Sunday Sketch and Mixed Media Monday 'Seeing Red'

Well I have been productive this weekend!! This afternoon I sat down in front of the tele to write up a list of things that I would like to do creatively, like turning some of my artwork into bookmarks and wearable art etc, I guess it was like a 'To Do' list as I've got so many ideas bouncing around in my head. I did write a list but then whilst watching a movie I seemed to start drawing this vampire girl. I drew her with a blue ball point pen and when she revealed herself to me with those droplets of blood I decided to colour them red so they would stand out. I just used one of my fine liners, I also used a brown one just to give the hair some extra oomf!!!

Anyway here she is I'm off to read my book about vampires heheheh (The short second life of Bree Tanner, in the Twilight series). I started this one on the plane but never got to finish it!

'My world' Canvas & Mixed Media Monday 'Personal Symbols and Myths'

Hi everyone, this week I've been busy on this painting. It is inspired by Mixed Media Monday's theme which was 'Personal Symbols and Myths'. What seems to pop up in your work. A recurring theme in my pieces is 'family'. I think my family influences alot of my work especially my boys. This painting is actually from a tattoo that I designed for myself a few years ago. It represents my husband, myself and my boys and how I feel about our family unit. Another thing that keeps popping up in my work is Dragonflies.
This is a quote from something that I found about the meaning of Dragonflies:
"The main symbolisms of the dragonfly are renewal, positive force and the power of life in general. Dragonflies can also be a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Also, as a creature of the wind, the dragonfly frequently represents change. And as a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has – which is a lesson for all of us".

I've noticed that dragonflies seem to pop up in my work from time to time and I think they fit perfectly with the theme of my painting, I'm trying to enjoy my young family to the fullest even though sometimes the boys test my patience. They won't be little forever and one day will grow up and leave home and I know I'll be missing these crazy hectic days.

I glued tissue paper and patterned paper to the canvas, then I painted it black, then on top of that I painted my picture. The photo (taken by Rhys my 7 year old) is of my tattoo which is hard to tell from this picture but is on my shoulder and not overly big, it's a constant reminder of my family unit which i hold very dear to my heart!

Mixed Media Monday 'I feel pretty'

Here is my finished mermaid using elements from the sketches of my ladies in my previous post. I really like the new improved lips. This painting was created using acrylic paints, I stuck on tissue paper for the background which gave the sea a nice texture, I also used some patterned Japanese type paper for her top as well as the fish scales on her tale. I also used inktense pencils and for a final touch I used the bottom of an egg cup to print the bubbles over the top! I'm quite happy with the finished result and will be putting this one in my shop soon! :0)
If you would like to check out more Mixed Media Monday pieces just click here

Mixed Media Monday 'Look what I found' and Illustration Friday 'Detective'

Hi everyone well we just got back from a lovely long weekend down the coast camping, the boys loved it the weather was wonderful and it was so nice to get away. When we got back yesterday I saw the prompts for this week on Mixed media Monday and Illustration Friday and thought this piece fit both!

This is a picture of my 3 year old Riley who had a ball on the beach, looking through rock pools building ships out of sand with his grandparents and digging holes. This piece was inspired from a classic photo that my mum took of him as he was busy 'looking for clues' in the water. That's what he called searching for shells and things, sooo funny and sooo cute I love this picture.

I also included a scan of the paper before I painted over it. I bought a stack of patterned paper so cut out and stuck heaps of it on then painted my version of Riley on top. I like the patterned paper as it seems to give my paintings more depth and makes them interesting when you realise that there is a background. We are still recovering from our trip today and I'm working my way through that mountain of washing that seems to appear after you have been camping. I also made more more pendants today and started my own facebook fan page, not sure how to put a link on my side bar here just yet but I'm working on it. So watch this space! :0)

Mixed Media Monday - Enchanted

Well it's been quite a while since I participated in Mixed Media Monday. Since my interest in making pendants has grown I haven't kept up up with these weekly challenges as well as I used to. This week though I was already working on this piece which I had originally started for Illustration Fridays 'Propogate', but didn't finish on time and really didn't feel that it was working for that theme. So when I saw the theme for this weeks Mixed Media Monday I was very happy as I felt it fit it perfectly. I'm so glad it did as it made me persevere with a piece that I wasn't very happy with but now I quite like :0)

I've used acrylic paints, some texture paste, butterfly stickers that I actually had decorating my light box and come copper metalic acrylic paint. I also tried using some new crackle medium but it didn't seem to work perhaps my colours weren't different enough for it to show up or it could have been the way that I put it on, I'm going to keep trying with the crackle medium though as I'd like to learn how to use it properly.

New canvas and Mixed Media Monday piece - Pretty as a picture!

This weeks theme on Mixed Media Monday is "Something New".

I tried a few new things with this piece. I used some Japanese paper which I put in the back ground as well as copper paint, I painted around the sides of the canvas with that which gives it a warm feel. I need to take a photo of that which I'll add later. I also tried to control my use of colour and keep it to just a few colours for this one, and not purple. (I have noticed lately that I tend to use purple alot, it is my favourite colour).

