No fooling! It's mixed media challenge time...

Happy April 1! For those who love mixed media challenges - we have a fun one for April.

The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge Blog has a new challenge this month. The theme is "dimension"! It's my favorite in my art - either the illusion of dimension or actually making layers. It's so much fun.

The sponsor this month is Stampers Anonymous.

This month we will have TWO lucky random winners!! Each winner will receive a fabulous Wendy Vecchi stamp set and stencil!!


Here's my painting for the challenge. I started with a layer of random color. After it dried I added thinned paint and misted with a water bottle. More dimension. I added papers and crackle medium (more dimension) and then (why not?) I added painted chipboard.  Then I created the images.

Here's a close-up view.

"Enchanted Poppies" 16" x 20" by Melanie Douthit

Our April Guest Designer is Wendy Vecchi - Ranger & Stampers Anonymous Signature Designer!!


Wendy Vecchi is a full time artist/designer/educator and owner of studio 490.She is a signature designer for Ranger, and Stampers Anonymous and a past member the Tim Holtz and Maya Road design teams. In addition to designing rubber stamps, stencils, embossing pastes, archival inks and embossing powders, she loves discovering new techniques & she loves to use those techniques to make art.

I hope you play along.
Please follow these rules to be eligible for placements and prizes. Entries not following our rules will be deleted.

* You must use our challenge graphic in your challenge post.
* You must comment on at least 3 design team member's blogs.
* Your post must link back to the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge post
* Add a link to your direct post, not your entire blog, a YouTube Video or a Pinterest Board
* You can combine with up to 4 other challenges.
* No Backlinking allowed! Any back-linked entries will be deleted.
* You can enter up to 5 times, create whatever you want, and HAVE FUN!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge for August

I always have a blast working on mixed media pieces for the Mixed Media Challenge Blog. This month's challenge is to use text in your project. I LOVE using text in my projects.

 If you are new to the challenge - please join in! Go to the homepage for the place to post the link of your project.

Here's my project.

"Swamp Tours" is 28" x 30" on stretched canvas. I used papers, burlap, gold leafing, seed beads, cardstock tag, fabric alphabets, cardstock stickers and paint. The surface was sealed with a layer of resin.

Here's a closeup of the alphabet before I poured the resin.

We can't wait to see what you come up with for the challenge. Here are the rules:

Please follow these rules to be eligible for placements and prizes. 

* You must use our challenge graphic in your challenge post.
* You must comment on at least 3 design team member's blogs. 

* Your post must link back to the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge post
* Add a link to your direct post, not your entire blog, a YouTube Video or a Pinterest Board
* You can combine with up to 4 other challenges. 
* No Backlinking allowed! Any back-linked entries will be deleted.
* You can enter up to 5 times, create whatever you want, and HAVE FUN!

Thanks for stopping by!

Routines and Calendars

I know many people won't agree with this, but I actually love January! It's the end of the holiday hustle and bustle and a time to start organizing and getting back to "normal" (whatever that is). I've already filled up my new datebook through March, but I like planning ahead. It makes it so much easier when something pops up unexpectedly. If it doesn't fit in the calendar - I politely decline. It feels much better than over extending myself.  It also helps so much with commissions. I can pencil in my non-commissions pieces around my schedule. It helps keep me on track from week to week.


If you are an artist, what do you do to help organize your studio time?

And for those of you that are enduring bitter cold winter storms, remember, it soon will pass. Here's a quote that I just love.

 Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. - Helen Keller.

 I just finished up one large commission and have another one to start right away. I'm loving that we have an unusually warm January here in the South. I have natural light in my studio and these bright sunny days make it such a cheerful atmosphere to work.

Here is a piece I finished last month. It has already found a home with a collector.

 "Quite Contrary", 20" x 20" (in private collection).

We are getting ready for Mardi Gras here in the South. Just for fun, I'm in the middle of planning a fun Mardi Gras themed dinner party. Sssshhh.. Can't give away details just yet.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Happiness is....

I love to post on my facebook page about the little everday things that make me happy. You know - the things that make you smile and say "how cool is that?". Especially when you stumble upon things unexpected. Unexpected "happy surprises" are really the best, aren't they?

Happiness is when I walk into a local home improvement store to get bird seed (you know, to make the birds happy) and stumble upon a paint sample freebee.

Happiness is.... taking your daughter to Books A Million and stumbling upon 50% of date planners, and not just plain ones, but artsy ones and one tailor made just for me.

Happiness is.... opening your art show reception guest book to find the word "happy" peppered throughout the comments your guests made about your work.

See what I mean? Things that just make you smile.

Here's a piece I created last week. I started working on it during a couple of rainy days here in the South. This is in the early stages.

And below is the finished piece. I love including a positive quote, phrase or lyric in my paintings. This one says:

"It may be raining, but there's a rainbow above you."

 

"Rainbow Above You" is 20" x 20" with 1.5" deep sides painted to match. and has already been claimed by a collector who likes happy art.  That makes me happy.

Thank you for stopping by. I'd love to know you stopped by, so please leave me a comment, and if you are an artist, include your blog link so I can stop by. Have a great day!

I'm a cover girl!

I almost forgot some fun news. The editor of my old hometown newspaper asked me and my artist friend (also from the same town) for pics and bio to include in their visitors and newcomers guide. We were both thrilled that they wanted to include our information in the publication. My friend called me about two weeks ago when she saw the first image of the guide posted online, and my art was on the cover!



This is THE FIRST time I have had a painting on the cover of a publication. They were generous with the space they gave me and my friend/artist, Jane Campbell.

I'm heading to UPS to ship some paintings out tomorrow. One to the east coast, one to the west coast. Spreading some joy across the country.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.

Christmas in the French Quarter

My newest twist on a familiar painting - this one is for a special collector who wanted something with a Christmas flair.







This painting is 16x20 with black gallery style moulding.
Taking commisisons for this up until November 20. Price is $200 with $15 USPS Priority Mail postage, insured.

thanks for stopping by!

Sold Out!!!

All my current paintings have been sold. Check back soon to see what's available next. Thank you!!!!

French Quarter Shotgun House No. 205

New for 2009! "French Quarter Shotgun House No. 205"!










Original fUnKy New Orleans Painting. This is a continuation of my FuNkY New Orleans French Quarter Street Scenes. Bright! Vivid! Fun! You know you just gotta have one!

If you’ve been to the French Quarter – you’ve seen these cute little houses lines up in rows just blocks from some of the jazziest restaurants and clubs in New Orleans. The title “205” indicates the ficticious house number, and does not imply that this is the 205th painting in the series (although I’m getting close but not counting). This gallery-wrapped (that means staple-free sides!) stretched canvas is 12x16 with ¾” deep sides. Sides are painted black for modern unframed hanging. Although attempts have been made to capture image of original, colors in image may appear lighter or darker than original, especially between different monitors.Painting is unframed. Feel free to e‑mail me with any questions.

Available at Etsy right now. SOLD!!! No longer available.

For Inquiries about my paintings....

I have had people try to reach me in the past six months that weren't very successful. I'm truly sorry. I'm starting this blog so I have a central way of communicating and updating you on my art.

I've recently listed several things on ebay and etsy. The links are on the sidebar. You can reach me by leaving a comment on this blog or through the online stores. I'll list some photos of available paintings on another post. Thanks for stopping by!