Deb Ammerman Art and Design

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #60 - DuoTangle

2012-02-27T09:10:00.000-05:00

The Diva's Challenge this week is to create a "DuoTangle" using "Cirquital" and "Munchin" - Both tangles are Official Zentangle patterns. This is not my official response to the challenge, I was playing around with the "Scribbler" program on the web this morning and wanted to see how it would turn out. I wish I had a pen stylus for my computer, I did this with a mouse, but it was fun, and I think it created an interesting drawing. I will do a drawing for the challenge at some point this week.

Happy 17th Birthday Matthew!

2012-02-23T13:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Matthew's 17th Birthday! I'm telling you, I don't know where the time is going! I sure wish it would slow down a little bit! This was taken just before we went out to dinner. Was a school night, so we kept it simple... out for his traditional Pizza dinner to Politos, then home for the night. By the way, that's a clock radio for his room, and so that when he goes away to college, he MIGHT get up in time to make it to morning classes. :)

Abstract Nonrepresentational Acrylic Painting - Work In progress

2012-02-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Here is what my latest painting looks like after I did a little more work on it last night. I added some more white flakes to the bottom, and toned down some of the "raw" colors by mixing the sienna and umber with some of the unbleached titanium acrylic paint. I think I want to tone down some of the white flakes at the bottom, not sure if it needs anything else after that or not.

Scribbler

2012-02-23T08:04:00.002-05:00

I followed a link (I am sorry, I forgot where I got the link from to give credit) to a really cool scribble program on the web. The cool thing is that it lets you save your drawings to your computer if you want to keep them. I was having a blast with this this morning! You should take a look and do a little scribbling. :) Here is the link: http://www.zefrank.com/scribbler/scribblertoo/

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #59: Mardi Gras Themed Zentangle Tile

2012-02-22T08:36:00.001-05:00

This week, the Diva's Challenge for our Zentangle Tile was to use the theme of Mardi Gras. I wanted to stick with a basic zentangle, so this is what I came up with. I think the colors, beads and patterns I used pretty much accomplishes the festive Mardi Gras feel. I'll probably go back to this later and add some shading. (Image replaced with shading added).

Fractured no more...

2012-02-17T17:48:00.001-05:00

Well, you'll never guess... lol... but the "Fractured" painting I showed you last week bit the dust, and has morphed into this. I am not done with it yet, it needs some work at the bottom for sure, and I plan to add some texture... :)

Here is the finished painting:

I'll try to get a better photo of it tomorrow when the sun is out. I added some black at the bottom and some liquitex white flakes and black lava to this... I also did some "splatter" work on this.

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #58: Use the Four Diamonds Logo

2012-02-16T19:17:00.002-05:00

This week's Diva Challenge by guest CZT, Diana Hirsch, is to use the Four Diamonds Logo as a string for your Zentangle. This is what I did...

I really like the way it came out. To learn all about the 4 Diamonds Logo and Charity fund, please read the Diva's Challenge.

This is the set of markers I used on this tile:

Fractured & Paint-Blot Diptych

2012-02-10T15:30:00.001-05:00

I've got two projects that I have been working on off and on in little bits of stolen time in-between designing ads and all the other stuff that a person has to do, like sleep. The first one is what I am for the time being calling "Fractured", unless it totally morphs into something else by the time I am done with it. As you can tell, this little painting (16 x 20) is taking my sketchbook playground to a canvas board. I do like the way it is coming out... but I did have fits with the tape this time, actually it was probably my impatience, and I probably pulled the tape off too soon, because I got loads of ragged lines with the black paint... but I think it will be ok, just have to fix the shapes. I'm not sure where to go with this next... I think I am going to let it sit for a while.

Secondly, I am working on another "Paint-Blot", this time on two 12 x 12 inch canvases. Which, now, thanks to Lynne Taetzsch over at artbylt.com, I know is called a "Diptych" (link to wikipedia). By the way, Lynne is working on some fabulous black and white Diptych paintings right now. If you have not been over to her web site or blog you should really take a look at her work... her name in this post is linked to her blog for your convenience. The other link goes to her page for today, where shows her most recent pair, and they are my favorite of the series (so far). Lynne is a fabulous artist, and I greatly admire her work, she's also a very nice person and has been very friendly. Lynne's blog is very educational, and she shares her processes and experience most generously.

I've started to work with some graphite and metallic paints on the paint-blot diptych. So far... so good... we will have to wait and see where it goes from here, and how much time I will have to work on it in the days to come, the graphic design work is getting really busy again, and I have to get back to it now.... Have a great weekend! :)

Yet Another Sketchbook - Acrylic Painting

2012-02-08T11:04:00.000-05:00

I am really having fun with these sketchbook/journal acrylic paintings. I did another one last night, and I really like the way it came out... I think I am going to have to take this to the next level and start working on canvases or watercolor block.

Another Sketchbook - Acrylic Painting

2012-02-07T17:43:00.001-05:00

This time I used red, blue, yellow and black acrylic paint. Had some paper pull up with the tape this time, but I don't mind, it gave it character and even some texture. I think I am going to have to switch over to some better paper or even a canvas pretty soon.... but I am having fun experimenting and playing in my sketchbook/journal.

Sketchbook - Acrylic Painting

2012-02-07T09:43:00.001-05:00

Black frame is computer generated. 5.5 x 8.5 (Inches) Painting

Here is another painting I did in my sketchbook last night. I used tape to mask off different areas, painted with different colors in each area, then took the tape off and masked again, covered all open areas with black, then took the tape off again... did a little bit of marker drawing to tighten up a few areas.... and this is what I got... I love it! :)

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #57: Learn and Use "Sanibelle" tangle by Tricia Faraone

2012-02-06T17:28:00.000-05:00

3.5 x 3.5 Tile - Bristol Vellum Paper

Last week's challenge from the Diva was so much fun, I had to check it out again to see what was up for this week. The challenge is to use the tangle Sanibelle by Tricia Faraone. I've added Tricia to my blog list for future reference. Sanibelle was an easy tangle to draw (pattern far-right on my tile), I enjoyed using the pattern, I will be using it again. :)

A Chance of Flurries - Painting with Acrylics

2012-02-06T00:06:00.001-05:00

Black frame is computer generated. 5.5 x 8.5 (Inches) Painting

This is a little painting I did in my sketchbook today that became "A Chance of Flurries". I really like the way it came out. I used Acrylic Paint and Liquitex - White Flakes to create the snow.

