This is the third in my series of mixed media collage canvases with a Valentine twist. I used acrylics paints, rubberstamping inks, and watecolors pencils to create the colors on the background then using bubble wrap, paint caps, and some wire netting to I added layers and textures, I mounted a cardboard heart that I collaged with vellum confetti. Gold leafing tops the heart with some speckles of leafing scattered onto the background to make it more cohesive. This was a pretty quick collage to assemble and was very theraputic after the Christmas craziness. Next up is the last in the series of four and I’m thinking purple!
Here’s the second in the series of four that I’m making that are inspired by Valentines Day. It’s done on top of a green wash that was watered down and sponged with a napkin. The color along the bottom of the painting is a decorative napkin that mirrors the collaging papers on the large heart and the square letters. The stems are paper ribbon that I twisted. I used chipboard buttons for the two smaller flowers and anchored the painting with black accents. Yellow is layered along the top by using bubble wrap. I then spattered pink and black paint. All this needs now is a coating of beeswax that I’ll put on after I’ve finished the series. I’m currently working on the third one that is being done in pale pink, gold, and white.
What did everyone get for Christmas? I’m so excited to know! What was your “favorite” gift? I got a diamond necklace from my DH and gift cards to Michaels,JoAnns and Olive Garden along with a gorgeous suede box with embellishments to play with in my mixed media messes! I’ve already spent my Michael’s card and am very excited about my trip to JoAnns.
This is the painting I created for my sister for Christmas. With layers of paint washes and ink, stamped hearts and Stars of David, combined with tissue paper and metallic threads I created the background. The head-scarf and dress are collaged with paper which I later added some of the background detail to to help make her more cohesive. She’s holding a heart charm that has three metallic threads and 3 beads which symbolize the Trinity. Her Glory of God Halo is lightly crackled and faintly washed with yellows and browns. (which doesn’t show in the photo.) It’s topped off with gold leafing. I used a satin varnish on this piece to give a bit of a sheen. She loved her painting. =) Touch-Down! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and got plenty of treats to save for New Years Ever!
I got the idea the other morning to start a valentines related series of collage/mixed media hearts on canvas. This one is called “Postal For You.” I’m melting the beeswax now to finish it off. It’s a mass of layers from cellophane, text pages, stickers, colored raffia, and Christmas Kleenex.
I’m almost done with my Christmas Creations. Just a few finishing touches on the last creation and I’ll be done ~ I’ll be late on one gift but due to the weather it’s been unavoidable. I’ll post the creations I’ve been unable to show you after Christmas is over. No peeking for my family blog-readers. =) We leave tomorrow for an overnight visit to my parents and surrounding family. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone together! Have the merriest of Christmas’s ever and God Bless you!
Oh Come Let Us Adore Him
This one always makes me cry
I battled a bit with this piece as I over-antiqued it late one night. I ended up sanding it and giving it a white wash over the sanding. I also re-dripped the metallic blue. I added more layers and refreshed the embellisments that got over muted. It actually turned out pretty good. I gave it a glossy varnish to bring out the colors in the guitar. I’m going to print the lyrics out and decoupage them to the back of the print with a little history
regarding the song and put the hangers on and call it done! The sun may be up on the painting, but the snow is coming down and the icicles are growing here in Washington state!
These are forming outside our living room window. Time for a nice n’ hot Almond Milk Chia Tea Latte! See ya tomorrow!
On a whim today we decided to head to the grocery store only 5 minutes from our house, however finding the safest way there was wasn’t necessarily the quickest way. We hit the highway to avoid traffic and possible snow-maniacs. The drive was slow, cold, pretty and thankfully uneventful. The Safeway parking lot was full but we found a spot as we first pulled in. It has just started snowing again about 15 minutes before we ventured out. Of course we had to de-ice the car, unfreeze the locks and clear the windows for the best visibility possible. Once we were securily inside Safeway we discovered that everyone on our side of town was there as well. All the lines were half way down the isles. So we had plenty of time to warm up before re-entering the Winter-Wonderland to yet again de-ice the car and rescrape the windows! It took us 30 minutes to drive home through town which is normally a 5-minute drive. Was it worth it? Yes! Everyone was in the Christmas spirit and chatting it up in the isles about the weather and the adventure of it all. Here are a few pics taken before the snow started falling again. It’s much deeper now!
