Artistic Renderings

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS/GOALS

It is the time of year to set some resolutions and goals for 2013.

I am going to continue working on the organization of my my room, enjoy Bend more by attending more functions, take at least 2-3 classes to interact with people with the same interest(s), read a bit more, and the big one is to spend less time on the computer with groups. As much as I enjoy them I am going to have to choose one where I can grow artistically, where swaps/exchanges are done and is small enough to not be overwhelming, but active enough to be enjoyed.

Tomorrow I am hoping I can find my way downstairs and quietly go into temporary seclusion.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

After Christmas and First of the Year Projects

Since I was snug as a bug in a rug yesterday I focused on the continuing of "organization".... and getting several projects ready to begin.

I have one painting I am working on of a friends' dog, and will start a scenery.

On one of the groups I am on they have spoken of a jean pocket swap /
altered art so I picked up a couple of things I would need as I normally don't work with fabric....but I think it may be about to change.

I went to town and purchased:
Buttons to match the material(s) I am planning on using
2 Sided Fusing Material
Ribbon
Bias Tape
Quilting thread

My sister has requested some steampunk jewelry. It took me a few extra months to restock so I guess now I should begin working on these in the evening for a "spring send"....

I am working on a "Readers' Shawl" for myself that is knit, and a headband in crochet.... and will no doubt be working on some crocheted embellishments for the jean pockets as I have several that I purchased about a year ago.

My room is still pretty clean and organized so I won't have to do that...I can pretty much go down and
begin...that is a good feeling.

I feel that I have done a real good job with last years' New Years Resolution so now I can begin to think what my "goal(s)" for next year will be....and only 5 more days to mull it over....

Happy New Year to all my blog friends....

I got Lei'd

This is the gorgeous Hawaian Lei that was "lei'd" to me on Christmas day by my friend Candace. It smells absolutely heavenly..... and I wonder if this is what Hawaii smells like.... Candace said they are tubular roses and to me they smell a lot like gardinas which are my favorite smelling flower.... It feels so cool around your neck..... ahhhhhhhhhhhh,

My daughter and Family

Granddaughter Meghan is on the Left, then V. Michelle, hubby Chris and then Michael (who will graduate this year). And in the ole truck is Herman..... Where does the time go?

Necklace

This is the necklace I made for my daugher for Christmas. I used lampwork beads I purchased from her, some delicas the same color as the green in her beads, some moonlight crystals, frosted dagger beads in white, white furnace glass and the pendant although handmade in that it was hand cut and put into a silver framework was done by an Oregoinian. My daughter loves
rainblow moonstone.

For the Birds

Copyright 12/12 Diana Putnam

I always feel so sorry for the birds when the snow is coming down, the wind blowing and although beautiful to me the blizzard has a different effect on our nature friends. . They take shelter while they try to get their "food" for the day.

I love the "look" of the one on the right and the longer, lighter, curly hair from the beak down as if she has a "muff" on. My hubby keeps the feeders filled, shovels around the main 2 feaders so we can throw out old bread, or something we think will be a treat. My chair is right by the front window so I can watch them there and also directly in front of me where I paint Larry has put up another main area.... There is a lot of creative stimulations with music, nature, some inscense, and surrounded by color, collections, paints, brushes, mediums, etc.

But back to the birds.

Annette Dozier Country Pathways

Annette Dozier has a new BOOK out which is volume #8.

Annette is one of my favorite landscape/scenery artists in the decorative painting arena. I have all of her books and will be adding this one to my library also. I purchased mine from Hofcraft which appears to be the only online vendor that has and is advertising this book....

I love the down to earth artists' of TODAY...what we can learn from them personally, and what they can teach, and how it can be applied/modified/introduced within our own style.

Off to paint....I have a dog photo waiting for me to try my hand at.

Winter Treats

I was taking photos outside as we are having some glorious, beautiful, snow... and all of a sudden my husband appeared in my viewfinder... to put up our evergreen wreath so I thought "why not, and thanks Larry".... Got some really NEAT photos and I wish I would have had these for my Christmas card this year....but there is next year.