Sketchbook - Fingerpainting

2012-02-03T23:19:00.000-05:00

I have to say, I had so much fun with this! I was working on the "paint-blots", I got some paint on my fingers... next thing I knew... I HAD to get MORE paint on my fingers... one thing lead to another... and this is what happened... my first finger-painting in about 30 years! I remember painting with my fingers when I was in junior high school... We were working on a set for a school play, and I was painting trees.... I remember my hands were pure green when I left that day, my brother was so mad, because he had to pick me up and drive me home, and he made me keep my hands away from the windows because he didn't want any one to see my green hands... I love it... going to do more!

Another Paint-Blot

2012-02-03T21:45:00.000-05:00

Here is another paint-blot I did in my sketchbook today. I really like the way this came out. These are just too much fun. :)

2-2-12 Colored Zentangle tile

2012-02-03T13:07:00.000-05:00

I was looking at the Zentangle Inspired Art by Shelly Beauch titled: Burnt Sienna at her blog, and desided to get out a set of Faber Castell - (MANGA Karoiro Set) of India Ink Markers I purchased on my birthday last November, and hadn't broken in yet. All six of the colors used on this tile come in this package. I really like the way this came out. I used the gray marker to create the shading. The finished tile reminded me of African Art... most specifically a pair of wooden masks my Mom had hanging on the wall in one of our houses when I was a kid... I wonder what ever happened to those masks, probably long gone by now... isn't it weird how some things trigger memories like that?

Playtime 2

2012-02-02T21:18:00.001-05:00

Well, it's not a good idea to use watercolors with a lot of water in a sketchbook that is made of thin paper... I live and learn, what can I say! The paper stuck on one side and pulled up a layer, I think the only thing that saved me from getting a big hole in the paper was that I had painted on the other side of the paper with acrylic paint. I was however kinda thrilled with the effect it made on the page... so I am not unhappy with it, and it was fun playing, which is something I needed to do. Going to go to bed early tonight, I've got a busy day and weekend coming up.

Lunch - Playtime

2012-02-02T13:18:00.000-05:00

I was in the mood to play, but I wanted something really quick that I could do on my lunch break, then it hit me, do a "paint-blot" ... I don't have any ink, so I used acrylic paint in my sketchbook instead of ink. I put paint on one side of the paper, then closed the book, opened it up, quick dry with the heat-gun, and then added more paint blots, repeat with some black lava and some white flakes, and here we have a quick lunch time fun session! I'm gonna try this again later with some watercolors. :)

Zentangle Tile

2012-02-01T22:41:00.000-05:00

I needed a little get-away from work this evening, so I turned on some music and did a zentangle tile. I used a few patterns that are new to me in this, Koolapopper by Molossus (click name to see pattern) I also used Beadline by Margaret Bremner and Bubbles by Suzanne McNeill (that I found instructions on how to create at http://tanglepatterns.com)

Mixed Media Painting WkInProg On-Going

2012-02-01T14:46:00.000-05:00

Another publication is due at the printer this week, so I have not had a lot of time to myself, but I did take a little a few moments last night to work on this painting again. ( got through a couple of Frank Sinatra songs before my cell phone started ringing and my boss wanted to know if I had gotten his email requests.) I used some china markers and some paint pens... not sure about the white... might have to dull that down a bit... but at least I haven't painted over the whole thing again like I did last time. I'll try to find a couple minutes to play tonight, but isn't looking promising. Back to the grind-stone. :)

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #56: "Non Dominatrix* v.2"

2012-01-31T22:15:00.000-05:00

There is a blog by a CZT who hosts weekly challenges... her blog is http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com/
The challenge was: As the somewhat racy challenge name implies - this week the CHALLENGE (and challenge is the totally appropriate word here) is to do an ENTIRE tile or ZIA using only your non dominant hand. Anyway, I thought I would give it a try... here is what I did... this was created by drawing with my left hand... it didn't turn out as bad as I thought it would.

Abstract Mixed Media Painting WrkInProg

2012-01-31T12:09:00.000-05:00

Well, the painting got painted over again last night. It's ok, because all the stuff that was there created a lovely texture for me to work with... I'm still not done with this, but I think, maybe, just maybe, this won't get completely painted over again when I work on it again tonight.

Zentangle 5x7 Inches and abstract painting in progress (maybe)

2012-01-30T10:32:00.000-05:00

I really liked the way the large zentangle came out with this pattern, but I didn't want to do another big one, so I am going to do a series of little ones... here is the first one. This one is a 5 x 7 inch format. I like the way the different shapes formed by the original string make the pattern look in this one, and I like the "rock" border. :)

I'm still fighting with the abstract painting I have been working on. It's drying again... I keep pretty much painting over it and starting over... it is what it is... sometimes they come easier than others, this one is a bit of a struggle... it's all a part of the process I guess. I don't know if this one will make it... or if it is destined for the "round filing cabinet". But I am not giving up, if I want to be a painter, paint... keep painting and painting and painting.

The Grey - Movie

2012-01-29T10:58:00.000-05:00

Jeff and I went to see the movie "The Grey" yesterday... Jeff said he would give it a "thumbs up"... I think it was a good movie, great acting (how could it not be with Liam Neeson in it), I jumped in my chair a couple of times, but I like a feel good movie, with a happy ending, and this was not that kind of movie. I won't say more about it, in case you are going to see it.

Digital Photo to Abstract Digital Art

2012-01-28T21:19:00.001-05:00

Been a busy week with graphic design work, I have a painting I am working on, but it's wet and I am waiting until tomorrow to work on it again. In the mean-time, I was playing around in Photoshop again, and this is what I came up with...

I created this from a photograph I had of some roses Jeff bought for me a few years ago... I totally changed the colors, added several artistic filter effects and then last but not least, totally obliterated the roses with the liquify tool in Photoshop... just some fun playtime. :)

And here is another one I did without altering the photograph before I played with the liquify tool. :)

Abstract Painting Series 01 - 11 x 15 inches on Watercolor Paper

2012-01-24T13:32:00.000-05:00

Last night I started playing with some acrylic metallic paints with the same squeegee technique... this is what I came up with, I will work again with these paint colors on a couple of 12 x 12 inch gallery wrapped canvases next.

