send out for the Milliande, Day of the Dead Dotee Swap

Just trying to figure out which embellishments I want to use on their dresses and hair

 They're patientlly waiting

Ever get the feeling someone's watching you? 

Shall she get a large head piece?

Or just some hair?  But what color?

I'm almost sad to see them off...but I will be getting other art dolls back...soon!

Hope these heads and mine, get attached soon...

Have a lovely day!