Encaustic trials

Today I worked in my newly cleaned space- you know what that means- yes it is a mess again. I tried a few things today that just did not work out. It was warm enough to open the window to vent the encaustic so I took the opportunity to coat this plate of wood that I purchased at the thrift store. I tried coating fabric in encaustic and making a coral like sculpture but I instantly thought it looked cheap and tore it apart, I have a small stand and will continue to work on this piece.

Today De-cluttering

Today I have been neglecting my art. The sun was shining although it was still cold my dogs and I went for a short walk. I have been watching the OC and decluttering my art space. I made a lovely meatloaf- ick- I did not like it. I think in heart I am a vegetarian and just try to please my meat eating husband by making these things. The pasta and asparagus were good. I know it is the time of year for de-cluttering but I think I am using it at the moment to not work on art! Maybe because I am unsure what I want to do next.

Encaustic and Fiber

Today I went thrift shopping looking for items to use in a sculpture. I ended up coming home and starting a new fiber piece. This is a mix of paper, encaustic, burlap and gauze. I am having issues with balance in the work and am unsure what I will do next. I had a sketch but as I work I have gotten very off from what I sketched. I also now see an eagle in flight and that is distracting my progress. So it will rest and I will work on something else. I have a few more days till I must have something ready to show.

Fiber Artwork

Today I decided to do a fiber piece. This is using some costume scraps- I believe mostly silks. The main faces are canvas, stitched and painted. This is the piece in work not finished yet. Must rest, regroup, then continue.

Merry Christmas

For me it is the season to Celebrate the birth of our Savior who is Jesus Christ the Lord. I read today a post about Love- and for me this season is a reminder that we should Love others those who do not believe as us, this might be religiously, politically, etc. We should learn to put aside our differences and love one another. Teach our children kindness and respect for life for God loves us each equally. Easier written than done! So no matter your beliefs- I hope for you kindness and peace in the New YEAR! Happy New YEAR!

Day 30 the end of AEDM

Today I leave you with a quote. I have still not been feeling great and spent time today at the Vet with a follow up visit for my dog, followed by a huge nap for me.

Kathe Kollwitz - “I do not want to die...until I have faithfully made the most of my talent and cultivated the seed that was placed in me until the last small twig has grown.”

AEDM Day 29

Yes it is almost at the end of art everyday month. I am feeling a little ill today and so not up to doing much. I did happen to take a quick photo today as I left campus. They have just added another fountain to campus. Today is the first day I saw it working and with different color changing lights. They were working on it as I walked by earlier in the day and it still is surrounded by fencing. Although I understand that green space is a necessity on campus, we already have a huge quad and fountain. The two fountains are only separated by a building in between. If you saw the art department building you would understand why I think the money could be put to better use.

Day 28 Snowman Ornament

Wow- I can not believe it has been a month now since I started this blog. Maybe over the holiday I will learn how to really use blogger. We are almost at the end of AEDM and I really find it has helped me to commit to make something each day. Tonight I made this cute little snowman. I think the entire thing could be made with recycled materials. Mine I used butcher paper but you could use a paper store bag. I found a really colorful piece of print from the New York Times and that is what the scarf, nose and hat are made from.

Use your circle cutter, stitch together or glue together your circles, I used cotton balls to stuff mine you could use plastic bags or newsprint, paint, add decor,

I need to add a few more decorations to this one- but thought I would blog while waiting for the paint to dry.

Moss Tree Day 27

I feel a real need now to make some art each day. I use it as a time to explore. I am on a count down till the end of the term and that makes me a little sad as I hate to rush life, but this is not my time of year- when it gets dark at 5 I get moody. Thankful my love got me a sunshine light for my room and I think it does help. Tonight I did this quick painting- Gouache on Watercolor Paper

Hoot OWLS DAY 26 AEDM

Today I painted these small canvas owls-

Acrylic paints and black marker on gallery wrapped canvas

Day 25 Catching Up

I have missed a few days of AEDM as it was holiday time. I went to Louisiana to visit with family. We had a bonfire and made smores! Then the next day we have our Thanksgiving feast which includes my mothers generation, then all the cousins, then all their babies- I guess that is three generations this year- sometimes it is four.

