Sunday, August 26, 2007

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!

Friday, August 24, 2007

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?

Friday, August 17, 2007

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."

Thursday, August 16, 2007

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.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

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:

Happy Blogging!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

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.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Colorful Playday!

Oh Happy Day!! I finally got to play the other day and I've been having way too much fun with the new canvas baglets I just got in! I colored them with Color Mists and then sealed them with PYM II (read a review on PYM II). Next I plan to embellish them, the possibilities are endless and my imagination is going crazy with all the things these little baglets can be used for. Here are just a few ideas: a cell phone fits perfectly, for a gift card, ATC, Goodie Bag, Swap Bag...

Click to enlarge

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Put Your Big Girl Panties on...

I've altered all kinds of things and participated in all types of swaps, but I think the following one I just finished probably takes the cake for the most unique for me LOL It all started when a friend bought the wrong size panties so instead of taking them back she proposed a Big Girl Altered Panties Round Robin Swap....taking from the saying "Put your big girl panties on and deal with it!" so the plain white panties arrived and after being stumped for awhile I finally decided I wanted to alter mine into something I would want to hang on the wall and a pair of big panties wasn't what I had in mind lol They started out looking like the following white pair:


I began by misting them with Lime Jello and Tahoe Turquoise Color Mists first then I cut the crotch out and cut them in half. Once they were dry I gathered and matched up the pieces to a pair of dollar store fairy wings and began sewing them on using ribbon, working my way around the wings gathering and turning slightly as I sewed....sewer I'm not but I managed! When I was done I misted them some more with Copper Kettle and 22 Karat Gold Color Mists and then stamped with some pink acrylic paint and a foam stamp. Once they dried I added a few other embellishments and turned them into Super Diva Fairy Wings which when worn give you super powers of protection just like Superman's cape or Wonder Woman's magic lasso ;-) Now they're ready to be sent on to the next person to add to them....

Front side


Back side

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Charmed again!

I've been making some charms for a charm swap with my local Art Peeps. The first set I made from more of the plastic cheapy paint brushes ( http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2007/04/ive-been-working-on-more-charms-for.html ) remember I bought a big container of them so I need to use them up since they really aren't good for painting. This time I pulled the handles out and then hammered them flat, then used the 2-hole screw punch to add a hole so I could set a mini brass eyelet in it. I hung them on fishing lure thingymabobs (sorry I can't remember what they're called but they're found in the sporting section of the store) along with a brass tag...I still need to use my metal stamps on them to add an inital.


The next set are made from Domino beads, red glass beads and a sterling silver antique bead.

I was nicely tagged by Carol in England since I've already been tagged before I've posted the link to my random answers for those that haven't read them or want to be bored: http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/2007/05/ive-been-tagged.html

BUT

even more interesting is Carol's blog and random facts she's lead a very interesting life and has a lovely blog and is a beautiful lady, so check it out:

http://ingeniouslycreative.blogspot.com/


Sunday, July 15, 2007

For your Inspiration Only...

Since I've not had time to create any new art I thought I'd share a few inspiring websites:

A friend had shared this website and it reminded me I had visited it before and found her work inspiring:
Darlene McElroy
http://www.darlenemcelroy.com/fineart/index.shtml

I am always drawn to this website I just love her art, eclectic pictures she takes around LA and her witty posts
Dispatch from LA:
http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/

Joanne Thieme Huffman's blog has some wonderful pictures from a recent trip:
http://joannethiemehuffman.typepad.com/

In my search for a particular item on the Internet I came across this website and fell in love with all the lanterns, bright colored parasols and pillows even! Beware if your not into bright colors you may want to pass on this ;-)
http://www.lunabazaar.com/

Always a sure thing Violette's blog and website inspires me! She's a fellow color lover like me :-)
http://www.violette.ca/blog.html

Last but certainly not least is Anne's blog from France...no I can't read French but in her case her art is enough to say it all...she creates wondefully textured pieces and her work is always inspiring to me: http://20six.fr/anne

That's it for now we're off to see the new Harry Potter movie first thing this morning, hopefully we beat the heat and the crowds!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Mail Art For a Friend...

Well the mailbox is back up and I have just finished a piece of mail art to christian the new mailbox. I was inspired by Michelle Ward's Mail Art Crusade and created some mail art for a friend. I started out with a used goldenrod colored envie and stamped, rolled (foam rollers) and painted with gesso and acrylics then misted over that with my Color Mists then stamped and stenciled with chalk inks, stazon and a krylon leafing pen.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Mail Art!

Since the house is so colorful (see previous post) I decided our gigantic mail box needed a paint job to match! I figured oh no big deal I'll have hubby take it off on Sunday and I'll get it done and back up Ha! When I say gigantic mailbox I'm serious its huge! Just to give you an idea it will easily fit 2 of the priority flat rate boxes in it plus at least 5 or 6 of the flat rate priority mailers! I love how spacious it is, but it has taken me much longer then I anticipated it would to paint it! I've been painting on it for 3 full days and frankly I'm tired of looking at it now LOL I've painted a lot of mailboxes for other people, but they've all been normal size not one that was on steroids! It will be a long while before I paint another one, but I am thrilled with how it turned out.

