Process Shots for "the FLOWER VENDOR"

Hey Friends,  Every now and then I remember to take photos as I work on a new piece.  This is the beginning of the bright collage I made for the WILD THINGS show in Bedford, Va.

It starts on a cradled panel made by Bud Shaw from Bedford.

Here I'm painting the sides with black gesso.  And yes, when I finished I had to go back over it with black.

Here is the first step of putting the collage papers down.  I had scribbled with a permanent marker on the Hen's shape first.

Then I painted on the green grass and used the palette knife to make the flower stems.

Already painted the flower shapes here.  And now I'm rubbing miceous iron onto the hen.

Here I've added details, such as the lines on the flowers and the feather lines.

I decided I didn't like the dullness of the Hen and went back with white acrylic and Liquitex markers.

I enjoyed this process but I also find it just a bit frustrating thus I don't make too many of them.

Another difficulty is a title.  Not just for the collages but any painting.  Originally I was gonna call her "the Happy Gardener" then the "Flower Gardener" but finally thought of "the Flower Vendor".

I enjoy posting these process photos and hope you like to see some of the back ground work, instead of the finished product every time.  Of course during a challenge such as in January's posts, there isn't enough time for me to take photos.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Trails

NEST FULL OF JOY

 

Hey Friends,  A quick post today because I get to pick up my sweet GranBabes today after school and take Lillie to her riding lesson.  Photo Op.!!

 

I got a couple of small collages back from a show and I have listed them in EBAY.

I continue to clear out anything unnecessary in my studio.  I need to focus.

 

Not to mention my art group, the Double Line Painters, is having a BIG challenge.       It's called - 150 Paintings in 150 Days.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Happy Trails

First Post of 2015 with a look toward Spring

 

Hey Friends,  Starting this New Year right !  Starting with thoughts of the coming spring.  My GranBabes and I (me especially) are sick of being cooped up indoors.  And its only January.  At least 3 more months of this yuck.

This little painting was a joy to create.  I love to play with the colors of spring.  Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Daffodils, Iris, Tulips all have so many joyful colors, you can't help but be happy when looking at them.

Do you remember swinging on an old rope swing with the wooden seat?  Most of us loved to be twirled until the ropes were wrapped all the way to the top and then pushed, way high and twirling all at once.  Such great fun.

I'm listing some of my untraditional work (such as collages) in my neglected ETSY shop.  CLICK HERE to check it out.  I will still be listing work on Ebay.  It seems the people that shop on Ebay want more straight forward paintings, not so much contemporary.

Everything is an Experiment.

 

Happy Trails To You

Hugs and Kisses

 

Hey Friends,  This little cutie was created several years ago and just recently unearthed in my studio clean out !  X O X O X O as you probably knows, means hugs and kisses, thus the title.

Nice for someone you love

Click on the X O's for Ebay.

 

Happy Trails

No. 18 in the Pollinator Series and Plein Aire at Evergreen Lavendar Farm

 

Hey Friends,  Moving on to #18 !  A gorgeous Raven waiting on a branch for a French fry !  This was started on a base of dictionary pages.  Up top left is the dictionary's definition of raven.  This pretty boy is for auction on EBAY, Click here.

 

But the good news of this day is We, the DLP's finally got to the beautiful "Evergreen Lavender Farm" just this side of Appomattox, Va. on Rt. 460.  Bonnie the owner, said "Sure come on over and paint.  She was happy to see us and a gracious host.

 

This is my first painting of the day.  I started with a magenta base instead o white canvas.  That is a beautiful pond in the distance.  With rows of lavender between us.

 

Here I'm pretty much finished.  Made a couple adjustments at home.

 

And here is one of Bonnie's donkeys.  She said they (there were 2 more hiding) did not like the heat so they hang out in their Donkey House during the day.

 

Here is a shot of the beautiful Bee Hives.  Can't wait to paint this !  Bonnie said she does not mess with these hives.  She has enough going on with the farm and making lavender products.  And I bought some really heavenly smelling stuff while there.

