Mixed Media a Collage Bayou Painting

I love combining my love of paper crafts with my love of painting. To me, it's the best of both worlds and I don't feel like its "work" at all. Here's a little peek at my most recent mixed media painting in progress.

I started by layering various patterned papers. My intent for this was to make a bayou scene, so I went for papers that made me think "gumbo". I also three in some old newspapers, sheet music and burlap.

These images show the papers as well as the drawing of the scene on top.

Next, I started layering paints and definition, carefully leaving parts of the papers showing through. I love the unexpected patterns peeking through in random places.

Here is one more in progress pic. Someone described the color and style as "well worn denim".

And here is the final piece. I call it "Moonlight on the Bayou". It's 20"x20" and for sale in my Etsy store.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mixed Media Art Fun

Since I'm always creating, I like to change subject and medium to keep my perspective fresh. After a big painting session, especially when it's a commission, I like to clean the studio up and "play". My art "play" is my mixed media minis. I love using my paper stash, ephemera, Faber Castell pens and markers, paint and whatever else comes to mind.

Faber Castell's Design Memory Craft Blog always has fun challenges. This month the challenge is to create something about your dream.

Here's my piece.

Check out the other creations at Mou's Challenge .

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Custom Mardi Gras Pet Paintings

I'm working on a few Mardi Gras pet paintings this week. One of the orders came from an owner who ran into one of the first paintings of mine that Mimi's Cafe obtained over ten years ago. It still hangs in the Albuquerque, NM. 

Here is a sneak peek of the progress.

If you would like to keep up with the daily peeks into my studio, follow ("like") my facebook page 

at https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDouthitArtStudio.

Hanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Melanie

Antique Alley Art Tour West Monroe

Downtown West Monroe will be rocking this Thursday night! In conjunction with the Downtown Art Gallery Crawl, the Antique Alley Association merchants will be open late and hosting artists in their shops. With the River Gallery at 308 Trenton Street having 30 artists, and 30 more shops being open, this makes 60 artists in a two block area. There will be a band outside - Amanda McDowell and The Twlilight Zone will be entertaining the shoppers.

I have been so busy getting ready for this, as well as my daughter, who is also showing art in one of the shops.

There is still lots to do!

Here is a peek of one of my pieces.

I will also have a four foot x four foot piece, "Born on the Bayou" for my Southern theme.

It is coated in resin and really shines! It will be at Brazzell & Co Home, 311 Trenton Street, West Monroe.

If you are local, come on out to Trenton Street, West Monroe from 5-9pm!

Starting off This Week Full Throttle

Happy July! I'm starting this Monday full blast. I had to take some things to the post office, so just for fun, we stopped by the Duck Dynasty warehouse. Can you believe that we live just a couple miles away and haven't stopped by. (Gasp?)

We didn't stay long, and off we went to run errands.

I finished a new piece Saturday. It's 30" x 40" and my daughter named it "Over the Rainbow". It's similar to my "Summertime Blues" painting. It's available if anyone is interested. Just message me thru my website or facebook page.

 "Over the Rainbow" by Melanie Douthit

I got the sweetest commission this weekend. I was asked to put a hidden message in a piece. I'll be starting it tomorrow. I'm also working on a very fun project that I hope turns out. More on that in the weeks to come.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Excited about the July 2013 Bayou Life Magazine

Sometimes life just surprises you in unexpected ways - suddenly. That's what happened earlier this month, when I was running errands in between driving my daughter to and from swim lessons. I got a message from one of the fabulous writers at Bayou Life Magazine - a local publication in our region - asking if they could feature me for their Bayou Artist. Of course, I said YES! (Then I secretly wondered if they had the right person!). I was so excited, that I didn't even want to tell anyone - just in case they made a mistake. I didn't even really tell my husband, who walked in on part of the interview - again, he didn't know! He knew it must have been important when I introduced Mary, though. I told two of my friends (neither of them artists) - just because I had to tell someone, then let it slip to hubby one day while chattering away. So I waited. Then when one of the girls that worked at the magazine told me it was delivered, I went to get a few copies. well, it depends on what your version of 'just a few' means.

Here is the fabulous cover - a photograph by local photographer Burg Ransom. He is one of the best local wildlife photographers in our region!

Here is my daughter with the article. She was the one person with me through the interview and photo shoot. She is a great secret keeper!

Here is the two-page spread (which I'm not sure if it's readable on this blog).

 P.S. I also 'dislike' seeing photos of myself... but it was required for the article!

I'm am over the moon excited about this feature, as I follow in the footsteps of some very impressive artists as well as talented people in other areas of the arts. I'm thankful to the team at Bayou Life Magazine for highlighting someone who is so many steps behind those that have been featured before me. Mary Napoli, you are a jewel!

Thanks for stopping by today, and have a wonderful weekend!

Pets in the Art Studio

I admit it. I paint on the floor. I spread a large drop cloth on my studio floor and plop right down and spread everything out and create. Much like I did in grade school when I spread my crayons out and colored in my favorite coloring books. I don't think a table could be big enough to hold everything when I'm painting. The yellow is to my right, the white is under my leg, the blue is by the water container. It's just all right in reach.... Even though getting up is a slow process... It just works.

Sooo... Having said that, I have to add that I share my studio with a dachshund. A long bodied, short legged dachshund who loves to be where I am, and in the sunshine which streams into my studio. So is it a surprise that only a handful of times has she stepped IN my wet paint palette? She has, in fact, walked on top of a wet background on canvas before, which I think is cool...it adds to the texture. But walking in dark blue wet paint and tracking it on the floor (thankfully not carpet) doesn't work. I didn't get a photo of the blue paw prints because I was more concerned about cleaning her blue toes, but I did do an after photo, much like the shame photos you see on social media sights.

But there is no shame. It is what is is, my helper in my studio and a whoops moment. Who can resist at face?

This photo appears along with other pets in the studio in is weeks blog post at EBSQART. Check it out.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.