Water Drop Photo

This is a picture I took of the raindrops on my cars windshield....it has become one of my very favorite photos and I am having it enlarged poster size.  This is a GREAT photo to use as a reference when you want to paint water drops....different sizes. light differences, etc....

Recuperation

I am recuperating from surgery on my dominant hand, arm, and thumb for bone on bone DX.  I am 1 month in to recovery and already going semi bananas...lol...with 2 more months in a rigid splint...

I have been doing art with my left hand and using some of the spray dyes by Lindys, making cards, trying different techniques, and also the black Elegant Writer calligraphy pen which bleeds out pink and blue.  From Tattered angels I am also using their Dazzling Diamond and Pearl Sprays as a FINISH .... and I might even flyspeck some of Decoart's Glamour Dust paints for that extra bling....

This last therapy session the therapist fashioned me a good sized "thing" that has a hole in the center and my paint brush will slide in and then with a tip it becomes secure.....  I am more of an arm painter....so I think it is going to work really nice to appease my addiction so that I can paint a project.

Right now I am working on a painting that is surreal and impressionistic using a picture I tore out of a magazine as inspiration.....  It has been a challenge picking out the right shade of color or mixing the right shade for it to work in the mono toned subject manner...and I have been able to use my left hand along with occasionally putting the brush between my index and middle finger to get a bit more control...... it has definitely been a challenge but it has helped to concentrate on what I am doing rather than on not being able to use the thumb.....

These daisies were taken last year in a friends wildflower garden.....I long for warm weather and sunshine----but our weather report says rain all this week.   POO.

When I am done with my impressionistic painting I will post photos.....

Dragonfly

These are photos of a recent painting I did for a friend as a housewarming gift........  It is done on a 5 x 7 handstretched handmade canvas board (portrait grade) using irridescent paint, metallic paint and my ultimate favorite Glamour Dust glitter paints by Americana DecoArt.  When I was through I fly specked the entire canvas with the Glamour Dust Silver.....  the light of the camera catches the glitter but in person you see only the sparkle of the paint.....and it looks so pretty.  (The majority of artists who use glitter use WAY TOO MUCH...which IMHO ruins their entired piece.  Less is more is a definite when using glitter....at least in my book).    I found the mat on a framed photo I got at a local thrift store.....I loved the metallic edging which is open and shows the glitter here and there through the holes of the silver edging on the mat..... and the white matt was in perfect condition so I rescued it to use when the design/painting warranted this special touch....which it did with this design.    I already have another canvas primed black so that I can redo this in a pattern packet form with instructions and photos.....

Patricia Reichenbach

One of my MOST FAVORITE landscape artists is Patricia Reichenbach…..   In a PaintWorks magazine she did a piece called Autumn Forest and this is what I painted …  painting freehand
using acrylic paints….and her basic design.  I had a long thin canvas in my studio already basecoated black and I was in the mood last night so this is what happened and thank you so much Patricia for the inspiration…….   I am pleased with the degree of light vibrancy I was able to achieve and although the next one will be entirely different I am pleased with my first try and have gained confidence …..

Patricia works in oils (Bob Ross) so I wasn't sure just how things would work out with acrylics….choosing the colors……and I used Brenda Stewarts' Clear, Slow and White Mediums to achieve the misty colors…..

The Dynasty Dry Brushes work like a CHARM, and one of my favorite lines of FM brushes for landscape painting…. some of the only brushes I actually WEAR OUT from use even though they are work horses……    What a difference these brushes make ……

I think that I will be back down in my studio again tonight and do another painting…

STEAMPUNK DOG FLOWERS

These are steampunk flowers made using some Craft Beer caps that a friend saved for me…and since Bend is such a DOG TOWN I chose the beer caps with the dogs on them for an upcoming show the middle of December….  I use antique bobeches which have really become costly to purchase even on Ebay so this will probably be the last I do of these….  I have another set where the floral outside area is smaller but just as cute.  I have a set in my hall bathroom and always get positive comments on them.

