Material Mondays - Clay Adventures - sneak peak

For those of you who have been visiting regularly you will know that I have started to do quite a bit of work clay and sculpting and it is another creative activity which I intend to incorporate with what I do as a mixed media artist.  Whilst working with the clay, I am still incorporating different mediums together to get the final piece complete, and some that I have made before have included fabric, beads, and jewelry.  You can see some of the things that I have created so far HERE

I thought I would give you a few sneak peaks of what is to come on the clay front, and I have been beavering away with ideas and really enjoying the process.

Work in progress clay duck ready to be complete

I have expanded from creating the smaller dolls to bigger pieces and at some point I would love to create life size pieces, but currently don't have the space so I praying into that, a lovely big studio space is now what is needed to do bigger art pieces.

Work in progress - figure

These figure sculptures are around 12 - 15 inches tall, and what I find myself doing is starting quite a few at the same time, so when one piece is drying I can move on to the next.

Clay artwork waiting to be completed and go on a new journey:)

I have quite a few that are waiting to be complete, and I am so excited I can't wait to finish them.   I am still playing around so I haven't yet found the one style that I want to work with.  I am finding myself thinking a lot about what I want the sculptures to say, their clothes the way they hang, and the story that they can tell as they reach completion.

Larger art work to be completed.

Over the next few weeks I will completing the pieces, in between travelling and working on other ideas - I have made a sculpture sketch book to put new ideas in and reign myself in a bit.  I will be sharing the completed pieces here on the blog, do come back and take a look.  Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Saturday's In the News - New product - Powertex

I went to a Hobby and Craft show at Excel a while back. There was lots to see and many stands with their show specials as well as demonstrations, fashion show and more. They are usually put on a couple of times a year around November and March, and great if you are thinking of trying out a new craft or hobby, or brush up on a new technique.  There is always much to learn and most exhibitors have mini demonstrations going on throughout the day.

I came across a Powertex stand, not having heard of the product before, but seeing the effects, had to find out more about it.  The husband and wife team who demonstrated using the product were really friendly and shared many hints and tips, their display was amazing.

"Powertex fabric and textile hardener is an environmentally friendly water-based liquid sculpting medium. Powertex can replace polyester for fabric hardening and textile hardening. Powertex can harden absorbent materials. Powertex is used for making sculptures, paintings, decorative objects and jewelry. Once dry your artwork can be decorated with oil paints, acrylics, latex or Powercolor mixed with Easy Varnish."

Here are some of the things that they had on display, using fabric and many things that you would probably find around your home you can create some beautiful designs

This was a cardboard box that was decorated with the hardened fabric

You can create bigger indoor and outdoor sculptures 

It can be used for both decorating sculptures and in mixed media projects

It is a bit messy and you will need gloves, though it is non toxic and will wash off your hands with soap and water, your clothes will not fair too well, so you need to cover up.

I brought one of their kits and have been blown away by the versatility of the powertex and other products that you can buy.  It has taken some of the things I have created to another level, I have used it in the mixed media paintings that I create, and I have just loved working with clay and have already used it in creating clothes for some of the art dolls. 

Here are some of the other things that I have been making...

Powertex used to create clothes

Mini Placs

Tea Box decorated with fabric

Mini Dogs

I have created a separate page on the blog with some of my other sculptures and creations.  I really recommend that you give Powertex and other products a try.  You can visit the site HERE

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 77 - Health

Every so often I get an urge to turn my health around, usually prompted by some ache or pain and it pushes me to take action.  This time round was no different, but it was also coupled by the desire for all round change.  I found a Groupon voucher recently that enables me to take 10 swims at a reduced price and that is what I've been doing, I have tried to go daily, having to be at the pool between 6.30 am and 9 am really has challenged me to make the effort to get to the pool.

I am always surprised at how much I take my health for granted and going swimming 3-4 times a week has really made me value the health I have.  There is always some weight to loose and a eating habit to either break or cultivate. It has meant that I am eating healthier as well.  I make a smoothie full of fruit, seeds and vegetables and this keeps me going until around 2pm.  I want to start adding more raw foods to my diet.

There are some illnesses which we are susceptible and also impact on family so where possible it is vital that you take steps to avoid mistreating your body and look after yourself.

I celebrate and I am grateful for another opportunity to do something about my health now, that will affect my health tomorrow.

Take a moment to think how you can impact your health in a positive way and see what steps you can take today.

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Quote Wednesday - Paulo Coelho

"There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there." 

