New work

I have been itching to do some painting again and this week I couldn't put it off any longer.

Believing in magic
An 8"x8" mixed media piece on canvas; including decorative paper, acrylics, ink, charcoal pencil, metal foil.
I need to invest in some new paints.

This week, I pushed my boundaries - I made my first ring! Soldered silber with a riveted copper poppy. I definitely need to practice these skills more, but I am very elated that it worked!

Another finished mixed media painting

Secret Garden

Done. Built with layers of colour and plaster and I tried my first image transfer (you were right, Doreen). I wasn't really happy with the result, so I enhanced it with paint and markers and pencils and the piece just went from there; including a little flight of whimsy. I've been working with plaster in my paintings for many years; even before they had all those structure mediums on the market. And I love to sandpaper my paintings to give them a worn aged look. Guess I was a Shabby Chic fan before we knew what that was. This is, as mentioned, a small 8"x8" canvas. I usually do my plaster paintings on wood boards and also usually larger. It is difficult to get satisfactory results in such limited space. The photo is a bit on the blue side, it is actually somewhat more into green. And, apparently keys are on my mind. Maybe I should raid my stash and put some in my jewellery?

New mixed media in progress

I don't know what it is, but I can't seem to leave the paint brushes and watercolour pencils and my other art supplies alone! I'm painting again. Well, that is not actually a bad thing. This is a sneak preview of where I was yesterday, I am now almost done with the painting and it is turning out quite differently that I had first envisioned. This is a small piece, 8"x8".

Other projects

As I mentioned previously, last year I began to explore the creative world again. I allowed myself the luxury of buying books that were filled with wonderful inspirations - inspiring artists, inspiring pieces, inspiring techniques. Not just jewellery artists, no; mixed media, collage, journaling, bookmaking, shrines, found objects … Thus the adventure began.

Late last year I came upon a book by Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn – “In This House”. It is filled with the most wonderful artists and truly intriguing artwork. I was so inspired and enthused, that I have started work on my own “house”, using collage, altered art and mixed media.

A couple of pictures of my efforts to date

I’m not sure yet where this is going, but the journey is good. Just have to chase the inner critic with my broom pretty often.

By the way, these two talented ladies have another book that is due for release this April, called “In This Garden”. I’ve already got it on my “must have” list.