Ravens' Delight

I love ravens so this Ikea mirror was just a perfect substrate for this Raven with all of his shiny temptations…..  baaawwwwkkkkkkkk.

Pink Santa Necklace

Who says a Santa necklace has to be done in reds?  I like out of the box…how about you?

VAMP Necklace

For those who long for a tattoo but fear the needles………… Handpainted on a ceramic focal….Blood red beads with black Czech heart beads….

Wizard Necklaces

I have a "wizard" friend so I am in hopes he will like this focal piece.  The necklaces are similar in the way they are constructed…but the focals are different in color and one cord is longer than the other so he has a "choice".  I have 2 more to do but I will do them differently as they are all the turquoise blue color.  Another fun construction.

AMAZONITE NECKLACE

This necklace went together pretty quickly because I kinda knew what "I" wanted as this is my necklace.  I used the amzonite coin beads (6), some handmade lamp work in the light blue which are etched and some light brown wood beads…  The right and left side of the necklace is balanced but put together differently to provide a more unique piece of art.  I just received the larger lobster claw clasps that are on this necklace today…..and when I saw them I knew they were perfect for this necklace.  If I were to sell this necklace or make another similar the cost would be between $60 and $70.00.  I love it and the bigness is a different look for me….could be worn with jeans or with more dressy attire..

AMAZONITE

These crystal gemstones come in blues and greens….as well as different sizes and shapes. My  preference is to use stones in jewelry making which are not "Pure" in color but contain many of the earthly elements that  are common within the raw slabs of stone and cut for its' beauty for a more natural state.as seen in my photo above.   When there is a landscaping of colors and variances of color(s) as an artist I feel they provide  a more interesting,  beautiful piece of jewelry.  My preference also leans towards stones which are the lighter, softer and pretty hues of a light blue rather than the darker blues and green.

The stone is referred to as the Amazon stone, Stone of Hope and is a holy stone in Egypt.

Amazonite contains copper and feldspar.

It is one of the newer New Age/Metaphysical gemstones and has many attributes and inspirational aspects.  It is strongly connected to the throat chakra, can unlock psychic 3rd eye vision, and brings one closer to the Spirit that works within each of us.

The gemstones are found here in the USA, Madagascar and Russia.

Some of the attributes are:  healing, stimulates the better emotions and personality traits, balances feminine and masculine energy, stregthens stamina, soothes all Chakreas, stimulates artistic ability, creativity and powers of clairvoyance, attracts luck and good fortune, calming, allows us to use our intuitive wisdom, helpts to eliminate aggravation that causes anger, allows us to cleanse our spirit of negativeness, vibrates to the #5, aligns physical and astral bodies and heals emotional disturbances.

With each piece of jewelry an information sheet and disclaimer will be provided.

Now………. to create with nothing in mind but to enhance a stones beauty.  So stay tuned for some final photos of completion.

Astral Necklace

I purchased the ivory colored focal bead at the Gem and Bead Show in Arizona about 4 years ago and
it has waited that long for me to find the componets to make a necklace……  My computer colors are a tad off because the bead next to the focal bead really matches well and I love the light aqua blue eyeball beads…..  I am really pleased with the outcome and a necklace I can't part with because of its' uniqueness and the cost of the initial focal bead….

I am making jewelry for an upcoming boutique (I Hope) the beginning of December so I am working steadily to increase finished pieces so I have a nice assortment of one of a kind and different, designing for myself as I go along on focals purchased for myself.