As per Bob Ross....."Happy little accidents"

Drafting Table

I love the drafting table that I rec'd last year for Xmas and I have been using it full time since I redid my work area. It is the perfect height and angle adjusted for what I like.... One of the problems was just about everything set on the table slid off....so I knew I had to come up with "something" that would stop this so that I could utilize the WHOLE table efficiently while I painted.... I tried a piece of the rubberized shelf paper and it worked great so I purchased the narrowest one and have it at the very top and down both sides. As you can see it accommadates my paints, brushes, medium dish, paper towels, etc.... Sometimes you have to work with something to determine what it might need to make it more artist efficient.... The towel to the right is my dabble cloth which removes excess medium or paint from my brush and a dishtowel will last me about a month. Most of them I pick up at either the dollar or thrift store and is used constantly...and I love paper plates for my palette.... These are things that work for me....so think if this might make things easier for you.

I clean my table with the Mr. Clean sponge and Awesome cleaner from the Dollar store....undiluted. I let it set about 5 minutes after a good spray and it looks brand new. This was the first cleaning....but it needed it and since I was making things efficient I needed to also make it "clean".... My round barn is on the table in the "to do" stage on an 8" x 10" portrait grade hand wrapped canvas board.....

Brush Hugs.

Altered Tag and Glue

This is the tag I made for a friend using a "young" picture of her... This was a fun piece that just kinda evolved so I just let it.... I was disappointed to hear that two items were "off" when it arrived and was viewed. Finding the right glue for the right hold depending on item and surface is one of the hardest thing for me in the art field.... Some of the glues don't hold anything it seems so it is pretty much a throw away glue... I am going to have to go "look" and see if there is a site "somewhere" online of a glue guide.....

Happy Creating.

Salt Dough Recipe

Just found the recipe for this so thought I would blog it.

1 Cup Salt
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup lukewarm water

The more you knead the smoother the dough.

Store in bight container.

Bake at 200 Degree F or air dry

Add natural coloring. ie: Instant coffee, cocoa, curry powder, dill etc.

I may add something like shredded paper.....

I often see items that have been made with this salt dough and I have just loved them.... Some day I have to go back in time and try the salt dough....I remember my mother making it for me to play with.

DeLane Lange Design

This is one of my alltime favorite designs..... The pattern I used is by Delane Lange and I believe is called Little Cottage and Thomas Kincaide has an almost identical design but his is Hidden Cottage or visa versa....but there is a lot to be learned .... practice and brush up on each time you paint the design. I think that this is my 4th - 5th time over the past 15 years or so....

This took me 3 "sittings" from start to this point. I just put a finish spray on and now tomorrow I will paint the back and sides and I think I am going to use a light color on the edges.... On to the "next one"
which is going to be a round barn.....and I think I am going to do it as the winter season... Both pieces will be for friends.... and my own design with the barn.... It is basecoated and ready for me to add those details which is sooooo much fun.

I have been working a lot with Traditions extender and the Liquitex soft and full body acrylic paints.
Learning how to use the Medium to achieve looks that have been difficult for me.... with brushes I know work well for me, has been an awesome journey. This medium acts like a "magic tool" and
can be used in so many ways once you learn what you and "it" can do together.....LOL..... I have had to put the "playing" aside as I paint for family and friends.......but once in awhile I sneak in about an hour of "playtime"...

While I used DeLane Langes design I used paint colors of my own choosing/mixing etc. in the Liquitex
line of acrylic paints....and Dynasty Decorator Series Brushes, IPC Brushes, Black Gold brushes ( 4 of which are in a brush kit I sell on Etsy under the shop name of: (artisticrenderings)

This painting reminds me of how some of the houses look here in Bend with the bottom line about where the gate is..... Many of the houses are "nestled" and just look so fantastic as one wonders what the inside looks like..... Nestled houses brings to my mind: quiet, nature, peace, beauty, and if one is fortunate to live with there are 4 seasons that is another bonus.

Wood Dominos

Yesterday when I was out doing some Christmas shopping (so I won't be stuck short if the weather gets bad), I found a wooden box of wood dominos. They immediately became my Christmas gift to myself which will be put to good use as some special necklaces.....This is the first time I have seen wood dominos (and I have been using dominos for about 7 years for bracelets, earrings, pins, etc.) so I consider them the "Treasure of the Day". (The photo below is NOT the wood ones...they are still in plastic until I want to use them, and when I do I will post a photo of the front and back of what I decide to do.

