Shattered Walls

Texture Shot

I'm sharing a painting with you today... this work is available for purchase.   Shattered Walls was a labor of pure emotion.  It took days to complete because the mediums take so long to dry in Florida but it's so worth the time and effort.

Shattered Walls

Art Prompt:  Shattered Walls

Create a work that shares details or just how you felt about any walls that you broke through in 2011.

For me.. I'm using this painting as my submission for this challenge.. it's not all about journals after all. *wink*  While working on this, I thought about the freedom that living simply gives and about the walls that I broke through in my personal and professional life this year. I made personal breakthroughs in my emotional health, in the relationships I have with my children and in believing in myself.  I have begun dealing with the trauma of childhood and am not letting those things dictate my actions anymore.  Now I'm dealing with the aftermath of my illness and refuse to let it stop me.  I didn't break through that wall, I shattered it.

Here's a few other detail shots:

What walls have you shattered in 2011?

Custom Kindle Cover

Hand Painted Custom Kindle Cover

I participated in Lizzie's Gift Exchange this year and I got Jill B.  I didn't know what to send her so I searched around in Jill's profile on facebook to get an idea about her favorite colors.  Then by chance I saw her post about her Kindle and asked her what model she had.  Easy peasy after that.  After drafting a pattern and cutting fabric I pulled out my paint and fabric medium.  Here's the fabric that I painted for her.

... and here's a couple of closeups of my favorite parts.

Well she sent me a note on facebook today and she loves it!  Woohoo.

So I'm making another for my son and have three more that I'll put up for sale.. somewhere.

Off to Private Collectors

I tried to find a blog post where I 'd shared it with you guys before but I couldn't... soooo if you didn't see this before:  This is called Draygonhide.  It's textural elements with hand layered scales of paper and other scales made from shells, found objects and texture medium.  It's a vibrant red with copper and golden accents.  It's a labor of love and the time invest into this work was well worth it.  Here's a few detail shots as well:

This one-of-a-kind painting is on it's way to a private collector in Orlando, Florida.  It's such a unique piece that I was sure I'd have it with me forever.  Not that I minded! *wink*  I'm glad it's found a home with some super special people.  Love you Kim!

_____________________

This painting is also .. finally... on it's way to another private collector.  Tina, I love you honey and hope that the positive energy infused into this work will bring you happiness and joy in the new year. 

Wicked WIP

Wicked is a work in progress.  Just wanted to share what I'm up to today.  Well this and four canvases prepped with texture medium... what are you working on??

Light Art Journal Prompt

  

Art Journal Prompt:  Light

 

Instructions:

Capture light or the source of light in your journal today.  This is the perfect season to do this in several ways, Christmas lights, Hanukkah lights, candles.. the light in the eyes of a loved one.  You decide and show one or more.

Example Page:

  
Around the page it says:

Little red candle lantern

shine so brightly in the dark.

Add your warmth along with your brilliant light

Little red lantern delight

This is the the little lantern that we carry with us when we go caroling on Christmas Eve.  I love this lantern for other reasons too.. we also take it camping and did you know this little guy can warm the tent when it's cold, or brew a cup of tea?

How I created my page:

First step – Sketch.  I sketched the lantern in ink.. yeah I'm growing in my confidence so I'm reaching for the pen more than the pencil these days.  OH and I found a good one.. I'll tell you about it my note below.

Second step – Watercolor.  I colored the lantern with washes of watercolor

Third step – Colored Pencil.  Finally, I added some shading to the background with colored pencils.

Supplies used today:

• waterbrush - you can never have too many of these! 
• artists' watercolor field box set 

Me

Explore Art Journal Prompt

  

Art Journal Prompt:  Explore

 

Instructions: 

Journal about a time you explored a new area, or did something that was out of the ordinary for you.  Bonus fun: Go make a new memory to art about.

Example Page:

  

How I created my page:

First step – Blocking in shapes with paint.  I didn't sketch first, Bob was moving along the beach pretty fast so I worked quickly to capture the moment.  I used my water brush and watercolor to block in the shape of his hoodie and jeans.