Abstract Painting Series 01 - Two 12 x 12 inch canvas

2012-01-24T12:24:00.000-05:00

Here are the two 12 x 12 inch canvases I told you I was working on. I think they turned out pretty good. This is a photo, and not the best, I will try and find time later to scan them... but you get the basic idea from this. :)

Digital Art - Making Dinner

2012-01-23T20:33:00.000-05:00

Several of the artist's blogs that I follow were either talking about Ipad apps, or digital art today, and it got me itching to play in photoshop for a little while this evening. Here is the original photo I took last year...

and here is what I did to it in photoshop:

I was going for a "color illustration feel" for this... like you would have found in a magazine back in the 1930's. I like the way it came out... I created this with several duplicate layers of the original photo, applying different filters and effects, and finally blending them together. That took care of that little itch... I'm ready to paint again tomorrow, if I have time. :)

2nd Painting in series

2012-01-22T10:01:00.000-05:00

This is the 2nd painting in the new series I am working on. Again I used the squeegee and same color palette as the first painting. I really like the way these are looking. Today I will switch over from paper to stretched canvas and see how that goes, I have a package of six 12 x 12 inch canvases that I got for Christmas that have been waiting for me to break open. (And I won't have to worry about framing them). :)

Here is what the two paintings look like together... I think they would look great hung together in one frame with two windows don't you?

Doodle All The Day!

2012-01-21T20:27:00.001-05:00

(Click to see at a larger size)

Well, I started working on this last night while Jeff was watching tv, stayed up until 2am to get all the lines drawn in, don't ask, I just couldn't stop myself, it was like I HAD to get those lines in!... and worked on shading it off and on all day today. It's done, and it will be a long time before I do something like this again! However, I do think it's pretty cool, so it was worth it.

Art Nouveau Tree Doodle

2012-01-21T13:48:00.000-05:00

Again, my thoughts turned to friends as I was looking for a stained glass window pattern to play with as a doodle. I found a fun Art Nouveau stained glass pattern of a Tree and thought of my friend Helen. This doodle was not quite as easy to work with, I did not want to loose all the wonderful details of the pattern itself... and then again, I also didn't want to give it so much thought that it became "work" rather than an enjoyable relaxing doodle. I had fun with this, and am happy with the way it came out. :)

My little chickadee

2012-01-20T17:07:00.000-05:00

I was looking for a pattern today to use as a foundation for a doodle, my friend Jean was on my mind, and I know how she loves birds, so I started looking for a bird pattern. I came across this cute little chickadee and thought it was just perfect for her. Check your email Jean, I sent you a high resolution scan. :)

Mixed Media Abstract Painting 1-20-12

2012-01-20T12:35:00.001-05:00

I started working on this painting last night, I had made random strokes on the background with Titanium White, Unbleached Titanium and Cadmium Red Deep Hue (Liquitex Basics Acrylic Color Paints). This morning, I was checking out Matthew G Beall's Art blog, where he had posted a short video of himself painting... it inspired me to try working with a squeegee, and boy did I have fun! I added some black acrylic paint and moved it around the paper with the squeegee, then I let that dry... then I added some more of the Unbleached Titanium, moved that around the paper with the squeegee and let that dry. Then I added spots of the original three colors and moved them around the paper at the same time with the squeegee. After that dried, I did some work with a pencil, and then lastly added some Liquitex Black Lava and Liquitex White Flakes to give it some texture... I LOVE the way this came out, and I will be switching out one of my framed pieces I have hanging in my office with this new painting!

One thing I am wondering, do you think it needs a going over the whole thing with a medium gel to even it out... the medium textures have a gel coating to them, and the rest of the painting looks flat... what do you think?

I wish I could come up with a cool name for this... any ideas?

4 New zentangle tiles

2012-01-19T20:39:00.000-05:00

Here are four new zentangle tiles I created last night and this evening. I'm really excited about the two on the right. I had an idea to use stained glass window patterns as the foundation for the drawings, the two drawings on the right used them, and I really like the way they came out. Now I am going to start a new painting. :)

The Creator - Mixed Media Collage by Deb Ammerman

2012-01-18T12:18:00.000-05:00

Well, it's finished... and I even used the "crackle" that I was slightly intimidated to use for fear it would spoil the painting, or worse yet, not work at all, and I would have a big brown glob at the bottom of my page... but it did work, and I LOVE how it looks! I love the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, it was in with one of the "Stampin' Up" sets I had from years ago, only it was too small, so I created a new copy with my computer and used that instead. I used acrylic paint instead of ink with the stamps up at the top, and then I added some pencil shading. I am so pleased with the way this came out. I'm so glad this actually turned into "something", and didn't just become a "cover me up with gesso and start all over again!" :)

4 new zen-tangle drawings

2012-01-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

Pattern Credits: Lotus Pods by Margaret Bremner, Ixorus and Drupe by Zentangle, Baton by Carole Ohl, Antidots and 2-N-5 by Anita Roby-Lavery

I did a couple of these Zentangle "tiles" last night and this evening, they go pretty fast because they are only 3.5 x 3.5 inches. I am having so much fun with these, I really like adding the pencil shading to give them depth.

Mixed Media Collage 04

2012-01-17T10:15:00.000-05:00

My watercolor painting has officially become a mixed media collage as of last night. I did add some spashes of green watercolor, then came some of the Liquitex White Flakes and some straw (That I impulsively tore off the back of a decorative scarecrow I keep in my office... don't ask me, it just happened and I like it!) Not sure where this is going next, but it has been an interesting process so far... :)

Zentangle Tile

2012-01-16T14:44:00.001-05:00

This is my first Zentangle Tile. I found the patterns I used at a few of the ZCT blogs, The Bright Owl, Enthusiastic Artist , Shelly Beauch. and Lara Williams.

This morning, I made some 3.5 x 3.5 inch "tiles" out of vellum bristol board, and cut the corners off with this nifty little corner cutter thing I bought years ago for traditional scrapbooking projects. I am strongly considering becoming a Zentangle Certified Teacher at some time in the future, so I am going to spend the next few months exploring different web sites and learning as many of the patterns as I can... if after a few months, I am still as excited about the possibility of teaching the methods to others in workshops, I will purchase the starter kit, and start saving my pennies to become a ZCT.

Watercolor Painting in Progress 02

2012-01-15T10:41:00.000-05:00

I had a little more time to myself last night, so I experimented with some "dripping" on the watercolor painting I showed you yesterday. I added some burnt umber, a little bit more of the crimson red and more water... I think it's coming along nicely. I might use this as a background for a collage... not sure yet... going to let it sit for a while.

Watercolor Painting in Progress

2012-01-14T21:06:00.000-05:00

I had a little bit of time to myself this afternoon, so I was playing around with some watercolor paint on the watercolor block my Dad got me for Christmas. It was an exercise in mastering brush strokes, and seeing how the water paint and paper all played together. I added just a hint of crimson red, otherwise, it was only yellow ocher and water. I'm not sure where this is going yet, but I did have fun with it.

It's been a Busy week...