Feather Hair Jewelry

This is the first hair jewelry piece I have tried......and it is for a friend of ours.... He might add it in with his pony tail, attach to his straw hat....from his belt loop it is just hard to tell. This is a piece that is versatile, can be worn by male or females depending upon their personality, etc. This is the fun about wearable art. There are 2 skulls, a stone, gem bead, dragon fly, and the feathers.... I have to get ahold of my friend Ely from Quillnaros (on Etsy) and get some of her fantastic hand marbeled/painted feathers for some really one of a kind pieces..... Each one I make will be different.

Vintage Doily

I LOVE vintage and new crocheted doilys....they have always been a favorite...

Tonight I ran across a mixed media piece that intrigued me using scrapbooking paper to wrap a candle in and I thought....I wonder what this would look like with the photo I took
of this doily...so now tomorrow I will have to go "shopping" for some pillar candles....

I love craft projects when they are out of the box, different, and tend to make me creative in my own way.

I have been busy doing swap projects, working on Christmas presents, trying to stay "current" with meals, grocery shopping, etc.

Tonight I began work on something I don't know what to "call it" yet and so tomorrow that is at the top of my agenda....to finish it up so it is done and not a half done deal that I sometimes pull. Maybe my New Years Resolution for this year should be "NO MORE PROCRASTINATION".... or GET ER'
DONE...... I also have a painting I need to finish up so I can start the next one. Got some gifts wrapped and they will go postal tomorrow.....

Enjoy the creative process...either yours or that of others.

My Christmas Card for 2012

My Christmas wish for friends and family this year is Celebrate.... and inside "Life".

The photo is what my camera "caught" when I took a photo of the outside decorations of a portion of the house across the street from us.....and I loved the firework look. I purchased the cards from a company where I buy all of my card blanks.... If you are going to pay for a card
why not purchase one (or several) from an artist to have on hand? Plus it can be framed using the
card as if it were a mat.

Have a joyous holiday season, and Celebrate Life.

SNOW BALLS and ICYCLES

I love the whites and the blues of winter....mixed with a simple little tree just is simply elegant?

The icycles are frosted, the small lampwork beads (snowballs) are transparent clear glass rolled into a

white opaque frit then after they are annealed they are "etched"...which makes for a really pretty white bead. The Tree is emboxxed front and back, and I like this clasp as it is easy to get on and off... The rectangular beads next to the clasp are clear furnace glass that has a thin white line around it like a white candy cane....just seemed to "go" with everything else.

When I do the next one that will be very similar to this one....I will make my choice as to which one will be mine and which one will go to Etsy to sell.

This could be worn casual or elegant and can easily be "seen" that it would.

Tierracast silver plated charms, clasps etc. can be purchased through Etsy Shop "Dragynsfyre"

Altered Paintbrush

I added a couple of more embellishments to this piece and now can deem it "done" and get it on my way to my partner....I added a large vintage chandelier prism dagger as a neck embellishment topped with a typewriter key, a copper ring stretched to fit as a type of ornate headband, a swarowski crystal halo or tierra, and I made a clock for the bottom using an old camera lens, a metal grid, typewriter keys at 3, 7 and 9 o'clock and last; on the right side , I attached another grid with a
cup hook and hung a metal clip to the hook because it looked like a purse..... This was fun and I have no doubt that I will do another one but different.....

So beware.....this is on my way to my partner...and it might be you.

Altered Paintbrush Snowman (Musing)

Most of the time when I do a swap I choose to work in a semi comfort zone....with this one....well

I must get to know my "inner child" a bit better because this is what came out.... NOW, there are times when I look at it and I feel "kinda" like "I like it" and there are other times when I look at it and tell myself "throw it away" QUICK and do something different. This is very much a piece that is BEST viewed at the 6' range... outside the red ropes, etc.

NO, it is not "pretty", but do things always "have" to be pretty? If you will look close you will see that two teeth are "visible" and I have no idea why that happened, except that as a child I had

buck teeth....... and I have worked in kinda angular lines (love Monika Britt), and rather than a smooth snow ball-ey form I chose a LOT of texture a random look of ins and outs, ups and downs,

straight and curved lines, convex dots, etc.