Second step – Add Background.  Then I washed in colors for the sand and the initial color for the waves.

Third step – Add Depth. I used darker washes to add shadows to the figure and to indicate the deeper water.

Fourth step – Details. Then I added details and additional colors for depth.. like the seaweed on the beach and the sky (lighter shade of the water color)

Fifth step – Sketch.  Yep  did any sketching after the painting today.  Just a bit here and there to detail things.

Supplies used today:

• pitt artist pens 
• waterbrush - you can never have too many of these!
  
• stamps and found objects
  
• artists' watercolor field box set 

A Word from Tee:

Bob and I headed out to new strip of beach today to explore.  We packed a picnic and had a blast.  He took a hundred or so photos and I did a couple of sketches and this little watercolor page.

Where do you want to explore?

Me

Meet Darwin

Darwin works at the coffee shop in the local bookstore.  His face is interesting and his eyes are so expressive that I had to do a gesture portrait during our outing today. 

Tee

Gesture Sketch

"

"Waiting" Gesture sketch of my son waiting for the bus this morning

Make a Gesture Sketch in your Journal Today.  

What is a gesture sketch?  I found a lot of different people saying different things about them, but here's the general consensus: Gesture Sketches are usually made quickly and simply, with minimal information to suggest a shape, pose or movement.

Well ok.. I had not done that before and when I read that it was one of the first drawing lessons given to students I figured it was time for me to give it a try.

1. So I did a pencil sketch (really have to buck up and start with ink) of my son waiting for the bus. It took less than 2 minutes to draw in the bare outlines and hints of the movement of his clothes.   
2. I liked it but it needed color, so I whipped out my neocolors and scribbled in the suggestion of shading.  The aqua brush smooshed that around and a couple more passes of the colors for depth and it looked like the colors above.
3. Last, I went over it just a bit on the outlines with ink.  Almost the same gesture sketch I did in pencil.  I did this mostly because the pencil lines were lost under the color.  (really need to just start with the ink)

That's it... a 10 minute portrait.  If I get time today, I want to go out and do more of these in public.  Maybe I'll gift them to the subjects.. or offer them for a small supply fee. (on unlined paper of course -- this book just happened to be in my purse when the mood struck)

A note about the lined paper:  I've had a lot of you question me in private about it.  It's not a conscious choice and it's not that I'm out of unlined journals.  (I make them and have a dozen or more finished leather journals in the studio that have not sold)   It's just what I have on hand when I feel like arting and no, the lines don't bother me at all.  In fact, I kind of unfocus my eyes when I'm doing art, so I don't even see the lines.  Sorry if it bothers you guys, but the point is this:  Don't wait till you have the "right" supplies to art.  Just do it.  if the mood hits I'll art on napkins in restaurants.. or paper table clothes.. or my jeans.

Now - go make a gesture sketch and show me yours!

Homemade Enzyme Cleaner

* Bissell is trademark to the Bissell Company

Have you ever used an enzyme cleaner?  I discovered them when we had pet stains in the rental house we moved into six years ago.  We cleaned the carpet with the Bissell enzyme cleaner and were very happy with the results.  

There's bacteria in the product that will break down organic matter.  It works wonders.  I used the left over product to clean other things too.  There's a whole list of what you can clean with it (see below for everything I've used it for).  However, it's expensive.  A bottle like this runs 6 to 18 dollars... and yes.. just like the other products I've shown you, it's mostly water.

So, I did a search a couple of years ago and found a newspaper article that introduced me to making my own.  This is not an instant product... the enzymes develop as the stuff you put in it ferments so be prepared to wait.

Enzyme Cleaner Concentrate Recipe:

• 3 parts Citrus Scraps  (rinds, pith, apple cores, peelings.. ect.) 
• 1 part Brown Sugar  (no bleached or refined sugar here)
• 10 parts Water

A Note About the Container:

Oh and yes I'm using that jug I got from the recycle bin yesterday.  You can use any container, just make sure it's clean.  A fruit juice jug or other wide mouth jar works well too.  It just needs to seal water tight.