Computer Cookies

I GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RUBBER STAMPS I SELL AND THERE ARE TIMES I CAN'T ANSWER BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY KNOW.  SOOOO TODAY BECAUSE I MADE IT A PRIORITY;  I TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT STAMPS WITH SUGAR COOKIES TO SEE "WHAT WOULD HAPPEN"…..    NOT ALL OF THE STAMPS WILL WORK BECAUSE SOME ARE FINELINE BUT I REALLY LIKED THE "COMPUTER COOKIES" MADE WITH THE CIRCUIT BOARD STAMP.  (LAST PHOTO / SINGLE COOKIE) 

I WASHED THE STAMP BEFORE I STARTED,  JUST PRESSED THE STAMP INTO THE HAND FORMED BALLS OF DOUGH…AND ADDED JUST A TOUCH OF DUSTING SUGAR BY WILTON (GREEN).   WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP….HOW COOL TO MAKE SPECIAL COOKIES QUICK AND EASY?  

FOLLOWING ARE A FEW OF THE STAMPS I USED OR FEEL WILL WORK WELL FOR THIS OUT OF THE BOX COOKIE IDEA:

CIRCUIT BOARD

STICK TOGETHER

LOST IN WONDERLAND

ANNIVERSARY

FOREST FLOOR

ELECTRIC GEARS

                                                                       SCALED
                                                                  OUT OF SIGHT
                                                                SIMPLY HEARTS
                                                                       ASTRO

FUN………….and the cookie recipe I used is easy, rich and delicious….yummy with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or just because.
                                                       

Pentel Pens / $ Tree Metallic Poster Board

Gorgeous fall colors in Bend, OR   2015

I LOVE good, smooth, non skip, just the right thickness PENS…..but they are so difficult to find.  I just rec'd my order for:

Needle Point

Pentel Arts 

Slicci Metallic

0.8 mm 

Pens.

I AM THRILLED…..

I am doing some work on black card stock for some reason and finding pens that would show up and look professional has not been easy until I ordered 2 of these in silver…..BINGO…..  Just went back 

and ordered a set of 8 different colors.  

NO SKIPPING….NO GLOBS of PAINT….just smooth, and easy and beautiful…..

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


MY OTHER GREAT FIND:
Metallic Poster Board from $ Tree.
When I opened the pack to "see"  I was delighted.  Inside was 5 pieces.  Gold, silver, inca blue, peridot green and red……… WHAT A FIND…..  and I bleieve they are 12" x 16" which is an even better "deal"…..
 

Mystic Colors of Light

A 60's Flashback

He Loves me he loves me not…………

Altered Ink #2

This is another altered ink that I did ….. pink of the mat is not showing "true" ….  I used the black pen only and then came back with a side load of white to highlight the petals to make them a bit more prominent and add some dimension…and then use Black Glamour Dust paints for the dots using a toothpick….. and then the Diamond alcohol spray….with just one quick shot of pink alcohol ink.
This was painted on a greeting card but it looked so pretty matted with the pink inside mat and grey outside mat….I really like the effect(s) that I am achieving….as well as the diversity…  I am never quite sure what will happen which in itself interests the element of surprise I receive as I work….

Enjoy.

Altered Ink

Becasue I am not sure if a technique name has been "attached" I am just going to refer to this as Altered Inks…which pretty well sums things up.

Val Mann (thank you Val) posted to Facebook a couple of designs she has done and I just had to give it a try as it was intriguing in its' being out of the box and unique.

It was done using The Speedball Elegant Writer Calligraphy pens (for this piece just the black pen)  and I embellished my piece with some GlamourDust Glitter and alcohol ink sprays in Alpine Ice Rose….and Diamond .  They also helped to move some of the paint a little bit…. SUCH FUN.   Relaxing and meditative…    I have titled this cards design "Falling Light" and have signed it…..

This year I want to do my own Christmas cards so it will be fun to try different techniques, brushes, substrates, mediums, etc. and play while accomplishing some neat cards….  As I send them I can choose the verse to write inside the card….or just leave blank….    I purchased a box of the blank heavy weight cards at JoAnnes and they work really well…..semi smooth … not indented like watercolor paper is….  It will be fun to try different types of subtrates to see how they work, or don't work and develop techniques of my own.

I purchased some pliable plastic cutting boards a while ago so I taped the card to one of these boards (I love them for art work) using the blue painters tape to give myself a bit of a mat border before I started to play.