I wanted to do the "snowman" "snowperson" mostly in copper paints, embellishments, etc. as I seem to be hung up on the "colors" that are involved, so I used copper and green here and there just for a little bit of color...and to accent the texture a bit. I wanted the design to be a little steampunkery so I have used some of my steampunk buttons....

On the back I have used a vintage spoon (which I think might be a childs spoon) so that it can be picked up this way...

Am I done? I don't think so....but don't ask me why...I just don't feel that it is quite complete so I

am going to live with it for the weekend and see if I come across anything that might tie in and be "fun" to use.

And yes, the hair sticking straight up is the top of a Mop Brush....

Specifications I want to achieve: Things that I need to do:

1. I think that I need to do some shading between the snowballs of the snowperson.

2. Maybe some "tiny, little, clear swarovski crystals strung on some wire or elastic thread to catch the light? (This will incorporate the jewelry aspect of art) so will need to try and decide where that

would work the best.

3. If more than one "style" comes forth either go with one or even the "styles" out so that not more than one style is predominate.

4. Use the dremel tool (Thanks Sister) to remove a little of the paint to look

Becoming active in a "group" and participating really does help to work outside of ones' normal

"box" and merge into other areas... I find that sometimes I understand a piece and then there are other times when I just "don't" get it....so that doesn't become my favorite choice as a creative outlet.

OR, I may decide to down tone things so they aren't as "far out". Art is strange. I find that my style is similar but takes on a different look as I work back and forth between mediums. Which actually is like changing a substrate and working in your same style. ie: I love to paint landscapes and my

jewelry fluctuates in color like the seasons... and right now I love the sublteness of blues and whites

and bringing forth the "feeling" of cool, and now I seem to want cold and hot together in the altered paintbrush.......

Whether I paint, make jewelry, do mixed media, using canvas, glass, etc. it is to learn something, try something to obtain a look that is mine... and to be content when I am done.

SO..... join a group. Try an altered paintbrush, do something in copper..... hmmmmmmm.

I think I need to be thinking about an altered landscape.....

Create Texture, Color, Balance, Depth....

Winter Ice Bracelet

I love winter. The snow, ice, wind, scenery, etc.
So it was only "fitting" I try my hand at a snowy, cold feeling bracelet with some wintery charms.

The charms are from Tierra Cast and I love the quality as well as the intricate, clean designs...
They can be purchased at http://www.dragynsfyre.etsy.com

I also used frosted white and pale translucent blue
daggers that remind me of icycles and the silver
findings (Tierra Cast) just add the right touch. I also used white furnace glass that is handade in Pennsylvania. (I try my best to use American made products whenever possible, and support the different artisans from all over the world.)

This bracelet will be listed for sale on my Etsy site
as well as others as they are made.

Stained/Hand Painted Necklace Stand

This is a photo of the wooden handpainted necklace stand that I just finished painting and will be selling on Etsy.

My daughter brought 3-4 different pieces for me to see and she offered to leave hers for me to start painting and when my order comes I will replace hers. They were just a raw wood when she brought them....I have stained this one and I painted the back, stand, and leg with a metallic bronze paint. Tomorrow I will work on the hand or the smaller necklace stand.....

These would be great for decoration, for jewelry shows, or for using as intended as a necklace stand. On the back is for pegs where you can wrap the chain around to keep secure.

As you can see of the closeup below the rose is a beige/white.
Each one that I paint will be different. They say that brown is the new black and I tend to agree after seeing the lights and darks in this piece.

Mayan Mixed Media OOAK...Nearing Completion

Copyright 11-12 Diana Putnam

This is done......and it was a pleasant learning jourey of experiences. The one thing I am contemplating is the additon of something on the edges of the plaque....it seems to just end ...which is OK but I feel I want to add something even though the edges are beveled and am thinking "twine" just wound around the piece and glued, nailed or stapled in place. I just brushed on the finish coat everywhere but on the statue and have it setting so the fan exhaust will blow on it softly.

It was fun making pieces fit kinda like a puzzle, trial and error. Oh, and there is a light wood bead beside the earring on the right and a brown feather that is just soft and fluffy goes there.

I was taking this photo and using my floor as a wall so the pieces look as if they are crooked....but they aren't.