At this gathering I gave the quilt I have been working on to one of my dear cousins. My mom helping me take the final pictures of my quilt. The last photo is what it looked like before the posies.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all have had a lovely day with family and friends. I spent the day with my love. Tonight I baked for my family gathering. Carrot Cake from scratch using my best friends Grandmothers recipe.

Day 21 Guitar and Posies

Today I continued on the guitar picture as in the last post. Also adding my posies or yo-yos to the quilt.

Guitar Brights

In my last post, I talked about wanting to explore more in bright paintings. In my stash of canvas I had this one that had staples on the sides. I knew I wanted to cover those and had read recently about texture caused by painting on newspaper. I Mod Podged the newspaper on the canvas in a random manner. Then put on a slight bit of gesso then began working with my acrylic paints. I was then left with the decision of- What should I put on this canvas? I decided on a guitar tree and birds. I am not done yet, but this is the start of my painting.

Cornbread and Art

Some people have meatless Monday in their homes. Last year my husband quickly caught on that our meatless meal of the week is beans and cornbread. This was what I made for last nights dinner. I am really happy that I finally have seasoned this iron skillet enough again and it pops right out of the pan! I think mine turns even more golden on top due to my secret ingredient 1/3 cup vanilla soymilk. Last night I realized that I just want to play again with more styles and counted up my canvas and am now on a painting spree. I am really drawn to the bright colors that others use in their work and layers. This is what I am exploring today. Below is my attempt at a bright happy piece.

Day 18: Posies or Yo-Yos and Cards

Process photos of a Yo-Yos or what I like to call Posies- Cut a square, fold square in half, fold in half again, take scissors and cut the raw edge in a half circle shape from corner to opposite corner, Now you have a circle, turn down a 1/4 inch on the edges and stitch around the circle catching the folded edge, when you pull it tight you get a yo-yo. (note I am not one for exact measurements- there are methods to making an exact yo-yo I am sure you can find lots on the web)

I will be applying these posies to the quilt I have been working on all week. My other side project that has been in work are using these playing cards to make Christmas ornaments. I am just beginning to experiment with this. I covered with gesso and white acrylic,then decided to use paper to cover it instead.

YEAH for PACKAGES! Day 17

Do you ever get really excited to see a package show up in the mail? Well I do! Yesterday the mailman brought me this little delight.

Encaustic Wax! Yeah!!! I get my encaustic wax from an artist in Savannah that makes her own. I really do not have a safe place to make my own and it is just not something I am willing to try to tackle yet. I make a wide request to her telling her what I am working on and never know what will come in the box. Which makes it a little more of a surprise when I open to see the colors that arrive!

I made this little quilt recently for my nieces 3rd birthday! Now to get this little gift in the mail. Although I hate to not get to see her reaction when she opens it, I hope she will like the surprise of getting something in the mail. It is an I-spy quilt for her dolls.

Friday Quilt Continues

I found that I did not have a red or a purple embroidery thread and have now chosen a dark blue to add to the green embroidery stitches. It is coming along quickly with the stitching and I hope to start on the self binding soon.

Happy Friday to all my fellow Art Every Day Month friends! We are 1/2 way through the month and it is amazing how I often feel I do not spend enough time on my art, but by blogging about it I find that it confirms how much time I really do spend working on a variety of artistic projects.

DAY 15 Thoughtful Intentions

Today I continue working on the quilt. Stitch by stitch, in a random rhythm. I am hopeful I will complete it by next week. Today has me thinking about the colors of stitching I will use. Will it be all green? Will I add purple or red? What about one section of red. I work intuitively letting the stitches guide me.

Acrylic Painting

Atelier Paints- Tonight I went to an art class to learn more about using Atelier paints. The artist Kellie Newsome uses them in her paintings and I love the vibrant colors. http://www.kellienewsome.com/ Do you remember the work I did the other day at the art barn. Well I took that canvas tonight and worked on top of it. Here is the before and after photos

AEDM Quilting

I will continue to hand stitch the quilt. I do not normally do this technique. I am trying something new. Using embroidery thread and stitching in random patterns. Above shows a picture of the back of the quilt and the front with hand stitching.