FINISHED....HONEST.....STEAMPUNK FLOWERS

HONEST.......my steampunk flowers are DONE....completed......FINISHED.

The Welders glue did its' job once again and has secured the brass rods
(which my hubby cut at different, marked lengths)  to the back of the flower heads.  I am content...I love them.  Right now, and I just may keep them there, they are leaning up against the mirror on the washstand.

I actually like them there and it just may be their permanent home.  

In the meantime I will keep my eyes open for something that is sturdy and heavy enough to "act as" a vase.

Thanks to those who have watched the progression from purchase to completion...each stage was exciting for me.

Cinderellas Slipper

I painted this ceramic shoe to put on Etsy.

These have so many uses but mine are used for qtips in my studio, rings on my ledge above my kitchen sink, loose change in the entry way, and in my bedroom it holds my hearing aids at night....I love them as they are so pretty.

I slipslapped this one a real light green and white for the foliage background which I like much better than the stark white.

Steampunk Flowers

The steampunk flowers are done....I have the stems (brass rods) clamped and drying so tomorrow I should be able to unclamp and enjoy....  The insides of the flowers are  photos of the "eyes" from different butterfly wings.   Now I just have to find something to use as a vase...hmmmmmm.  (See below for how these looked as I purchased them).  I glued vintage bottlecaps to the centers of each piece, added the photo, used my resin, and I added a little glitter to the mixture  I am thrilled with the way they have turned out.  Would LOVE to make some more.

FUN TIME

The highlight of the weekend was doing some glass fusing with my daughter
using the kiln that has been collecting dust.... we are both "novices" at this
particular art form methodology and are playing to see what is what, what works, what doesn't work, etc.  We are not trying for a particular design, or making items "to sell".  

Michelle did have 2 pieces that turned out really neat and if you click on the small photo of the 2 pieces you will see the items better.  She used some copper screening for one but the neatest one is the one on the right that looks like the Push Pulls I used to do in grade school using the Palmer method of penmanship ions ago.  Each of the loops has a bubble in it, a bubble on the piece that looks like a leaf and a bubble at the lower part of the loops....these "loops" are a line of copper off of some copper netting which I had....  The bubbles are formed because the air is "trapped"....  We were told in the class that we took to try and avoid bubbles...but I think they really added character to this piece.  I am sure that Michelle will be adding a bail to this and wearing it.

We used glass shards and frit (crushed glass).  The two pieces that turned out so well for Michelle are done with a green base bottom with clearn glass laid on top of the "elements" we used.... and "slumped".... 

Altered Box......Add On

I decided that my altered box was WAY too plain looking so I added 3 birch roses that I had and it was just the added touch the box needed.  I feel much better about it now.  SO>>>>>it shall be on its way cross country to its new home. 

Soon to be STEAMPUNK FLOWERS

My lamp parts came yesterday so tomorrow, or some day this week, I will need to get to the hardware to get some brass rods for the "stems"....  I am not sure if I want to mount them on the wall, put them in "something" that will serve as a vase, or ,  or,  or what....  LOL...  Then I have to decide if the stems will take glue, soder or welding to "hold"....  Ain't nothin' EASY?  But I am excited and anxious to begin playing and working on them.....   stay tuned for the finished pieces. 

SPRING "IS" COMING

Yesterday when I was outside "checking things out" I noticed that my weeping PussyWillow tree was beginning to bud out and form some pussywillows for me to enjoy before leafing out for summer....So Spring IS
on its way according to plant life....

Clay Tile Bracelet

This bracelet has been "in process" for quite awhile and yesterday I finally had the incentive to finish it up...and I can already  tell it will be one of my favorite pieces.  I saw a bracelet similar to this in a jewelry magazine and wanted to try making myself one.  I think I have enough tiles to make one more ....  They were stamped with several different rubber stamps, baked, and then I used powders to color and then matte medium to finish ....  I am really pleased with the first time results.  (Click on photos to enlarge)

Clay Stamped Charms for AFTCM Exchange

I have been working on several different charms out of clay and stamping for an exchange on the yahoo group Art for the Creative Mind.....I am really enjoying myself.

These are just two sets I have completed (the leaf ones still need to have jump rings added, and I used real leaves to do the stamping).  Also is a larger stamping that I am going to make a necklace from.  This particular one singed a bit when baking and so I used it to try the color, buff, and add some glitter to see if I liked it and I don't so this one will go in the trash and I will do the other one I did (same design) for the necklace.

The charms are about 1" x 1 1/4" which are the largest "pair" I have done. 

Windsor and Newton Brush Cleaner/Resorer

I just used a product I don't think I will ever be "without" from now on.

Windsor and Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer.  It seems as if a brush or two that I lay down I never pick up again and/or a dirty brush rolls under my painting lazy susan that I use.  DRIED PAINT....and a lot of work to get it back to normal.