It will hang in my studio for a couple of weeks.

Vintage White Tags

These are the vintage white tags that I received in a swap from AFTCM yahoo group. Although I entered this swap I am not a paper artist so I will be outside my area when I start mine tomorrow.

Tristan Blakeman is the artist of these tags and they are awesome. Some neat techniques were used, the frozen charlotte which I think he made and the gorgeous thread lace.

They are hanging in my
work area where I can see them, and admire his work. Thanks Tristan. I hope mine will be as appealing as yours.

Earrings

Even though I don't have pierced ears I really enjoy making earrings for others who do.... they are

easy, quick, and a neat gift for others as they are pretty much one of a kind and not earrings you see

many of.

I use gemstones, Swarovski crystals, Tierra Cast findings (they come in copper, brass and silver)

clasps, which are made in the USA, and are plated pewter and really top of the line in quality with

intricate, clear details. The handmade lampwork beads that I use are made by two SRA glass

artists.

Doing jewelry helps me to relax, get kinda "lost" in thought, and really seems to help the creativity

flow through open channels.

My next project that is waiting for me is a bracelet made using handmade lampwork beads, smooth smotth sea stones, and what I think is Jasper,,, I picked it up in a consignment store and was not marked.

I am not sure just what else I will add to this piece...or who the recipient will be.....or if it will be for

sale.

Patricia Reichenbach

Patricia Reichenbach is one of my favorite design artists......my problem is she works in oil and I don''t.
(Published in PaintWorks back in 2010) but Patricia is a steady artist with this publication.

Rather than just not paint any of her awesome pieces I decided to use her design, Liquitex acrylic paints in heavy and soft body using just her picture as a guide and chose a 5" x 7" portrait grade canvas board.

I also found the Traditions Medium worked great for me to work wet on wet, shading and highlighting.
I painted this with Dynasty dry brushes .... because they worked for me. I flyspecked with white, purple, and Ice Crystal Glamour Dust paint by Americana and I totally basecoated (slip slap technique)
the entire canvas with green and black.

My decision was to paint the design in the upper right hand corner where Patricia painted hers in the bottom right hand corner pointing down. The piece could actually be hung 3 different ways which
is a nice option ..

(A Christmas present for friends)

Colored Lights

Our neighbors across the road were putting up Christmas lights today and they look SOOOO pretty....so this is the picture.... How Neat. Thank you Camera.......sure cannot claim artistic license on this one.....

Mayan Mixed Media (IN PROGRESS)

Mixed Media art is new to me and one I walk in to slowly...and with some apprehension. Takes a different kind of thinking than painting, more research, and supplies to look through to find what you want. The sequins on this piece are a blue and they show up a little in the photo....I can already see that I need to do a bit of work on the left eye to increase the middle.,,, I am using Liquitex acrylic paints, texture medium and Americana Glamour dust Paints...the substrate is an MDF plaque. and the brass pieces are embellishments I have collected. I still have quite a bit more to do before I can say "done" but it is progressing nicely which is a good feeling... so I am hoping it continues... Kinda stopping now and then and doing something else has helped a lot, plus running across items that "work"... through my artists' eye.

Swap Exchange

Our instructions for this exchange:

Winter, Glittery using 3 spools.

I chose to use a vintage skinny spool and do a painted winter scene as it is my FAVORITE season to paint...I love show, ice, fog, pine trees, sunset, etc. The design has been painted on a piece of Roc-Lon. I have had the material for awhile and hadn't taken the time to try it out so this was the perfect time....AND...I LOVE IT. ( Maybe because I like
portrait grade canvas). Another spool is in the upper left hand corner where I used a piece of lace around the spool, some sequin studs, along with blue and silver ribbon which also is used to hang this piece. The last spool is in the bottom right hand corner where I glued to the painting, applied Glitter Sno Tex, and atop is a tiny, perfect size red cardinal... Just a splash of color... I have used plenty of Ice Crystal Glitter, and here and there I have glued on some sequins. The Snow Tex right in the foreground really adds to the impressionistic/realistic appearance. Right at the mouth of the river up into the trees is some "Freezing Fog" BRrrrrr but by far one of the most beautiful of Mother Natures gifts to us.

