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Inspired by Janet Davies

4/17/2021

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This week, I've been experimenting with some techniques I learned from Jane Davies.  Totally fun.

In this video, she uses deli paper to spread acrylic ink around on a piece of paper.  

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJw1VqlTF2E

Jane uses Golden Liquid Acrylic but I didn't have any of this paint so I used Golden High-Flow Acrylic instead.  I tried using craft paint as well as Liquitex Basics but both were too heavy to spread freely.  I guess I could have diluted the paints with water but I wanted a high concentration of color so I didn't.

Before using the deli paper technique to apply color to the paper (I'm using Canson Mixed Media paper) , I brayered a loose abstract design using a neutral color chalk paint.  The final touch was addingI some white acrylic paint by flicking the paint onto the surface with a brush.

I'm still experimenting with different color combos but thought I would share one of my first pieces inspired by Jane.  As usual, first attempts are rarely masterpieces but not only was this a fun way to spend a day, I know I will get better as I make more pieces using this technique.

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Back to the board!

4/11/2021

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Many of you might know that I mount all of my Stupendous Stitching pieces onto wooden panels.  My Stitch & Slash pieces hang freely or are made into totes or pillows.  My Conversation series also hang freely since they are too large to be mounted on boards.

So, I had several panels left over this year and decided to see what I could do with them.

I started watching some YouTube videos made by Tom Quigley.  I fell in love with his friendly and easy-to-listen-to instructions (not so true with other YouTube instructors!).  This video was one of my favorites (since I love TEXTURE!)

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhn6oWirNQ

I had a lot of fun combining all his techniques into one piece of art.  Of course, I knew of some of these techniques before (like using coffee as a paint) but learned some new things like creating a crackle effect with shipping tape.  

Watching artists work is one of my favorite pastimes.  I always learn something new and am always inspired by hearing what is going on in their head while they are creating.

While viewing several videos during a week can make you feel a little disoriented (what to do???), my advice is not to follow someone step-by-step but to view the video as giving you some new ways to approach your next artwork or to pick up a new tip.  You always need to create your own work, not by copying someone else (although this alone can hone your skills) but accumulating enough information in your brain so that when you ask "what's missing?" or "why do I like this part?", the answer comes naturally.

Am I making sense?


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Moving On.....

4/3/2021

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Piece inspired by Janet Skates


​​I finished all the classes at Sketchbook Revival 2021 and bound my sketchbook with everything I created.  Some pages are wonderful, some are silly, and some were awful.  But it didn’t matter.  This course stretched my imagination, honed my skills, and gave me inspiration and mission for a couple of weeks.  Definitely worth my time.  the classes are still available until the middle of April so take advantage of this free course!
 
So now, I’m going in a new direction.
 
I found this artist, Janet Skates, whose work I love for her use of color and mark-making.   Here’s the video that inspired my work today.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEUdUSFuQIk
 
Sometimes, I try to copy another artist’s work in my sketchbook, just to learn their techniques, but it never turns out that great so I try to look and learn and then go my own way.  Janet uses a lot of white in her work and that results in pastels.  A color palette I never work with.  But I actually loved the results I got today so thought I would share it with you.
 
My Mom’s favorite color was pink.  Perhaps that’s why I never used that in my work.  But now, seeing pink actually brings fond memories of her so maybe it now, can have a place in my palette. 
 
How does color affect you?

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Sketchbook Revival:  Shari Blaukopf

3/27/2021

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One of the things I'm learning lately is that I CAN draw and paint!  Who knew?  

Because I'm mainly a fiber artist working with fabric and stitch, drawing and painting was a mystery to me.  But the more I do it, the better I become at these skills.  And, not thinking about whether I'm good or bad compared to other artists, makes me more confident following my own ideas.

A ,lot of instructors give you a step by step way to draw and paint from a reference photograph.  I watched and listened to Shari's video but chose my own photograph and did my own thing.  Perhaps her voice was in my head while I was doing this but regardless, I was very happy with the result.  

Here's her website:
https://shariblaukopf.com/

​Enjoy!
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Sketchbook Revival:  Jeanne Oliver

3/20/2021

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My sketch
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A photo I took of a sidewalk that was my inspiration

I'm taking this free course called Sketchbook Revival.  I love the idea of learning from many artists, each with a different style, medium and attitude.

Here is a sketch I made today, using graphite and water and some gesso.  I had purchased vine graphite many years ago but never used it because it was so delicate, I thought I would break it immediately.  But Jeanne taught me how to hold and rotate the vine so it made wonderful marks.  

I loved her techniques and made something I actually love.  

The only problem with this course is that it's too fast.  Viewing two videos every day with two different artists, doing two different techniques is exhausting.  I prefer a more laid-back approach to making art.  Still, just viewing the videos is interesting.  Don't think you have to make anything as a result.  I love just seeing how artists work and hearing their thoughts along the process.

So if you are in need of some inspiration, for free, check this out.  It's going on now and when you sign up, you can view the videos from Day one!