Here's How:

• Chop the fruit, yes it's ok to use the whole fruit but you don't have to.  These grapefruit were on the ground under the tree outside and too far gone to eat.. but perfect for this.  
• Put the bits into the container with the sugar and water.  Close and shake well. 
• Store in a cool dry place with the lid loose.  The fermenting will create gas that needs to escape.  
• Close and shake the container daily for at least the first month.
• Yeast will grow on the top of the stuff, so if you can see into your jug and see a film, shake it up and don't worry.
• It'll be ready in three months.

This is a concentrate so I dilute it before using.  Here's some uses for it:

Undiluted:

• Unclog Drains - pour it right down the drain.
• Stains - finally something that works.
• Insect Repellent -  (have not tried this one yet - just heard this) Spray on all entrance points and pour down drains.
• Laundry Boost - 1/8 cup for heavily soiled laundry

Diluted:

• Bathroom Cleaning - 2 parts concentrate to 10 parts water. I put it in a spray bottle and clean with it as well as spray the shower daily after each use.
• Fruit and Veggie Wash - 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water
• Floor Cleaner - 1 part concentrate to 20 parts water.  Another spray bottle for this and there's no need to rinse when you are finished. (if you use a bucket, you can pour the mop water into your plants or down your drain so the concentrate works twice)
• Facial Cleanser - 1 part concentrate to 2 parts water.  I hear it's great for complexion and acne.  This is another I have not tried but will start Joey on it as soon as this batch is ready.
• Hair Rinse - 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water. I've heard that this will give you shiny smooth hair... it's worth a try.

Is the the last cleaner you'll ever need?  Maybe, but it's easy to run out so I tend to keep the others around too.

Homemade Bleach Cleaner

*Clorox is trademarked to The Clorox Company

Let's face it, sometimes we need something stronger to clean stains from hard surfaces around the house.  I certainly do!  When we moved I found a bucket in the garage with spray bottles of Clorox cleaners.  It works great for getting set in stains off the counters in the kitchen.  But.. I'm out of it.  Soooooo rather then go spend money on another, I refilled my bottle.... for pennies.  You can too.

Bleach Cleaner Recipe:

Old Gallon Jug, cleaned

1 cup Bleach (dollar store bleach works fine!)

4 Tbsp Liquid Laundry Detergent (see my note below on this)

Water

Yes most of it is water which means you are paying for a LOT of water at the store.

Gather Supplies:

Bleach - Any bleach will do, even the one you can get at dollar tree for.. well.. a dollar.  I had brand bleach so I'm using that.

Detergent - I didn't have liquid laundry detergent, but it's recycle day so I found this great jug in a bin down the road.. and it had just enough soap left in it for this project.  sweet and free.. PLUS I'll be using the container tomorrow for another cleaner project.  Win Win.  (you could also make my laundry detergent as a liquid and use that)

I needed a funnel but don't have one, so I also grabbed this soda bottle out of a recycle bin.  I cut the top off and it's a perfect funnel.

Mix It Up:

I use an old milk jug to store it.. just mix in the stuff, give it a shake and it's easy to pour into the spray bottle when I need a refill.

The whole gallon costs pennies... even if you buy or make your own laundry detergent!

That's a win in my book!

I Remember

Art today about someone or something that you remember.  Choose something that gives you comfort or makes you smile when it comes to mind.

I chose to sketch an old friend.  I'm going totally on memory here and it's been nearly 20 years since I saw him last.  I'm sure I'm not doing him justice here. *wink*  He had the most wonderful curly hair and if I'd cut it just right, it laid in waves on the top of his head.  I always smile when I think of the crazy things we used to get involved in and the laughs we had together.  

What to you remember?

Not for Me Thanks

Journal something you don't like, but that you are offered often. For me, it's wine.  I don't know why I don't like it, I just don't.

Did this little sketch this morning and added color with watercolor crayons.

What is it that you don't like, but are always offered?

Tee

Has-been

Sketch or journal something that is past it's prime. 

We were hiking today and saw this tree stump that is only visible at low tide. I may add color later. 

Tee