2012-01-13T19:07:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy, busy week, two publications off to press, and two more in the works to go out on Monday... I've put in a ton of time, and am really feeling my age! Working 14 and 15 hour days used to be a whole lot easier than it is now! Matthew was thrilled to have a snow day from school today, and there is no school on Monday for the holiday, so he gets a really long weekend! I happened to look out my window this afternoon and saw the deer out by the pine trees in the front yard... grabbed my camera and got a couple of ok snap shots... the one posted here was my favorite. Hope you are all having a great week!

First Snow - First Collage 2012

2012-01-07T22:06:00.001-05:00

"First Snow" Collage by Deb Ammerman

I am so excited to show you my first collage for 2012, which is called "First Snow". First of all, I have to tell you about this product I found, I'm sure that you are going to laugh at me, because you have all probably seen these before, but it's new to me, so I got really excited when I saw them.It's a canvas I found that had a board under the canvas, and wooden sides. It's called The artist Panel for Oil and Acrylics. Cradled 3/4" Profile Canvas Texture 6"x12"... It's am Ampersand Product.... I am going to get more of these for sure! I have one more of them to play with that I got with a gift card from Christmas.

I used some water-colored paper from a painting I started, didn't like, but liked parts of it that I saved for collages, some beveled card stock and homemade papers from my scrap-booking supply stock, you will also see some of the black lava and white flakes paper that I used in a previous collage. I painted the canvas black with acrylic paint, and then coated everything with Golden Medium Polymer Medium (Gloss) and then ironed it all onto the canvas... I think I still need to get a varnish to cover the whole thing, but then it will be a ready to hang work, no frame needed! How cool is that!

Expressive Drawing - Lesson 2b - Detail

2012-01-07T12:20:00.000-05:00

After I spray-fixed the beegeebees out of this, I scanned in a portion of it to show you the wonderful texture and markings up close from all the layers of paint and charcoal that are under the surface... I love the way it looks!

Expressive Drawing - Lesson 2b

2012-01-06T21:10:00.000-05:00

Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimone - Lesson 2b drawing by Deb Ammerman - Click to view larger

I've been working on this lesson (2b) from the Expressive Drawing book by Steven Aimone since last night and just finished it up this evening. I am glad that I "slept on it", because I really wasn't feeling very happy about it until I worked on it again tonight, adding the swirls, but I don't think I would have thought of it last night, and probably would have "obliterated" the whole thing with white paint and started over, after a good night's sleep, I had fun with this again, and feel good about the way it came out. :)

The photo really doesn't do this justice... tomorrow, after I spray this with some fixative, I might scan a portion of it to show you the wonderful texture that is built up under all those charcoal smudges, marks and strokes.

Expressive Drawing - Lesson 2

2012-01-05T17:02:00.000-05:00

This is the drawing I did for Lesson 2 in Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimone. I had so much fun with this. I don't want to go into the details of what the lessons are, because I know some of you have the book but have not started to read it, and I don't want to spoil the fun for you. I will tell you that what ever you do with the lesson, your drawing will look nothing like mine. I created this with charcoal and white acrylic paint.... It was a blast!

What Has The Cat Gotten Into Now - Finished

2012-01-05T03:02:00.001-05:00

It's 3am, and I just finished "What has the cat gotten into now"... It sure is easy to lose track of time when you're having fun! I'm off to catch some Zzzz's now.... btw, there has to be a mouse in there some where, don't you think? LOL... yes, there is... did you find it?

Expressive Drawing - Lesson 1

2012-01-04T15:26:00.001-05:00

(Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimore - Lesson 1 painting by Deb Ammerman)

I was recently reading a post by Karin Lynn Cumming at her blog, where she was talking about the books she purchased, I wrote the names down and headed for Barnes & Noble last night to use a gift card I got for Christmas. Of the two books she was talking about, only one of them was in stock, so it made my choice simple! I couldn't wait to get started on the first lesson as soon as I read what it was! I had such a great time with this! I need to get a bigger pad of paper for these lessons, but I used what I had on hand last night to create the abstract acrylic painting you see next to the book. We're meeting my Dad for dinner tonight so I will run into the art supply store and pick up a larger size pad of paper! I am so excited about this book! I even made Jeff do the first lesson! I could tell he was having fun by all the laughing he was doing!

Here is the progress I have made on "What has the cat gotten into now" last night. I still have a ways to go on this... but I am having fun. :)

Watercolor Background for Marker Drawing

2012-01-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

I started playing with some watercolors last night to use as a background for a new drawing. This is the watercolor background, and my basic shapes I created that I will work from... I will show you the finished drawing when I am done with it. :)

Abstract - Mother Nature

2012-01-03T01:07:00.000-05:00

This was a quick 5 x 5 inch drawing I did tonight while I waited for a painting I am working on to dry. This drawing became Mother Nature very early on, so I brought her out.... do you see her? I really like the way this turned out. :)

Playing with Zentangles

2012-01-02T09:19:00.000-05:00

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday looking at how to draw some more of the zentangle patterns (I found on the web) yesterday, this is the "sampler page" I created.

Happy New Year! Finished Mixed Medium

2012-01-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

(Click image to see at a larger size)

I hope you all are enjoying the first day of the new year as much as I am! I just finished the mixed medium piece I was working on yesterday with the soft pastel and medium gel background I showed you in my last post. First of all, I need to give credit to a site I have recently been exploring called Zentangle. Some of the patterns you will see in this drawing were shared most graciously at their site, so a big "Thank You" goes out to Zentangle and some of the Certified Zentangle® Teachers (Shelly Beauch, and the Enthusiastic Artist) who share their work so freely on their own blogs... you will find a couple of the teachers blog links and the link to Zentangle in my blog list... great places to find inspiration, be sure to check them out! I also spent some time looking at the painting "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt for inspiration for this work.

Experimenting again :)

2011-12-31T02:54:00.000-05:00

I started a new painting tonight. I wanted to see what would happen if I worked with soft pastels and painted over it with gel medium... This photo is horrid, and I will try to get a better one in the day-light, but I really like the way the pastel responded to the gel medium.... it's very shiny and the colors are vivid. Tomorrow I am going to see how the pastels respond to a mat gel rather than the gloss. I am not done with this yet, but it was fun to experiment. I also used some of the Liquitex white opaque flakes, and some violet liquid metal acrylic paint on this.

A TRIP to the store...

