The Summer of the Sun

Or sand....

I don't want this summer to end. I have been forever spoiled by beautiful beaches and magical sunsets. 

I visited the beaches of Fort Morgan, Alabama for a few days at the end of July. If you have never sat on the beach until the sun sets, please put it on your list. Golden glows on the waters is magical.

Back at home the next week, the August art crawl was so well attended that it was mind blowing. Sugar Gallery was out of food and beverages in the first 90 minutes.

The tv station even came out.

I can't believe that summer is almost over. As I write this, our students are in their first week of school. 

And in the studio, I'm still in the coastal mind. 

Sun and sand. 

Need to find a cure.

August Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

August is the month of the "last hurrah's" for summer. (We don't even really want to think about the fact that many schools start mid-month. (bummer).

But the team at  Mixed Media Monthly Challenge have a fun challenge for our creative folks. This monthl our challenge is to use modeling paste (molding paste) along with stencils. How fun is that. Modeling paste (Golden Paints call their brand molding paste) is so fun to use. If you aren't familiar, it's a thick creamy substance that creates a textured ground for painting, collage or sculpture. It dried opaque white, stiff and hard. What's extra cool about it is that you can add your paint with it and make it any color you want!

In my challenge, I used a paper collage background and let it dry. I wasn't sure what I was going to do as far as the image, but I left for a week on the beach. When I came back, I was still in coastal living mode, that I added Bahama Blue to the modeling paste and randomly used some stencils.  I used a palette knife to spread it out. I don't cover every single inch with the paste while using the stencil. I like the mystery of unfound edges in my application.

 I let it dry for several days (It should dry in an hour or two). I worked on another painting because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do on this piece. After about a week or so, I had a friend that wanted a beach painting for her place on the beach, and I knew just the thing.

I painted this beach bungalow on it. You can still see the texture of the paste and the patterned papers peeking through. It's much more interesting in person. I had so much fun, I'm doing a few more.

So if you are new to the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge, here is what to do - and there is a chance to win a prize! Create something (card, layout, craft, art, etc) and include modeling paste and stencils in your creation. Post a link to the image on the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge August Post (there will be a place to upload your link), and follow all the directions on your post. A random drawing will select one winner and that person will win a gift certificate from our sponsor Eclectic Paperie! 

We can't wait to see what you create! Thanks for stopping by. You have all month to create and upload your image.

My Visit to Grayton Beach

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in a huge beach house on Grayton Beach. Need I say more?

It was more than a "week at the beach". My daughter went with my friend's youth group, and I tagged along to cook the meals (well, most of them) for 13 youth.  I can't say anything but what an adventure to stay for 7 nights in a three-story house with these kids. We had a craft project for a children's shelter and on another day we went to a homeless mission to cook a meal and help in their clothing shop. The youth were amazing to get to know. They helped me in the kitchen, and we had many laughs over lots of silly things.  I cried when we walked the streets of Grayton singing Hillsong United's "Oceans", while their leaders prepared a special surprise for them at the house. It was a week like no other in both mine and my daughter's life, and got closer to one another over the week as well. God never disappoints. Here are some photos that need no words.

I entertained myself while on the beach by posting "celebrity" photos on my instagram. My friend were sad when my trip was over because they were getting a kick out of the, so I will be going on another trip soon, so if you like quirky stuff, follow me and see what this busy beach girl is up to this summer.

On the drive home, I had the idea to create a painting from the "Oceans" (Where Feet May Fail) song. Here is the painting, which I named "Take Me Deeper". It's mixed media. 

I am still painting more island / beach themed art. I''m currently taking commissions until August 15 for beach themed art (or any art, but right now my mind is on salt and sea). Thanks for stopping by!

Springtime in Paris Mixed Media

I had so much fun working on this piece. I have had Paris on my mind since this spring, so when I started my "Let It Go" mixed media class, I made a collage background using papers that made me think of springtime in Paris.

The Paris inspired piece is the larger one with the "lady" image.

I painted my design on it, and started painting on the background for my students.

 It was going so great. Then I left it behind while I went on to other projects and paintings. But, alas, Paris is still in my heart! I picked it up last weekend and, at least in my mind, I was there - in Paris.

