Layers of an Acrylic Painting "De-Stressing Distress"

I am in awe of how artists can create a painting in one sitting.

Mine take days and days of layers and layers. Sometimes the suspense is overwhelming, I can't wait to see what it will look like.

I never know where I am going to go with the color or the texture. It changes with each layer.

Here is how I started

It is a lot to take in, it screams at you. It makes me feel like I am driving on the interstate, hell bent on getting to work, so much traffic, my knuckles are white on the wheel. I hate that feeling. There is A lot of color, A LOT of paint. So thick took 5 days to dry. In the thickness of the paint I scrawled in words and shapes. Kept it positive. I NEED that positive. Kinda like my mantra I guess.

Now it is dry, lets add more color!

I mixed three colors to get this one. Slapped it on, and then with a damp towel and a wet paint brush, removed color in patches. Removed that screaming - I was nearly deaf!

Let it dry.

How bout some more color!!

This was a bit much. I really scared myself. Thought I had went to far. The screaming started again. Same process, used a damp towel, wet brush, and A LOT of water to remove this paint in areas of the work area, and to lighten the over all color.

Finally I did a coat of white - (forgot to take a picture) the coat of white was really watered down. I had to stop the screaming. I applied it with a wet washcloth. It had a white wash look to it, made the painting very opaque. Didn't have the look I wanted yet. So I kept rubbing, and wetting, and rubbing. Even rubbed the paint off in one spot, but I liked the look of it and kept going. Finally - with the white wash just right, and still wet, I went over it with a high gloss glaze.

PERFECT!!! 

The glaze reacted with the white washing and gave a great look to the final painting. I am in love.

I have named it "De-Stressing Distress".

It reminds me of an old pair of blue jeans. Soft, and torn. When you pull them on, they button just right and  you sigh with comfort. You can trace your finger around the stains on the thigh and remember the party where you danced and danced, and spilled your drink. How about the rip in the knee. The memory of bending down to pick up your child at the park, and they ripped, and smile. The hole in the pocket where all your change drops thru, and you silently cuss, because you keep meaning to mend it. Deep in the threads of these jeans hold the secrets of your happiness and when you pull them on nothing else matters.

Like the painting, if you look, the words and shapes can be seen, words like love and passion, words that are so important to us, and we tend to forget in our busy lives.

I want you to get lost in this painting, and feel the comfort it gives.

Fun Earrings from a Broken Bracelet!

My mom is the best at finding me the best things to create from. She is always at flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales looking for little treasures to send to me. I have had this one for a couple of years, just waiting for the right inspiration. I love this bracelet so much, that it honestly was hard to not just fix it and wear it. But I wanted to give it new life.

Once I sat down, it didn't take too much effort to start putting these earrings together.

They have a bit of weight to them, that gives them the best swing. I feel sassy :)

I was watching one of my favorite movies while making these - Say Anything - Have you seen it? Do you see the 80's influence?

Flower inspiration and Art Beads

I am needing some inspiration lately. So I took some of my own advice and found an image that inspires me and will create a new necklace around that.

I love the multi layered necklaces, as everyone knows. This month one of the Bead Trends categories for the March 2010 call is multi layer necklaces. Oh Joy!! (The are taking submissions till Sept 25th!) It got me to thinking. I wanted to challenge myself to make a multi layered necklace that was dual season, March and Sept - but how.

Traditionally fall colors are warm and rich, and spring colors can range from pastels to bright, so how can I make a piece that will reflect both.

I did a google search for fall flowers and found this:

Just lovely. I have no idea what it is, in the mum family possibly. Look at the colors. So rich and warm, perfect for fall, and the bright pinks and yellows scream of spring. This is what I used to get my inspiration. Off to Art Beads I went.

I love the "My Favorites" option that is available while you shop. I remember so many times jotting down item numbers on a pad of paper as I shopped so not to forget which items I needed, or more likely, wanted :)

So I shopped and began to add things to "My Favorites", then went back in and narrowed it down and this is my final pick.



Green Spider Jasper Cubes

Topas 8 mm Glass Druk Bead

Rainbow Carnelian Squares - oh how I love these!!!

19mm Resin Roundelle - Lavender

19mm Resin Roundelle - Salmon - These are beautiful!!


Donut Rust Ripple - I love the pendant selection at Art Beads!

Small Light Purple Dream Hand Painted Scroll - Just a little message in the necklace to remind you to never stop dreaming.

What is on you favorites list???

March Rings and Things Challenge - attempt........

I won't say epic fail, but I will say I am not satisfied with the glue. It left a cloudy look, instead of clear. Is like looking out a dirty window into your garden. *sigh* I don't do windows.......

I was going for a garden, flowery field abstract look.

I used the Brass Rectangle Frame - #49-440-0 for this attempt.


Using my trusty hammer - I crushed, amethyst, peridot and colored glass beads. Then I put a thin layer of Quick Grip glue on the frame - I will never use it again - and positioned the crushed pieces to try and create a picture. I added seed beads here and there and a flower shell. After the glue dried, I put on a thin layer of Mod Podge (I thought I was being clever) and added more crushed stones for a deeper look. I added one more layer of Mod Podge after that layer dried to seal it.

I thought Mod Podge was suppose to dry clear, but I thought wrong.

Here is a close up of the frame,now a pendant




I couldn't leave well enuff alone, so I continued on and used that as a focal for a necklace. I used a filigree bead cap, and mashed it around the eye of the frame to hide it and give it a bit more flare.

I call it Imperial Garden - because it was a royal pain in my Aster - ehehehe I am so punny....


And here is the finished product

Finding inspiration

I find inspriation in everything around me. Whether I use the inspiration, that is another story. I keep a notepad with me so I can jot down design ideas, or make note of an interesting texture or color I see in passing. I have also been known to clip pictures and tuck them away to use another day. Soon my little notebook becomes a weatlh of idea referals when my idea pool is empty.

Another great source of inspiration are Soul Cards . A beautiful collection of prints by artist Deborah Koff-Chapin. The cards have no meaning - they are intended to inspire you. I have gifted several of my 'artist' friends these cards to have for those times when the creativity just won't flow.

One exercise I use after I have had a low point in creativity, is a recreate project. I use an image or an item and try to design a piece that imitates it, as opposed to being inspired by. I am a firm believer that creativity spawns creativity. This being said, more times than not, as I am doing this exercise, I have an idea for something else. I keep an inventory of base metal findings, mismatched jewlery, and odds and ends for these practice sessions. I do this as I don't want to waste sterling on an item that I may tear apart two or three times trying to get it right.

In the dreary throws of winter, I love looking at pictures of flowers in bloom. I takes me to a place in my mind where I want to be. Planting flowers and strolling through my yard enjoying them. Below is an image of the elder bloom, and the bracelet created from it.