I call this piece" metal collage" because I used various thin papers to collage on a black background, overlapping here and there.
I then sectioned it off using some of the collage lines, as well as adding my own to make a good design.
I then painted the areas, with various "metal" paints, steel, copper, brass, etc.
While they were still wet, I applied a Verde green patina to the copper, a rapid rust to the steel, etc.
I like surprises, so I just set it aside and let it do its thing. I was amazed, and pleased with the result.
I wonder what else I could do with this paint?? Any ideas??
This promise to create every day is keeping me busy, but I love it !!!
I am attending a Demo/Critique class every Monday. It is sooo interesting, and so much fun.
We watch a demo by Nancy Brown and Sue Gray, (our instructors), as they talk about the important elements of making art, etc. I have learned so much, and every person chimes in with new thoughts and ideas.
Our classes are about over, however I think they will offer the class again after the holidays. Sure hope so!
This piece, I created after seeing and hearing some ideas that were presented in class.
I took an idea from here, and one from there, and this is what my piece looks like. It was so much fun that I made 2 of them.
I have been waiting for a nice cool day so that I can work outside with solder.
I get so discouraged every time I try this; the solder never seems to go on evenly.
I have read books, but there must be some magic to it. :.)
Does anyone out there have some good advice for me to make it go on smoother ??
This is my original painting, reduced, and put between glass. I love my pendant, and I've received lots of compliments, so I wanted to make some more. I love the hand made look, but mine seem a bit rough around the edges, as they say.
I'm still painting trees. These are Louisiana cypress. They have a very distinct look. This is a 12X12 canvas. I painted most of it with my fingers. It was so much fun, I may do more finger painting.
I am posting my "Earth", which is a challenge for Creative Every Day web site. This is a bit late for October, however I have also joined the challenge to do something creative every day in Nov.
Now, thankfully, you don't get your knuckles rapped with a ruler for missing a day or two; this is just to give incentive to do something creative every day. Should be fun.
This morning as I was prowling around on the Internet, I found this exciting news. K.C. Willis is an artist from Colorado who does the most interesting fabric and paper collages, among other artistic endeavors. She sometimes uses photos of women in her work. She is currently planning two retreats that certainly piqued my interest, especially the" Imagination Congregation", that will be held in March, 2011. She is having well known guest speakers at these conferences/retreats. All of the details are on her website; check it out. Colorado is beautiful anytime of year.
http://www.studioretreats.ning.com/
That ride in the country on Sunday reminded me about our ride through the countryside while we were visiting in Washington State. We saw an old rusty truck sitting in the field. It had trees and plants growing in the back where the bed of the truck use to be. Being an artist, I thought it was a beautiful sight, and my husband loved it because it was a R190, just like he drove for a summer job in college. He would actually love one of these, however I have discouraged it, because I just can't see us going to the grocery store, or church, in our big R190 truck. :>) My brother-in-law had his camera along, so we brought home pictures and memories, instead of a truck. I couldn't wait to try painting all of the colors in the rust. This is about a 11X14 watercolor. I like the painting, but hubby is still looking at truck ads.
On Sunday we drove with some friends out to Walburg, TX to Dale's Essenhaus, to celebrate October, and to eat a Walburger. (The biggest hamburger I have ever seen.) As we drove through the country side we enjoyed the quiet of the farm land. A few field grasses were in bloom, but you could tell that Fall is approaching, even though it was 80 degrees. There were a lot of fields that had already been plowed under, to rest before the next planting. Large round bales of hay were here and there in the fields.
We crossed a few creeks along the way; these have a beauty all their own. All in all it was a great day.
"If a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you...rejoice, for your soul is alive".
Eleonora Duse
I guess my soul is alive, and I hope that yours is also.
I"ll be you have never seen anything quite like this. This lovely collage created by my friend Addie, was made with lids that she has been collecting for many years. She is an amazing lady that really thinks "out of the box" She had several of us over one day and challenged us to create something with her lids. I tried, but had to hide my creation in the closet. I have not seen anything to compare to her masterpiece.
Last evening I spent time with good friends, and Good For the Soul Music. It was definitely " good for my soul". David Kauffman has a beautiful tenor voice, and along with guitar and piano gave a great concert.
