New directions

I have been considering taking a new direction. One that is not totally foreign, but definitely more adventuresome.
 Here I altered canvas substrates with modeling paste around the edges to make a frame. Then pressed various stamps into the paste for interesting texture and pattern. As it dried, a few cracks appeared. That I like. Several coats of acrylic paint was applied until I found my desired result. The centers received a few layers also of paper and gesso, paint and inked vintage encyclopedia pages and paper napkin applique.

" Bird in the Hand",   mixed media painting, 10 x 10.

"The Marchioness' Journey", mixed media painting,
 8 x 10.

Some of the Altered change purses and wallets I made a while back.
I discovered some cute little purses at my local thrift stores and wondered if I could make some use of them.  A little acrylic paint and embellishments later, I had these little treasure holders ready to sell. Fun to create too.

Mini Books for a Swap

Handmade books have always held my attention.  So I had to jump in and join a mini book swap on my favorite mixed media forum, Milliande.

I decided to sew some seed beads along the spine and conceal my stitches.  They look kind of like missing teeth, I have to admit. Just a little whimsical touch to these tiny presents.

             Please excuse the shadow from my fingers!

 "To find the joy in little things, sometimes you have to wing it."

        They were quite a big challenge for being so small.

CalicoStudio: I realized it's been awhile since I posted, so I t...

CalicoStudio: I realized it's been awhile since I posted, so I t...: I realized it's been awhile since I posted, so I thought I'd look through my painting pics from the last ten months and see what I h...

I realized it's been awhile since I posted, so I thought I'd look through my painting pics from the last ten months and see what I have to share.

Here are some watercolor cards I taught in a class at a place called "The Caring Place."  It's a place where those with cancer can come for support and all kinds of free classes. This is not a convalescent center, but the people who come are trying to get their life back to normal while dealing with the effects of this horrible disease.

This is just one of the classes I taught along with the help of my painting chapter, Silver State Tole and Decorative Painters.

"What's New?" Fluffy white chick patrols the farmyard. 

"Feathering the Nest" Orange chicken keeps the nest warm.

"Breakfast Time" Stripped chicken is always hungry.

"Hear I Come" Yellow chicken looks for his friends.

 

 

 

And here are all of the feather dusters together.  I really did have a blast creating these watercolor cards for the class.

Getting in the Springtime Mood

My recent foray into gardening has brightened the front patio quite nicely. This year I was determined to find new perennials that hopefully will last through our blazing summer sun and sometimes winter snaps.

So I picked out some purple and yellow Marguerite daisies, petunias, and lavender to put me in the planting mood. 

Had to set up my blooming angel designed by Shara Reiner and painted by me.  It seemed the perfect setting to greet anyone coming to the house.

I love how my iris and roses are blooming their heads off this year.  Must be doing something right.

Geranium design by Kim Hogue, painted by me.

Painting up a Storm

    Last week I attended the Creative Painting convention, which happens here every year about this time. The convention took place at the Tropicana Hotel, but I slept in my own bed.  After all, it's only 25 minutes away.  There are so many exciting classes going on and a tempting trade floor to stroll, that I had a hard time deciding where to go next. I had a great time taking a few classes during the convention and one the Saturday before. 

 Here are two that are works-in-progress. The butterfly basket was a class with Lynne Deptula and amaryllis box with Ginger Edwards.

 I painted this blooming iris on a textured canvas with Diane Trierweiler, whose work I really admire. The canvas surface has a rough texture that was applied with a palette knife. It was an interesting experience to work on this gritty texture. 

I did finish my Song Sparrow painting with Shirley Koenig, even though she is a quick painter and am very happy with my new little bird painting. It was such a fun week and I even managed to learn a thing or two about painting technique.

Domino kitty is enjoying her new post by the window and naps in this snuggly spot whenever most mornings.