Check out their website at www.evergreenlavender.com

 

Happy Trails

Travel Well

Day 25 in Leslie's 30 Day Challenge

Hey Friends,  The letter "K".  Seemed at one point kachina was a good choice.  Now that I see it on my monitor, not so sure.  I like the colors so I'm not sure if it's all the white space that I don't like.?

At any rate, this is my presentation for Day 25.  Click here to go to Etsy.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Painting No. 18 - Leslie's 30 Day Challenge

Hey Friends,  I decided to throw a few of my Dictionary Art into this challenge.  After all I must work on them if they are to be finished.   Why did I choose hammer for "H"?
I use a hammer to make my frames but mostly because I always think of my Dad when I see a hammer.  He was a rock mason and carpenter.  His right arm was a bit bigger than the other from swinging a 20 lb. hammer ( I could be as crazy as a bat on that 20 lb thing) but that's what I remember.   I also remember that he always tried to drive a 6 penny nail in 2 swings.
And that is a real nail there on the piece.
I'm trying to become more efficient in my posting on this blog and the DPW store.  I haven't listed anything there for a while because it ALL takes up so much time.  My desire is to post on this blog, then put the work in my Etsy store and have the DPW link to Etsy.
I'm gonna give it another try.  Wish me success.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

16th Day in Leslie's Challenge

Hey Friends,  Day 16 in Leslie's challenge !  And this has been a challenge.  I can't imagine doing this for a year....and if I did, could I still keep my other (real) job and keep my Babes once a week?
I would have to hire an organizer.  Ha Ha

A lovely lady in Lynchburg named Betty bought these two little jewels.  Bless Her.  I created these just for the fun or joy of using birds.  And the joy of using my hands and brain and papers to make a pretty little something.  These are 6x6x2 so they are chunky enough to sit anywhere Betty wanted them.   In a window in the bathroom or over the sink.  The book case or the end tables.  I do believe I need to make some more.  Speaking of organization maybe I should get back to my dictionary page art !  AND more of these.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

13 Paintings in 13 Days

Hey Friends,  Here is the companion piece to yesterdays challenge.  This title is "Singing with My Love".
I could see this turning into a series.....Ya never know.  These two hang out a lot together and always have so much fun.  Maybe they should write a book ? !
No time for funny business today.  I've gotta finish framing and pack and what else?
See you in Lynchburg tomorrow.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Day Two !

Hey Friends  Saw a small gang of Red-Winged Black Birds at Judy's house this summer.  She lives in Botetourt County.  Also saw some grackles there.  Took me a couple months of searching but I finally figured out the birds were Grackles !  Since then I've seen a couple at home.  They are pretty but I'll probably find out they are a pain to paint, with that iridescent head.

This Red-Wing's background is a collage of painted deli papers and stenciled gels.  The bird is painted.  All done with acrylics.

Now I need to get back to the studio,  I'm working on a large diptych for the Goose Creek Show.  The Harmony Equestrian Center is the subject.  Got my fingers crossed !!

Happy Trails Travel Well

Joining in 30 in 30 Challenge

 Hey Friends,   I decided to should join Leslie Saeta's challenge of 30 paintings in 30 days.  It would be good discipline for this easily distracted woman.  I'll not stress too much if I miss a day but I DO hope to get a painting or two ahead.  This is a collage and I've had a lot of fun doing this and plan to do more.

 It may seem weird but for me, collage is a lot more difficult, than just straight painting and a lot slower.   I believe a lot of people perceive it to be a lessor art form but if you've never tried it, don't judge to harshly.

I started with a glittery back ground scrap booking paper.  Once finished I didn't like all the glitter so I toned it down with a gesso & acrylic mixture.  Much better now.
So go check out Leslie's Blog and join the fun.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Collage Workshop and Studio Work

 Hey Friends,  This photo was taken Saturday at the Double Line Painters collage workshop held at 2nd Helpings in Roanoke.  The workshop was a huge success, all the participants seemed to be very happy with their work.  I think my little Sweetheart up there looks like a Gummi Bear.  She is in that awkward stage of losing baby teeth.  And she's as big a chicken as her mom was about pulling them out.  Funny.