Paulo Coelho

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings

Birds of a Feather... Clay Birds

Birds of a feather

While trying to practice my clay techniques, I have been inspired to create some birds which were quite fun to make.  You can see my dolls by clicking on the link in the pages section.  Heather Santos did a lesson on Soul Food to show how she makes her clay birds and many other things.

Here are a couple of examples of the birds that I have made, I have one waiting to be finished.

The great thing about birds is that they can be quirky and it doesn’t have to look like a real bird, but I think that you can see that it is one of our feathered friends – however your creativity wants to be expressed.

What I am really glad to be able to do is combine many mediums that I enjoy using in their own right and use them on one project.  

The birds were really fun to make, and I have a few others to come, you should give it a go.  it might be something that you really take to.

New Art - Finishing what you started!

I have been taking my time to see what art that I have that has not been finished and found that there was quite a bit of work.  I love trying new things and with this comes a tendency to make a start on something as I learn a new technique or find another use for something that I am familiar with.

Having made the decision that I wanted to get some of the pieces complete, and below is just a few, I started to make my way though them, along side trying new things, taking a couple of course - there is so much to learn and so little time!

I thought I would give you a sneak peek - If you would like to see the full painting, click on the image and it will take you to my art blog, let me know what you think, leave a comment!

Bird on my shoulder

I use bead embellishments for this painting

What if

Each one has mixed media elements within

My Family

And makes the most of the colours that I love to work with

My Family

I do hope you take a visit to my Art blog to see the full sized paintings.

Change - Thought for the day!

Here is a thought for the day - Change will come!

Whether you like it or not things will change, why not create the change you want by taking action towards your dreams....

It only takes one step at a time and before you know it you have done more than you could ever imagine 

Take a look at this video that I created....hope you like it!

Hello Dolly! - Clay Art Dolls

After making Grace the Art doll inspired by Mystele and her class on Soul Food, I have been spending my time dabbling with ideas and have come up with a couple of dolls.  

They are made using recycled materials, clay and then painted.  I was introduced to a product called powertex - a fabric hardener at a craft show and have used this on their hair and clothes.

Ione - Art Doll

They seem to have developed a character of their own, and at the moment I am just playing but hope over the next few weeks to try a few variations and experiment further - I have so many ideas!.

Ione - Art Doll

I like the way she turned out, with her shawl and flowers, lace on her skirt.

Each doll measures aprox 7 inches tall and have been decked out in their finest shawl and some bling

Delores - Art Doll

This doll felt like a Delores for some reason - not sure I will part with these Art Dolls, but will be making some more to put on my Etsy store and website

places to go, people to see!

Making the dolls is a very satisfying activity, one that I didn't realize I would enjoy quite so much, so do come back and see what else I make

Ione and Delores take time out waiting for the finishing touches

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 76 - Vision

I took another break from the routine, not really knowing why I couldn't write about the things that I was grateful for, but I guess not feeling quite on top of things.  I told myself that some time out would enable me to look at things from a different perspective.  

Life goes on in its own merry way, people come and go and at the end you have to decide what to engage with and what to leave.  Life has at times, a way of putting things in to perspective.  We cannot run from those things we are not quite comfortable with, neither can we run from ourselves, but facing the uncomfortable and facing ourselves can be really difficult, especially if your not quite sure what you really want.

My plan at the moment is writing down all the things I want in my life, from the very small and controllable -  like ' I want to get fitter' to the big dreams of wanting to travel round the world and bless people with my art and creativity.

As I work through my lists of 'wants' I am looking at how I can make them SMART and attainable, and I am grateful for the ability to dream and dream big, to take those steps one at a time, each and every day to not only see my dreams come to pass, but to effect the lives of millions of people in a positive way.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal

I am grateful that it can start with the seed of an idea and really take root in the hearts and minds of others.

Take a moment to thinks about what you are grateful for today, leave a comment if you dare!:)

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Dancing to the beat of your own drum - Painting

This painting was inspired by the idea of change as well as experimenting with a limited pallet.  When you are asked to consider what you really want in your life, it can take a while to actually articulate it and the more more you think about it the easier it is to identify those things.  

Laying down the foundation

Some people go through their life never knowing what it is they want, or even like and it isn't until you start to explore you begin to understand what you need to put in place so that you can let go of old stereotypes and patterns of behavior, and really live your life to the full.

I really enjoyed painting this picture, and feel a lot of energy coming from it.  As we dance to the beat of our own drum our lives are no longer governed by what other people think about us, or the box they want to confine us to.  We dance to the beat of who we truly are at our core, expressing our true nature, and shining.

Dancing to the Beat of your own Drum - Mixed Media