5x7 CHALLENGE : : WEEK #3

This mixed media 5x7 canvas is painted with acrylic paint, ink and oil paintstiks.  It is embellished with glaze, stenciling and glitter.  It has paper and fabric collage pieces and the 1 1/2" deep sides are also painted and stenciled.

5x7 CHALLENGE : : WEEK #2

compassion

Okay, this is week 2 and I am feeling pretty good about the momentum and expectation of posting regularly.  I started out collaging paper unto this canvas.  Actually, this has become a very comfortable start for me.  If some show through, it shows through and if it doesn't, it doesn't.  The idea is to start.  And, I am not looking at a blank white canvas.  I begin to sketch in a face with pencil and ink making corrections and then begin painting allowing myself to still make adjustments with paint.  I work the paint until it works out.  I finished it using pencil, marker and gel transfer for the word "compassion".

"I paint self-portraits because I am the person I know best"

Working in my journal with Inktense pencils, acrylics and graphite pencil.  

Kelly Berkey has written some things on her blog that I resonate with me.  It may explain why I have been doing these portrait practices in my journal.  I sit in front of a little mirror to use myself as a guide.  I do not consider them truly self-portraits (although, there is a school of thought that every work an artist creates is, to some degree, a self-portrait).  It helps me with placements of facial features. I guess I have to admit, there is something of me in each one.   This quote from Frida Kahlo kinda explains it all: "I paint self-portraits because I am the person I know best".

Stencil Me In Some More

page from my journal

Working with the same image, introducing color blocking and collage elements.  I wrote on this page then covered it up with a watered down layer of gesso.  Over that I stenciled then experimented with a bold stripe of color down the page on the image.  And then used a different color to highlight the features that were lost because of the darkness of that color.  The possibilities are endless.  But I stopped after adding a bit of collage (word torn from magazine).

Stencil Me In- Part 2

Here I go again, havin' a stencilin' good time.  On this spread from my journal are the same images as in the previous post.  I am playing with spreading paint and layering to create depth.  O, look, the flower on the side of the head, creating a Lady Day experience?  Who knows what I was thinking of.  I like the image of the rose and that I could add a stem if I wanted.  There's more fun to come.  To be continued...

Seven of My Favorite Art Supplies

from my sketchbook

1.  Moleskine notebook - I use the larger one (5.25x8.25in.) sketchbook.  The pages are pretty sturdy, which is a good thing for all the abuse I give 'em.
2. Pitt pens - brush tip.  I love to work over acrylic paint with these pens because just before it dries I give it a little smear with my finger tip.  Great for shading.
3. Everything Golden - paints, grounds, mediums.  Golden paints are wonderful, whether, heavy body or fluid.  The grounds will open your mind to amazing possibilities.  And the mediums are just perfect.
4. Prismacolor Pencils.  Tons of colors.  Smooth and creamy.  Great coverage.
5. Derwent Inktense pencils.  I cannot tell you how much I enjoy these things.  They are watersoluble.  So when I put water to these guys the colors are intense, brilliant.
6. Stabilo pencil.  I like the black for its deep richness.
7. Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper.  The 140lb. hot press is my favorite.

Currently, these are some of my favorites.  The list tends to be a bit fluid.