Come On Fall!

Yeah, I know its a little early for Halloween but its HOT here and I am willing Fall to get here fast!

The background I created with Color Mists on glossy photo paper by spritzing the paper heavily and then laying another piece down and smooshing them together and then pulling them apart. The haunted house and moon are from my Halloween Collage sheet. The Vintage images are from Twisted Papers. The base of the postcard I used two different ribbons stacked.

Creative Girl

This started out to be a piece for a monthly lottery with faces as the theme...I can't lay claim to the face it was a found object that fell off a brush I have....of course I couldn't just throw the face away it was too cool looking, so I set it aside to wait for that inspirational moment when I would find a use for it (otherwise known as the AH HA! moment ). That moment came when I looked down and saw it peeking out from underneath something and I looked over at my work area and there was an image without a head! It was a marriage made in heaven er maybe that's Aileen's laboratory Mahahahaha!

I used a masonite panel and painted it with a quick coat of gesso and then sprayed color mists over the gesso once it was dry. I then sealed it with some PYMII and then painted the hair with some acrylics and then adhered the head and the body and I then painted the arms.

The Artists Muse: Unlock the Door to Your Creativity

I highly recommend the following book I recently bought. It's titled:

The Artists Muse: Unlock the Door to Your Creativity

by Besty Dillard

Book and Card Kit

If your looking for something different to spark your creative energy this book is for you. It's not an eye candy book and more then just a technique book it's a kit that gives you exercises to unleash your creativity! Not only do you get a book, but it also comes with 3 decks of cards to jump start your muse. The cards are meant to be used as a game. You may select one, two or three cards to create a painting. Choose a rectangular card from the DOORS OF AWARENESS deck for subject suggestions. A circular Card from the CIRCLES OF GROWTH deck will offer ideas on color. To really challenge yourself, draw a square card from the WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY deck to find a new technique or approach that will force you to think in new ways. This game can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. The ideas in the book and exercises from the cards can easily be applied to other mediums such as fabric or paper. From the beginner to the advanced artist this book will get you creating.

I really enjoy just drawing a card or two from the decks and once I start the idea that's given it spurs me on from there. I find many times that I create better when I have a focus or reason to create a piece then when I don't, so I've found this book and card set to be a useful tool for me.

Below are scans of the decks of cards:

Here you should be able to read what each card says:

Here's a sample page from the book:

Gouache Painting

I finished up a couple more gouache painted pieces. For the base I used masonite panels that I have to say, I'm quite addicted to using them, because they don't warp and are a hard surface to work on unlike Canvas boards which tend to warp. To me the masonite seems more versatile, not only can I get them wet, I can drill or screw things into them to add heavier items as well. I'm really loving the 5"x9" panel size. I've decided to start carrying both the panel size and the pre gessoed 8"x10" masonite boards which incidentally work great with the Color Mists! I love the smooth white surface to start from. If your interested in trying these check with your local art supply or you can get them from my online store Outside The Margins HERE.

On both of the following panels I gave them a quick coat of white gesso and then painted the backgrounds using gouache watercolors. I mix a lot with white to get the different highlights and hues. Once the backgrounds were finished I sealed them with PYMII and then added the images I painted with the gouache paint and sealed lightly with PYMII. Since I'm still trying to use up things I have I cut the bird from some scrapbook paper and used some stickers for the wings and crown on the second piece. Once I adhered the images with gel medium I go back and outline with a black water soluble oil pastel and work it in using my finger and remove any excess with a baby wipe to add shadow and give depth to the images.

Here's the before picture I used and then the after picture which I painted with the gouache paints and again adding further detailing with pens, I then sealed it with PYMII and adhered it to the masonite panel:


...Again the before picture, and after picture once it's been cut out:

I like to go in after and add detail and highlights with a black Micron pen and Pastel Sailor Pens.

Here it is completed:

***************

Again in my need to try and use up some of the supplies I have lying around on my work space I made this copper triptych shrine. I aged the copper using Color Mists then zapping it dry with the heat gun. I then cut out the shape, embossed it with a ball point pen and then sealed it with PYMII . I also used up more of some bird stickers I probably will never be able to use up in my life time and some decorative paper and a tag board alphabet initial.

