The finished artwork?  Still needs a title though...

Taking Flight

Untitled mixed media (23cm x 30cm).

I havn't thought of a title for this new creation.  She looks a little pensive?  Maybe that's how I feel, as I start to take seriously what I do with my day, how I create art,  and what form it will take.   Or maybe it's a reflection of the rainy day we are having!   I am pleased with the results overall, and it was one of the workshops in the Book Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts.    I learnt a few new techniques with this, including using acrylics thickly, then sanded, for the face.

Having finished this however, I really feel that although learning new techniques is great, I need to be mindful of developing my own style.  That will be part of 'thinking' big... believing that I have a style that can be developed.

My Art Space

 

I'll have to take a better photo, but this will do for now.  This is my 'Art Space' .   It is an old kitchen table, (? 1960's) that is in our family room.  It has a laminate top, and aluminum edging and legs, and it is a good height for me as I am tall.  I have a collection of old'ish mainly glass containers to hold my art supplies, and the things I reach for most often, although I also have a very good crystal vase holding my favorite pens!  But I figured better to use it, than have it stuck in a cupboard somewhere.  I use the Ott-lite a lot, as it give natural lighting, but in the morning I have great light through this window. 

Here is a close up of an old book that I am removing pages from.  You can see the cut threads. If there was glue, you might need to gently ease out any pages that might have glue on.   I am currently removing pages from the Answer book on Geography, a book on cricket by Aussie hero Denis Lillie, and a science book in German!

Starting a New Art Journal

 

This is the start of a new art journal for me.  I actually have a bunch of brand new, hardbound art journals, but have a 'white page' phobia  - so I find it more comfortable to make a small signature, one at a time.  A signature is 4 or 5 pages, folded, and then stitched together.  16 pages to fill is not so daunting for a new beginner ( like me).  It is also a comfortable place to experiment, and not feel intimidated that I might make a mistake, and 'ruin' my new book.   I like to put down acrylic paint straight from the tube, and mix it on the paper using a plastic scrapper ( or credit card) , and blending that way to quickly cover a large area.

The front cover is the blue 'What's Going on Here?" which I have started stamping... I was inspired by the title of the text, which I left unpainted.  Actually this page was all about earthquakes and tsunamis!

There is also a collection of some pages ready for another signature to be made.  You can see the variety of pages I am using - basically anything that I find.  Here I have taken apart an old 1950's geography book, and a univeristy accomodation brochure.  By carefully cutting the threads of the signatures, or opening the staples, you can remove the double pages to slip straight into your own.  I then prime with gesso over most or all of the writing, and/or any pictures, but you can see in mine I have opted to leave a lot of the line drawings.

Gum leaves

I love picking up dropped gum leaves.  Not only are they quintessentially Australian, in both look, feel, sound effect (when you walk on them and they 'crunch'), and the smell of the eucalyptus - they also make such interesting subjects to draw or to study.    This is the 2nd page of my mixed media journal.  After a background of acrylic was laid down, I added the elaves over the top using water colour pencil.  I actually cheated here a little and traced three different leaves, sometimes reversing the leaves to get a different perspective.   Then using the pencile I shaded, and I was particularly trying to continue the transparency effect of the different layers showing through.  It is square, and it is hard to fit all the image into a picture format.  The support is re-cycled heavy duty brown wrapping paper.

I Love old TV Chairs

I just love old TV chairs.  When ever I go to my favourite 2nd hand store, I always look at the chairs first.  When I saw this one I couldn't resist.  My Latest 'find' is, I think, probably late 1960's or  early 1970's.  When you lean into the back it reclines.  The varnish is original, with only a few marks, and it is possible it has been re-covered - although could be original too.  I can't see any manufacturers marks, but looks to me like maybe a Don Rex.  Don Rex was a furniture manufacturer in Brisbane who made higher end furniture, often copying from Danish design.    When you can pick up something like this for $10, why buy new?  Eventually I may have re-covered, but currently enjoying the shabby chic look, and the no stress that the kids might spill something on it.

Recycled Messanger Satchel

I made this messanger satchel over the weekend using recycled materials.  Basically it is the cut-off's from a pair of white wide legged jeans, paired together and stitched just above the cut edge, with the jean hem as the top.  Then I frayed the cut edge a little.  Next I hand stitched the two pieces together along the side with a whip stich using variegated embroidery thread.  Thinking it looked a little plain I used the same embroidery thread to hand stitch on some vintage lace.  The strap was made from long ties on a white cotton dress that were long enough to tie into a bow.  This has now three large sections to put my phone, keys, purse, sunglasses, etc... and being white I can see inside so easily.  

This was very easy to do... might even make another!

multi-media project 1

Multimedia project:  acryllics, watercolour, pencil, and gel transfer on heavy brown paper.  An early exploration into how to approach multi-media projects.

A hot chocolate on a sunny, Sunday afternoon, just seems to make the world all seem better somehow.   Especially when made in my favorite mug.