Eye of the Tiger Brushes by FM Dynasty

Eye of the Tiger brushes are a line of my favorites within the FM

Dynasty "family" of brushes. They are real workhorses and seem

to last forever. They are my favorites for basecoating and great

when I am using canvas and don't want to use a bristle brush. These seem to "endure" and "perform". They are not purchased individually but in "type" packages. Liners, Angles, Shaders, Filberts, Round, etc. I have a glass jar on my paint area on which I have Eye of the Tigers written. (I spray paint glass jars ie: pickle jars, then I write on the jar with a pen or thinned paint the type(s) of brushes in the jar). I have a jar of minis, eye of the tiger, fans, stipplers, foliage, speciality brushes, etc. Helps me to stay a bit organized. Give these brushes a try....you won't be disappointed. They can be purchased at: http://www.artistbrushstrokes.com/ for a VERY reasonable price. While you are there check out their other lines of TOP quality, AFFORDABLE brushes.

Helan Barrick

I have always admired Helan Barricks' designs but never seemed to take the time to sit down and paint something of hers. This is done on an 8 x 10 portrait grade canvas using Matisse paints and it worked up in an evening . I had problems with "the lips" but other than that it was a fun design and I am anxious to purchase a frame to "put her in". I like the feeling the design imparts.

Painting Magazine/Current Issue

This is my design that is in the current issue (December 2011), and the last issue of Painting Magazine. It is a "trash to treasure" piece using a metal socket box for the surface. I
will be keeping small tracings of designs in this so that they are all in one place. It is one of my
favorite surfaces.....such fun to go from ugly...... to this.

Patricia Rawlinsons' Site

For months I have been "meaning" to check out Patricia Rawlinsons' website
http://www.creativeartslifestyle.com/ and my decision to do so has not made it to my computer.... I am sure many of you know what I am talking about.

Today I got there and I am sorry that I didn't check it out sooner. What a vast amount of knowledge she has to share, neat items for sale, and a site I will check out more in depth later this evening.

I did manage to purchase a couple of Christmas presents for myself and am anxious to try them, create and decide if yes they are great or nah..... I love new
"items", mediums, and surfaces. I ordered the smallest of her angled stippling brushes... I love having a variety of these. If one isn't just right, another will be.

So ----- if you have time to learn some new things...take a walk on over and check her site out....I am sure glad that I did. One can always find something to learn, an idea or something to share.

Back to finishing up a Helan Barrick design I am doing on canvas.

Artist: Susan V. Cochrane

This is yet another of my favorite artists with much to learn from. Her work is
fantastic. Soft and dreamy but her "guy" still lifes are just remarkable.

I want to get rid of a lot of my books and magazines but there are artists books, packets' etc. that are I wouldn't part with and will be kept as great and worth reference and teaching material.

Great choices are:
Ros Stallcup
Annette Dozier
Dorothy Dent
Susan Cochrane
Connie Parkinson
Jerry Yarnell
Gene Waggoner
Bonnie Seaman
Julie Kueln
Kay Quist
Susan Scheewe
Betty Caithiness
Lady Bug (Shirley Wilson)
Helan Barrick
and I am sure there are about 5-6 more.

Liquitex Gloss Gel

When I finished the Woman in Grey I used Liquitex Gloss Gel as my finish which is a brush on and goodness what a wonderful product. I have also been using a bit right in my paints and it adds the look of oil paint, provides even more substance and now I will be looking online to find the Matisse Gloss Gel to order. A wonderful professional difference.

Painting Day

Today is "painting day". I knew it as soon as I got up this morning and saw the snow falling, how

much had fallen and the "mood" it put me in. I LOVE days like this but my husband is the areas

"snow plower" so he doesn't share my enthusiasm .... I know that I will get a lot done if I can stay away from my windows. I have windows on 3 sides of my studio so no matter where I go

I have a fantastic, fantastic view and I am just delighted. It also makes me feel so fortunate to live in this state/area and have the opportunity to delight in a day such as this.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Touch of Grey/Cathryn Wood

This is another design that I have put off

and so today was the day to make her come alive on canvas.

The fine art portrait grade canvas that I purchase is worth every penny extra as the

paint just blends like butter but I am using either Liquitex or Matisse tube paints depending upon bold or soft effects.

This is an 8" x 8" canvas and I have framed it in black also..