This "stuff" is unbelievable....it still takes a little time but it has really brought a couple of my bad brushes back to useable, so I am delighted.

It is not-toxic, water soluble, non flammable, non-abrasive and low vapor and comes in several sizes.  I just purchased the 4 oz size and I found it at JoAnnes which was a real shocker as they carry so little in artists' supplies.

So give this product a try....you will love it.
 

YIPPE....They're Here

Artfire and Etsy links have been corrected and tested (below).

I am sooooooooooo excited.  My long anticipated brush kit is HERE.......and they are ready for mailing.  YIPEE.  There are 4 wonderful landscape brushes in the kit (By FM Dynasty);  along with a technique guide which will help you achieve success in the proper prepping, loading, holding and cleaning of these brushes.  There may be "other ways" but this guide is how I do it.  The brushes will arrive to you in the heavy plastic sleeve that is shown in the photos above.

You will receive a 1/2 Dynasty Foliage Wave, #12 Dry Brush and the NEW

Dynasty IPC2 Large and Small Flat Blends which I use for stippling.  The Foliage Wave looks as if someone "pinked" it with Pinking Sissors,  and The IPC brushes are "fat, full" brushes with wonderful ergonomic handles   They were originally

designed for Ink, Pastel and Chalk but oh my, they are great for bushes, evergreens, foliage, teddy bears, etc. 

These brushes come in other sizes.  The ones I have chosen seem to be the sizes  and types that I reach for most often, and are mid size brushes. 

The cost of these brushes are $25.00 which includes shipping, delivery confirmation for me and the technique guide. 

HOW TO ORDER YOUR BRUSHES.....3 EASY WAYS

You can go to http://www.artisticrenderings.artfire.com or http://www.artisticrenderings.etsy.com  to order yours.  OR at the beginning of my blog over to the left is a PayPal button that says PAY NOW to click and pay directly from my blog.  Three easy choices. 

Susan Paley with Ganz "Diana"

Part of the fun in garage and estate sales, thrift stores etc.  is finding something (Like this vase) that appeals to you, that you know nothing about and then doing research.  I first liked the piece, then when I turned it over and saw that it was "Diana" it went home with me for  two $1 bills. 

Susan Paley did a lot of vases short and tall and this series is known as the lady vases as each has a name.  This vase is now home in my little niche of the world where I create, work and enjoy the freedom of art....along side this teapot vase (I think)  that I purchased several months ago, just because.... in the window looking out to the land of deer, squirrels, birds and an open field.  

Paint Brush Cleaning Basin

There are several reasons why I feel the brushes in this basin work the best and the basin stays the cleanest.  The photos pretty much explain it all.

1.  There are 3 sections to the basin.  Two have brushes.  The largest section is for wash, the next section with the brush is rinse, and the 3rd section is clean, clear water.

2.  The bristles on these brushes are like slender delicate fingers.  They are super soft, but as you can see they come to a delicate point which allows them to go through the bristles of your paint brush and separate to clean "oh so well" adding additional life to your brushes and money in your pocket.

3.  The bottom of these brushes are flat and vented.  This means NO GUNKY PAINT RESIDUE BUILD UP.  The basin itself is smooth not porous so there is no staining or paint adhearance.  Just wash with some dishsoap and a sponge and presto....good as new.  HONEST. And look at the soft rolling grooves on the bottom of the basin in all 3 sections.  HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. AND...you can use warm water.  I add just a few drops of my brush cleaner in the large section so I have the added cleaning power.

4.  The glue used is super strong so brushes don't lift and with the flat bottom there is a good tight bond.  If one should come out you can easily peel the glue and reglue the brush back in.  Many of the other brushes have no vents, the bristles are on both sides so gunk builds up, the water gets to the glue as the brush is not flat to the basin, and the nylon bristles ARE NOT tapered so brush damage can still "happen". Also it is not if the brush comes out  with these "other brushes" but when the brush comes out.  AND there is NO way you are going to be able to reglue....whoops another brush basin purchase.  I also like the size of this basin...

5.  Look at the length of the bristles on the brush...hmmmmmmmmm.  Nice and long to do a great cleaning job huh?  AND no splayed brush edges as the brush is in ROWS....hmmmmmmmmmm or use the other way for wider brushes.......hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.   

6.  I have one brush basin that I use just for mixed media work....for those glue brushes, etc.  

I pretty much concentrate the selling of my basins to painting classrooms and schools/colleges in our area and surrounding areas. 

So what do you think?  Pictures say a thousand words?  Make sense?  It is not the OUTSIDE COLOR of the basin that matters but what is on the inside...the workings of the basin...the quality...and the performance. I like to show you up close and personal what is working and why.... 

P.S.  Works great on sponges too.....

I rest my case.

