Pass The Brush Video Experience

 

Here is the video of my creative journey to Mixed Media Art which I shared as part of Pass The Brush Art Experience..

Thank you for joining me, you can also connect with me on  Instagram and check out some of the other artists.

 

The aim of the event is to show solidarity within the art community and to amplify black artists so their voices can be heard and art can be seen in a broader audience.  Connect with each other as artists and see what our similarities and differences.

Let me know what you are getting on with.

Here are the artists that shared their spaces and their audiences. You can check out their instagram pages and see some of their amazing work.

 

Artists Studio Tours Barbados 2020

Artists Tours

Discover Barbados, Discover Art

It is great to be part of The Artists Studio Tours which brings together over 30 artists all opening their studio and exhibition spaces to the public.

There are Painters, Sculptors, Mixed Media Artists, Photographer, Textile artists, Clay artists, Jewelry and Newspaper craft artists

Whilst some of the Artists and their Studios are open at other times during the year by appointment you will be able to make your way round to the artists that catch your eye and see more of their work.

I will be opening up my space over the two weekends and you will be able to see where the creative spark happens and my display space, it will be a great event, and will likely be an annual one.

Mixed Media Art Sculpture -  Amanda Trought

The studios are open on

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th February, and again on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March 2020

You can check out the other artists on the Artists Studio Tour Website HERE  I look forward to seeing you.

Today's the day! My first Auction

Today is the day that my art goes up on the Survival and Triumph Online Auction.  I am very blessed to share the space with Jenny Doh  We kick off at 1pm EST and go on to around 11.45 the following day.  I have a few more that pieces of art that you may not have had a chance to see yet, and you can see the other pieces on my Facebook page HERE 

cloth and string

I have a mixed selection of artwork on display which speaks to the ever exploring creative in me.  I love mixed media and taking it off the canvas and the art journal and onto a sculpture, and you will see my figures combine fabric, clay, paint and jewelry.  

Engage

I love experimenting and also working with different materials including recycling, up-cycling and these too you will find will be able to tell a story and capture a heart.

If you haven't signed up yet come by and show some love and encouragement and who knows you may be inspired to do something creative for yourself.  Survival and Triumph  Auction

Painted Tray

Seekers 2

Seekers 1

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Mixed Media Art Painting Giveaway - We all need someone to lean on

Art Giveaway - We all need a friend to lean on

 Ok I am part of the #1min1take Video Challenge and I have decided to do an Art giveaway.  My target for the challenge is to complete at least 60 videos of 1 minute to encourage you, inspire you and hopefully bless you in the process with different conversations.  

#1min1take video challenge

Some of the videos call you to answer some tough questions, others to think about your creativity and life.  In a few of the videos I will be sharing what I am doing either in the studio or on my travels in Barbados.

I created this piece of art recently and it was so much fun.  I thought I would share the process with you below.

It began its life as a piece of cardboard I had recycled and added collage and layers of paint.  It has some great texture on it with modelling paste and stencils.

Once I had decided on the base image I start filling in with gesso

And then adding some of the colors to give me a general ideas of the overall color of the painting.

I start to add some background and continue to work on the images,  You can see some of the modelling paste highlighted by gold on the painting.

A bird friend comes along and makes home with our two ladies.  Up until this point our main character is day dreaming lost in her own world.

And then she opens her eyes to the birdsong with a knowing look in her eye.

Mixed Media Art on Card 6 x 8 inches  - We all need a shoulder to lean on - 

Do you want to win this painting? then hop over to my YouTube Channel and leave a comment on the video above. 

Check out some of the other videos in the #1min1take challenge as I will be doing additional Art giveaways, and showing you art techniques and tutorials, why not subscribe while your there and click notifications so that you will know when a new video comes out.

Quote Wednesday - Stowe

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and tie that the tide will turn...

Harriet Beecher Stowe

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

Quote Wednesday - Miller

Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them....Hugh Miller

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

Quote Wednesday - Dodinsky

Your value is the product of your thoughts.  Do not miscalculate your self-worth by multiplying your insecurities..Dodinsky

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

Quote Wednesday - Ziglar

Don't be distracted by criticism.  Remember the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you...Zig Ziglar

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

Quote Wednesday - Nin

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to ones courage

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

Quote Wednesday - Gogh

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced....Vincent Van Gogh

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

Quote Wednesday - Dickens

There is a wisdom of the head and.....a wisdom of the heart...Charles Dickens

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

Quote Wednesday - East African Proverb

Wisdom is like the boabab tree; no one individual can embrace it... East African Proverb

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

Quote Wednesday - St Augustine

Patience is the companion of wisdom....

St Augustine

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

Quote Wednesday - Huxley

Experience is not what happens to you;  it is what you do with what happens to you.... Aldous Huxley

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

Quote Wednesday - Unknown

Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't I give myself reasons why I can......Unknown

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

Quote Wednesday - Alexander Graham Bell

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us...

Alexander Graham Bell

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

Word for the Week - Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Barbados Trip and Special Giveaway Bonus!

I have just come back from a couple of weeks away in Sunny Barbados, and just getting my body clock back to a workable routine, I will be sharing more about the trip and the opportunity that blessed us next week, but here is a sneak preview of where we stayed.