Mysterious is what comes to mind with this piece.

I post many of the photos I paint to show the broad spectrum of design subjects and artists there are and the learning potential for those who are wanting to paint.

Encaustic Necklace

I have been spending my evenings when the light is not as good as day working on creating some necklaces with the encaustic painted resin dominoes I have done. This one has Montana Swarovski crystals, handmade lampwork beads in a gorgeous shade of blue which matches this piece perfectly, some vintage beige beads, delicas in two different colors, a heavy duty magnet clasp, and silver spacer beads by Tierra Cast. When I look at the design on this dominoe I see a swan...but you may see something totally different which is the beauty of the random designs which occur when using encaustic waxes. I love the color blue I obtained and was able to carry over into the beaded design.

I am putting all of my new pieces for sale on Artfire and trying to move away from Etsy. My shop name is Artisticrenderings on Artfire also.

Cherry Jubilee/Shirley Wilson

I have wanted to paint this design for ages and yesterday I sat down with an 8"x 10" portrait grade canvas and painted it. She is going to be matted with white and will go in a white frame that is beaded. I think she is a misty little dream.

She is painted with Matisse paints, Brenda Harris' clear medium, and I used 2 brushes to paint this. A FM Dynasty Dry Brush and a 15/0

Black Gold Micron Detail Brush. The dry brush worked FANTASTIC to get the soft blending of colors....a toothpick provided the little dots details. This design was easy, worked up quickly and was a total joy to paint and watch her come alive....

Little Orphan Annie Necklace

I love to crochet but prefer to do quicker, smaller pieces which are less "painful"... This is a necklace that I designed and made which I just love. I have used a beige cotton thread and handmade lampwork beads which I have purchased as orphans by lampworkers, are left over from a prior design piece I have made or was a "gift" with a specific purchased lampwork set.
This one is done in several different bead shapes, sizes and shades of green. It is simplistic but never the less speaks well of itself in its' simplicity. Each one will be OAAK (One of a kind).

Little Orphan Annie necklaces are available for purchase on my Etsy site.

http://artisticrenderings.etsy.com

DAY OF THE DEAD NECKLACE KIT

My Day of the Dead necklace kit is designed,

and done. The 1st photo is showing the absoutely stunning glass, lampwork, floral focal bead that my daughter V Michelle (Dragynsfyre) has designed especially for this piece and there are 2 worked into the design as well as 2 black smaller lampwork beads which are used to stabalize and ground the handpainted wooden focal. (I love when my daughter and I can work together and incorporate each others art into a design). There are a lot of symbolic elements to this design which I would like to identify for you. ie: The four main bead elements of the design. 1. A clear white crystal for light as we begin our journey 2. The glass red heart bead for love. 3. The floral rose lampwork bead which we bring forward to the deceased and 4. the silver floral skeleton head which is engraved with a floral design around the entire piece .... On the opposite side of the focal are the same 4 elements done in the reverse which signifies leaving". The red and black seed and delica beads are in 3 sizes which signify the stages of the journey. The colors are separated (interrupted) by a silver spacer bead which are resting places or areas to stop and collect are thoughts both to and from our homage. The wooden skull is made more attractive by the addition of a single red handpainted rose of love. This symbolic piece can be worn, used as an altar piece, or anywhere you might wish to remember and pay homage to a deceased loved one.

Additional photos can be seen, and purchasing the kit can be done by going to my Etsy site at: http://www.artisticrenderings.etsy.com/ The cost of this kit, which includes all of the necklace components, beads, clasp, unpainted wooden focal, etc. is $30.00. This also includes Painting and Beading instructions as well as a small colored photo and design diagram. I would say this piece could easily be assembled by a beginner beader. For an additional charge I will handpaint the wooden focal piece if you are not a painter but are interested in the kit. design diagram and a small colored photo of the finished piece. There will be an additonal cost for shipping and handling and as always I will ship overseas.

Gallery Grand Opening

Yesterday the 10th of December was the Grand Opening of the Art Gallery I am currently showing in. (Sunriver Village Shops in Sunriver, Oregon)

It is a co-op Gallery and the only one operating as we are in the state of Oregon so I guess you could say we are a State of the Art Gallery.

The work you are viewing is that of Greg Cotton who was a Math teacher applying his knowledge into the art of wood...and done beautifully.

