mixed media

November 8, 2011

I just can’t leave it alone!

Remember the post about the mixed media piece I did from the book, “Taking Flight” by Kelli Rae Roberts?  I wasn’t thrilled with it because there were too many colors going on and the colors I’d chosen weren’t making me happy either.  I’m definitely a novice when it comes to color mixing.

But still, I couldn’t just leave it as is and move on – I had to try to improve it somehow- that, or completely cover the canvas with gesso.

I attempted to play down some of the colors by adding more blue to it and I was ok with that but still not lovin’ it.  I usually take pictures of the art-making process to help me remember what steps I’d taken along the way and I’d done that with this piece also.

After adding more blue and a couple of highlights and before covering it and starting over I decided to drop the image into Photoshop to see what I could do to change it in that way.

Here are the results.

I know I keep talking about filters but I just think being able to see something in a completely different light can be helpful.  These changes are easy to make and very forgiving – since you’re only working on the digital file while leaving the original art intact.

Check it out…

October 13, 2011

Surrounded by Friends

I’ve got another creative weekend planned for this weekend!

I got the books in that I ordered…Encaustic Mixed Media, Flavor for Mixed Media, Steel Wire Jewelry, Cloth Paper Scissors, and one I bought the other day – Somerset Workshop – Autumn 2011 sitting right here next to me as I write this.  Its like having friends here with me!

There’s a wonderful article by Bridgette (Guerzon Mills) in Somerset Workshop, Trish Baldwin’s Encaustic Mixed Media is fantastic and Mary Beth Shaw’s book, Flavor for Mixed Media went to work with me today.  The Steel Wire Jewelry book was bought to remind me (and inspire me hopefully) of Crystal Neubauer’s technique that I learned at EncaustiCamp this past July.

I am super excited!

And I never say super excited!  I might say I am REALLY excited or I am really excited, but never super excited.

So I am SUPER excited!!

Yay!

The only problem is…what to do first!!

Oh, and if you read my post yesterday…’Orange you Glad’ – you’ll be very glad to know all is not lost with the world… there is hope!

Check out what I found on the counter in the break room this morning!  🙂

September 29, 2011

All My Love, Pete

Here’s another one of my plaster on cradled art board pieces – mixed media – acrylics, vintage papers, vintage photograph.

I like how a story will unfold while creating. 

I found a vintage photograph of a girl sitting on a lawn and the words, ‘all my love, Pete’ handwritten on it. I removed the words and placed them coming out of the chimney and immediately decided the ‘girl’ was now alone because “Pete’s love for her was now going up in smoke’ .

I decided to give her a shiny, red balloon (something that didn’t seem exactly appropriate to the color scheme) to draw attention to her feeling out of place and out of sorts – because of mean ole’Pete.

(Actually she looked pretty happy about it all…so maybe the breakup was a good thing!)

September 19, 2011

Strive to Be Happy

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Poem by Max Ehrmann (American Writer)

Artwork by me…(first attempt with plaster & mixed media on cradled artboard)