So, first of all here is my new canvas I began yesterday, just a few layers of paint, spray ink and pattern. The light has done it no favours.. but here it is today..
This is the cool layers of blue's and greens I used acrylic inks which are nice and bright, think I am in shadow here though, then started with some white ready to do some white and black mark making next.
Also still working on the HUGE one, this is how it looked yesterday..
..and then today added quite a bit of water spray along with the cool colour inks to see how it went.. I can see a few idea's forming here...
Also started a couple of 9" x 7" Acrylic paper pages.. there is no waste paint or ink here!
Notice my colours seem to be getting a lot bolder?
Had a very productive day today, now usually Thursday is not one of the good days - have a lot on in the 'real life' thing and not so much free time, but less time on PC makes for more time in art room, as does salad for tea (again) LOL.
Finally, if blogger will let me.. I have done the first 2 layers in this weeks Lifebook lesson with Effy Wild.. enjoying this one too.
Planning to watch the next video tonight ready for phase 3 tomorrow...
So, there is nothing actually finished as yet but plenty going on and lots of fun being had. I will be adding my 3rd little painting to my Etsy shop (see right) tomorrow too, I sold yesterday's art postcard along with a bag too so that was a good day.
Better think about feeding the husband soon, good job he does not mind salad and pasta..
I had a finishing off day today. This page was almost done, just a few finer details. I like the hair and love the quote and the coloured background.. so this is going to find its way onto a canvas at some point in the future. In case you cannot make out the writing it says "I am one of those people who just cant help getting a kick out of life, even when its a kick in the teeth" by Polly Adler. This really made me smile.
Also finished off this page today in my smaller dylusions journal - I do prefer to work on a larger scale as a rule but the variety is often a good thing I find.
I do like the faces on these two, plenty of practice is always a good thing. I was going to show the progress I am making on the HUGE canvas, but alas I forgot to resize the photo I took so that will have to wait for another time - reading Flora Bowley's book I got a new tip on the paints I was using that were not really flowing as I had hoped, so I did a new layer or two today with different paints and had much better progress. So much so that I began another canvas too, this one is 20" x 16" so not as big, but enough for me.
Many of my new pals in the Art101 group find the free painting difficult to do.. I totally love it, I feel I was just born to do this, shame I didnt discover it over 40 years ago really, life would have been a lot different. I am far happier now than I have been in a very long time and I do believe it shows in the art works I am producing. Joy really does show on a page...
Yes, its just an art postcard, but its now in my Etsy shop - the first of my artworks for sale. From joining the Art101 group this was the intention and with the encouragement of the wonderful artists in the group I have made a start, you can find my very first item here Etsy Shop Link
My prices are very good as I just want to share my art and would be totally thrilled if anyone loved it enough to want it too. But be warned, when I am a household name I will of course be adding 'zero's' to those prices. I cannot sell canvas as yet, as need to raise some funds for proper packaging - I am also starting to reduce all the prices on my bags to 'next to nothing' to make some space in the spare room, and free up the boxes they are kept in.
Here is one of the canvas I made a very layered background on before finishing her off, she just needs some varnish now then she is good to go..
Of course it is that time of year where I cannot do as much art as I would like as the room is just too hot to work in for long, and I am STILL waiting for the work to be done on my ceiling and decorating, now 'meant' to be next week but I wont hold my breath - only waited since February for this..
I know most people in the UK love the warmer weather but afraid I do not, my house is like a small furnace and my 'quiet' morning dog walk isnt so quiet, which is not an easy walk with a difficult dog. In an ideal world I would either move out to the top of Scotland from June - September or just go live there for good, damn those lottery numbers!
A couple of years ago from somewhere or other - I found some 'COURAGE' soon after this, it was lost again. At this time I purchased some rather large canvas from car boot sales, that I could paint over without worrying of the cost of the canvas. This was my first, I painted all the outside with black acrylic paint, then added some colour and scrapped about........... then lost my nerve, eventually put it away.
Two days ago I got it out, assembled the easel, dug out a groundsheet for the floor and had some fun..
Influenced by Flora Bowley (who's book hasnt turned up yet, but hopefully will tomorrow) and the blog post I mentioned by Iris, I began some free painting.
I did a bit more today, and ended up at this stage............
Not so sure it will stay like this, who knows what will happen tomorrow............. I cannot begin to tell you just how much fun this is to do.
The canvas although HUGE to me, is not as big as some I have seen worked on. It is 30" by 20".
Thank you for reading, and thank you to my fabulous new arty friends at Art 101 for visiting and leaving comments - love seeing all your work each day:)
Its already day 6 on Art 101 and I have kept up very well, every day viewing all the wonderful art works in the group from the other artists is an inspiration and encouragement.
Above is my day 4 contribution.
Today though I had the biggest inspiration of all (so far) in the form of a blog post by one of the artists 'Iris' from Iris Impressions - you can read all about it here Iris Blog Link after reading the post I rushed off, got out all my dusty inks I have never really used as yet (thank you Dawn) and this is what then happened.
here is a closer look at the canvas I had already painted a few layers and collaged on..
I barely had the time to put on a painting shirt, and certainly no time to remember the barrier cream or get out gloves, so I do look even worse than this now, but had a lot of fun getting there.
You see, what I have been learning is all about 'letting go' and enjoying the process more. Out of the whole inspirational post of Iris, the best line that spoke to me was this one "ITS OKAY NOT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT". I think what inspired Iris and a lot of us is the talk on Lifebook by Flora Bowley, how I wish I could afford to take one of her classes - but again, totally inspired by this morning I have rushed off and ordered her book on Amazon, not due for another 5 DAYS!! though, that will be a long wait. You can read more about Flora Bowley here Flora's Website
After making all that mess above I had to go out, which was good as it all needed to dry. I came home and added more ink and gesso had a bit more play and ended up with this... just for today..
No idea what they will become yet....... but thats OKAY!!!
Well, there was a large silence from me! I did loose mojo for a while and have a few 'issues' going on. But thanks to the wonderful Stephanie who I know from Lifebook UK I have joined this fantastic group of artists and accepted a challenge to achieve 101 works of art in as many days, this begin on June 1st 2014. To read all about the reasons and how this came about see Stephanie's blog on her website here Two Raggy Doodles.
I am also now to start adding my works of art to my Etsy shop - link here on the right. Not started that as yet as I have been struggling for time, but that is the plan for this month.
Here is my day 1, Its on A5 watercolour paper, and mixed media.
..and for day 2 I did a mixed media postcard..
Keeping things a bit smaller so I can keep up. Though I do have a canvas up on the easel I am making a start on, lots of colours and layers so that will take time.
Also waiting on the mounts I have ordered to present my art in.
Its very exciting and the group of people in Art 101 are totally amazing and so encouraging of each other its a real joy to be a part of. Hopefully I will blog more often in the future.
Today I also managed this weeks Lifebook 2014 lesson with Tam.
Not every day gives me so much time to art, only wish it did....
Finished off the one I showed in my last blog entry. The face (and some of the rest) has oil paints added, a first for me. Not so good at it yet but this months course is 'Cold Wax and Oils' so should learn much more from there. I never thought I would get to this age and have so much fun learning each day. There are so many new things to try in the Art world.
Hopefully my room will be sorted out soon, it is getting a bit warm in there and a bit crowded - the hubster has agreed to my plans just needs a spare weekend now to implement them which may be a few weeks off yet.
Not done much else as took a few days off to spend with said 'hubster' as he has been working away - now he is back at work, in the UK things are back to near normal so more time to do arty things.