Later tonight I am going to finish off the day by seeing what happens using a heavy black paper….and a couple of the other color pens…but staying totally in the Speedball Elegant Writer line.  The pens come in different nib sizes….and I was lucky to find an Ebay vendor that was selling a set of 18 pens….6 colors in 3 different sized nibs….  YIPPEE….  Right now I am using #2 which works nice  and Dynasty round, and angle brushes as well as the larger dry brushes and the chalk pencils …..  I am really impressed with the final product.

Handmade Journals by ME….on ETSY

SAMPLING:

I FINALLY got all of the journals I have created to date in my Etsy store for sale….well almost all;  I think there are 4 more to photo and add.

On each item there is a something specialness ….   Many of the journals have incorporated into them other artists work and most of the items I use are Etsy purchases; because I really DO believe in Mom and Pop-ness.  I love handmade….unique, special, different, out of the box, one of a kind, specialty, pieces that say that the user or the buyer took extra time and effort to choose something special for their own or someone elses' personality or in some way connected to lifestyle.  Some of my journals will have vintage pieces worked into them, handpainted feathers, beautiful laser fretwork, pieces of nature, or maybe just a theme….but it will be unique in its' very own way.  And…. who doesn't love things that are special and make us or another feel special…a cut above??

My journals are "created" not done….and some lay for weeks until the final pieces are found and added.  I don't duplicate.  I may use the same materials because I really like the item (i.e.: the fretwook wings and skeleton), but done in a different way.  I take photos of what I have done as reference inspiration for a custom order which helps me move along.

I also have handpainted journals which have blank paper inside and are incorporated into a ringed binder which I really LOVE the idea of as it leads another artist to embellish the inside exactly to their own specifications…..to add their own touch to the piece to make it totally THEIRS….  A fantastic small sketchbook for the spiritual hearted soul in your life.

Somewhere I read the words Personal Bible and I thought how apropos … and that is what seems to be happening to/with the one I am working on for me….. Most of my words that are coming from deep inside … words that pertain to me, my place in life, (be it age, location, hobby, beliefs, etc.)  And the self therapy that is derived is surprising as it grows, takes shape and becomes…..and I find I enjoy going back and reading what came "out" say a week or so go.

My journals will find their right home…..and is why I have taken the time to explain the technique, time, and creativity that goes in to what I put forth to sell…it is all special to me.

www.artisticrenderings.etsy.com

Seed Orbs

After a recent extensive Spiritual retreat,  experiencing Mt. Shasta,  and the meeting of new like people….I find myself questioning things that are brought forth as mysteries of life.

A friend brought me a bouquet of these yellow sunflower species and being a photography nut I wanted to get some close ups……..I love the beauty of nature and find beauty others would question.

But….. Seed orbs.  Tiny seed orbs in several of the flowers I photographed….  and will they manifest? Do they manifest?

Convertible Necklace #2

I really like this necklace piece….and the spiritual lotus flower add on……..and the pastels of the colors as they JUST BEGIN to bloom forth into full fall colors….. The beads and leaves are handmade lamp work…..the small beads have been etched but the leaves are sparkly glass ….

SIGNS

My daughter and son in law are starting a sign business which looks as if the "outcomes" will not just be spectacular but give buyer the feeling of a Candy Store in making choices…..  Chris made these for us to put in our yard art area and I will take and post other photos once it is in its new home….and hopefully in a space that is well protected and safe from theft……  I love these along with knowing I will have other options to "change out the signposts……   His site is BendHouseofTrees on Etsy where you can view a small sampling of what he has…..  The business is new but has really "taken off"……

These signs are perfect for fall but I can see winter ones of  STOP,  DEER CROSSING and  OLD Fart Crossing….what do ya' think Chris???

www.BendHouseofTrees.etsy.com

Convertible Necklace

THIS IS ONE OF MY NEW NECKLACE DESIGNS WHICH CAN BE WORN SEVERAL WAYS AND ADDITIONAL PIECES CAN BE PURCHASED AND ADDED TO WEAR AS YOU WANT.  THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS "ORBS" AND IS A GIFT ….  I LOVE THE COLORS IN THE CZECH BEADS….SO SPARKLY AND EARTHERN IN TONE.  I LOVE MAKING JEWELRY ITEMS "FOR" SOMEONE …..  IT IS ON ITS WAY TO MT. SHASTA CALIFORNIA……….

