Transformation Thursdays - Mixed Media Art Painting

Transformation - what does it mean to you?  Do you think of dramatic change or small change, is there something that you can think about that you can remember showing this transformation that took place.

For me transformation is about change from one thing to the next.  If we consider the flower, starting from a seed, and after a period of time what emerges from the ground is totally different from what was planted, and will change as it matures into what it is supposed to be..  Change can take place in many different ways.

I see the way that creativity transforms a blank canvas to an amazing work of art.  I would like to think that I am part of the big transformation that takes place, adding my 'two pennies' worth and making a difference in the world. 

These paintings over the course of the weeks that I produced them was about simply looking at a card and creating something totally different.

In each painting a character came forth and had their own story to tell about transformation, and what it could now mean for the life of a painting.  It could be sold, kept in a draw, displayed for all to see with special meaning and purpose. 

Anyway, my girl with the flower has her story of transformation that brought her this far, gracing the pages of this blog and into your homes.  What she cannot express through words she shares with her expression.

Knowing that you can create why don't you get out your favorite art supplies and spend some time playing with colour and texture, it could be the very thing that you need right at this moment.

Mixed Media Art - Girl with the flower

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Creating on a Budget - Figure Vase

Well here we are for another week of working with vases.  Here is the video of this weeks vase and what it looks like physically.

 This is the third vase that I had found at a thrift store, and it had a floral pattern on, I wish I had taken a photograph of it before I had altered it.

 I find that once I get a creative idea I get so caught up in it I just have to go all out, until I have no choice but to stop.  These vases have turned out far better than I had hoped, and you can see the other vases that I altered HERE and HERE

The idea behind creating them is to show you how you can create a tight budget, and with a little bit of imagination you can still produce some beautiful pieces, if not for yourself you can give them as gifts or even sell them! 

So armed with my paper clay I covered this vase and then formed a figure around the sides.  Paper clay was great to work with, and it gives you additional texture that for me works well with this piece.

I hope to work on some larger pieces, whether it is my own vase or bowl that I make from start to finish or alter something else.

I painted this one with black paint then buffed it over with Rub 'n Buff which gives you a gold finish (they come in a variety of finishes) and a little goes a long way.  You can also use gold or silver paint, by dry brushing.

I will at some point be doing a tutorial of the process, and keep a look out for my paper clay tutorial.

So this is the finished piece.  I could have also scraped some details into the clay before it dried, and you can do this with a variety of materials that you find around the home, that you can incorporate into your studio supplies.

I really like how they turned out and will definitely be doing some more.  Here is a link to the two posts for you to see how they turned out Here and Here

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Transformation Thursdays - Mixed Media Painting - Bird Friend

Where we currently live we constantly hear the sound of the birds in the morning.  We have two large trees at the front of our house known as 'Bearded Fig Trees' and there are 3 different types of birds that seem to nest quite happily in their branches.  

Obviously while they frolic in the trees they are usually tweeting away at different pitches and tones and it is quite a beautiful way to start the day as I flow into my normal morning routine and start my day.

The other thing they seem to bring here as well as in my old house are seeds of unknown trees.  I just found out today that the thing that I thought was a weed is actually a pomegranate tree!  I couldn't be happier as I had actually just brought one after contemplating growing from seeds but the plant was cheaper than buying just one fruit.

Anyway along with bringing seeds and song they also leave their calling card on the back of chairs and the hand rail, so that part of their morning joy is not appreciated, but I guess I can live with it.

I wanted to share my latest of the series of paintings that I had done on small cards. 

They start out with the scraps of paper collage on card and a loose shape for the body is then outlined.  You can take a look at the video below to see it from start to finish as well.

Because of the background colours I try and keep the paint I use to a minimum and do a lot of blending to get the shades and colours that I like.

The ladys then take on a life of their own and come with their stories to be told.  This young one came with a friend, not sure of the breed of bird it is, but it seems to have a lot of character

Perhaps it is related to one of those birds that come and tell all first thing in the morning.

I encourage you to start a daily practice whether you paint, draw, or take photographs while out on your walk.

Bird Friend

You can also check out some of the courses that I have been teaching on, The Journey Within, One BadAss Journal and Embrace Your Art Jam, for ways in which you can tap into your creativity.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Clay Vase - Creating on a Budget

I thought I would share another example of the vases that I altered.  I had found three ceramic vases in a local store but  didn't like the pattern that they had, so I altered them.

I give you a closer look in this video here

By taking home made paper clay and a molded had that was also made from clay I covered the vase with the paper clay.  I would have loved to show you the process, but only thought of it when they had all been covered with their first layer.

 It really does give the vase a different look. Once the clay had dried I painted it and covered with the string

 All in all I think it turned out well, and I would like to experiment with different surfaces. 

Why don't you give it a try and see how it turns out for you

Check out some of your local thrift stores for inexpensive vases and rediscover their beauty.

For now stay blessed and be a blessing.