 Just a snap of what's going on in the studio.  Using some of the collage papers made for the workshop.  This is their ugly stage.  Soon they will be swans!

And here is my latest accidental catch.  This guy was on our porch just yesterday with his sister, eating Ms. Kittys food.   He is as mean as they come.  And barked like a dog.  Never heard a coon before.  I could not get him out of the cage 'cuz he really wanted a bite.  I was gonna leave him till he calmed down, but Mom got him out by propping the door with a brick.

Happy Trails
Travel well

Great Day !

Hey Friends,  Just wanted to tell you, our art show at Ikenberry's on Rt.220 today was great.  We had wonderful weather for a change !....No Rain.
We had lots of people stop to chat and several asked specifically about our workshop on July 27th at 2nd Helpings Gallery !   So good to know, people are actually reading our blog @ Double Line Painters !
So if you want to have a fun, FUN, Saturday morning on the 27th, call 2nd Helpings to sign up .  Class is limited to about 12, so hurry.  Their # 540-491-9405.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Frog Collage and a Silly Bird

 Hey Friends,  I added the newest dictionary painting/collage to Etsy today.  F is for Frog !!

And I just wanted you to see this silly, beautiful Dove I rescued from Mom's Greenhouse.   Birds are always going in there and then can't remember how they got in.   Mom said she threw one out yesterday.  From her description it sounded like Phoebe (I can't spell).  This dove was so laid back, she didn't seem to mind my holding her.   Oh yeah, I have been trapping squirrels and hauling them to new homes because they are pigs and won't let my birds have any of the seeds I put out.  I'm nice, mind you, they are never hurt.  I take them to a nice new home with lots of trees.  They are such a nusense.  I've relocated 12 of the rodents.  I also forgot to unset the traps  a couple nights and nabbed a raccoon, a possum, a skunk, and a baby possum.  I let all these critters go, didn't want to move them.  I'm really enjoying all my birds.  My favorite little woodpecker brought her baby to the suet.  What a treat.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

"C" is for Cat

Hey Friends,  Here is the C.  Now did you think I'd  pick Camel ? or Color? or........Nay, just the common old ordinary kat.  We have a black rescue kat, Miss Kitty (remember Gunsmoke?) and she threatened the youngest grand child if I didn't pick Cat !  Up 'til now she's been an ordinary, common ole Kat.

I'm enjoying these little pictures but I really need to move on to something bigger for the Taubman's Sidewalk Art Show.......it'll be here before I know it.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

"B" is for Bee's

Hey Friends  I deleted the last post about this painting "B" because I was trying to resize my images on blogger.  I got my instructions from Karen Marquilas, she is a pastelist and I love her blog but her instructions just will not work for me.   So if any one out there in this gigantic cyber world knows how to do this, please forword your instructions.  Maybe they will work for me.

I posted a week or two ago about this new series of collage paintings, using pages from an old dictionary I found at Goodwill.   Of course for me 'cuz I love painting Bee's anyway, B had to be BEE !  I printed some of my images on Sumi paper because it is translucent so a tad of the printed page can show through.

The canvas is gallery wrapped and initially painted my fav color, turquoise, before gelling the B page down.  I let that dry then apply a coat of off-white randomly, mostly using my hand.  Then I start gelling down bits of sumi printed images and cutouts.  I love to use the old timey paper doll cutouts, such as you see the bee's connected on the right side.  I emphasized these with marker lines.

When all is dry I varnish and finish the back and add the hanger, then it goes into my ETSY shop.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

New Work hung at 2nd Helpings Gallery

Hello Friends,  I've been working pretty hard the last couple of weeks.  Finishing some work and started a couple of new works.   And our little painting group, the Double Line Painters of the Blue Ridge, hung a new show at 2nd Helpings Gallery yesterday,

Here are a couple of my pieces that I finished last week.  "Mother Earth Awakens" is the title of the show, hence all the bright, beautiful colors I love.  Flowers and more flowers with a few birds thrown in.  Several pieces are collage, like the one below, but the one above is straight paint work.