FALL

If someone asked me what my most favorite season was and why……I think I would have to go with fall.  There is a smell and feel about fall that sets it apart….  The crunch of leaves, smoke, a slight chill to the air that calls for coziness….change…and COLOR…..  I love the color of fall.

This is a photo of the old truck that sits and embellishes the Japanese red maple that is in crowning glory this year…and I can't stop taking pictures….  There is so much to something of beauty…the angles, shadows, intensity of light, the values of the color, an occassional surprise, the way the light showcases an area……and the best part…I have a photo with an orb…which pleases me to no end….I feel protected …. as if I have my own guardian angel….

So here are a couple of my favorites…...

Balance

This is one of my most favorite photos….taken at Mt. Shasta.  These little balances were seen all over the area but this was the neatest………  I am working on small scales ones ut the right stones are hard to find……….lol….

BALANCE your life.

Mt. Shasta

There are really no words to describe this……. about 10.00 AM on the way from Mt. Shasta, Stewart Mineral Springs headed to McCloud Falls….I am so greatful to have been on the mountain side of the van with the windowseat

Ventricular Clouds over Mt. Shasta

Light Orbs

This past week I have had the totally awesome experiences of "what is" spiritually in the known of unknowns……….the magics that many of us are in the dark about in the world of light.

I had the ultimate priviledge of meeting and talking to Dharma Cohen who is the author of the book "Calling all Orbs".   Dharma lives in the Mt. Shasta area of California which is a very spiritual and diverse area of eye opening retreat experiences.  

I was immerged into some eye opening experiences so I can only share with those of who you dare to believe…….a couple of untouched photos I took when at the base areas of Mt. Shasta.  I have photos taken at Panther Meadow and also McCloud falls that show how amazing these light orbs are as they make themselves known to us in the mysterious magic of the unexplored…..  For those of you who would like to know more about Orbs please search out Dharmas' book and let her take you on her journeys of experiences thorough photos and knowledge.  My eyes did NOT see the orbs until I downloaded my photos from my camera upon coming home to the computer and the shivers of delight and total disbelief of this lifes' mysteries continue…..that "I" had unknowingly captured.

And following are the photos I took….The photos are "un-touched" …..    Click on the photos to enlarge and see what my camera saw and captured in larger proportions and ENJOY….

Handpainted Journals

I purchased 6 of these journals to see if I liked them……and just went back and ordered 6 more as they are really nice quality and I like the before and after…. I was able to get all 6 painted today and enjoyed the hours at my table listening to music.   As you can see what is unique about these journals are they are 6 ring binders, small, leather tie and brass leaf which matches the embossed leaves on the journals.  The cover is a sueded material but the edges of the leaves are a smooth shiny leather that is really nice.  I like the way the journal has a large and small side that provides a nice off center look to the journal.   The inside paper is camouflage tan which I like soooo much better than white.  When I fill the journal….I will be able to cut and punch my own paper to go back in so I love this option of a "re-cycleable" journal….  I have painted roses on 5 and a hydrangea on 1.  They are painted with Enamel acrylic paints and I love the way the background provides a natural looking shading to the rose.  The blotches that you may see on some are the flash of the camera reflecting the Diamontd Spray I used to add just that TINY bit of sparkle and bling……and best of all it IS NOT GLITTER that is shook on and comes off.  They are listed on Etsy so I can get a "feel" for how well this type does….  I think this will be a Christmas present option for friends this year.

The next ones I paint will be different from these……