I used Liquitex Acrylic artist grade paints in both Soft and Heavy Body. My brushes are
the new Dynasty IPC brushes, Dynasty Decorative Series Brushes: Foliage Wave Brushes,
Dynasty Dry Brushes along with the Faux Squirrel Rounds, Liners, shaders and angles.
These brushes are the best brushes I have found for working on all different surfaces.
To me brushes are important and have to become a partner with me, and the paints I am using. The Dynasty and Black Gold Lines do this the best for me and is really an artist preference as to what works the best for them..... My hats are off to FM Brushes.....

So my finished piece is on its "way to my exchange partner......I hope she likes it...and winter. I know she gets snow but I don't know if it is a love or hate relationship as many of the people I know here in Bend hate the winter....I am the exception.

Important things when you are painting water, a pathway, road:
1. Your strokes must be very horizontal using the bottom of your canvas as your guide.
If you don't your water, road, path will look tipped..

2. Repeat your sky colors into the water.

3. Narrow and light at the top of... Darker and wider as you get to the bottom of your surface. Normally the bottom will extend and encompass about 1/2 to 2/3 of the widith of your suface.

4. Whatever color is used in your sky area closest to your horizon line will be the FIRST
(top color) as you work downwards (when you are painting water, snow, etc)

These are tips I have learned along my pathway, road journey and are kinda nice to pass along to maybe help some of the newer painters who visit my blog.

Mayan Statue

My next design is going to be using a Mayan Statue as my "reference" and painting it for some friends of ours who live up the road from us for Christmas. I am not sure if they celebrate Christmas so if they don't it will be an early welcome 2013.

Colors will be Easy... as I am going to follow the statue colors exactly and I am going to add the little "extras" I want in negative space areas.... I am going to use an MDF plaque from my "stash"....about the only piece that was the right size horizontally and vertically. Finding the right piece is an important part of the "procedure" IMHO and for what it is worth.

Finding a photo to use as reference and then drawing to enlarge or diminish scale is one of the hardest techniques to learn..... The drawing by graph paper is too slow and too exact.

My plaque is basecoated and I have done a "technique" I have never seen done before so I am anxious to see "what happens" with what I did when the finish coat is applied and how it "reacts" with the design and if it "adds to" the full design.

My goal is to enhance the negative space area as dramatically subtle as possible to enhance the point of interest, create dimension, texture, and be able to draw the
viewer into the painting...to make them think, explore, speculate, etc.

I have written all of my ideas down in my sketch book as sometimes ideas are "fleeting" .. Techniques I want to try, items I might want to use, something I want to try just to try to maybe achieve a new technique..., so with this piece....because it is so different; it will most definately be a learning experience which will help me with the next piece I do with this design..... new ideas, things I want to change, effects I want to achieve. etc.

Next I order any items that I KNOW I want and don't have, which in this case is chain to hang the piece.... and this is where Etsy saves me so much time and allows me to support a fellow artist ....

I also want to paint this image as a necklace so I will be continuing to think of a surface for this .... beads to use, colors, accents, etc.

SO much fun to step into my own zone.

Miss Pru's Portrait

Yesterday and today were wonderful as I sat and did a portrait of Miss Pru..... She is done on a portrait grade canvas using the Liquitex Heavy and Soft Body Artist grade paints.

The canvas is setting so that I can make the final adjustments......and I already see I need to darken up her ears a little and see if I can poof out her whiskers and make her face just a tad fuller.

Tomorrow I have to go to town so I will be looking for a glitzy, blingy, gawdy frame...and I am hoping I can find one big enough that I can also mat.

This was a FUN, fun piece to do.... I tried to capture her personality which I feel I succeeded in....and is, I think, the first animal I have done on my own with one of my photos and a bit of artistic license here and there. I did not try to paint exact..... I just wanted to see hair growth, dark and light areas, the eyes, ears, etc.... to help me along.

When I was all finished I added my FAVORITE effect by using some of the American Glamour Dust Paints in Ice Crystals to the eye area....a nice finishing touch.

Today I went back downstairs and redid the chin area of the portrait and I am now pleased with the
results that are shown here. She doesn't have much of a chinny chin chin but somehow I had to
locate and paint the difference..... This was so much fun watching her come alive.....and with the glamour dust paints for the eyes well, it really animates her.

