I won!

Soon after I finished my Mixed Media Tree Canvas (see below), I saw Echo Park Paper's Project Challenge on Facebook. Since I had used "The Story of Fall" paper collection, I decided to post a photo and enter the challenge.

To my surprise, I read today that I was one of the three winners! Yippee! I'm so excited to win an entire paper collection - I chose the darling "Story of Christmas" collection. Can't wait to receive it. Thank you Echo Park! (Check out all their paper collections on their website here.)

This canvas is a workshop at The Little Blue House in Keller. If you are interested in taking the class, check out more information on the website here and stop by the store or call 817-431-7930 to sign up!

Documented Life Project - Weeks 35 and 36

Catching up on weeks 35 and 36 since I was in Albuquerque babysitting Drew and Grant most of this past week.

Week 35 - Aug. 29

August Theme - Faces, The Human Form and Characters

Art Challenge: Self Portrait

Journal Prompt: Mirror, Mirror

Yikes, this month is really challenging! I must admit I never, ever would have done something like this unless challenged! I took my inspiration from Rae Missigman again who altered a photograph with a sketch app and then traced and painted the drawing.

I imported a cropped photo into the app, Pencil Sketch, on my phone and then printed it on my computer.  I then traced this the good old-fashioned way by rubbing the back of the copy with a regular pencil and then tracing over the lines on the front side with a stylus. This transferred the graphite to my journal page so I didn't have to draw "from scratch!"

I used Neocolor II watercolor crayons for coloring the drawing. The more I retouched it, the worse it got, so decided to leave it as is! At least I did the challenge, it looks like a person and somewhat resembles me!

After all that work, I was "done," so just drew random lines in the background and filled in with oversized journaling about the challenge.

I am so ready to move on from August and drawing faces!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


September Theme - Journaling with Photos

Week 36 - Sept. 5
Art Challenge: Photo Transfer
Journaling Prompt: From Here to There

For this week, I used a photo from the Internet which was a Life Magazine cover from 1957. I highlights a model in a Christian Dior dress in from of the Louvre Metro stop in Paris.  Since I spent a year studying in Paris in college (1968-69) I decided to use this photo as my focal point of the spread about how much life has changed from that point to now.

I started with a background of collaged book text, random papers and napkin pieces, then created layers of white, blue and ivory - adding and removing many times until I was happy with the result.

For the photo transfer I used a new transfer paper (TAP - Transfer Artist Paper) where you print your image onto the paper and then iron onto your surface.  For whatever reason, the image did not transfer well - I suspect my paper was old as it was a sample from 2011 and the directions say it lasts about 3 years :(  

So, I moved on to Plan B, using the gel medium transfer method. First I repainted over the area where the partial transfer was, then spread gel medium generously but smoothly in the same area. I used an inkjet print and laid it face down on the journal page, burnishing it well.  Some directions say to dry well, preferably overnight, but I couldn't wait, so used my heat tool to dry it thoroughly.

I sprayed water on the back of the paper and let it sit for a minute to soak in. Then I gently rubbed until all the paper was removed, leaving a reasonably clear transfer. (Transfers are never perfect and that is their beauty. I love the sanded, grungy effect.)

I added more paint around the transfer to integrate it with the background and also used many Paris-themed stamps. I also stamped a Tim Holtz quote, "Life is what happens to us when we are busy making other plans," and cut it apart.

Now to work on this week's challenge and, hopefully, get caught up!

Mixed Media Art Quilt Workshop

Join me for my Mixed Media Art Quilt Workshop at the LBH

 

You will create a lovely mixed media art quilt using your favorite photo and an easy image transfer as the focal point. Each quilt will be unique as you choose from a variety of fabrics, laces, papers and embellishments I will provide to showcase your image. Machine or hand sewing is optional.

(Note: I used a contemporary photo of my two baby grandsons but you could also use a vintage photo, or a wedding photo, family photo or portrait.)

Friday September 25th 10am-2pm 

& 

Saturday October 24th 10am-2pm 

Cost: $55.00

More information is available at www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com  

Make plans to join us! Please stop by, call, or message, the LBH to reserve your seat.  

(817) 431-7930 

New Mixed Media Canvas

Here is my newest mixed media canvas class which I will be teaching this fall at The Little Blue House.

I used Echo Park's new fall paper collection, "The Story of Our Family." The colors are fresh and bright and very fallish without "screaming fall." It's hard to see in the photograph but there are mica products on the trunk and grass giving the piece some glimmer and shine. This was a fun canvas to create and I hope to be able to share it with many students soon.

All our new classes are on display at the store and we are taking signups even if you missed coming to our Open House yesterday. There are projects for everyone!

Documented Life Project - Week 34

August Theme - Faces, The Human Form and Characters

Week 33 -  Aug. 22

Art Challenge: Layered (Using Multiple Mediums)

Journal Prompt: Speak to your Younger Self - What Advice Would you Offer?

So after the last few weeks, I just couldn't bring myself to draw another face! I decided to use a photo of myself when I was about three years old. I'm not completely happy with this layout but it's done and I've got to move on! Still another week to catch up on before doing this week's challenge and I've been in a creating frenzy this past week getting ready for our new fall class reveal at the LBH Open House on Wednesday.

I used Heidi Swapp Color Shine sprays (hence the glimmer and shine) and hexagonal stencils, texture paste through a ledger stencil (hardly visible), collage, stamping, washi tape, shading with Pitt Big Brush Pen and half circles and hexagons for the borders.

You're Invited!

The Little Blue House invites you to our

"Welcome Fall" Open House

Wednesday, Sept. 9

10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Free Make&Take from 10am-2pm and 6pm-8pm

We will have all new class projects on display and will be taking sign ups for

upcoming workshops!

And the House will be transformed with new Fall merchandise you will love!

Mark your calendars and join us anytime on Wednesday!

Documented Life Project - Week 33

August Theme - Faces, The Human Form and Characters

Week 33 -  Aug. 15

Art Challenge: Painted

Journal Prompt: How do I Face my Biggest Challenge?

This month's focus on faces - drawn, painted etc. - is quite the challenge. For this week's page I followed the guest artist of the week Mystele Kirkeeng). In her tutorial she very generously included her three sketches for our use, so I decided to try my hand at the third one. This was so out of my comfort zone, but this week's prompt was facing your biggest challenge, so how better to do it than to really challenge myself!

Below is Mystele's finished painting from her sketch. She used a very loose, "scratchy" painting technique. When painting with acrylics, I usually blend and smooth out the paints, so I wanted to try this less controlled method. 

I think my end result is still too blended and not as sketchy as Mystele's but I am happy that it at least resembles hers and actually looks like a face! I obviously need much more practice.

I'm still catching up and have one more week's spread to finish before getting on track for this week. Traveling sure plays havoc with a schedule!