2011-12-30T10:15:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I took a trip to a store to return a gift I purchased for someone who already had the same thing I bought for them... well, at least I know they would have liked it... anyway, as I was walking from the parking lot to the store I did not see the little step between the sidewalk and pavement, my foot connected and down I went! I am really feeling my age today... I guess I really am in my late 40's now! My body knows it, but my mind just refuses to agree! Jeff likes to remind me that I am pushing 50, but that is because he is already in his! I remember when I was a kid and would take a fall, it was over in a couple hours, but I am so sore now. I told the manager at the store that they need to fix the sidewalk and repaint it yellow... he filled out a report in case I needed to seek medical attention, but I think my pride is hurt more than my palms, knees and left arm. Oh well, the bruises will fade and another nice hot shower will help... tons of work to do today... I better get back at it. See ya all later.

I got an email newsletter from Robert Glenn today that I subscribe to.... Loved this paragraph, so I am saving it here, and it really goes with my trip story ... don't you think?? I should have stayed home and painted!

"The studio is an extension of the sandbox and the kindergarten playroom. It has a dynamic unlike any office or factory. It's a room at the service of a dreamer on her way to becoming a master. Wandering from project to project, she moves in a private soup kitchen where there's always something on simmer. With something to get on with--something to finish, something to start--even the tiniest of workrooms has within it the building blocks of talent. Stay out on the streets at your peril." - Robert Glenn

Collage - Tack Down Technique

2011-12-29T10:01:00.000-05:00

I learned about a technique for doing collage work from Laura Lein-Svencner (See her collage Techiques Page) that I wanted to try. Here is a link to the technique... Collage Fusing Method by Johnathan Talbot It works great, but there are a couple of things I think I did wrong. Number 1... because I was using a stretched canvas, I think I should have put a book or something under it to give it support while I was ironing, 2. I think I should have ironed each element down individually, I laid out all my pieces and ironed them at the same time, I think it would have been better to do one layer at a time. Anyway, it was a great learning experience, and I think the next project will work much better.

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I gave a few artworks away for Christmas this year... and here is the big news, I sent the one that had 4 small openings in one frame to my brother-in-law in Seattle, and now he wants to commission me to do a 2' x 4' collage mural for him! I will give him the "Family Discount"! It sure feels good when someone likes the work you do and wants more! :)

Inspiration

2011-12-28T11:25:00.000-05:00

Last night, I started to paint, no matter what I did, it was horrid... I would paint, then gesso over, paint and scratch, gesso again... I quickly remembered why brown was one of my least favorite colors when I was younger, as my painting would once more turn to a solid blob of brown. Finally, I gave up, let the thing be brown and went to bed.

(Inspiration Wall - Top: Collage by Laura Lein-Svencer,
Middle: Marker Drawing by Lynne Taezsch,
Bottom: Masterpiece by my Neice Brooklyn)

This morning, when I woke up I was looking at the collage by Laura Lein-Svencner that Jeff bought for me when we were in Chicago (Which I opened on Christmas day, another wonderful gift from my hubby), which I now have hanging on the wall here in my office (my inspiration wall)... and I thought, if I add some Liquitex Black Lava and White Flakes Texture Gels, I could use this brown blob as an element on a collage... so I applied the gels, and now I have a paper to work with on a new collage when the time comes... Some times, I just need to get away and let inspiration take it's time.

Abstract Painting - Mixed Media

2011-12-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

Click to see the image larger

I scanned in this painting that I was playing with last night so you can see what it really looks like... the photo I took last night was yuck... anyway... as I told you last night, I used the Liquitex Gel Mediums on this... Black Lava and White Flakes, I also used a product by tulip Slick Dimensional Fabric Paint - Black to "draw" with. I plan to keep the bottle when it is empty to mix up black acrylic paint and liquitex medium String Gel, that I will use to "draw" with... but I wanted to use up the product, and I was just experimenting with the gels to see what they looked like. I also used some metallic paint.

Here you can see up-close what the Liquitex White Flakes and Black Lava look like. I had so much fun playing with this... I can't wait to play again! :)

Christmas Gifts from Dad

2011-12-26T23:14:00.001-05:00

For Christmas, my Dad went shopping at the art supply store, he called me while he was there to make sure he was getting what I wanted... he did great! He got me a watercolor block, which is something I heard about from Lynne Taetzsch, all the sides of the paper pad are sealed with that rubber like stuff that holds pads of paper together... there is a little area at the back of the pad that is open so you can take a palette knife or exacto and cut the painting off when you are done... I have done one painting on it (see above), to play with the new Liquitex Gel Medium my Dad also got for me called Black Lava. He also picked up a jar of the White Flakes and the Ceramic Stucco that I like. When the painting is dry, I will try to get a better photo of it or scan it so you can see the way it really looks. I love my new toys! And, my hubby got me some earrings of bling for Christmas, what else could a girl ask for! :)

Merry Christmas

2011-12-26T11:43:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We had a lovely day, family came over in the morning for a little gift exchange with my niece, and then we had a nice dinner with my brother. Here are a few of the photos I took, my camera was not set right, and we really didn't take very many photos... disappointing... but it is what it is.

Santa's at the Art Supply Store!

2011-12-20T15:42:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited... Santa (my Dad) just called me from an ART Supply Store! Whoo!Hoo! There's gonna be toys under the tree for me! I must have been a good girl this year! :)

Computer Generated Collages

2011-12-19T17:53:00.000-05:00

This is a set of collages that I created for another family member for Christmas. Hopefully he won't come to my blog before Christmas, and I doubt that he will, so I can show you. I used some of the Citra Solv treated National geographic papers I created then scanned into the computer. I purchased some Greek Themed clip art to use for this, since my brother asked for something in this theme... I told him that I couldn't do that when he asked me to create something for him... I am such a brat, am I not? ;) These four pieces are all individually framed so he can hang them anywhere he wants.

Another gift for a Family Member

2011-12-18T19:11:00.000-05:00

Here is the gift I was making for another family member today. Again I used the papers I created with CitraSolv altered National Geographic Magazine pages. I used black paint markers and this time I used blue, green and gold too. I really like the way this one came out too... hopefully the person I am going to give this to will like it.

Christmas Gift

2011-12-18T09:45:00.000-05:00

This is a Christmas gift I created for one of my family members. I found this ready-made-frame and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it... I love the way it turned out... I hope the person I am going to give it to likes it. I used the CitraSolv treated National Geographic papers I made, then some black paint markers, and some red and a touch of gold. (Sorry about the glare from the glass).