Happy Creating!

Make Some Noise...

Michelle Ward has a new crusade....Make some Noise!

I have, I think, an eclectic taste in music. I pretty much like all types of music depending on my mood, except Country Music (ducks from any flying cowboy boots being thrown), okay I'll confess there might be a couple of songs I like, but I'll deny this if asked!

I like Classical, oldies-60's, 70's & 80's music (how can this be old if it's my era?!?) Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd (my very first album I bought at age 12), Eagles, Styx, Journey, Foreigner, Alternative Rock and even Harry Belafonte (who doesn't like the banana Boat Song?)....but my ultimate favorite guy is Chris Isaak! Not only is he sexy, but he has a great sense of humor and he puts on an awesome show!

A few other favorites to create to: Loreena McKennitt...

...Evanescence

...and last but not least my theme song:


Who's Your Favorite?

Gouache Technique

Big thank you goes out to Susan Chong and her wonderful ephemera she so generously shares. I've had great fun painting them with gouache (pronounced "gwash" like squash) paints.

Below is my quick and easy process:

I first print the image out on Epson's Matte Photo Paper with an HP ink jet printer no sealing before hand.

I begin by squeezing out small amounts of paint and thinning it way down with water. I like to use both a thin liner brush and a small filbert shaped brush.

I don't get overly concerned with painting outside the image since I'll be cutting it out later.

Here's a few finished images

Once the images are dry I seal it with PYM II.

After I sealed it, I then outline and add detail with a black fine micron or sharpie pen, and then add highlights with a white sailor pen and gel pens.

Here's the finished image after I've cut it out.

I painted the background with the gouache paints on a gessoed Masonite board, I then added the image after scanning the piece and printed out a smaller image of it, so I could put it behind a wooden doll house window.

The saying reads:

"You never find the path to your self,

but rather, you find your true inner self

along the path inside you."

Stain Challenge Results

As promised here are the results of the stain challenge I took (see previous post for details). It proved to be quite a challenge for me but I highly recommend it. Searching the stain for pictures reminded me of lying in the grass looking for shapes in the clouds.

Above is the before picture and here are my after pictures:

Friends

Grizzly Bear

Fish on a hook

A Fish only a Mother Could Love!

Take Créaturiste's Stain Challenge and check out his art!

Catch up!

Hi Blog Readers!

I know I'm a bit behind in posting, I have created some pieces they just aren't finished yet they're all in various stages of completion. Plus summer is winding down for us and the rat race of school and band is beginning once again. I'm still trying to figure out how I have a senior in high school and one starting high school! Time truly does feel like it's flying by!

Since I have nothing scanned and posted yet I thought I'd share with you Créaturiste's Stain Challenge.

I printed some copies out and plan on giving it a try I'll post my results when I'm done.

I've been doubly nominate for the Nice Matter's Blog Award given to those that care about others and that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world and inspire! A big thanks to Dawn Gold and my Pal Christy Grant for nominating me. I want to give some thought to who I pass this award on to.

The Strangest Dream

I'm a Rockin' Girl!

I have the honor of being nominated by both Kris Henderson and Karen Owen both for the Rockin' Girl Blogger Award! Thanks guys!

Now I need to pass this Blogger award on to 5 other Rockin' Girls so without further ado I nominate the following Rockin' Bloggers:

1. Christy Grant
2. Karen Campbell
3. Linda Findley
4. Belinda
5. Kelly Burton

Happy Blogging!

Creative Bonanza!

Just as promised here's a few more goodies to see. The first is an Altoids Tin I altered by using Liquid nails and acrylic paints to give it texture and color along with some found objects:

PATIENCE

Next is a copper triptych shrine I made by running a piece of copper through a hand held embosser for paper...it wasn't the easiest to get it to turn but I eventually did. I used Color Misted Deli paper for the inside:

Last but not least is a Bingo Shrine I created from two Vintage Bingo cards cut down

Back-side

Faux Aged Tin Technique

I have lots to share, first up is a faux aged tin technique I did using Color Mists. I started with a piece of white washed embossed ceiling tin that I picked up in the bargin bin a long while back. I knew eventually I'd find just the right purpose for it. Stay tuned for the rest.