I have been dabbling with the Traditions paints but have gone back to my Liquitex as they are the easiest for me to use, I like the "little bit" of gloss I get that the Americana and Traditions don't provide me...and I painted this with a minimum of brush types but several different sizes.....With the Dynasty/Black gold line that I have been using for about 8+ years..as well as the Liquitex so I guess I need to stick with what works and just play with the Traditions....

2012 President Obama

Tomorrow is here....and winding down. President Obama has been re-elected. Some are feeling good about the win....others are disappointed... this will always be. Nothing different from other elections that were controversial.....
We are on the same rough, rugged, road to a better tomorrow, a long road which will no doubt be full of dead ends, detours, and we will learn a lot. Many areas will band together and work towards the little goals of making our town better, which will improve our state ..... and if we all just take on a little bit.... do quality work..... we will reach the end of the road much quicker and then sit back and reap in the rewards of accomplishment.

How we vote is definately a personal action....based on feelings, intuition, judgement based on what "we" believe is best for friends, family and self.... Who we feel will do the best to get our derailed train back on the tracks.....

UV LIGHT (CURER) FOR RESIN

Since I have been doing a lot of resin work and would like to do some more I splurged and purchased this UV Curing Light (which I will be carrying in my Etsy shoppe). The unit comes with a UV Bulb and additional ones can be ordered.

Power 9V, Voltage: 110V-24OV 50-60Hz, Weight 0.37 um.

I am hoping that this item will fit inside a medium flat rate box for shipping purposes although the item comes in its's own cardboard box.... so kinda figure this as shipping amount for those here in the US.

The Unit with lightbulb will run $40.00.

This is a visible light wavelength and is harmless to the eyes, but is recommended that you not look straight at the light bulb for long periods of time.

This cure lamp is great for use on cloudy days or just for the added convenience of working at your art area. Typical cure time is 5-15 minutes under the UV light, dependent upon size of cure area and thickness of layer.

I will also carry Lisa's Magic Gloss which comes in a mini, small and LARGE volume dependent upon how much you use. Also available (I will carry squares and rectangle) molds for the resin and also the pendant metal bezels if you prefer this way.... as well as a pad of 50 deli sheets which have been precut.

I have ordered the items and expect that they will be here about this time next week..... I am just going to use the resin this week on top of 1 x 1 collage photos on a scrabble piece and will let you know how that goes when I am done and how the cure-er works...

Because it seems as if I am always working in an area that is much too small there have been times where things have moved, a mess mixing 2 elements together to get one, etc. so I am thinking that this machine and the Magic Gloss just might be the answer to my frustrations.... Plus if you have animals you don't have to worry as much about any pet hairs if you put the item immediately into the Curer.... not to mention our cold, damp winter days..... sometimes we have sun sometimes not...so this will get a lot of use. Just have to keep it away from those who are using the new resin Nail Polish.

LOOK UP

I love trees, fog, or in this case freezing fog, and clouds. we don't very often look "up" but when I was younger I used to love to lie and look at the clouds.... This was painted using a photo I took a few weeks ago and some artistic license.... on a rectangular gallery canvas. I will be repainting this design, matting and framing. This one was my 'test' .... to achieve colors, brushes, techniques, effects, etc.

There is another photo on my table so I am going to work from it tomorrow using an 8 x 8 portrait grade canvas.... Mt Batchelor will be the subject, first snow, and some evergreen boughs. The inspiration and "have to" feeling has hit so I have learned to take advantage of these times.....

China Hat

Today was gorgeous here in the Oregon high desert so we decided we needed to take advantage of it and take a quad ride over in an area that is called China Hat....and this is one of the more spectacular views/shots I got. It is about a 5 mile trip for us from our house to the unload spot. I used my zoom for this shot of Mt. Batchelor between the trees....

Steampunk Flowers

I worked diligently and as a result I have a goodly amount of my Steampunk flowers done and ready to pack for their trip to the East Coast.

There is another "layer" below the ones on top.

I even found some small, round brass pieces that worked just great for some buds....and I used typewriter keys for these...and attached the stems a bit different so that the buds are angled upward. I really enjoy putting these together and hunting for the "flower petals".

I LOVE FREEZIN' FOG DAYS