Our Gallery has a variety of different artists showing. Nature and landscape photography, gourd art, lampwork jewelry, oil and acrylic paintings from small to super large, decorative painting, fiber art, industrial art, stained glass,

mixed media and assemblage, turned pieces, etc.

There is SOMETHING for EVERYONE.

Due to a surgical procedure earlier in the day I was unable to attend but my daughter (lampworker) was there, sent me a phone photo (which I can't seem to download on my blog) and she said we were "PACKED" which was very visible from her photo. And our sales for the day was "In the thousands". YIPEE to all who sold.

I am due to do "my shift" shortly. I love being around so many different types of

art and come home inspired.

Mrs. Stingheart

When I saw this design in Stampington magazine I knew I HAD to do it. The designer is Linda Warlyn but the photo attached is my rendition of her design using different papers, crochet work, etc. Lynda named hers Miss Stringfellow but I have named mine Ms. Stringheart as she is going to a great friend in California. It took me quite awhile to do this piece as I had a lot of stop and go's as life got in my way. BUT... she is done now and soon to be packaged up and "on her way" south. What fun.

There are a lot of layers and I also got to try out my clear encaustic wax on the whole background which I really like a lot as it is muted....yet needed. I also used swarovski crystals for the eyes, a birch wood rose, some buttons, and a vintage spindle for a little adornment. Also above the right eyebrow I have written Natalies name in black that replicate eyelashes...

Dingles Kringles #2

Super large paperclip with another Dingles' Kringle. I love this one and it is hard to part with.

Isn't he a "cutie".

Dingles Kringle

A few months back Debbie was tutoring me "long distance" (thanks a bunch Miss Debbie) as she is a good 3500 miles from me in the state of Florida..... Last night I think I finally "got" the beard which I was really struggling with after finding the brush that worked for me.... (smallest Dynasty Dry Brush in the Decorative Series) and after that it was a breeze. (And of course using the Extender Debbie recommends). The right brush and size makes a world of differnce between success and failure.Everyone says when people paint Santa's they have a tendency to look like the person who "paints" the Santa so you can see I am oldish and tiredish.... LOL... Actually with the looonngg nose he looks more like my father...come to think about it I look my father.........OMG. So off to paint some more before crawling to bed.

I used the new Glamour Dust paints from DecoArt (Orange) and have changed my tune....I really love how they worked in highlighting the dark red on the Kringle....Just the right amount of "bling".... Went on line and ordered the yellow/green for leaves and the Ice....I think these are the two I would use the most along with the ones I received from DecoArt to try.

Patience

Patience .... I stood at the window and snapped MANY photos trying to catch a

drop from the melting icycle and perserverance paid off.... I love the way each of the 3 icycles look different. Very similar to the color of mercury, so silver.. I am so glad that the background mottled.

Earthly Treasures Art Spirit

I just finished my first assemblage piece. It was slow as I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing...but she is done and I already

have ideas for additional pieces. The sides of the spirit and the back are decopaged pieces of a colored vintage map which extends slightly onto the front. I sanded and antiqued these areas but once she is hung you don't see much of that but I love a finished "all sided" piece.

I love buttons, and lace so I had to adorn her with these, incorporated some faux paintng, and she is done........I love her. All I have left to do is age a large tag and write her story.....

Canvas Art Bag

It seems that as my art interests "grow" so does the need for a bigger and bigger bag to carry my books, supplies, etc. in.

This canvas bag was a "free gift" item from a catalog that I order from and I sure was pleased when it arrived and was such a nice looking, canvas bag with heavy duty handles, corners and a nice zip. The "set" also included 2 smaller zip bags which work for pencils, pens, erasers and all of those little things that we need that seem to float around and become hard to find.

It didn't take me long to grab my paints and get it painted up for use... I love it and free is GOOD.

Larry found a place near by where he can get barnwood so he is back on the bandwagon again making what is referred to as Early Farmhouse Decor. It gives him something to do when he is "project-less" and provides him some extra money for his "weaknesses"...

which is restoring his antique vehicles.....namely right now is a Farmall Harvester Tractor....

Winter Tea Please

Warm drinks in our neck of the woods is a must...hot cider, espresso, coffee, hot chocolate and one of the many varieties of tea which prompted this winter scene on a teapot I had.

Winter is my favorite seasonal landscape to paint and when I am working on a design my practice piece is always a surface I have in my stash.......

Cup of tea anyone?