I also used silver and brown to make her skin tone, which happened purely by accident as I thought it was white, but I really like the glow it's given her skin!

I also used some Japanese paper for the dress and went over with with some diamond glaze which seems to really lift the colours.

I think I'll be putting this canvas in my new etsy shop which I opened only yesterday so that is something new too!!!!

Mixed Media Monday - On the wings of love.....

I'm a bit later than normal with my entry this week but I had so much fun painting it. I straight away thought of an angel when I saw this theme. Perhaps this angel has fallen in love? She doesn't seem to be your average angel so anything is possible.....

I painted this on an A4 size canvas and used acrylic paints, inktense pencils, texture paste on the wings and some japanese hand made paper has been glued on her dress. I've made some pendants out of that paper too which I shall put in my next post. Til then I'm off to see what everyone else came up with this week.......

Mixed Media Monday-Playing Cards

Well when I thought of this weeks theme the Queen of Hearts immediatly came to mind. So I decided to do an ATC which is the size of a playing card. I used my acrylic paints, inktense pencils, iridescant paints and some ink for this one. I found it a bit of a challenge to paint that small but I quite like the result it's something different from what I'm used to doing and I'd like to do more ATC's.

Mixed Media Monday - I am Woman

Well I was really pleased when i saw the theme for this week as I have been working on a piece that I thought fit perfectly. I have had a request for a pendant with a Geisha girl so I came up with this idea. It is painted on packing wood which according to my husband is called MDF. He has a heap of these left over from when he was on an organised trail bike ride recently and they needed some signs. Apparently kitchens are packed in them and I guess they get left over. I found them a great surface to paint on as it was very smooth and flat which meant I could use a lot of different materials. I used my acrylic paints, water soluble ink pencils, texture paste on the the hair decorations as well as my iridescant paints on her kimono which I'm sure hasn't shown up so well in the photo but it really made the kimono look like it was made of silk material.

I had lots of fun with this one and look forward to making it into a pendant!

Mixed Media Monday - Mothers and Daughters

Well it's been a little while since I participated in Mixed Media Monday. This week the theme is Mothers and Daughters. Because I am a mother of two boys I looked at this theme from my point of view as a child and the relationship with my mother. I don't think you can ever feel more safe or secure than when your mother held you as a baby all snuggled up. I have memories of my mum nursing me when I was quite small and she used to sing me 'Amazing Grace' I love memories like that! My mum and I are great friends and have done, and continue to do lots together. My mum introduced me to art and used to take me along to her evening classes with her when I was just 10. Since then we have had this wonderful bond through art and I value her opinion so much when it comes to my work. Thanks mam!!! I dedicate this piece to you!

I used so many different materials in this one. I had great fun. I used acrylic paints, crackle medium. The flowers are cut out from paper which looked to be hand made and pressed with real leaves and petals in it. I painted a light wash of acrylic on these to brighten up the flowers which seemed to give them a felt look. I also used coloured pencils and some ink and my iridescant paints!!! I have missed you Mixed Media Monday!

Illustration Friday - Welcome & Mixed Media Monday - Round Elements

At first glance I may look a little bit lazy using the same piece for both challenges this week. But I honestly feel like they both work.

Firstly, Illustration Friday's theme this week is 'Welcome'. I did draft something else up for this theme but I just wasn't happy with it and I didn't have that 'buzz' while working on it. So I decided to continue with a painting I had already started. I have called it 'Cleanse'. It started with a sketch. Have you ever felt in life that sometimes you'd just like to wipe the slate clean, and start from scratch? When things just get too much? Life is wonderful and full of suprises, some good and some not so good. To me this lady represents someone that has been able to wipe her slate clean and start again, to be able to 'welcome' a new start!! Sometimes it's just a matter of letting go and allowing yourself to be happy. Personally I'm very very happy with where I am in life right now and wouldn't want to be anywhere else but unfortunetly I know that's not true for everyone.

Secondly, Mixed Media Monday's theme was to use 'round elements' in your piece. So with this one I tried something new which was to paint the sides of the canvas black. Then I used a lid from a plastic bottle and stamped the circles around the side and decorated them with round dots. I also used the other side of the bottle lid to make the bubble shapes on the picture. I'm really happy with this one especially the colours and my background. The lady is a little different than my others and I'm not quite sure about her but I think that she suits the piece. I REALLY love purple!!!!! I also used some iridescant paints over the top of some areas to give it some more sparkle.

Mixed Media Monday - 'Time of day'

Well I thought it was about time for me to update my header as it's now officially springtime over here and my Autumn girl seems to be a bit 'old' now. So I've done a spring inspired picture and this picture to me would be the most beautiful spring morning when you realise that everything is coming back to life and it's finally warming up. Spring mornings are a great time of day!!!