I shared an in-progress piece on my facebook page and within the hour (it seemed) I had someone wanting it. I shipped it to California a few days later. It always makes me so happy when a painting speaks to someone and it finds it's way "home". It's even a bigger honor when your art is in an avid art collectors home, hanging in the collection of noteworthy French artists! I wish I could tour that home!

Thanks to my readers, those that follow my facebook page, and better yet - my collectors. Life is good today...As I write this blog, I'm enjoying some of the bluest waters and sugar-white sands in our great nation - the Gulf Coast, half way between Panama City Beach and Destin,

I'm soaking the sun, breathing salt-water air, and enjoying the great company of merry hearts.  I'm posting photos on my facebook AND on my Instagram. Follow my Instagram Here.

And mixed media artists - don't forget to take part in the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge blog this month. We have TWO prizes to randomly give out from DieCutsWithAView - our July sponsor. Thanks for stopping by and happy creating!!

Queens and Wings Mixed Media Inspiration

I had such a blast teaching a mixed media class. We met once a week for six weeks. I met some truly wonderful ladies and even got reunited with a friend I has not seen in years! Most of the ladies ended up creating a "girl" of some sort, personal to themselves, and included an inspirational title, quote or sentiment on it. I am so amazed at their sense of adventure to jump in and go for it!

I posted last week about the girls we were doing with some pics. Here is the girl again.

After I painted my girl and started defining spaces, her wonderful dress magically appeared. It was noticed by one of my students. A perfect lesson about letting the painting create itself! 

The sheet music I used on her was about chasing rainbows, so I played on that and chose a phrase that went with the theme. Again, going where the painting wants to go.

I used two sets of alpha stamps for the words.

I used the same method with my second girl. I layered the papers and then painted her on top. The papers on this piece seemed to have a more softer feel, so the second girl was given wings. 

One of my students found some tissue paper on clearance with Mothers Day items that was cream with black inspirational words on it. She gave me a sheet. I used it for the wings. I felt they were symbolic of women... We all seem to have invisible wings... Sort of like super powers. 

And what do wings do? Help you defy gravity. 

I auctioned these pieces on my facebook page. Follow me so you don't miss out on fun things like this! The lady that got both of these pieces told me they are for her twin daughters who just got their own rooms. How cool is that?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge for July

I am so excited that the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge Blog is already starting the second challenge! This months challenge is sooo easy! The theme is "Around The House", which means that you are challenged to find and use things... Anything... From around your house. These things can be repurposing items, stamping with kitchen gadgets, or raiding your hubby's toolshed.The design team at The MMMC blog has some great ideas. Here is my project for the month.

I used a wood block as my surface. These are great finds in the trash piles of new home construction sites. My other "house" item was masking tape. I used them to make the coconuts, and stenciled the texture on them with drywall tape...my last house item. I also used some items from our generous sponsor, "Die Cuts With A View". DCWV has new items that include amazing textured papers like corrugate, burlap, canvas, even chalkboard and white board stacks! I used one of their textured burlap pieces to make my tree truck, and another textured design for my beach.  DCWV also has a wonderful selection of stencils, great for mixed media artists. They have supplied this unbelievable prize package for TWO random lucky winners! Package includes 1 12x12 paper pad, 4 textured 6x6 paper pads, and 12 stencils!

To enter the challenge, upload your project to this page by July 31! We can't wait to see all the fabulous entries and creative uses for things "around the house".

Thanks for stopping by!

Teaching Others how to Let Go in Art

I have enjoyed teaching my ladies mixed media art class. The title of the class was "Let It Go" and all about being free to create, make mistakes, learn and just "go with it". For the last couple of classes, I wanted them to do a "girl". Something personal, something with a quote that would mean something to them or someone close. For my demo, I did a paper background.

I drew several girls and made copies so they wouldn't be stressed about "drawing" one. This is one of the queens I made and started building paint layers.

She still isn't finishes, but she is getting there. I have yet to add the words.

Then I took a few photos last night of what my ladies were making.

I'm so proud of how they have expressed themselves and their creativity. We have one more class next week. I'm going to miss seeing these beautiful ladies every week.

Thanks for stopping by!