Abstract Oil Pastel & Pencil - #11 & 12

2011-12-16T09:12:00.000-05:00

Here are two more oil pastels that I did yesterday, they were just quickies. The first one quickly became a dessert or sand dunes, and the other one seems to have rattlesnake eggs in it. Not sure what that's all about... but it is what it is. :)

Abstract Oil Pastel & Pencil #7, 8, 9 and 10 by Deb Ammerman

2011-12-14T21:08:00.002-05:00

Abstract Oil Pastel & Pencil #7 by Deb Ammerman

It's been a busy week for me with day-job work, I've barely had time to do much else than work, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I hope to have the second publication off to press first thing Friday morning. I've kept a project going all the time in the background, any time I get a few minutes to myself, I've been working with the oil pastels. I have four of them done, I will share one of them with you now, and hopefully will have time to scan the others to share with you soon. I hope you are all having a wonderful week. :)

I had time to scan in the other oil pastels to show you... so here they are. I had so much fun with these, using the sticks, scratching it off the paper, blending, scratching again... fun stuff!

Oil Pastel

2011-12-08T22:15:00.000-05:00

Took a little break from work to play for about an hour... ok, maybe 2.... And this is what I came up with...
Again I played around with some oil pastels. This time I used a set that is the size of about a crayon.... they are by "Artist's Loft"... and I really liked them better than the big bulky ones I was using, they really went on much smoother... but the set I was using was as old as dirt, so that might have had something to do with it. :)

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Collage W/Flower - FINISHED

2011-12-07T22:31:00.001-05:00

Now, I am finished with this collage. I added some more doodling and some Liquitex Glass Beads Texture Gel. I am much happier with this now. :) This is digitally matted and framed.

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Collage W/Flower

2011-12-07T17:32:00.000-05:00

This is a new collage I am working on... I thought I was done with it, but I don't think I am... I am going to look at it for a while before I decide for sure. I took a photo of a flower this fall, it was while I was at the laundramat... you can see the photo here.... I created a silhouette from the photo and made that the focal point of my collage. I used one of the CitraSolv treated National Geographic Magazine papers I created for the background, and added some oil pastel to pop some more color into it... Then went over some of it with a black paint marker. Maybe it is done... I have to think about it.

2 New Abstract Oil Pastels

2011-12-07T08:22:00.000-05:00

I was reading about "Universal Shapes" over at Bren's blog last night (Here is the link to the specific post on her blog, it's really interesting to read about the symbolism of the shapes), and so I decided to work with them and see what I came up with in this first Abstract Oil Pastel. I started out by drawing the shapes and then I started working with the color and let the piece design itself from there.

This second Oil Pastel was just fun! It reminds me of olives waiting for their martini. I don't drink martini's but if I did, I think I would like them shaken, not stirred. ;)

One of the things I like about working with the oil pastels is that if I put them on thick enough, I can get that lovely grungy effect by scratching into them. Because this is scanned, it's like you are looking at it up close, if you saw this from a distance, the olives look like they are floating in a fun colored liquor.

Anyway, I had fun with these. :)

Me and the 3x3 Foot Collage

2011-12-06T15:43:00.000-05:00

On a good day, I am 5'5" tall... I slipped on some shoes with no heels so you could see how big this collage really is...

Detail Photos of Large Collage

2011-12-06T13:36:00.001-05:00

Here are some detail photos of the large collage... I just took a few, and tried to stay close to the focal point, so you would know where you are... (if you click on the image, then right click and select "view image" you will see these even larger.) -- Again, sorry about the glare from the photos.

Oil Pastels

2011-12-06T10:39:00.000-05:00

After finishing that huge collage, I wanted to play around with something different last night, without sticky glue of any kind, so I got out the old box of Oil Pastels and played with those... here is what I created.... they were fun.

Newest Collage - FINISHED

2011-12-05T16:28:00.000-05:00

Well, I am calling this collage finished. I am not happy with the final results. I love the foil, but I am not sure it works... the glare is a definite problem. I took it outside to take the photo, and it was a little better than what I have been getting color wise, but oh that glare from the silver foil at the top! I just don't like the free-for-all random placement of the papers in the collage. I am going to go back to being more directionally controlled, I had to try it... it doesn't work... good lesson.... and I am also going back to smaller formats.... this is just too big, at least until I can move downstairs into the an area with more room. Geeze, I hope that glare doesn't blind ya!

One of a Kind, Show and Sale, Merchandise Mart in Chicago

2011-12-04T21:46:00.002-05:00

Jeff and I just got home from the Windy City. I had a great time looking at some fabulous art and meeting some really nice artists... not sure that Jeff had as good a time as I did... but he was a good sport about it. :)

Honestly, I don't know how the artists can cover their expenses to display in the show, I looked to see how much it would cost to display, and I was quite shocked. It's not just the cost of the show, if you don't live within driving distance, you have travel, lodging, food expenses, etc. I know it is Chicago and all, and there were a ton of people there... and I did see people buying stuff... but you would have to have quite an inventory to break even. Of course, if the artist thinks in the long-term, and takes into consideration future sales they will make, and contacts they will make by meeting new people and giving out their business cards, then I guess it would be worth it... but I still feel like the companies that put on these shows are the only people making any money at them. (And a box of popcorn was $3.00! -- for about 25 cents worth of product... maybe the food vendors make money too.)

Jeff bought me a little something... I don't know what it is yet... I selected several collages from Laura Lein-Svencner and Jeff bought one and is going to give it to me for Christmas... I can hardly wait to see what it is, it will be a nice surprise, and something I know I will like. :)

Collage - WrkinProg 04

2011-12-03T21:53:00.000-05:00

I cannot get a decent photo tonight for the life of me! I give up... this is the best I can do. I am making progress, some detail work has begun... :)

CitraSolv and National Geographic Magazine - Another Collage - WrkinProg 03

2011-12-03T00:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I got the new sample book done for the sales reps, so I celebrated by working on my collage when I was done! Still more background work to do tomorrow... but I'm making progress. :)

Sorry, I know it's another crapola photo... but I am too tired to try and do better tonight... maybe tomorrow. :)

Chicago on Sunday!

2011-12-02T08:26:00.000-05:00

Jeff and I are going to take a drive up to Chicago this weekend to go to the One of a Kind show. Here is a link to the web site: http://www.oneofakindshowchicago.com/ . I have been following the collage artist Laura Lein-Svencner for a while now, I heard about the show from her blog, she is one of the 600 artists that are on exhibit and selling their work at the show. By the way, Laura has some wonderful collage techniques on her blog, I plan to try the collage fusing method by Jonathan Talbot that she gives a link to, and some of her exercises (I know what I am going to ask Santa to bring me :) )... check out the links for more information.

I've got a ton of work to get done today for the day-job... hopefully I will have some time to work on my collage later this evening... but I wanted to share these links with you. Hope you all are having a fantastic morning!

