Experimenting

I have been experimenting in my studio.

I've selected a few of my favorites to show you what I've been doing.

It all began with a National Geographic magazine that I randomly added Citra Solv between pages. 

(Citra Solv is a liquid natural citrus solvent and powerful degreaser)

I waited approx. 45 min. then I removed those pages from the magazine and laid them out to dry.
After they dried I did one or sometimes more than one of the following steps:
*added more Citra Solv and moved it around the page
*added India ink
*added alcohol drops
*added acrylic paint
*added chalk pastel
*added charcoal powder
*added instant coffee granules

                   

 
                    

                    

 

I think they turned out rather awesome!

I'll hang them in my studio, for now, awaiting inspiration to strike.

It will interesting to see what comes of them.  I'll let you know.

using my non-dominant hand

There is an amazing artist, Ivy Newport, that I take on-line classes from and follow regularly on FaceBook.  I am in awe of her talent along with her persona.  I've learned lots from her!

For a while now,  Ivy tells us she has been starting her drawings/paintings with a contour drawing, one continual drawing without lifting the pencil.  Here's the kicker... using her non-dominant hand. 

I believe she surprised herself with the results and found this practice to be valuable.   She says that she starts most of her paintings this way now.  

I had my super-artist cape on Saturday and thought, "If Ivy can do it maybe I can, too."  I was willing to give if my full effort.  I smudged my studio with Palos Santos, said my intention prayer, and put my headphones on to listen to mellow music.  Stood up to my easel with pencil in hand, took a deep breath, and off I went.  I finished this drawing within 2-3 minutes.  The big challenge was to not lift the pencil.  

Yep - she's a little wonky.  Which is to be expected.

Most of the placements look good.

It was freeing to not spend so much time on the beginning sketch which is what I find myself doing.

This just may be a technique I implement for the future.

I switched to my dominant hand and the extra fun part began as I got out my

charcoal + chalk pastels + pan pastels.

Here is the finished piece.

Not at the top of my game

When I got up this morning I didn't feel "at the top of my game".  

I felt off - I couldn't pinpoint any reason why, I just did.  

Because I am an avid believer in the Law of Attraction I know how important feelings are.  

Good or bad, your feelings conjure up very strong chain reactions.  

Setting all sorts of things into motion to reinforce your feelings.

I wanted to shake this feeling. So... I did what I knew best to do.  

I went into my studio and created art with abandon, no concerns for the outcomes.  

I did a spread in my art journal.

Worked on four sculptures that I have in progress.

I was enjoying this time creating in my studio.

By late morning I was getting my groove back.

I finished the day off with this lady.

what I've been up to, lately

Let me share with you some things I have been working on in my studio.

I took a short break from other activities to do this real quick pastel practice in my art journal.

Chalk Pastels are one of my favorite mediums to work with.  It goes hand in hand with charcoal.

Both mediums are very forgiving.

Eagerly I did a charcoal drawing of Marita to be added to the Smile Project.

I'm on the look out for more smiles for this project.  My goal is 52 faces to finish this project.  Right now I have 26, the half way mark.

You can follow this link to learn more:   http://www.asmilemaker.com/p/smile-project.html

One of my intentions is to adapt to drawing/painting looser portraits.
I'm fully aware that in order to accomplish this I need to practice, practice, practice.  I can do that!
I did these 2 ladies as I babysat for my GRANDdaughter, while she napped.

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!