Experimenting with watercolor paints

I've been practicing my watercolor painting skills as I'll have the opportunity to teach a beginning watercolor class in 2018.  I'm still in the beginner skill set myself, so I try to practice on a regular basis.  I've already learned a lot by just playing around with the paints.   My biggest lesson is that watercolors react differently when applied to an area where I've erased.  This was a sad discovery for me as the eraser is my best friend.  For my next painting, I'm going to try to sketch with watercolor pencils and try to separate myself from my eraser.  Separation Anxiety, here I come . . .

Mermaid drawing

Here is the drawing I was working on during my patterns class.  I've just finished teaching the drawing portion of the class.  The focus now will be adding color to our patterns using colored pencils, markers and watercolor pencils. 

Drawing Class

I've had a great opportunity to teach a weekly drawing class.  We've been meeting for six months now and it has become the highlight of my week.   Recently we've been practicing patterns and using those patterns in our finished drawings (think Zentangles).  I've been working on a mermaid and will post her shortly.

Beaded, Embroidered Purse

My girlfriend gave me this beautiful purse that she found at an artist co-op.  It's just the right size to put a few makeup supplies in.   I absolutely love it and wanted to share. 

 

This is the side of the purse.

Too cute!

Using Paperclay To Make Elements For Your Art Projects

I like to make my own elements using silicone molds and Plaster of Paris.  Recently I was re-introduced to the beauty of Paperclay.  Using Paperclay is easier to use than Plaster of Paris, is less messy, and the elements are stronger.  

All you need is a silicone mold

and Paperclay, which can be purchased at most craft stores, such as Michaels. 

Pinch off a small section of Paperclay and press it into the silicone mold.  Afterwards, scrape the Paperclay with a putty knife.  Doing this step will give your elements a flat surface for gluing.

Now you need to wait.  The Paperclay directions say it takes 1 to 3 days to dry (it took mine one day).  You know your elements are ready when the sides of your elements pull away from the mold.  If they don’t pop out easily, give them a little more time.

After the elements drop out of the mold, the backs will have a little bit of paper on the edges.  You can easily remove this with your fingernail.

Now they’re ready to be painted. 

I used Golden acrylic paints on mine. 

Prep work for craft fairs

In the past few years, I’ve really enjoyed participating in Christmas craft fairs.  The challenge is that I procrastinate and then scramble at the end trying to make things to sell.  This year I thought I’d try to get ready a little earlier than October.  I sat down and experimented with bits and pieces I had at home to see if I could design pendants without purchasing any additional supplies.  So far, I like the pendant with the rhinestones the best.

Framed Bird Cage Collage

I have the habit of re-doing my art projects until I get them just right.  This piece came from one of my re-do’s.  I loved the bird, the wire cage and the bird’s wire “birthday hat.”  Unfortunately, I didn’t love the substrate which housed him.  While trying to find a new home for my bird, I was also trying to figure out what to do with the cool frame.  It was a little damaged and couldn’t hold glass in its present condition.  Then the two ideas came together.  . . . bird cage in a frame.  I’m rather happy with it.

   

I used very old wire to make the bird cage.  I twisted the wires together and made a loop for the top.  I then clipped the loop onto a clipboard, and formed the sides and front of the birdcage.