A Journal Cover

G'day all!

I spend a lot of time in my studio, trying new product or techniques and some turn out well and well, some don't.

I have had a few composition notebooks on my shelf for a while and knew that I wanted to paint the covers but never got around to it.

I finally grabbed one off the shelf after receiving some Dylusions paints and some tenderly used stencils I bought from a friend. 

First I painted with gesso and then added Dylusions Paints in Vibrant Turquoise, Crushed Grape and London Blue.

Next, I cut a piece of cardstock that I had painted using a shaving cream method and glued each piece to a side of the cover.

I wanted to incorporate the cardstock so as to not have a clear edge and also add texture, so I applied Liquitex Modeling Paste around the card stock piece.

I used a couple stencils and the Crushed Grape paint to cover the modeling paste.

Though I loved it at this point, I had decided to give it to my grand daughter, so I had to youngin' it up a little (you know what I mean, right?). I grabbed another stencil and traditionally stenciled one side and reverse stenciled the other. I added  some pink flowers and outlined them with a white Sharpie Paint Marker.

I recently won some fabulous supplies from Faber Castell which included some awesome stencils. I used two of them to add words to the front and back of the journal.

I think Olivia loved it!

Thank you for following me in my life and art journeys.

Whimsical Table

Last week I showed you a chair that I painted.

I had a small wood table that I thought would match it, so I went to work and finished it the other day.

Here is the progression of pictures I took. Most were because I was trying to choose colors and sometimes it is easier to see the direction if I look at a picture on my phone.

I still have to clear varnish them before they go up for sale. I will start on the chairs you see in the background this week.

Thank you for following my life and art journeys. 

Mixed Media: African Head Tie

Hi everyone!!!!

I'm pretty excited right now, because I just made my first video of a painting I recently finished.

Instead of showing pictures of the painting's progression, I wanted to try my hand at putting them in video format.

I think I did it :)

Well, hit the play button and lets see if I have any technical skills! 

Thank you, so very much, for following me in my life and art journeys.

Chair Update!

Last month, I posted a picture on Facebook of a chair that I wanted to paint. My girlfriend and I picked it up on the side of the road while she was visiting. I asked for suggestions and got quite a few ideas.

Here is the progress from beginning to end.

Sanded and beginning to prime.

Began painting at the bottom.

Choosing color palette.

Base coats on bottom are done.

Working my way to the top while I 

decide what to paint on the seat.

Decided on geckos for this one.

Added some whimsy before painting the geckos.

DONE!!!!! (Well, I still need to add clear coats)

Thank you for following along in my life and art journeys!

Repurposed Canvas: Dream

Once upon a time....
I started to create a canvas using a technique I saw used by another artist that I admire very much. No matter how hard I tried, I could not produce the outcome I wanted. So, I put the canvas aside in the pile of unfinished art.

That's it on the top of the pile.

 I have pulled it out many times trying to figure out what I wanted to do with it. 

The other day I wrote in my task list to use that canvas and complete the painting. As usual, I procrastinated and by midday I had completed all of my other tasks except THAT ONE.

I was determined, however, so first I covered the previous attempted art with a layer of joint compound. I used the excuse that it had to dry to put it off yet again. 

Yep, I moved that "task" to the next day. I am not sure why, but it had become just that, a task.

Fast forward to the next day.....

Rested and determined, I added a coat of gesso to the canvas. Once that was dry, I began a background with some gelatos and a collage of vintage papers. 

All of a sudden, it was no longer a task... Here are a few pictures I snapped as I created a piece I love!!!

 Thank you for following along in my life and art journeys.

Byrd Street Studio Update: Business Cards

Hi everyone!

I recently had to change the information on my business cards. Mostly, due to the fact that I have closed down my web page.

I am going to concentrate on getting the information about the studio out in fewer avenues. Trying to maintain a blog, social media, a web page, participate in learning classes, host art classes and still have time for creating art, became much too time consuming. I wasn't participating in any of them fully.

Often times, we spread ourselves, too thin and actually accomplish less.

That is exactly what was happening to me. So, I have made a plan. It starts with giving myself more art time and then hosting classes (that's what pays the bills).

As you have already seen, I created a studio logo that I love (using it as my blog header for now).

So... here they are,... my new business cards!!!!

I love that they are simple and finally all the information is accurate! I chose the pink background , well, because flamingos are PINK! 

Thank you for following my art and life journeys!

Byrd Street Studio: Altered Wine Bottle Class

This past Wednesday, a couple girls came to the studio to learn one method of altering a wine bottle.

I had already prepared the bottles first by washing them and removing labels and then applying 2 coats of white gesso.

This class turned out to be just two ladies, Karen and Ranelle. They decided to start with a crackle base layer. 

One applied a base coat of Paynes Gray and the other chose a Dark Fushia.

We used the glue method for the crackle. Then using gel medium, the ladies applied their napkins. 

Ranelle used a napkin with shells and Karen chose a floral.

When they were done, they cut designs out of the napkins and made tags to hang off the neck of their bottles. How cute are these?

A couple girls couldn't make the class, so it looks like we may have another one before the end of the year.

Thank you for following my art and life journeys.