CitraSolv and National Geographic Magazine - Another Collage - WrkinProg 02

2011-12-01T23:55:00.000-05:00

Here is the progress I made on my collage today. Been really busy designing a new media package for the company I work for, so I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but it is coming along nicely... I knew when I started this, it wasn't going to be a quickie. :)

The photo is making the purple paper look black... but you get the idea... I am really having fun with this... I decided early on to try being a little more freestyle with this, my other collages have been very blocky, with the National Geographic pages treated with CitraSolv background all going in the same direction... And as you can see, in addition to the foils, which gave off a heck of a glare from the overhead light, I have also included some basil cardstock from my stash. Keeping to the limited color scheme should make the colors in the background papers created with the CitraSolv stand out... of course, I will still have to do my drawing... But it's time to get 40 winks... see ya all tomorrow. :)

3x3 Foot Collage

2011-11-30T23:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the photo, I know it's horrible... will try to get a better one tomorrow.... This is the collage I started on this evening. I added some foils to the mix. It's wonderful having a brother who uses them for doing highlights... I got some purple and blue foils to work with. I also put some of the papers through a tool that puts crinkles in the paper. I'm having too much fun! :)

Collage Progress Update and New Batch of Papers

2011-11-30T10:55:00.000-05:00

This is the progress I made on my collage yesterday. I ended up going to bed early last night and didn't get the texture on yet... so that will be something I will do later today after day-work is done. I also created another batch of papers with Citra-Solv on a National Geographic ... Lots of new goodies to work with...

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Collage - WrkinProg 01

2011-11-29T08:53:00.000-05:00

Here is the background for another collage I started last night. This is another 8x10 inch collage. Again, I used the papers I created from the National Geographic Magazine, treated with CitraSolv. This time I used the Liquitex gloss gel medium, it's really shines nice, we will see how the paint markers work on it.

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Another Collage - Finished

2011-11-28T17:58:00.002-05:00

I am done with this painting. I digitally framed it, but I am going to take it and have it framed, because I really like the way it came out. Maybe it will be a Christmas present for someone, or maybe I will keep it as my Christmas present to myself. :)

EDIT: I wasn't getting the nice rich black I wanted from the regular sharpie markers on this, so I used Sharpie paint markers... They really work well. I did use the Liquitex glass beads and white flakes... you can see the white flakes, but the glass beads aren't showing up in the photo... maybe I will take a little movie of the painting tomorrow to share with you, but I think it will have to be lighter in here, it's already dark outside.

I am going to have to make some more grungy papers with the citrasolv... I used up all my favorites on this collage... I guess tomorrow will be another prep day. :)

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Another Collage - WrkinProg 02

2011-11-28T07:55:00.000-05:00

This is what I got done on the collage yesterday. I think it is coming along nicely. I am not quite done with my drawing process on this yet... depending on my work load today, I might have time to finish that up, then I plan to add some texture to some areas... I think the glass beads and white flakes would be perfect for this. :)

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Another Collage - WrkinProg 01

2011-11-27T12:42:00.000-05:00

I started this collage last night. I am really excited about it... I am using one of the 24 x 24 inch masonite boards for this. Again I used some of the papers I created by applying CitraSolv to the National Geographic Magazine to create the grungy background for my artwork.

(Close up detail work I did this morning.)

Then I started working on the drawing this morning. So far... so good. This is going to take me several days to complete... so maybe I will just share some progress photos with you throughout the process. :)

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Collage 2 - FINISHED

2011-11-26T22:32:00.001-05:00

This is the other collage I have been working on. I finished it, because there are some things I do like about it, but I do not like the gold paint marker I used on this. Being that the canvas is only 8 x 10 inches, the paint marker overpowers, and the tip was just too big, I would have liked it if I could have varied the weight a little bit more... on a larger canvas, I could have made thicker areas... I think I would like it on a larger format... it's ok... I've given myself permission to create some ugly stuff... this is one of them. :)

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Collage - FINISHED

2011-11-26T21:38:00.000-05:00

Well, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to work with this collage. I was able to work the "wrinkles" into the design, and I think it gives the work some texture. My Dad called me to come over and help him with his new computer, so I took the work with me to show him... he tried to keep it, but I was not done with it... Maybe I will give it to him for Christmas. The funny thing is that I like it in the presentation I am showing to you now, but he likes it turned clockwise from here... so I signed the back of the canvas so he can hang it anyway he wants to. It really made me feel good that he liked it. I think I have given my Dad a new appreciation for abstract art. :)

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine - Collage - WrkinProg 01

2011-11-25T22:19:00.000-05:00

Here is a collage I started tonight with some of the grungy papers I created with the CitraSolv from a National Geographic Magazine. I am not sure if this is going to work out or not. I got some wrinkles and stuff in the papers when I attached them to the canvas board... if it's workable, I will give it a try, otherwise, I will toss it out... but it is not completely dry yet, so I will have to assess the situation in the morning. I have another collage in process too, but I am not going to show you that one until I am done with it. These are both 8 x 10's on canvas boards. I had another one that I totally ripped apart... I had a little tantrum you see. The Holidays seem to bring out the worst in my inner critic, and every creative thing I tried to do this morning turned to rot.

CitraSolv & National Geographic Magazine

2011-11-23T18:21:00.001-05:00

Today was a prep day... getting ready for Thanksgiving, and getting ready for a new project. I ordered a bottle of CitraSolv from the healthfood store, and prepped these papers. I brushed the CitraSolv on an old National Geographic Magazine we had down in the basement, let the pages dry, and then pulled them apart and finished drying them with a heat dryer. It's MESSY folks, but WAY FUN! I plan to use the papers for collages and for doodles. They are pretty cool just by themselves too... Oh, and even though I took the magazine outside to dry, the house still smells like a giant orange! :)

Mixed Media Collage 03 - Work in Progress Part 4

2011-11-21T00:22:00.002-05:00

I have some touch up work on this that I have to do tomorrow, but for the most part, I think it is done. I like the vertical orientation for this, and I am really happy with the way this came out. It was a bit like starting over Jean, except that everything from the original collage is still there, and the textures actually show... but my photo is horrible... I am going to see if I can get a better shot of it tomorrow after I do my touch up work.

by the way, my camera has totally messed up the colors on this too... I used Burnt Umber (not black like it looks in the photo, it's actually more dark brown in color). The green I used is Leaf Green, and the blue is Turquoise Green.

Above are some close up photos I took so you can see the textures and they seem to be a little better in focus, but the colors are still not right... a little better maybe, the top one is pretty close, but not right.

Mixed Media Collage 03 - Work in Progress Part 3

2011-11-20T11:31:00.000-05:00

As you can see, the collage has taken a major turn... I did learn how to work with the Gorilla Glue, and what it will do, so I don't consider this a failure. I've given myself permission to create some horrible junk... it's all a part of the learning process. If I wanted to "play it safe", I would have just continued pencil drawings and getting better at that... but that is not what I want to do.