Collage is such fun.  If you have never tried it you should.  And we, the DLP, are planning another collage workshop.  Probably in July but it something we just started thinking about yesterday.  Lots can change between now and then.

I'm so..o..o..o.. very happy that spring is almost here, I can barely contain myself.  I see little pink buds and want to take photos that won't quite show the color yet.  But it's still joy.  Can't wait to get out and paint.

Hope you make it to our reception at 2nd Helping on Sat. April 13th.  Would love to visit with you !

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Fun with Collage and Stamps

 Hey Friends,  I've been having fun for days.  I have carved some of my own stamps, above and below.

 Much easier than you would ever think, if you buy a cheap set of little tools for cutting block printing linoleum.  I used to try doing this with a razor blade or an exacto knife.  Much easier with the little wooden handled tools.

 I made this fish painting with my newly carved stamps (two sizes).  It is on Terra-Skin, which I love.  My last post was about Terra-Skin which is made from stones !  And just so ya know, you can't heat Terra Skin it gets all buckled and contorted.  I tried doing a smaller version of the fish painting and I wanted to emboss the fish lips and fin.  You have to use a heat gun to emboss and that's when I found this little peculiarity.  This will work just fine on ordinary watercolor paper or a wet canvas.

 This painting didn't involve the stamps but collage and cut out paper dolls, one of me favorites from childhood.

This painting involved some stamps, collage,,and cut outs again.  Can you see the bubble wrap stamp?
I've so enjoyed this creative weekend and if you can believe it I also did a couple more.  We are hanging a show at Second Helping the first of April.  To be called "Mother Earth Awakens" so I'm trying to be ready.  Got a few more to go !!   And we (the Double Line Painters) have been working on the www some lately too.   We have had some blog classes and DPW store lessons coming up and hoping to learn more about Pinterest.   It just isn't enough to be an artist anymore........you need to be a computer germ also.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Unfinished Cold Wax Paintings

 Hey Friends,  A little more about the Cold Wax paintings that I created in the workshop taught by Gina Louthian-Stanley.  The LRA sponsored the retreat at Camp Alta Mons in Shawsville, Va.  If you live in SW Va. you should consider joining the League of Roanoke Artists.

 Top image is a collage of various finds into the wax & oil. (I found the leaves on a walk,one little hydrangea bloom on the floor and the unfinished butterfly is a paper towel)  And the danged yellow wax mixture is still SOFT and comes off easily.!!  The image above is another collaged piece.  I have to finish the birds head and this piece seems to be hard enough or should I say dry enough to work on some more.  When I got the base coat of purples and yellow-oranges on the board I put it in the oven on the lowest setting to see what would happen.  Then collaged into it.  I think that's the only reason it's so firm/dry.

 This is a DF collaged into the gob of wax mixture and stamped .  Still to soft to do anything with it.

This was stamped several times, the shells added and Lilly pushed into the wax.  And I think I can work on it more now.  I will test spraying with a varnish on the driest one.  Should be interesting.
I love the process and the feel but I don't think I'll be spending much time with this technique.  I'm too impatient and I'll drive myself crazy if I fight my nature.  I would like to attempt a Dreamy fairytale theme I have in my head  for my granson's room.  I can put down a layer and let it sit and dry at it's own pace and come back to it every year until it's done.  It should be ready for my GREAT granson.

Happy Trails Travel Well

BED JACKETS

Hey Friends, Here is one of the first Painted Photo Collages I ever did. Can't remember where the initial image came from. I think it's awful cute and sweet. Would make a sweet gift! The frame comes with this one. The photo of it on the end table is dark but I hope you can make out the colors. I rarely take photos of my artwork, I prefer my scanner.

This measures 6"x4" and with the frame about 8x6. This would normally sell for about $50.00, but to clear it out of my studio, I think $25.00 and 3.00 shipping would work! Do You?

Click here for my etsy shop.

Happy Trails.