CATS..........

As much as I love a beautiful cat I am horribly allergic to them. The full 9 yards with itching eyes, runny nose, and just totally miserable for days after coming in contact with one, even if I don't touch it......My daughter has 4 beautiful cats that I would just love to cuddle and touch....

One of her cats is a true to life bobcat that is caged in her back yard. She is the 2nd domesticated owner of Edward and he is a beauty. He has been "fixed" and is licensed. His buddy is called "Itty Bitty" (normal cat) and he lives inside the cage with Edward and is his little baby....they have been a team for about 3 years. They are a "trip" to watch.

I have taken several great shots of Edward so my "end of the year" big project is to paint this gorgeous animal on canvas. I have some new brushes that I think are going to work just perfectly and I recently purchased a tape on painting fur and feathers and goodness has it ever helped me to understand how to create the realistic look that I am looking for and not just "lines of color".

Seems as if I have a lot on "my plate" right now but that is a good thing.

Mushrooms

Yesterday we took our friends to Sahalie and Koosah Falls right outside of Sisters, OR.

I was EXCITED to go as I have not been this late in the year. I knew that the area is well known for the numerous variety of mushrooms which can be seen here so I had my batteries charged and a 4GB card in my camera.

This is just one of the better shots..... I took nearly 300 pictures but already know that many of the shots will be blurry and discarded as I pull them up to view and crop if needed. The area is very damp, musty, etc and creates havoc with my camera. I am always excited and delighted with each of the good shots that I get.

These little jewels were growing off a tree limb in different ways/directions. They were pure white and much more translucent that the other mushrooms. They were delicate and beautiful. The number of species that I saw and photographed along with lichen was unbelievable...and many just looked as if they had been strategically placed; the setting being so beautiful. I had soooooooooooooo much fun. This is my most favorite spot in Oregon and I go here as much as I possibly can.

Now I will have to get my mushroom identification book out and determine each specie if possible.

ENJOY...........

Today was one of those first day of winter days....cold, overcast, with some freezing fog rolling in.

We have some dear friends visiting us from California so I decided that today would be a good day for a short jaunt to Smith Rock. This is one of my favorite "sites" of Oregon so it is one I like sharing with others. I have many photos of different angles and seasons that I have taken here.

In this one you can almost feel the cold of the day.

The Juniper Trees had "berried" which was something I had not encountered before, (a very soft, pale, gorgeous shade of blue) and the trees are just loaded. Then right before we left the fog began rolling in at the tops of the higher rocks and with the temperature dropping freezing fog was beginning to form, which in itself is a wonder of nature here in Oregon.

This particular angle and area is one I have never taken photos of not ever being in this exact area to do so. I was able to roam a bit more free today with my camera which was nice.

Eventually, and when I feel I have enough photos to compare the color of the rocks in different seasons, times of day, etc. I want to see if I can even begin to capture the beauty of this area on canvas.

Enjoy.

White on White Mixed Media Bookmark

This is my 2nd white on white bookmark for the exchange. Different papers in white, vintage buttons that are an off white, pieces of lace from an old collar, white round zipper pulls, shiny white snowflakes and some Swarowski crystal flat backs for just a touch of "glam". AND... just as I thought,,,, a different design that what I had intended; but using what I wanted to use.

I didn't want a flat piece. Because of the theme white on white I felt I needed to use different textures to bring out the white colors, and since I love vintage white the buttons were going to
work as the top element and bring just a touch of warm to the cool.

I have to experiment some more with using string, glue and encaustic waxes for a "cleaner" more precise finished product but think I have "mentally" solved the problem while "waiting for sleep"...... This was the one element that I REALLY wanted to use but it just "didn't work". I
will redo a monochromatic scheme and incorporate the string into the design for another bookmark or maybe a framed wall design.

I love the look of white on white. It is so clean, fresh and crisp...and mixing vintage with it made me happy too.

White on White Thong Beaded Bookmark

I really enjoy making the beaded thong bookmarks.
They work up quickly and make beautiful, useable gifts, and can be as elaborate or as simple as wanted or needed.

This one was made for a bookmark swap exchange with the theme of White on White. I love monochromatic art pieces so this was fun to do working up with handmade lampwork, crackle glass beads, delicas in different shades of white, seed beads, clear glass beads, hand pulled furnace glass and some white on white flat shell type beads with Tierra Glass Bead caps. The dangles are layered on to a headpin and then a circular loop is wirewrapped to slide on to a jump ring.

