I'm amazed at where ideas come from sometimes and how you end up going down certain creative roads. I started this canvas and in the middle I thought oh no I'm not sure if I like it, but I just kept going and I love how it's turning out. It's almost wrapped up thought I'd post a couple pictures.
I was brave and posted on facebook that I was looking for places to display and sell my art. I got a few great suggestions. One of my husbands classmates told me to look up the Red Sled Spring and Garden Show. I emailed the lady who puts it on Donna and went to the informational/jury meeting. I was absolutely floored by the compliments I got! When friends and family say your artwork is good it feels great but when someone you don't know gives you praise it's even better. I know their not just trying to be nice and supportive. Donna said, "sometimes I see someones art and think they should be famous". Holy smokes I think my mouth dropped open! Lets just say I have a renewed enthusiasm about getting more canvases done. The Spring Show is only a couple weeks away. One nice thing is that it's open for 4 weeks, I can continue to make canvases if they're selling I can restock. Back to painting I go! Here's a couple pics of what I've finished lately...
Here's my first girl and first canvas covered in beeswax. I have to say using the crockpot to melt the wax and applying with a brush was so much easier than using an iron. I used my best gun to move the wax around and it was rather easy. I was so worried turns out that wasn't necessary!
I want to finish my little petite doll so I bought a mini crock pot for $5 @ Goodwill. The challenge came with trying to get a chunk of wax cut off that would fit. I ended up boiling some water putting the knife in to heat it up. I got a couple inches in & was able to whack it against the counter to brake it loose. I'm not sure how long this will take but I'll have reference for the future. I'm so excited to get some wax on her! Hoping it turns out as great as I think it will...
I ordered Journal Spilling by Diana Trout....wow! I'm having so much fun reading and trying some of her lessons out. I have watercolor crayons and watercolors but I haven't used them much. I love growing my knowledge and realizing what both products can do. I'm working on a page that's confronting my inner critic. I like doing the spill writing and just letting words go. It's very freeing! Part of the lesson is making a sort of self portrait, it's pretty rough right now but I think it will turn out ok. Even if it doesn't I'm learning that's just fine. I'm doing it and that's what matters!! If you have a art journal or you've thought about creating/making one I highly recommend this book. I've had my art journal for several months now and this book has truly inspired me to take it further. I've also learned a few things that I want to try to incorporate in my canvases. ~Peace
These past few weeks have been crazy. Migraines & icky viruses but I'm trying to get back to my art.
Thanks to Suzy Blu (again I can't say enough good things about her Mixed Media Girls book) I've been playing with wax. I'm so loving how it looks the wax adds such a great finish and it smells wonderful! For a test run I started with a 6x6 piece of paper, covered it with book paper used distress inks stamps & paint. I can use this on a canvas or put it in my art journal, I haven't decided. I bought an old iron at a local craft store and a block of wax. After working with the block I'd like to try wax pellets they might be easier to work with. I'm currently working on a petite doll that I will seal with wax. She's not done yet but I'll include a couple picture anyways. I'm excited to see how she turns out. I'll post the finished canvas soon....
