Spring Greenery

It has been an exceptionally blustery and snowy winter here in the NE corner of Oregon. The old timers all say that this is what winters used to be like, and I take my hat off to them as they are still here. Not that I'm complaining, I rather like deep piles of snow, and even enjoy shoveling the driveway on occasion. This year though, we've sustained roof damage due to ice build up. We've learned some thing about being better prepared, and except for getting that all wheel drive vehicle, we should be ready for whatever mother nature throws at us next year. Nature Guy has already informed me that we probably won't ever see a winter like this again, especially if we get a more suitable car, but we shall see.
So the point of all that is that I see a lot of people counting the days until spring in their Facebook posts. In the spirit of that, and the Pantone color of the year, which is spring greenery, I created a mixed media art piece full of brightness and spring green. We've had our share of winter storms blow through so I wasn't able to get photos that quite do the piece justice, but I hope you can see the potential to brighten up your home. This piece is available now.

$145.00 + Free SH

Butterfly Dreams

 

I really scored at a yard sale a couple of months ago. I found several hand crocheted vintage doilies, including this amazing butterfly designed one. This painting was done a bit differently in that I didn't layer the color, I just squeezed out color here and there on the piece and sort of moved around with my hands until I got what I wanted. I used shades of melon, and lemon yellow, turquoise and blue to create this fun and colorful theme. Abstract art is so refreshing and fun! This can be found at MothersDreamRtworks

Metallic Magic Abstract Mixed Media Painting

Fun times are always to be had when I work on these paintings. The detail part, where I slather joint compound on my base, and then play away with shapes and stamps, vintage buttons and doilies, and even bubble wrap is no more fun than adding layers of color and sealer until I get the right look. Each painting is so different in color because it's so enjoyable to try different combinations. This painting is up for your consideration at my MothersDreamRtworks shop.

Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts Success Story

 What an incredible show it was this year! I won a ribbon for the above piece, and it was one of the first pieces sold at the opening night reception Friday night. I was/am so tickled! I had a fun time Saturday as I was asked to demo my sculpting and textured art skills. The textured art demo was the most popular, with people of all ages watching and asking questions. One lady asked me if I considered what I do fine art or a crafty thing, and so I to pointed out to her that the above piece was accepted into the show and it is a fine art show.... she didn't ask any more questions after that, but I'm not sure what I could have said otherwise. The look on everyone's faces when she asked the question was funny, some shocked, some frowning, some with a wondering look, but when I answered they all nodded yes and smiled. I hope I wasn't too harsh as I said it gently, but firmly. The sculpting demo was fun as well and I was asked to join the quick draw next year to sculpt a piece with the idea that it would be sculpted to a finished stage, and painted later, with an example of what the finished piece would look like so folks bidding would know what they could expect. That will be quite a challenge as we have an hour and a half to finish a piece, so I had better settle on a theme and practice now.

 Sunday when I went to pick up my art, I found out that the same person who bought the one piece, bought my chicken as well, score! I hear she is a very nice person so I look forward to getting to know her.

To top everything off my silent auction piece sold as well, to a local chef, and this year half of the sale price goes to the artist, whoohoo!
All in all, it was a very good year for me, and I'm thrilled! After not working all year, and not really having much artistic time it was a sweet gift from above. I know where my blessings come from and I consider this such a blessing!

Virtue.... a finished WIP

I'm still in my jammies as I have been working on this and getting the photos and entry done, whew! I can go on vacation with peace of mind now. At 32 inches tall, she is the tallest/largest sculpt I've done to date. She is made from a total of 5 gourds, one for the body and two for each of the arms. No baby though. I had to remove the baby as it was looking more like a cocoon from outer space than a child, even a folk art one...lol. This is a bit different than I had planned for her dress as well, but sometimes things change as we go along. Now, to wait and see if I've been accepted.

Here's a closer look at her base. I tried to achieve a turquoise stone look to the panels on her dress. I hope that will show up in person. Photos are hard to take here.

Another one of my entries for the Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts. A mixed media abstract.

I know I've shared this before as well, but here's "Who's Chicken?" again. Now the waiting begins. Will I be accepted? I hope so as I'm supposed to demo my sculpting and I usually volunteer to help. I do enjoy this show, but will be looking for others to enter as well. They are great experiences and you can get good feedback on where you need to improve. If you haven't entered a juried show before I urge you to give it a try. You never know!

Hippie Art?

A little music to go with this post...hopefully....

 The other day as I was showing my husband these newest creations he asked when I decided to create hippie art... huh? I asked him what he meant and he said he thought the colors, so bright and the patterns reminded him of California and hippie art. Well duh! Lol... I am a Cali girl born in Salinas... and yes I spent a bit of time on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley right after the riots....

 ....so I guess it comes naturally? Funny he would see it that way, but I am having fun, and hippie or not, it's a nice change of pace for me. The wood scoop at the top is about 16 inches tall and will hang or sit. The pink and orange and lime green still needs it's backing and frame. I did do the antiquing and some touch ups with color. I wish I had taken photos during the day as I just don't have good lighting in our tiny cave. Hopefully you get the idea.

This one is ready to hang, and again, I will have to try and get some daylight photos as these just don't show the true colors. I antiqued this one as well, and am pleased with the over all result. I can see some fun possibilities with this medium.
What are you working on that's different or new for you?

VIDEO: Using Contact Paper for Masks & Stencils

VIDEO: Using Contact Paper for Masks & Stencils

Good morning and happy Monday to you! I love to get info emails from Empty Easel, but don't often take advantage of them like I should so this morning I decided to see what I could learn. Here's a wonderful tip for using contact paper that can help you add dimension and texture to your art work. Enjoy!

Going BAtty with the Man in the Moon

He's on ebay now!

A NEW BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to a new blog friend I learned about this wonderful book give away by Susan Tuttle. Click on the title here to go to her Amazon page Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations . Here's her blog to enter the give away. Have fun, and I hope you win.....well sort of, okay maybe, NOT!!! :-)

Angelica the newest angel on the block....

Though Angelica has fire red hair, her temperament is sweet as can be. She's a combination of sugar and spice and everything nice. Created from wood, with soft wool hair, homespun fabrics, vintage buttons, and scrapbook papers, she's the perfect guardian angel to hang up by your bed, or in your favorite sitting room. Angelica is 20" long from the tip of her halo to the tips of her toes. She's simply sweet!

Angelina, angel of love....

Love flies softly on the wings of angels
with tender words and hearts to share...
A kiss, a touch of loves first blush
as lovers eyes gaze into eternity....
And pledge forever love,
as hearts take flight on the wings of love.

See Angelina now on ebay!