Painting

I am not much of a 'plein air' painter and even more so I do not like painting in a group! I enjoy my time in my studio alone. Workshops are a huge struggle for me - a large group of people is very stressful!! I am trying to do more painting outdoors and paint with a group.  I am very lucky to be part of a group of lovely, supportive and talented painters. This past year we have painted at each others homes and spent time this summer in K-Country painting.  I am still not that comfortable painting in a group or outdoors for that matter, but the more I do participate in these activities the more my comfort zone is starting to increase. I have posted a sampling of some of the watercolours I painted outdoors this summer. Landscapes are not my first choice of subject matter, but it is hard not to feel inspired by the area I live in.  I don't know if I would use these studies to attempt some larger finished pieces, but it certainly wasn't wasted time! My outdoor studies are not 'realistic' but I do think they capture the essence of the day and the scenery!

4"X51/4"

Elbow Falls looking west 

(was a smokey day so I wasn't able to see the mountains )

August, 2015

9 1/4"X6 1/4"
Looking east down the Elbow River valley
September, 2015

7"X7"
Mountains (Banded Peak) looking west from Highway 762
October, 2015

 7"X7"
Elbow River at the old Allen Bill pond area
(Couldn't see the mountains west  - heavy smoke)
August, 2015

Journal Project 2015

I mentioned in a previous post that I was participating in a journal exchange with 6 of my wonderful and talented 'muses'.  The journals have now returned to their respective owners.  Was a great project to be a part of.  I did a lot of experimenting with materials and techniques.  Was always exciting to receive the new journals, but also a challenge.  How would I interpret the individual themes that were chosen by my friends, what materials would/could be used?  So many choices!!  Some ideas came immediately, others longer!  Most journals took a couple of weeks to complete.  I incorporated lots of different elements - flaps, tags, mini books and pockets to name a few.  I have posted photos of the final 5 journals below.  Apologies for some of the picture quality.  A few pages were hard to scan with all  the elements on them! Hope you enjoy them.

'Inspiration Journal' (9"X9")
Scrapbooking paper, stamps, stencils, computer
generated text, chalk pastels, acrylic paint and mediums

'Fairy Journal' (9"X9")
Scrapbooking paper, die cuts, stencils, rubber stamps,
computer generated text, embossing powder, paper flowers,
acrylic paint and chalk pastels

'Gratitude Journal' (9"X9")
Dry wax deli paper stencilled and glazed, rubber stamps,
handmade tags, computer generated text,
paper flowers, hand drawn birds, acrylic paint,
pan pastels and Inktense pencils

'Origami Journal' (9"X9")
Scrap book paper, hand made paper, stencils, acrylic paint, pan pastels,
rubber stamps, paper punch elements, handmade tags, yarn, oriental coin

'Buddha Journal' (9"X9")
Handmade paper, handcut and commercial stencils,
Inktense pencils, acrylic paint, 2B pencil, white pigma pen

Dog Journal

Here is another page from the Dog Journal.  As I mentioned in a previous post, experimenting is very 'freeing'!  I would never have created a painting or print using this image in this way, but having done it in my journal I would like to do a larger one!  I am finding dog sketches in some of my older journals/sketchbooks, even on scrap pieces of paper - I guess it is a good thing that I don't tend to throw things out! (My husband might have a different opionion, but it is my studio!). The Dog Journal must have been waiting for its day!! With this image I photocopied it and cut it out and 'glued' into the journal. Then worked on it adding colour and stencilling, etc. The  more I do the more the ideas seem to come. Enjoy the day and happy creating!

10"X10"
Mixed media collage, art tissue (stamped and stencilled),
Inktense pencils, acrylic paint

Dog Journal

It's official!  The Dog Journal has a 'title' page.  Okay...I didn't really think it needed a title page, but it was fun to work on it.  I started this journal in August and have just been adding a bit of this and that. Magazine clippings, post cards and cards, quotes, some of my doodles and sketches.  Purely for experimentation and to share my love of our cherished 4-legged companions.  I think one or two other favourites - flora and fauna will find their way into this journal over time.  I am becoming braver in my journals.  Have always been a bit of a perfectionist and this has held me back from just doing something - anything! It is really quite freeing to realize that this is not going to be a 'finished' work of 'art' and instead a place to enjoy the act of creating.  I am going to try and do a page a week. If not....well there is always next week!

Title Page (10"X10")
Acrylic paint and mediums, stencils, rubber stamps, panpastels,
white gel pen, pigma pen, pastel pencils.  Black andwhite
photocopy of original image that was glued in and coloured.

Acrylic paint, stencils, spray inks, pigma pen,
white gel pen and washi tape (10"X10")

 

Black scrapbooking paper, magazine clipping, black and
white photocopy of dog sketch, acrylic paint and stencils (10"X10")

My four-legged muse - Whimsey....our beautiful golden girl!