Squeegee!

I have learned a new tips this past year that I thought I should share to hopefully save someone any wasted time. Dun dun na naaaaa....

Apply Gesso with a squeegee like this! :

I cannot tell you how much time I have wasted sanding paint brush lines out of my gessoed canvases, and even after an hour of intense sanding there will still be groves and nixs in my final canvas that are just to deep and fine to fully sand without taking the gesso off completely. The one above is by Speedball and is very inexpensive. I am so pleased with the smooth finish this squeegee provides when applying gesso, not to mention it covers a large area so it also saves time in that way.

If you try on out or if you already use the squeegee technique while gesso-ing let me know what you think!

SALE!

"Don't Forget the Pigs"

acrylic on canvas

8".10"

Piggy detail

I just uploaded a bunch of older paintings I did in my shop for sale, Including my beloved "Don't Forget the Pigs" My hubby and I are moving to P.A. and I have decided to mark a few things down because I really want them in good homes and not risk damage in the move.

Precious

8.5". 11"

Wings

8.5".11"

I Love You 2

8.5".11"

Necklaces!

"The Bee Charmer"

1 and 3/4" x 1 and 3/4"

Oil and varnish on wood

"Positive affirmation necklaces"

1.5" x 1.5"

mixed media on wood, varnish

"I Trust in the Process of my Life"

I am very exited about my new necklaces, I plan to continue making them because they just turned out so sweet! I have one that I wear all the time and I get loads of compliments ;) These necklaces are available in my shop (link on the side bar)

Mark Ryden Show

I went to the opening of the latest Mark Ryden show on Thursday night at the Paul Kasmin Gallery (www.paulkasmingallery.com)

This is "Incarnation" I know the picture is awful, it was a little tricky to get good shot because it was super crowded and I couldn't use a flash. I wanted to add this picture though so you could see how large this piece is. It is absolutely stunning! You can see it on (www.markryden.com)

All the frames of the paintings were hand carved and hand painted, they are unbelievable!

I loved people watching, there where so many awesome outfits

"Daisy" from the latest Mark Ryden Show

This is my favorite piece, she is such a sweetie! These drawings are truly beautiful, they looked like old book pages.

New Tote!

I love my little tote bags I must say, I have a collection of every one I have ever made that I wear all the time!! They are super soft and durable and hold a lot! Very eco chic ;)

You can have one of your very own by visiting one of my shops on the side bar!

Process

1. drawing, make sure to set your drawing with workable fixative so it does not smear and muddy your paint

2. under painting of darks, wait for paint to dry fully.

3. continue to build layers adding color gradually, working up from darkest to lightest. Be sure to let layers dry fully before applying paint on top of a preexisting layer.

4. Blend a layer of primary flesh tone (in this case it is white) soft handedly blending with a Sable brush.

I have been using water-based oils and truthfully they have been giving me some problems. Because they are water soluble, even after a layer fully dries, application of a new wet coat of paint picks up the under lying layer -- Ahhh! This has been causing a lot of extra work as you can imagine because I have to waste a lot of time doing patch-ups. I am torn though because water-based oil paints are so much better for the environment, and don't require all the stinky (and toxic) solvents. Another dilemma I have encountered is the water based paints just do not have to same glassy, rich finish of oils. I have found however adding a coat of varnish when the painting is finished solves this.

5. TO BE CONTINUED..... I will keep you posted as the painting comes along

Like Rabbits

*please click for a larger view

"Like Rabbits"

48".24"

hand detail

hair detail

Finally! I am at a place where I can say DONE (at least for now) I have learned a lot from working on this piece, one being: the Internet is cruel to tall and narrow pieces especially if they are of a light color pallet! If you are making work in part to show case on the Internet please keep this in mind!!!

The idea behind this piece is inspired by all the children born into broken families, myself included. This is a theme I have explored a lot through the use of rabbits ( here used a symbol of fertility) and broken hearts.