Here is a photo of the lovebird painting I did for my cousin's open house. This is done on Gessoboard and I used Traditions Acrylic. This is my first time painting on Gessoboard and I LOVED it. The smooth surface makes putting in all the details a breeze. I just really like how it felt under my brush too. Traditions is a new line of high pigment, professional paints brought to the market my DecoArt. I have done a lot of decorative painting over the years and DecoArt was always my paint of choice. So, I was interested to see how the Traditions were different. You can look up all the tech-no stuff on the web.....I'm just here to tell you that I liked working with them. My favorite thing is the ability to 'lift' the color once it dries. You can also seal each layer as you go, once you are happy with it. If you have not guessed, that is how I work... lots and lots of layers.

That's about it for today.....we are moving today. Moving our fifth wheel to a new location, my Uncle's marina here in the Tampa area. We have an on demand hot water system that seems to be on the fritz! We need to get that fixed before we head over to New Orleans.

Doubts

Here is the copyright free photo I'm working from for my flamingo painting. I'm afraid I have not gotten very far on the painting. In fact, I finally had to set it aside. You know sometimes you just get to a point where nothing is working and that is where I was at with this painting. Just when I had convinced myself that I would never paint again....a new project presented itself. My Aunt and Uncle's youngest son bought a home and I was invited to the Open House. I decided I would do a painting for my cousin and his girlfriend. The painting is of two love birds and I will share a photo in my next post.

In the beginning, the painting did not go well and once again I was sure I had lost whatever artistic talent I once possessed. My husband was doing his best to reassure me and reminded me of how long it had been since I picked up a paintbrush......a good 6 to 7 months. BUT, painting is like riding a bike.....you never forget....right? The next morning.....I began again....and this time the my creativity flowed easily from by brush. What had changed? I have not a clue. All I know is... I'm back.....the artist is again at her easel and happy. I finished the painting yesterday and I could not be happier. Oh, it is not perfect. There is always room for improvement, but it is what it is and I'm happy with it. I'm looking forward to giving it to my cousin and hopefully he too will find a smile on his face as he gazes upon it! After all, that is my biggest reward.....when another finds my work pleasing....

I can't wait to get back at my easel and back to that flamingo painting......I am more determined than ever and with a renewed sense of my artistic self......

Flamingos In Love

Can you believe it? I'm finally back at my easel. The house update is but a distant memory and we are currently in Florida. When in Florida......paint flamingos! You can click on the photos for a larger image. I tried to get in a little closer with the camera for the above photo.
This is the whole canvas photo. I'm trying something a little different with this painting as I wanted it to have more of a contemporary feel. I will be painting a 3 inch mat to frame the flamingos. I'm also using Decoart's Traditions acrylic paints for the first time. I have to say so far I am impressed with them. I like being able to 'lift' color once it is put down, but yet the color doesn't lift too easily. Does that make sense.....probably not. I guess what I am trying to say is the longer the paint 'cures' on the canvas the harder it is to lift. If you are impatient, you can seal the area with their glazing medium. I also found the paint seems to blend more easily than some other acrylics I have used. The colors also have plenty of pigment which is important to me because I use a lot of water when I paint. I like working in layers and slowly building up color and effect. Painting flamingos is kinda like painting cotton candy! I'm trying very hard to capture the soft, fluffy feeling that I see. Oh, and I'm using a copyright free photo for reference on this painting. I will post the reference photo next time.

Home Improvement Days

This is what I have been up to these past weeks. We are in the process of updating our home in order to place it on the market.....soon.....I hope.

I have to say, I have never felt so old as I do when I am on my hands and knees sanding and painting cabinetry. Exactly when did that happen...LOL! Once the kitchen is done I think we will go ahead and put the 'for sale' sign in the yard. We still have the master bedroom and bath to paint and a few other odds and ends, but overall I think the house will show well at this point. Who knows, we may get lucky and find a buyer who is willing to finish these last 'little' projects. Hey, I can dream can't I??

Well, I have had two very quiet days here in the woods. I'm waiting for that creative urge to blossom into a project.....LOL. So far, I have had several ideas....but nothing that is really motivating me to get that paint brush up and running. I think part of the problem is this overwhelming feeling...... that I have other more important things to tend too. Now, that just can't be right. I feel somewhat 'unsettled' these days. I'm doing my best to quiet those 'more important' thoughts and turn my mind inward to my creative muse........

Trying to get Motivated

Yesterday I spent the day organizing my art and sewing supplies. It seems that every time I even think about starting a project, I have to go on a "search and rescue" mission to locate everything. So, I have rounded up all my different supplies and grouped them together my type (sewing, painting, beading, and ribbon embroidery) and put them in more accessible places. It took some doing, but I think I will now be more apt to "create" knowing everything is readily available.

In my re-organizing I found several 'projects' in need of finishing. That will be my next task, putting together a 'ta-do' list to finish the old so I can move on to new.....

I just found out a nearby neighbor of ours is also an artist. She is particularly interested in fiber arts. She showed me some of her studio and some of her work. It is nice to have a fellow artist close by.....maybe it will inspire me to 'create' more often.

It has really been bugging me lately---that artistic urge to create--I feel the need to find that artist brush between my fingers again.....soon!

Up to Nothing

Well, I'm afraid I don't have any new art projects to post at this point. We are currently in travel mode, which means we are moving from place to place a little to quickly for me to really get anything accomplished. Just to much sight seeing to do and meeting new folks.

I did make a decision on the slipcovers---they are just not going to work. I'm not happy with the way they look and I made a bad choice of the fabric. It just didn't stand up well to puppy toe nails. Not to worry, it can be salvaged and used in another project.

I think we are going to be looking into replacing the recliners and possibly the love seat when we get home. Not that they need to be replaced, they still look great and the recliners are mighty comfortable; but we think we might find something we like better. We are thinking of replacing the sofa with another recliner and just keeping the sofa's air bed for overnight guest. I would get much more use from a third recliner and end table then the current sofa. The current recliners are really over sized and I think if we can find something smaller that is still comfortable--we would be happier.