I have one more to make as our requirement is two bookmarks so the next one will be done using different types of white paint on canvas (I think). Sometimes ideas seem to go by the wayside when one starts and the creative side takes over and says THIS WAY.....

It is never too soon to begin your Christmas painting. I have a box of some gorgeous xmas ornaments that are matte finished in gold, aqua blue, green, purple, and a navy blue so my first project is to get these painted up in sets of 3 and put them on either Etsy or Artfire for sale.

Many artists are switching from Etsy due to the listing fees and % of sales after Artfire offered their rate for a limited time at a $5.95 per month. No listing, no %. Just too good to pass up.

So get your brushes out and get started on your ornaments today.

Bend is gorgeous all year round, but I love when it is in color....this is basically just the start but the colors are just
so vivid this year. We don't have hillside after hillside in flaming foliage but we have an abundance and it is just
beautiful. This photo was taken in Drake Park with the Deschutes River in the background which runs through the middle of the town and is just an artists' dream.

When ever we have icy fog this is also where I "fly to".
To the very left you can just barely see the birch weeping willow which is just beginning to turn yellow. One more week and everything should be prime.

Enjoy your fall.

Wintery Handpainted Lampwork Necklace

My daughter and I are working on some

necklace kits with more detailed pictorial instructions than my previous kits. This is the first one and I really like the way it turned out. The design is handpainted on 3 small jewelry dominoes and has handmade lampwork, pearls, and swarovski crystals with some sparkly small delica beads and Tierra Cast spacer beads. It is a quick easy design and the beaded portion works up nicely.

The kit should be available for purchase shortly.

Pumpkin Lampwork Beads

My daughter made me a set of pumpkin

lampwork beads....and is working on the

spacers I wanted. Aren't they just the cutest? I took the photo on a mirror so that you can see the lines and stemwork goes all the way around the beads. I am anxious to get them worked up into a fall

bracelet..... See her work at: http://www.dragynsfyre.etsy.com/

http://www.dragynsfyre.artfire.com/

YVONNE KRESAL

Yvonne Kresal was a design artist that I learned by when taking classes at a local Tole Shop.

My teacher loved Yvonnes' designs so as a result we painted and learned a lot from this design artist. Barb was a great teacher so it was a "double win/win" for all of the students. Many of Yvonnes designs were winter so as a result I felt an immediate desire to learn her techniques for snow, trees, ets. I have all of her books, and her designs are relaxing to paint and a delight to finish and enjoy. Yvonne was an inspiration and mentor to me during my early years of learning.

The first time I "entered" anything was our local small town fair, doing a mixture of Yvonne Kresals design elements put together on a saw blade. And the blue ribbon first place was exciting.... faded with time it hangs in my studio with pride. (Photos are shown above)

There is much to be learned studying this delightful artists designs. All of the surfaces I painted using her designs are still hung in my home and enjoyed with fond memories.

SEE YVONNES LATEST DESIGN IN THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER issue of PAINTING magazine on sale NOW...... A delightful candle box.... My box will be ordered soon and I can hardly wait to paint with Yvonne again.

Photo taking Day

Today was one of those days when you just have to take your camera and go outside...I didn't have to go far before my camera was snapping and this is just
one of my "favorite of the day" shots.

I prefer to take my photos between 3PM and 5 PM depending on the time of year because I LOVE shadows/reflections. Enjoy....

SEASONAL BUTTERFLYS

A SNOWFLAKE IS WINTERS BUTTERFLY..................
What a neat statement and so true as I look forward to that first "nice" snowfall
of the season which is a "given" .... I love so much about fall and winter. The colors of yellow, orange and red. The smell of "burning" leaves and pine needles.
That chill in the air which provides a "warning". The scurrying of people as they make the last minute preps for winter, just like the chipmunks.

And winter........ahhhhhhhhhh. Goodness but it is beautiful. White, prickly, soft, blue, cold, icy, the smell of snow, the smoke of chimneys, fog, sunshine, brightness, glimmer, a fire in the fireplace, hot chocolate, a good book/magazine, a soft blanket throw, my fur baby cuddled on my lap.........ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

ENJOY THE SEASONS.

Pretty Flowers

Thought I would share these with you. Happy Fall my friends.