Mixed Media Victorian Fan

I belong to a great online Yahoo group called ArtfortheCreativeMind.  Our moderator keeps us REAL busy with swap exchanges and really calls out the
muse in the members. 

The theme for this swap was simply "Victorian Fan".  We could use whatever we wanted for our support, chose our own colors, etc.  WHAT FUN....I loved this one.
Seeing the photos I think I am going to go back and distress the edges of the torn

bits of paper and then call it "DONE".  It was fun choosing the items to use.

Now I must go backwards a bit and work on the simply "Sardine Can"... for the swap due before the victorian fan. 

Beaded Feather Necklace

I love creating things that are different, and challenging my artistic muse. She really had a workout on this piece.

I purchased the marbled/painted feather from Ely (see below for additional information on this artist) and then ordered some natural ones she had on her site for "filler feathers" and it worked great.

One side of the necklace is red and turquoise blue seed beads, lampwork beads, and Tierra Cast spacer beads, and the other side is a brass colored chain. When I went to Cosmetology school years ago my teacher told us that if we would look at each side of our face we would see that it "looked" different and that we should do each side of hair differently....I have never forgotten that and it is something that carries over into my creative, artistic license when working on a painting, piece of jewelry, altered art, etc.

This was a lot of fun and worked up quickly....and exactly as I had invisioned this first piece to be. I am now looking forward to another one, done different, and know what I want to change to get a bit more dimension.... When painting you work from top to bottom, with this piece I had to work from bottom to top.

Thanks Ely for such gorgeous feathers to play with........achoooooo.

Koosah and Sahalie Falls Oregon

Koosah and Sahalie falls are located here in Oregon and they are awesome no matter what time of the year you visit. It is a place I never tire of going to and I take photos galore each time and see it through virgin eyes each time it seems. The magnificent views, smells and sights stay with me for days, and I anticipate each visit like a small child on Christmas eve. If there were ever a heaven on earth it would HAVE to be here. I have painted my rendition of one of the "views" my camera and I took but it doesn't do anything justice except maybe the gorgeous blue of the water, and the hanging moss. This will go to the gallery on Saturday. This will be my last month there so what doesn't sell will come back and show up on Artfire for sale. I painted this on a 9 x 12 portrait grade canvas, matted and framed. I was actually wishing this canvas had more "nubb" which is unusual for me. I guess next time I order I will request the medium grade vs
portrait to try for certain landscapes.

Brrrrrrrrr.

My daughter emailed me a wonderfully detailed, sharp, clear photo of this robin.

I first painted it on the lid of an oval shaped box which was published in PaintWorks magazine.

Everything about this photo was an artists dream so I decided to upscale it a bit.

It has been painted with more detail, and because it is larger than the box lid I was able to bring out more of the coloring in the trees and was amazed at the colors "that worked". Trees, bushes, and animals look "different" different times of the year as I could readily see just in the color of these aspen trees which are more saplings than full sized. The new growth also is much darker with nubs where the new growth is beginning. I may decide to paint this again jumping to a larger sized canvas. Notice the "indications" of additional trees way in the background which help create the depth in this painting.

I chose a 5" x 7" portrait grade canvas and then close to use a black frame. This

was really a fun piece and a delight to watch it come together to the finish point.

Who DOESN'T LOVE a GREAT FIND?

When I opened up this little case and saw the inside I KNEW it was going home with me....and that it did. My little Humane Society Card was full of punches so this little gem didn't cost me a penny so that made it even sweeter.

It was stained so I cleaned it up real good with Awesome, glued down some molding around the bottom that was loose and put the little drawers into my dishwasher to come sparkling clean.

It is going to be used on my mixed media table downstairs to hold tools I use and small misc

embellishments. I have set aside tomorrow as Clean it up, throw it away day. YIPEE. Such a little thing to evoke such a burst of energy .. long overdue energy.

HORIZONAL ICYCLES

I am not quite sure how these horizonal icycles "happened" as there is no wire, or anything that was stationary to help create them....but it is a neat photograph. I am glad I took it when I did as my husband removed them this afternoon.....

YIPPEE.........the trees are done. I love all of the stages but when you are done with something it is so nice to just sit back and look at it.... I hope that the Berry's will enjoy....and the best thing is no limbs to trim or leaves to rake. This was an easy 10 hour mural.

I LOVE trees, especially birch so subject matter was fun to create.

In Progress Day #2

One more 2 hour session for 10 hours total should finish this mural. Top rung of the ladder and carefull balancing is needed.....

What is it?

I am working on some handpainted jewelry items for the gallery and this photo of a photo section is going to be used in /for a necklace focal piece. I am doing a series of animal designs..... I hope that what I like in the photo will work on the necklace focal. Outside the box is really a fun element of art ... but can sometimes be a frustrating element as well.