After all that work of painting on it I wanted to be sure its going to be sealed from the elements and not fade, so I used PYM II. This product is awesome, I use to only use Krylon but after using PYM II I won't use anything else.

The quote is a Maori Saying "Turn Your Face To The Sun And Your Shadows Fall Behind." Compliments of my friend Christy who shared it with me (thanks Christy!) I thought it went perfect with the sun and moon I had already painted on it.

PS: I had several people email me wanting to know what paint I used etc. so here goes. I first scrubbed it with a soap that removes grease and oils and then rinsed it throughly. When it was dry I sprayed it with Krlyon's spray Gesso. I then painted it with Golden's Paints...why golden's instead of craft paints or other paints? because they're lightfast so they won't fade as easily...between the Golden's Paints and PYM II the mailbox should hold up under the intense sun and damp winters we have.


(Click the images to enlarge them)

At the encouragement of my blog friend Wabbit I checked out Michelle Ward's blog (I love her stamps!) and she's issued a mail art challenge...how appropriate to go with my altered mailbox! So I'm passing on her challenge to you click the link below and read more about it on Michelle's blog:

I've been inspired I'm off to create some mail art of the mailing variety, how about you?

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Come sit on the Veranda and swing...


Create Your Own

I'm loving how colorful my porch/veranda has become! After having the house painted in the fall things are slowly coming together. I painted the door in photoshop to see what color I'd actually want to paint it...I still haven't decided yet. After looking up the definition for veranda our porch definitely qualifies as one so I've decided to call it that from now on...I feel so relaxed and peaceful when I sit and swing on the veranda, the colors inspire me creatively!
What inspires you?

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Contest Announcement!


Enter OTM's
"Color Our World"
Color Mist Contest!
Let your imagination take you into unexplored creative territory using Color Mists as your inspiration
!

http://www.outsidethemargins.com/cmcontest.html

Surprise!

No you didn't take a wrong click LOL I've made changes yet again! Come on in!Although, I liked the last banner it didn't feel quite like me, a little too cutesy for my taste and kept feeling like I was visiting someone else's blog. I made the new banner using art backgrounds I've made in the past and some of my artwork. I'm hecka frustrated not being able to customize things the way I'd really like to, but for now this will have to do....that is until I get the urge to change the furniture around again *grin*

I'm not sure what this new look says about me but it certainly feels more comfortable and at home. Does that mean I'm in a rut and afraid of change? I'd like to think not but we do have a tendency to lean towards what were familiar with.

Wonder Woman!

Wonder Woman I'm not! LOL but she is my favorite superhero as many of my friend's know! If I had to pick a Superhero to be she would certainly be it! She is definately the Goddess of Superhero women in my book!
Who would you be?
You Are Wonder Woman

A true goddess, you have the strength and skills to rule the world.
You're one sexy amazon... all of the superhero guys are fighting over you!

Friday, June 29, 2007

For a friend...

Here's a chunky page I made for a friend from the new 4"x4" blank magnetic puzzles I just got in. Man is my mind going crazy with all the endless possibilities these have!! Not to mention they take the Color Mists awesomely without warping whoohoo!! I misted the background with Lime Jello, 22 Karat Gold, Tahoe Turquoise, Cobalt Blue and Emerald Green Color Mists , then blotted it lightly with a baby wipe and then dried it with the heat gun. Once dry I spread Crystal Lacquer around with my finger then added the shells and micro beads and image. Once that was all dried I edged with chalk inks and then a Krylon gold leafing pen.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Thanks!

Many thanks to everyone that has left comments and given me feedback on my new blog look...I appreciate you taking the time to look and comment...keep checking back because I'm still not satisfied and will be tweaking it more ;-)

I was on roll today and actually made few pieces of art and a charm....two of which are not done so you'll have to wait on the pictures for those, but here's a card I did as a surprise for someone. I used a Vintage bingo card, image and Color Mists: http://www.outsidethemargins.com/colormists.html

Click to enlarge

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Whoa!

Boy talk about major differences on how things look...I am now posting on my desktop computer whereas the changes I initally made were from my laptop and there is a vast I mean VAST difference on what the colors and the page look like Whoohowdy I am shocked! So for some it will be BRIGHT AND LARGE (kind a like me LOL) and for others it will be more on the sedate side and somewhat proportional...notice I say somewhat because either way it's not fitting right YET!

Still I'd love to know what you think of the banner at the top so leave me a comment and if you want a reply leave your email :-)

Changes

Like my new look? Bare with me I'm still tweaking things as I figure them out so keep checking back for the first of many changes until I get things to where I'm happy with it...right now I'm not, but I feel good that I got this far :-)

Here's some Precious Metal Charms (PMC) charms I made last week during an Art Party with my Peeps! I stamped using part of Kristy's new For The Birds stamp sheet from http://www.timetostamp.com/ . After I antiqued them with Liver of Sulphur

Here's a picture of myself and my Art Peeps!

Digital Scrap Art compliments of Traci Sims

From left to right: My sister Kathleen, Myself, Lora, Bev and Kris.

It was Bev's much belated birthday celebration! Here is her cigar box shrine Kris and I collaborated on for some reason through all the commotion I did not get an inside picture taken darn it!

What a great picture of Kris and Bev
and the yummy cake!