I've got some wonderful shapes here to work with, and I am excited to see where this goes. This photo shows the color of the glue, I have not painted the 2nd application of it yet. I like this because it reminds me of my doodles... I can't wait to see what happens next. :)

Mixed Media Collage 03 - Work in Progress Part 2

2011-11-19T19:34:00.000-05:00

I just can't get a good photo of this collage for the life of me. I am going to have to consult with someone on how to do it... but it really doesn't matter at this point, I am not done with it yet anyway. I used some Gorilla Glue, and a strand of stars I bought years ago from a company that sold third-world crafts to help support the people who made them... you might or might not recognize it from one of my early kits at Deco-Pages. The Gorilla Glue got really puffy when it was drying... I think it is going to be fun to play with. But next time I am going to remember that it spreads out quite a bit.

Mixed Media Collage 03 - Work in Progress

2011-11-18T16:52:00.001-05:00

I used burnt umber, white and turquoise green acrylic paints, liquitex glass beads and liquitex ceramic stucco for textures.... the brown butterfly paper was my inner artist child's treat from the craft store... the butterflies are velvet and reminded us of our Grandparents livingroom when I was a little girl. It's totally different design wise, but it reminded us of Grandma & Grandpa's velvet wallpaper none the less.

The Artist's Way - A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron, New Book I am reading

2011-11-17T11:49:00.000-05:00

Journaling Reads:

Nov. 17, 2011
I got the book “the Artist’s Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” by Julia Cameron for my birthday, and I finally had time to start reading it today. I think it is amazing how certain things happen, like getting the perfect book that fits what we are doing in our lives at a specific time... this is one of those books for me. The truth is, I had seen it in a bookstore once, and judged it by it’s cover and didn’t even pick it up to see what it was about. But I know that at that particular time in my life, I wasn’t ready for it, and now I am. I had to laugh when I was reading what Julia had to say about the “censor” (or I would call it a critic) I can totally relate to what I have read in this book so far! The book is a 12 week exorcize... I have a feeling I will be sharing some thoughts on my blog as I continue to explore the book. I am really excited about this book! I’m off now to enjoy a play date with my inner artist. See ya soon.

Mixed Media Collage 02 - Finished

2011-11-17T01:20:00.000-05:00

Had a busy day with work today, so didn't have time to finish this collage until really late at night. In fact, I went to bed, and had to get up and finish it because it was on my mind... hopefully now I will be able to get some sleep. :)

Mixed Media Collage 02 - Work in Progress

2011-11-15T13:43:00.000-05:00

This is the collage I am working on right now. It needs to dry before I can do anything else with it. I used the foil off the top of the Liquitex jar (I guess that makes this a "green collage" in more ways than one, collage work is great for using things that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill!) I used Liquitex Ceramic Stucco and this time I am using a Matte Gel instead of the Gloss, I am also using more homemade paper with leaves and stuff in it, and some scrapbook paper. Do you remember the mushroom digital print out I showed you the other day, where I added the glass beads to it? Well, I cut out the areas with the beads on them, and added those shapes to this collage. (They are near the bottom of the board). My next step will be to blend in the paper that I put the stucco around with some more of the acrylic paints. I am sticking to a limited pallet of paint again, just black, yellow oxide, and Turquoise green. The photo isn't the greatest, but you can get the general idea of how it is looking right now. I am having so much fun with these collages, I can't wait for it to dry so I can get back to it, but it will probably be tomorrow before I can do any more on this!

First Collage Completed

2011-11-13T16:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I finished my first collage, and I have to say, I am pretty pleased with the way it came out. The final steps included:
1. painting areas with acrylic paint, sometimes very watered down to give it more of a glaze and not completely cover up what was behind it, other times, going very opaque.

2. I also took a piece of corrugated paper I had in my little bag of tricks, painted over it with black paint, and then while that was still wet, used it like a stamp to create the squiggly lines going horizontally across the page.

3. I also added some staples.

4. Last but not least, I adhered some pressed flowers and clover to the collage with Liquitex gloss gel.

I am so pleased with the way this came out... I'm looking forward to doing some more of these.

Working with Liquitex Textures

2011-11-13T09:25:00.004-05:00

I got some Liquitex effects medium textures for my birthday, so I wanted to play around with them on the collage and on a digital print out from my laser printer to see what they would look like. If you click on the images you will see them at a higher resolution (you might have to right click on the image once you go to the larger view, and select "View Image" to see it at full size, I don't like the way Blogger has changed the way we view images! Then you might have to click the back button on your browser to get back to the post. What a hassle.).

In the first image, I wanted to see what the Liquitex Glass Beads would look like over a digital printout. I learned that in this circumstance, less is better... if it is too thick (1a), it isn't as transparent and retains some of the milky white of the agent. (1b) shows the effect I was looking for.

In the collage image. (2a) is Liquitex White Opaque Flakes. Here again, putting the product on thinly created a nice effect over the under-layer of papers. (2b) Taught me that the Liquitex Glass Beads works well on lighter colors than it does on dark colors (2d). And Last but not least, (2c) shows what the Liquitex Ceramic Stucco looks like (which I brushed on and then drew the squiggly lines out of with the back of my paintbrush).

Here again, because these are scans and light is captured by the scan and not allowed to move about and interact with the products, you are not seeing the full nature of the glass beads product.... like glitter.

My next experiment will be to see what happens when I add some acrylic paint to these two projects.

Mixed Media Collage 01

2011-11-12T16:06:00.000-05:00

This is my first attempt at a mixed media collage. This is the beginning of it. I am going to experiment with a little texture and paints on this next. So far I have used some hand made papers, one with leaves embedded in them, some scrapbook patterned paper, black card stock and some gloss gel medium.

Birthday Gift - Brooklyn Abstract Artist

2011-11-10T22:46:00.000-05:00

This is a birthday gift I got from my Niece Brooklyn... I think she takes after her Aunt! ;)

This is it... I'm done... no matter what. ;)

2011-11-10T10:32:00.001-05:00

This photo really stinks, the glare from the window washed out quite a few of my "marks" up at the top right corner, but I don't have time to re-take it right now... I will try later if I have time.... work... work... work... gotta run... I'll be back later to tell you my thoughts on this. :)

NOW... It's done... (Edit... Or NOT).

2011-11-08T13:49:00.002-05:00

My painting needed a little something... and I finally figured out what it was... Here is the finished painting. :)
(Again, I have included a black digitally applied frame.)