Quickies

I did these three greenie quickies last weekend. I had started the ladybug awhile ago-just using markers. I decided to play with my metallic paint pens too, and added the silvery background to the bug.  So naturally, when it came to the mermaid, allot of metallic paint pen was called for. The girl was inspired from a magzine clipping. All three will be incorporated into a new mixed media piece...still in the brain stages.

Do you have an idea about how to use metallic paint or metallic paint pens? They leave shadows if you don't follow the stroke exactly the same in the portion of design you are working on...kinda frustrating as they dry pretty quickly too. I love metallics and the paint pens seemed like a great way to apply. Any suggestions?

Flowers for my lovely

A few flowers for my angel. I did use the distress ink underneath, before I painted her in, and also after the paint dried. The flowers are hand painted acrylic, straight up. And I used an iridescent white for the wings. I like that the background shows through them. Now for some face details...

It's Not Your Mother's Decoupage

Trying some new and interesting techniques on this one. I used distress ink on top of the entire tree canopy (my fingers look like I was just printed...) but the messiness was worth it. It's supposed to create an vintage look for photographs, but I read about using it on mixed media pieces. I think it gives the tree an aged look, but also adds to the textural feel of it overall. Also, cut papers and stamps of leaves to create a tree top that I really am happy with.

This is what I got, so far. The messenger figure is salvaged from a vintage birthday card, and I created my own paper cut-out hearts. The acorns are from a magazine photo - when I saw them, I immediately cut them out, as knew I would use them eventually in a mixed media piece -this was the perfect spot for them. I also drew the basic outline for my angel on the left, and am thinking about distressing the entire angel image with ink before I paint it in. A mermaid will be swooping in from the right from cresting waves, (you can faintly see her), but I have yet to insert that last image. The finishing touches will be the inspirational words throughout. They'll have to wait till last.

Phase Two: defining images...the support rocks, and waves and sand -done; tree of life almost done. I think I'll be inserting some more smaller circles, but use metallic paint...keep the Klimt feel going. And the tree trunk will be more stylized too. My art always feels much more 'successful' to me when it does not become too 'painter-ly'. Even though I love Renoir, I always relate much more to Klimt. Know what I mean?? Anyway, it's all about trees lately people! And words with art. It's going. It's a beginning.

Change Is Beginning

That is, something new and different starts when we start (something new and different). I also realized today, that change occurs when we all the real reasons for doing something outweigh all the real reasons for NOT doing something. Begin to Change = Change is Beginning.

4' X 4' with drawing......

Detail of 4' X 4' once I put the first color washings on. Very excited about this piece. Biggest I have ever attempted. It's fun! and my vision for the finished product are based on values that have been helping me through: the 4 corners of Strength - Love, Belief, Support and Friendship. I will keep posting till its done.

Much smaller, but just as fun. I really enjoy working in the collage style with cool scrap-booking papers. This one will combine many, and also use cut-outs from cards, magazines and printed photos. Throughout will be inspirational words, and there will  be hand painted elements too.

Keeping busy. Trying to create good, positive change; trying to work it all out, and express what's in my heart. Beginning.