Lace and Vintage Pin Art Doll is Here

This sweet art doll has been sitting on my sideboard for a while and I decided on a whim to list her on Wee Art Things - I do have another one I made to keep for myself. Once a doll lover, always a doll lover....

It's All in the Details

I've been having trouble with two parts of a painting which have been invading my thoughts relentlessly. Bit by bit, literally, I've found my way and it all boiled down to the detail which was missing. I like a sort of messy undefined style of painting but this time it needed some definition. But how to merge the two was bugging me a lot.

When I got up this morning and knowing I wouldn't have to do anything else, I got stuck in - I'm so happy that the problems are resolved and have only to add a couple of little touches and it's finished. Then the sealer goes on and as soon as it's dry, I'll post a photo.

I'm not sure that I'll paint such a large format again as the table in my art room was just big enough to lay the canvas on, so getting to the top wasn't easy and I can't work upside down!!

Mini Canvas - Flowers Are Blue

I just needed to work at something simple and small, so I painted this mini-canvas. It's on Wee Art Things

Starting encaustics

I'm beginning to get really into encaustics and have now got my supplies at the ready. I made something small to get me started and to experiment - it's really a simple no-fuss mini wallhanging - oh I can see myself totally immersed in hot beeswax - well not literally, it's very addictive.

I think that the part I love is the weighing out and concoctions of waxes and colourings, I suppose you'd call it alchemy!! There's a touch of the witch in me and I'm sure in a former life I was cooking up potions and spells!!

It's in my shop  Wee Art Things

The Yellow Bottle

Here's my latest painting *The Yellow Bottle* all ready for the framers. It's so gratifying to have finished another painting that I feel happy with. It measures 25x17", a bit bigger than my usual size but thought it would get me used to a larger format and with the huge canvas that I do find a bit overwhelming! I suppose it's good practice to push my boundaries.

Moment of Hesitation

I had a painting ready to go to the framers tomorrow but, looking at it today, I wasn't sure that it was finished. So I changed something and now I'm happy with it and it has been given the final sealer. I'll take a photo tomorrow in daylight.

I can hear something outside and at first thought it was someone calling - but it repeats at regular intervals and I've just realized that it's an owl hooting -- quite spooky actually!!

And another thing

and the DVD/recorder which I didn't replace - just threw it in the bin!!

Working at the Canvas

I've been quiet because I've been painting that big canvas and it still intimidates me. I really should be more confident with myself as when working with acrylics and I'm not happy with something, I just gesso it and start again - it's such a life-saver!!

But it's now taking shape and I can see how to proceed - I much prefer blurred lines so straight edges can bother me. But I'm solving it bit by bit. I still have  a few weeks before the exhibition so I should be able to get it finished.

I don't know what's going on but the technology goblin seems to have taken up residence. Here's a list of appliances that I've had to replace in the last few months:

mobile phone
landline phone
printer
computer
radio

ipod's acting up but not sorted yet
no electricity for 3 hours on Friday

and I'm sure I've forgotten something! Enough now please!!!!

But I'm a born optimist and my bottle always half full!

The Beatles of Yesteryear

A while ago at the scrap store, I bought a lovely old wooden box with sliding lid - a bit the worse for wear. Yesterday I decided to give it a clean and took out the piece of yellowed newspaper which had served as a liner.


Imagine my astonishment to discover a front page of the Scottish Daily Mail dated Thursday, April 30 1964 and a huge photo of the traffic-stopping crowds of thousands of Beatles' fans waiting for their idols to come out of the cinema where they'd played.

Free Mixed Media E-Book

I found this site today and it's really interesting with videos and links if you're interested in mixed media. Have a look at http://www.createmixedmedia.com/ and there's a free ebook with 6 mixed media projects that all feature a bit of stitching. Authors include Ruth Rae, Josie Cirincione and Kelly Snelling.

I've cleared the decks and put my big canvas out again - had to gesso all over to hide what I'd painted in October, it just wasn't working for me. This is the first time I've done a commission and I had some suggestions from my buyer which were threatening to quash my free spirit. So I'm going to go with my instinct and hope she will like it!! I can always add it to my paintings ready for the exhibition in March so no worries.

Threading

Probably not the sort of threading you'd presume, but I'm going today to have it done to me! I've only had it once before and it made tears roll down my face - but you have to suffer to be beautiful hahaha!! But afterwards my friend and I are going for afternoon tea and possibly cake because we'll have deserved it!