Driftwood

I love creating and what better way to enjoy making art is with others... I had a few ideas and all the materials set up outside on the patio. A beautiful warm sunny day surrounded by driftwood, beads, chatting and nibbling on yummy foods. We began with constructing mobiles with wire, beads and driftwood. Everyone was so pleased with what they made and as they finished, knew the exact home for them.  My daughter's creation above, glows with the evening sun.

 

There were a couple more ideas that we didn't have time to make, though I continued to be in the creating mood and began to paint, paint, paint! I began with a pastel palette which was inspired by artist, Jessica Turnbow. When collecting art ideas earlier this year, this was one that I was drawn to explore! One, because I have a large collection of Lake Superior driftwood and secondly, I love "candy color"!

While painting with the pastel colors I began looking at a couple different colors of paints that were sitting next to each other and concurrently thought about my daughter's creation in which she drew a geometric design on a white leather wristlet. I had to try it! 

As I wanted to experiment more, I thought about other patterns and color combinations that attract my eye. I knew I wanted to use a herringbone pattern, but what colors? I decided on colors that make up one of my favorite outfits to wear at the moment, gray, dark blue, red and mustard yellow.

For the last idea I found inspiration from artist, Jewell Praying Wolf James. When looking through the driftwood, often an animal image would come to mind or sometimes it would be a boat, a figure or even a teapot. For this one I initially saw a bear, though as I was painting, it turned into this cute little one, a chipmunk! 

If you are interested to know more about the artists mentioned....

Jessica Turnbow, http://www.jessicaturnbow.com/  https://www.etsy.com/shop/bonjourfrenchie/about?ref=shopinfo_about_leftnav

Jewell Praying Wolf James, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/exhibition/healing-totem/about-the-artist.html

Spring Color

 

Rain showers really do bring flowers and paints the outdoors with a vivid green. Every year the color arrives differently and this time the vibrancy was unforgettable. It seemed that the change was not to arrive and then all of sudden it was magnified, popping and unfolding quickly from day to day.

One of my many joys is to stroll and pause among the gardens or to look out the window for a few moments while passing from one activity to another and notice the beauty of nature. 

It's a breath of serenity.

If you like puzzles, I noticed two little creatures. Let me know if you find them or even a third one!

Goat and Rabbit

Goat

Rabbit

Rabbit with Flowers

A fun time was shared creating these paintings! Two ideas were united as one, a crackle paint technique for the background or frame and an animal portrait using paint and old pages from a book.

While making several crackle paint bases for the cut out images, an exciting discovery was made. Depending how the glue is applied, vertically or dribbled on in randomness, the cracks followed. The ideas are overflowing! 

To create the crackle effect, paint on a thin layer of paint so it will dry quickly. Next, dribble or smear on an ample layer of Elmer's glue. It needs to stay wet while gently painting on the last layer of color. The paint begins to pull apart because the glue and the paint dry at different rates. The results begin to show relatively quickly though the entire drying process may take several hours.