Monday Morn

I look forward to my mixed media art classes on Mondays. We have two more classes and so I am having the ladies create a mixed media "girl". I asked them to think of a quote or something personal to them to put on their girl, which could be representative of themselves if they wanted. It's going to be inspiring to see this process.

Last week I created another mixed media angel. His time I used the card with the initial "w" which I wanted to stand for "wings". 

I wanted to find just the right quote for her to tie in dreams (the moon) and wings.

She is big... The board is 20" long. I used alphabet stamps and rub ons for the quotes. I put her with my other mixed media pieces at one of the galleries at the art crawl and one of my collectors took her home. 

The art gallery crawl was wonderful. We had so much activity on both sides of the river. Here are a few photos.

Some of my paintings at the Ouachita River Art Gallery, Wesr Monroe.

My roommate from long ago came out.

And I had a surprise visit from my cousin.

One of my students was showing her beautiful work a few doors down so I stopped by to take a peek. She worked on the tea cup piece during class and it is gorgeous.

I have a super busy week. I am working on two very special commission pieces. One of them has a critical deadline. What an honor to be a part of something so special. More on that later.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a happy Monday!

A is for Angel Mixed Media

I am half way into my summer mixed media workshop and just demonstrated using textiles in mixed media. The students are enjoying creating mixed media surfaces using papers, stencils and paint.

Here are a couple of photos of student work in progress.

I am so proud of and inspired by these ladies! They have each absorbed what they were taught and applied it to their own ideas and just "let it go" (the theme of our adventure).

I had prepared this background in our previous class and brought it back to show them the steps I take in building my images after the first layer.

I have a pack of mini alphabet cards that I have decided to put to use. I have had them forever. I decided to use "a" for angel.

I lightly drew my angel girl, then outlined her with black. While she was drying, I added paint to the background. Next, I adhered cheesecloth to her dress with Golden's matte medium. I had brought a paper doily that I thought would make great wings, but I also had some leaf shapes, so I was trying on her "wings" when one of the students said, "Use both"! What a great idea, and in the spirit of "letting it go" , I did, and I love the look. I also didn't stress about perfectly placing the "wings" and as you can see they are not symmetrical, which I think adds to her charm. 

Next I mixed some paint to make a flesh color and painted her skin. I stopped at this point so the students could create. A few days later I pulled her out and even though I liked her at this point, I wanted to adjust her legs and do a few more things.

I used paint, stencils and rub ons to finish her up. I took the rest of the doily and out it on top, and fond a chipboard glitter heart in just the right size to add to her hands. She now awaits a new owner.

Our class has been enjoying various art products, but especially those provided by Golden Paints Seconds Program. No matter what age my student are, I introduce them to high quality art products because it truly does make a difference. 

The Downtown Gallery Crawl in Monroe and West Monroe is June 5. I recently became the secretary for this Downtown Arts Alliance, the hosts of the crawl, and am excited about the wonderful things on the horizon. If you are in Northeast Louisiana, come out. You can even shop because the Antique Alley Association shops on Trenton Stree will be open till 9pm as well as have artists displaying in their stores. The trolley will be running for free to take you to all the galleries so make a night of it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Newest Painting of the Year

The calendar "has" holidays, but it actually never takes a holiday. LOL. This is how I feel because the year has already started full-speed. My son and I are participating in a themed group art show this week called "El Corazon" (the heart) at the Downstairs Gallery in Monroe.  In addition to this, my daughter (a fifth grader) is showing some of her art across the street at Becton Gallery. All this coincides with the Downtown Gallery Crawl in Monroe and West Monroe - a bi-monthly event. I tried to get my husband to participate, but he still isn't interested in making art. (smile)

The first piece I created for the "heart" show was a still life with a dove and a string of hearts. I put it on my facebook page and sold it within a few days - so.... I created another piece that I will wait until after the show opens to post.

"Hearts and Flowers" 20" x 20" (SOLD)

Mixed Media by Melanie Douthit

 

 

If you are in Northeast Louisiana, come out this Thursday, Feb 7 to the gallery crawl. My work is always in the River Gallery, 308 Trenton Street, West Monroe and has regular business hours, but will be open till 9pm for the art crawl. There are 9 galleries total so it makes for a fun night. We are having beautiful weather this week, which is great for February!

 

If you want to stay up to date on my current facebook page postings, don't forget to "Like" my page. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week.





Lastest Painting - Psalm 17

Just popped in to share a quick photo of my latest painting inspired by Psalm 17:8. It will be at tomorrow night's Gallery Crawl in West Monroe at the Ouachita River Art Gallery from 5-9pm.

I'm not happy with the quality of this photo so I'll be waiting for the morning light tomorrow to get a better image. Thanks for stopping by. Come to the art crawl Thursday!!