On the web site you are able to read about their journey, and listen to some of their music. It really blessed my day after suffering from allergies all day.
Ever since I accepted an Adobe update, I cannot put images on my blog, so I have been on the Google forum trying to find an answer. A lot of people are having trouble with images, however, I'm not really sure what caused it to change over night. Everyone has a different opinion. I guess I will sit tight until the geeks at blogger figure it out. I feel like a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will have a difficult time blogging without them.
I spent the morning yesterday getting ready for Fall, and especially the many Halloween visitors we will have on Main Street. Many of the homes are decorated with orange lights, pumpkins, skeletons, yard blow ups, tombstones, and on and on. I never really felt the urge to do all that, so I hung a wreath with berries on it, filled the pots with greenery and big net bows, put out Ms. Scarecrow, and bought 25 pounds of assorted candy. The kids and parents come from all over the area to stop by every house on Main Street to get their treats. Hubby and I sit on the steps with our huge basket between us, and take turns dropping candy in the trick or treat containers. I am anxious to see what the favorite costume is this year. There are always plenty of fairies with wings, and hobos. The parents get real creative also with their costumes. This keeps us entertained for a few hours, amazed to see the variety, and the fun everyone is having.
The question posed over at Spring this week is: How do you use creativity in your everyday "mundane" life?
You can use creativity by thinking of something, or someone, to be thankful for.
You can also use your creative genius to make something for someone.
I try to appreciate each moment, and make the day special in some way.
Sonya, has 7 very creative, and practical ideas on her blog. I agree with all of them, and they made me feel better just reading them. I'm off to have a very creative fun filled day! Blessings to everyone.
Had to condense the bouquet, just like I always do when some flowers start to wilt. I have several old bottles, and some new ones, that I keep on the kitchen window sill for those single blooms that are left.
I enjoy them all the time; it doesn't have to be a special occasion to have flowers.
I especially like the old colored bottles that I'm always on the look out for.
I am still working with all that I learned in the e course "Blogging Your Way", given by Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring. The course is over, but we are still sending in homework.
Leslie gave us a lot of great information about styling items for photography. She also included a lesson on flower arranging. I used one of my favorite crystal bowls to practice my arranging, The flowers are from the grocery store, and I went out in the yard to gather a few greens to go with them. I took pictures, but still have a lot to learn. I need to work on the area where best to show off my items for photographing. We have an old house with 27 windows, so I should be able to figure out a good spot.
Today is a lazy Sunday. I have spent a good part of the day right here in the swing. The weather is beautiful!
I think Fall has finally come to the Texas hill country. You really can't tell by looking at the trees, but the temperature is cooler and it just "feels" like Fall, at least in the early morning. Most of the trees are still full of green leaves; some of them will keep their leaves until Spring. Because we do not have a real change of season here in the hill country, with the trees turning beautiful colors, I had to create my own. I painted these fall leaves using watercolor and acrylic, with rice paper collage here and there to give texture to the leaves. You can almost hear them crunch.
CREATIVITY to me, is that expression that arises from deep within our soul. It is spirit coming forth to show itself in varied ways. Creative expression might be music, painting, decorating, cooking, dancing, or anything else that you do with passion and joy.
Creativity is our gift from God; USING that creativity, is our gift back to God.
OPEN YOUR GIFT AND USE IT !!
Yes, they do go together, when Frank, of Franklin & Co, makes his big and delicious cookies for the artist
reception. Last night, at the Art Hop was no exception; cinnamon, almond, yum !
The streets were crowded with people going from place to place to see the art on display.
There was even a band set up under the tent, for music and street dancing.
My conversation continues with Frank.
I ask him how he got started in the jewelry business. He said that when he was in high school he had an hour of class to fill, so he took a class, working with silver, which he loved. Although his Major was music in college, he kept" falling into" jewelry jobs, because of his experience in repair. When his brother accepted a job in Austin, Frank decided to open his own jewelry store in close by, Georgetown.
Franklin & Co specialises in unique jewelry which sets him apart from the mainstream jewelry stores.
With all repair work done in-house, you can rest assured that your valuables are safe with Frank.
Thank you Frank for the interview, and for being a true friend of the arts.
I wish you much prosperity in years to come.