This was done on canvas with acrylic paint, some stickers, and I also used the crackle effect. But I sometimes find that I just enjoy layering the paint on top of each other using the crackle effect. If I'd put the yellow slightly thicker then the crackle would be more noticeable. But I wanted to be able to still see the blue underneath. Anyway it was fun experimenting.

Mixed Media Monday - Stitches

Cinderella spent hours on her dress doing some very intricate stitching. She eventually made it to the ball even if she was wearing her wellington boots!!!

Mixed Media Monday - Stars

Today the theme for Mixed Media Monday is 'Stars'. I used a canvas board, and a mixture of iridescent paints as well as acrylics and coloured pencil, with some newspaper for the stars to create this image.

I hope you like it!

Check out all the other creative people at the Mixed Media Monday website!!!

New Canvas- (Mixed Media Monday 'blues and greens'

( I thought I would also enter this piece for this week's Mixed Media Monday theme which is 'blues and greens'. I really liked her sparkly blue eyes and her sparkly green dress.)

Well this is my first picture using my new paints. I really feel like my background is much more interesting with those paints on top. I worked quite differently with this one, I painted the back ground with acrylic paint, then when that was dry I used different iridescent paints over the top, when that was dry I painted the lady on top of that then used some textured paper on top and painted that with the sparkly paint. I might have over done the sparkliness a bit but I was having fun.

I also used a canvas board for a change which was probably some where in between A4 and A5 size.

Mixed Media Monday - 'Nature's blues and browns'

This week the theme brought to mind Mother Nature for me. I loved using the blue tones in her face and the leaves for hair. I've always loved putting browns and blues together as I think they go together so well and really compliment each other.

I also enjoy matching my pieces to quotes and have come across some great quotes on the net.

I had lots of fun with this one and managed to find some Autumn leaves in the garden to add to her hair.

Mixed Media Monday - 'Charming Junk'/Gift

This is a piece that I have done for a friend that has just had a baby. She lives in Queensland on the coast so I decided to create a picture that shows how I imagine her little girl will be as she gets older growing up in such a lovely place. Her little girl is called Cameron so I included the name in the piece. I am going to frame it then post it, I hope they like it.

I also thought I could submit it for this weeks mixed media Monday. It's not quite junk but I have recycled some news paper which would other wise have ended up in the bottom of our bird cage. Now it's a gift!!

Mixed Media Monday 'Paper Doll'

This week's theme for mixed media Monday is dolls. I decided to follow the path of paper dolls and ended up googling some images. I found this lovely old book of an Esther Williams paper doll and decided to make my own version of the front cover with one of my girls. I used to love paper dolls as a child and I really love the old 1950's women. They were so curvy and real. Which is a lovely breath of fresh air compared to the women of today who are 'perfect'.

I have put the picture in that I found which inspired me so you can see where I'm coming from. I created a new lady who I have name 'Lily' I think I'll be seeing more of her too! The materials used for this one were acrylic paint, coloured pencils and pen. I painted the background and stamped some bubble shapes on with some jelly molds I found in the kitchen, then I painted and coloured the ladies separately and stuck them on. I'm quite pleased with how she turned out!

Mixed media Monday 'Tell us a Story'

Well I really love the theme for this coming Monday's 'Mixed Media Monday'. 'Tell us a Story' gave me so much room to play this week. I ended up doing a mixed media piece on canvas and I really enjoyed it. I also made up a little snippet of a story to go along with it. My hubby said 'it's a bit girly isn't it?' when he looked at it, and I have to agree yes it's a bit on the romantic side but I think that I'm compensating for living with two young boys, 3 if you count my husband and our dog is even a male. (not really sure about our bird....) so I guess I just felt like doing something a bit girly!!!

It's painted in acrylic, her shawl is material and I printed the text off and pasted that on top of the canvas. The main problem I had though was scanning it in at the end because it is bigger than A4 I couldn't get everything on the scanner plus it didn't scan very well as it wouldn't sit flat so I ended up taking some photos instead and it came up much brighter, plus you can see that I painted the sides too as it was quite a thick canvas....anyway here it is.....I might try and scan it in a bit better tomorrow I'm a little tired now....

Mixed Media Monday 'Numbers'

The theme for the next Mixed Media Monday is 'Numbers'.

My take on numbers is '31' which is my age! I guess this piece is about who I am at 31 and my changing role. I really enjoyed working on this one as I tried so many new things. I also learnt what works and what might not. It definitly looks better in real life, I just couldn't seem to get the brightness of the colours in the scan but I'm happy with it. I have posted the scanned image as well as an image that I have played around with on the computer. I wasn't planning on doing anything digital but the scanned image hasn't come up as well as I would have liked. Although I realise now why. The materials I used for 'Numbers' are: acrylic paint, the toilet paper technique that I used before, which is basically gluing tissue paper then painting over it and you are left with quite a textured effect. That is what I have done for the numbers. I used wood, glittery string. colour pencils, material for her dress and also text. I realised though that the scanning is a problem now because of some of the materials I can't lay it perfectly flat so some of it ie the text in the background is out of focus. Bit of a bummer but I guess it's all in the learning process.