Stay Tuned for further weather-updates and fun with more supplies this coming week!
Stickers are a great source for instant pop and interest in art journals, mixed media pieces, collage, and many other art forms. To make them more “your own” and more cohesive to your layouts here is a list of links and videos that will give you some ideas and techniques for making your sticky gems even more precious!
- Video of outline sticker techniques
- Embellishing techniques for your stickers
- Easy sticker techniques slideshow
- Six Fun Sticker Techniques
- Fabric Sticker Technique
- More Fabric Sticker Techniques
- “Green” Stickers
- More stickers tricks with clear stickers.
Now we can make even the most boring of stickers into something brilliant. Share your sticker ideas, techniques, links, and videos here by leaving a comment! We would all love to learn more about ways to add to our mixed media madness!
Stick around tomorrow when I explore another art supply technique. =)
With only a few paintings projects needing to be done before Christmas I’m curious about different techniques for using what I already have. The snow has everyone pretty much home-bound, so a crackling fire and some hot cocoa, a plethora of information from the Internet and I’m ready to find some treasures to share with you. Here’s a list of some fun foam ideas I ran across on my venture.
- Embossing with foam
- Kid safe and adult easy – Crafts from Foam and Felt
- Painting and waxing technique ~ The painting and waxing is near the bottom of the page.
- Fun Foam Projects ~ A link to Michael’s pages of foam crafting.
- Fun Foam Christmas Tree
- Homemade stamps! ~ This crafty lady put her Jenga game to good use
- Easy Peasy ~ Fun Foam Crafts for all ages
If you have any fun foam ideas, projects or techniques to share please leave a comment. I know we can work these wonders into our mixed media paintings and art journals and make them look terrific! Thanks for dropping by!
Now I face a challenge. The remainder of the gifts I’m making are for family members who actually read my blog. (who knew!). AKA ~ My sister and my DH. Therefore I won’t have any art to post until after Christmas. So, now I face a challenge that will keep what blog readers I have coming back to see what’s new in the studio. Today the color white is consuming us here in the town of Olympia, Washington. We are being hit with a wonderful winter snow storm! Here is a snap shot from our back deck.
The snow started while everyone was sleeping and has been continueing through the day. I think I’ll share an art supply a day until after I’m done with the gifts for my family blog readers. Today’s wonderful supply is here! I found a roll of purple duct tape yesterday while I was out stocking stuffer shopping. It will be the center of my next art journal. There is a prethera of different things on can do with duct tape including art, or if you wish to devote more time to the art of ducting you can join a club! Art is not limited in any way! Explore what avenues are best for you. Share your excursions with the rest of us so we can see art through your eyes! Tomorrow’s trappings will include a taste of foam! Share your creativitiy and happy creating! God Bless!
This was a fun challenge. I’ve not done animal paintings in mixed media before. I created this kitty for my sister’s mother-in-law who lost her husband this year. She’s joining us for Christmas eve and I wanted to give her a smile. She’s a big cat lover and loves the color purple. With those two in mind I came up with this. The picture is framed with torn purple mulberry paper that I mod podged on, leaving the edges loose. I also bee’s waxed this painting and buffed it with a tee-shirt to make the wax shine. The feet are made from the foil I used for the little children angel, and the collar is done with gold leafing. I used a “Painty” metallic pen in gold to outline the stenciled on polka dots. The butterflys were added after the beeswaxing with super tacky glue. All that’s left to do now is add the hangers. This was fun and frustrating at the same time as I didn’t know the taste of the person I was creating it for. I’ll let you know how it goes on Christmas eve. I’m excited for everyone to open the paintings I’ve made for them. =)
Next Page »