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Stencil Art

3/13/2021

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There are so many inspiring artists to follow on YouTube and here's my latest inspiration. Dan Tirels is the artist I'm following right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAg1qb2ivko
I have made my stencils using my laminator so I can use them many times but you could also do this with just cardboard as well.
Dan works with oil paint but I made this piece with acrylic.  Luckily, a friend of mine gave me some oil paint so I'm going to try this next.
I love the process and the results and will be interested to experience the difference between acrylic and oil paint.
His style reminds me of patchworking.  So obviously, a connection between my fiber art and mixed media.
I might try this technique on fabric.  Who know where our creative minds will lead us next!






​

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Featured Artist:  Linda Laird

3/6/2021

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I received a postcard announcing a new solo exhibit by fiber artist Linda Laird.  Luckily, there was a virtual exhibit on their website where I could zoom in and see every piece close up.  The gallery is open by appointment only and you can see the actual pieces and how they are wonderfully hung to show off all both sides of these wonderful pieces.
 
I loved the alphabet theme of these works.  And I loved the sayings on each of the pieces.  I asked Linda to tell me more and here is what she had to say…
 
“I made the first 2 pieces, A and B, for the SAQA poster call for entry in late 2016.  They were declined for that show, but I had so much fun making them I thought, “Why not the whole alphabet?”, and was off and running.  I had been using text in my work for a few years before, but choosing aphorisms that featured a letter of the alphabet as a key word gave me a focused direction for the 26-piece series.  I also used the size from the SAQA call for entry, 32”w x 48”hl as the standard format, as I was wanting to work bigger and bolder.  From my costuming career, I work very clean, tight, and “stage worthy”, so I purposely made these pieces as loose as I could, with raw edges, torn pieces, large hand stitching, and the minimal quilting to hold the layers together.  More like a man artist, than a female seamstress! 
 
There was not an overall context for the aphorisms.  I collected them from several books, websites, and general reading.  “Real Simple” magazine prints a pithy saying each month on the spine of each print copy.  I chose sayings that spoke to me about real life in the present day world, even though they were written by men and women from around the world and often from distant times.  Each piece has a manila hang tag with the author’s name, dates, nationality, and occupation.  My object was to connect ideas from the past to the present, and encourage viewers to think about those connections.
 
“The virtual gallery is completely imaginary, but it looks huge and beautiful.  In the actual gallery, the pieces are hung from single wires attached to slender metal brackets fastened perpendicular to the walls in a way that allows them to move at angles to the walls.  It’s quite a festive collection of 26 posters that overlap each other, permitting the viewer to walk in between and around the pieces, seeing both fronts and backs.  The fabric posters also move around from the hanging wires as viewers move past them.  This hanging system comes with the show; the works can also be hung flat against the wall, or hung from a dropped grid ceiling to form aisles and passageways, thru which viewers can roam.”
 
If you cannot visit the actual gallery, be sure to visit the virtual one.  Links below.
 
Linda Laird
https://lindalaird-studio.webs.com/
 
Manitou Art Center
Hagnauer Gallery
https://www.manitouartcenter.org/
Now through March 14, 2021

​

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Mark Making

2/26/2021

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I have always loved making marks.  On fabric or in my journal.  It's why I have a large collections of mark-making tools and now, thanks to a good friend, I've discovered an artist that is inspiring me to use these tools in a new way and I'm loving the process and results.

Here is a list of the tools I used to make this piece.  But use anything you have.  I will probably add some more tools when I work on another set of pieces tomorrow.  Be creative and love the process!

Higgins Calligraphy Ink (waterproof)
Liquitex Acrylic Ink
Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencil 2B
Progresso woodless pencil
Generals Charcoal pencil 6B
Sharpie Peel-Off China Marker
Stabilo Woody Crayon
Posca Paint Marker
Permaopaque Marker

​Here's a link to the artist that is inspiring me now.

​Red Queen Art Creations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0peXdAFjNo4

​Enjoy!


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Elegant Writer Pen

2/20/2021

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Finding a new tool that makes your life simple, is a wonderful way to create art!

I usually use a micron pen to do drawings but forget to make skipping lines or thick and thin lines to make my drawings more realistic.  But this tool does it for me.  AND, has the added feature of painting my background without my adding paint!

So try drawing with the Elegant Writer made by Speedball.  Here's a great video that will show you how this pen can make your art effortless.  I had fun doing this and hope you will too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBe6bG6ouZo



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2021 Art Journal

2/7/2021

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I'm following Robyn who is doing a 52 week video challenge on YouTube and I'm trying to stretch my creative mind.

Here is a page spread in my 2021 journal.

It's a combination of gelli printing and collage. I don't know where this will end up but know that every week, I have some new ideas to consider.

Here's a link to week one if you want to participate.  If so, I would love to see your journal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtGT5r9AiGE&t=0s

​ 

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    Carol Ann Waugh

    I am a mixed media artist and love color and texture!

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  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Mixed Media >
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