Inchcape Villa, home for the week

This was our view every morning.....

Beautiful sea views

and I was visited each morning by this tiny little fellow perched on the back of the chair singing sweet songs, and I guess I did spoil it a little with the sunflower seeds..

Morning birdsong greeting me as I spent time in my journal

And he would come back with his or her friend during our stay.

My regular morning visitor

I will be sharing more about all the things that we got done, but for now I thought with all this rainy weather we are experiencing here in the UK I would shine some light.  I must admit on our last day in Barbados it rained cats and dogs, I guess Barbados cried cause we were returning to the UK:) 

Anyway back to this light.

I am giving away Bonus for signing up HERE to the 'My Color is Beautiful Art' course....

Registration is open!

The course is going to be just what you need to start February 2015 off with a creative kick and here are just some of the things you can expect:

• 8 wonderful, creative instructors
• 10 amazing video mixed media main lessons, 1 lesson per week for 10 weeks.  PDF Download of each lesson, provided as well.
• 10 eye opening color challenges and background techniques, videos and/or pdf’s provided.   1 challenge per week for 10 weeks, resulting in 40 AMAZING backgrounds, ideas and techniques. and much MORE!

All this for only $49!  

(classroom content valued at over $400!).

Class begins February 2nd 2015

BONUS GIFT

I am quite a hoarder  collector and I love paper, and making my own painted paper, and I have a love of shiny things with the beads and embellishments that I have been using and applying to some of my work as the piece below shows.

I am really excited to be able to offer a bonus gift for all those who register HERE for the course I have decided to give away a free paper and embellishment pack, filled with lots of goodies for you to use as part of my lesson on the course and for any other creative activity that you might have...

I will include in the pack a selection of:

• Paper ephemera
• Patterned and hand painted papers
• Handmade paper
• Die cuts
• Ribbons
• Stencils
• Beads and embellishments!

Once you have signed up via my link I will arrange to have the kit sent out to you before the course begins.  

If you have already signed up else where for the course and would like to purchase a paper embellishment kit you will be able to do so from the beginning of next week for $7.50 including P&P.

Register here now and receive your free bonus embellishment kit by clicking the button below!

I am so looking forward to having you on the course, here is a sneak preview of one of the paintings that I am currently working on!

Why August is one of the best months!

I think that August is one of the best months there is, I know those born in the 11 other months might have an alternative view, but when you really sit down and think about it you will have to agree that August beats the rest hands down.

Ok I guess I am going to have to clarify my comments, but think about it - with August your in the height of the summer, all the flowers are blooming, it is associated with holidays, the schools are off, you get to spend some quality time with friends and loved ones, the bbq's come out and the air is filled with laughter, Pimms and dogs barking playfully!

What if it were all possible?

I don't really drink Pimms and we don't have a dog, but it is a restful month, one for reflection before you get back into the back end of the year with September.  Another reason, and you probably guessed from the start is that I was born in August, and therefore have a birthday coming up.

It is going to be a big one and I have been reflecting on where I am in my journey, how far I have to go, what twists and turns are coming up, sometimes I feel as if I am one of those people with spinning plates and I have to keep them all going, and you are constantly looking to see if there are anymore plates that will be added.  I don't think I will have anything big, but celebrate with family and friends, something small...thought the 'Kensington Roof Gardens' would have been a lovely venue and is on my wish list!!!  I have restarted my exercise routine, and have promised myself that I will treat me as if I were my best friend rather than taking myself for granted, let alone let anyone else.

There are a few more weeks to go and I will be doing something special online during that week here on my blog, so do come back.  I have been playing with supplies and have made this journal, quite a playful journal will see me write my dreams and visions and hopes for the future within its pages..

Celebration playful Journal

It has a piece cut out of the front cover and I drew and pasted a picture there. It is a ring bound journal and the flowers and butterflies are made from fimo clay and it has fluffy wool and wooden beads decorating it!

Inside is a mixture of watercolour paper and decorated paper to use as the mood takes me.

The bird at the back is a reminder to let go of those things that you have no control over and focus on shining that light, and asking that question...'What if it were all possible'!....yes August is one of the best months cause I was born..Blessings to all, and what ever month you were born in you are pretty special as well!

Creating....the process

I love looking at the process photos of how a painting comes into being, and every now and then share with you here.  I wanted to show you this particular painting that I had done recently and how it started out and what the finished result looked like.

I have over the past few months been attempting to paint a few more male portraits, it was something I was quite used to doing with graphite, but never attempted many paintings

After using my gelli plate to create a background this young man came to visit and I was able to capture him in charcoal.

Starting out using gelli print and charcoal to sketch the image

with each application of paint, he reveals a bit more of himself..

Image continues to emerge

he shares his dreams of travelling, and I wondered if they would remain just dreams or if he would be able to have some adventures of his own.

It had taken quite a bit of thought, planning and convincing that he was able too venture forth

He had already begun, he was living his adventure, travelling around the world, meeting new people and finding himself..

He knew who he was, where his talents and opportunities lay and he set out to share them with the world.

Valiant - Mixed Media Art on Watercolour