Snow

I have been painting with a acrylics for about a year now. I have struggled with them looking too flat and plastic, but I loved how you could build them up in layers and not wait very long for them to dry like oils. But I still wasn't happy with my results. I started to add alcohol inks and gouache on the top layers to get more richness. That was better. I also love watercolors and missed having the watermark transparent strokes showing. What to do....well, with this painting, I started off creating the shadows by applying washes of acrylics. I saw the lovely watermarks and the transparency I loved. But I knew I had to create the highlights so my next step was to use the acrylics, OPEN ACRYLICS (love them)! I didn't want to cover up the richness of the acrylic washed shadows. Somehow mixing them with white made them dead so I kept that separated. As I applied the last layers I did have to do some mixing with the lights and the shadows, but not altogther. I think I am figuring this out for myself. Oh, and of course, I had to add my fabric pieces and sewed them with human hair for the final touch. Thanks for looking and reading about my process. Till next time.....

Mixed Media figures-The Moth Princess and the Cold Mistress

After working on the Cold Mistress, in which she looks really uptight and controlled, I decided that I am going to try and loosen up a bit! The Moth Princess isn't quite there yet but moving in that direction.
It's been a couple of weeks of really struggling. Two months ago, I was really in the flow, loving everything I did and it just seemed to move smoothly, but now that has all changed! I find myself having quite a battle with what is going on in my head and what is coming out of my hands. I am posting this anyways. Don't feel it's my best work but this whole art journey is about the ups and downs of creating. I did learn alot. I discovered a very nice brush I never used before so not all was lost.

Somerset Apprentice Spring 2012 issue-two articles and artwork published!

I am so happy to be published in Somerset Apprentice! I love the Somerset publications and very grateful to be a part of this amazing world of talented mixed media artists.
I have couple of pieces in my Etsy store that are similar to the ones in this article. If you are interested in any commisioned pieces please contact me. I can personalize any piece with your treasued photos.

Misty Mawn's Open Studio Class

This is the last week in Misty's class although the class will be up all year long. There is so much information and so much more I want to create. I make this fabric book awhile ago and now using it to create my little paintings and experiment with new techniques. I just discovered Venetian plaster and am I ever going to have fun with that!

New Paintings in my Etsy store

Here are two new paintings I listed in my Etsy store (see the link on the side of the blog to reach my Etsy store)
I have been painting in acrylics this past year and really loving it, especially when I mix the alcohol inks with them. My past work was much more abstract and mostly using fibers and fabrics and stitching. I am starting to incorporate more of the fabric into my paintings. I have been experimenting with venetian plaster on different fabrics. I layer the plaster on the fabric and at different stages of the drying process I crinkle and crease the fabric till it looks worn and aged in the fabric. The next step is the phototransfer. My next group of paintings will be using this process and then painting over the photo transfer. What fun! There is not enough hours in the day to create all the things I have swirling around in my head. Happy creating!

Misty's Open Studio class continues

Aother week with Misty's class. I am learning so much! First of all I am working larger, 15" x25" for the Nest Nymph. I love combining charcoal and pencil into my paintings. I used gesso and pounced all over the surface to get that white mottled look. The second portrait I used really bright, brilliant purples and yellows, a palette that is very foreign to me, but I like the colors, although a painful process but worth it. I think it will get easier.

Misty Mawn's Open Studio class continues

I am loving this class. I am really stretching myself, especially with painting flowers using heavy layers of acrylics. I prefer painting in watercolors but I am really enjoying the process of layering with acrylics. The paintings go through so many stages, sometimes hidious stages! I want to then stop and start over, but with this process I try to stay with it till I like it and what a ride that is! I am definitely growing as a painter.