IN PROGRESS

I have been trying to do this mural for months and it seemed as if something would always come up that made it impossible either with Karon or with me so this morning I gave it another try and it was a good "go" .... Instead of going gung ho as I usually do I am going to break it down to 4 hour intervals and it will probably take 12-16 hours to complete. Karon has a small wall as you come into the house from the front door, down the hallway to the kitchen...which is where the 3 birch trees will reside..... goodness but her ceiling are high....lol..... Had the BIG ladder, lol.

I will go up again on Monday and depending on how I feel tomorrow will finish up on Tues or Wed ... I hated to quit...once I get going I get so excited I don't know when enough is enough..

Will try to remember to take photos as it progresses and update the blog...... SUCH FUN............... I am always in "my glory" when the paintbrush is in my hand.

Spray Table

I was outside spray painting on Monday with temperatures in the 50's and on Tuesday we had no power, 8 inches of "white stuff" and my little spray station is "closed due to snow"....

Handpainted Animal Bracelets / Rose Bracelets

These were fun to paint.....they work up quick once they are all basecoated inside and out.

My favorite is the zebra.

Winter Scene on Canvas / Landscape Brush Kit SOON

Today I started and finished a 5 x 7 winter scene on canvas. I just love these portrait grade canvas panels which are handmade and primed. They work up so fast and turn out so pretty. I had a frame which I am painting to match and then I will submit to PaintWorks. If it isn't accepted I will work it up and offer as a pattern packet. I purchased the frame at Big Lots. It WAS black but because of the design of frame which is grooved on one side and smooth on the other I slipslapped the smooth side with the same colors as the sky is slip slapped with,
and the other side which is vertically grooved is white. A very different look. I liked the frame so much I went back and purchased another 2 and will do a summer scene utilizing this same canvas design and paint the frame accordingly. Sooooooo much fun. This whole design element could easily be done in 4-8 hours depending on skill level. I am going to list it as an intermediate design.

I have been working with quite a few new brushes and am wanting to get several
designs done before my new Dynasty brush kit arrives...and I can offer it for sale. With the kit will be several typewritten pages of "helps" so that success with the brushes will be even more of a guarantee. It is so rewarding to finally have found paints, mediums and brushes that work together to provide exciting finished landscape pieces.

I got so many things done today.......

Handpainted Ceramic Jar Candle

My husband decided to take a snoozing day of rest so I got to paint all day....YIPEE.

This candle had a blue stripe around the bottom so I decided it needed one lone evergreen tree with lots of snow and wind. The scent of the candle is carmel cookies, and it sure does smell good, even unlit.

This will go to the Gallery on Sunday when I take my turn working....

Handmade Paper by Ely

These are just two of the handmade paper samples that Ely sent to me....and they are awesome and totally what I had been wanting and looking for. They
are sturdy and yet the one on the left is see through in places which is also a quality I wanted. If you tear it it is feathery and just so pretty....I am so anxious
to work with these and play a bit... If any of you are looking for handmade papers check out what Ely has to offer....I don't think you will be disappointed.

To go to Ely's selling sites and blog see the information in her handpainted feather blogpost directly below this one.

Happy looking.............

GORGEOUS HANDPAINTED FEATHERS

I just recently found the "marbeling" artwork "by Ely" in which she uses different types of bird feathers for her masterpieces of vibrant color. What a totally unique addition to mixed media, collage and journal art.

My first order was some small pastel painted cockatoo feathers. Then she put up this magnificent teal, burgendy and gold feather that was pefect to do a framed collage for my daughters' studio; as well as a gorgeous red, green and gold one that will be perfect for a Christmas collage. How could one resist?

Ely also makes handmade papers, just what I have been looking for. My order came wrapped in one of these papers and I had to find out where I could purchase some as it was beautiful. She has promised to add some to her selling sites soon and I can hardly wait to "see". I told her I was going to have to put a parental control on her Etsy and Artfire sites...as I know she is going to become one of my favorite vendors and my wallet will become thinner because of her....

If you would like to see and learn more about Ely's artwork art you can go to:

http://www.quillnaros.blogspot.com/

http://www.quillnaros.artfire.com/

http://www.quillnaros.etsy.com/

I have heard that "birds" and bird related items are the IN thing for spring so what a way to

be able to create in trend and add a bit of dimension to our pieces.

ENJOY....

OREGON SUNSET

I LOVE the Oregon sunsets. This is rare to see one this gorgeous in February but we have been having some totally awesome weather with temperatures in the 50's and have even hit 61 a couple of times. I feel so guilty when I know other parts of the US and other countries are having some horrible cold, snow, ice, flooding, etc.

Thought I would share this photo I "caught" ..... SO Vibrant and colorful. I have

lived in CA, TX, NY and PA but no where have I see sunsets like we get here. If only I were a bit higher....but should be greatful for the open area I have in the area where we live called Deschutes River Woods.

ENJOY....