New Works Progress

It's been a while since I have updated!  So many things happening!  I wanted to quickly post some of the new paintings and progress photos that I have been working on in the studio.  Currently, I am working a lot on still life paintings.  I am finding it hard to be very active right now as I just completed radiation treatment and am still doing chemo treatments.  My energy levels have been at the minimum.  I find I am struggling to paint daily and Ted to do a lot of my work late in the evenings.

This first piece is titled "Roses". It was done on 140 lb watercolour paper.  I really enjoyed the process of creating this piece. It was a mixture of collage and acrylic paint.  

 

 

 

 

"Roses"

Mixed Media, Abstract painting. 

Paper 8x10

Acrylic, handmade collage paper

$300.00

SOLD

The Golden Cross

Many of my paintings start off with an underpainting of handmade or hand painted/stained papers. I normally do not have a pre conceived idea of composition and like to allow the painting to become what it wants to be. In other words, I like to paint intuitively. "The Golden Cross" started out with monochromatic shades of hand painted papers in cerulean blue. I wanted to do a complimentary colour pallet so I used papers in shades of quinacridone gold as the complimentary colour. I tend to use the quinacridone gold as an yellow-orange and I love the way it makes the cerulean blue pop!

      
 

"The Golden Cross"

Mixed Media Abstract

Canvas, 20x20

Acrylic, hand painted paper, metal, texture paste, watercolour, ink

SOLD

  I also used an acrylic skin to create the circular, coin shaped emblem. I don't use acrylic skins a lot, but in this case, I wanted something to offset the grid composition that seemed to be appearing. As I was letting the layers dry, I noticed a cross had appeared. I decided to play on that and let the cross become the focal point. I also added some design and visual interest using handmade stamps and stencils. Over all, I am very pleased with the end result and think it turned out great!

Long Lost Update!

 
I know I have not been updating on a regular basis.  So today, I dedicate this post to updates! On a personal note, I've started chemotherapy again.  Radiation treatments to my right breast and foot start again tomorrow.  I'll go through 10 sessions of radiation, have a few weeks break and then start radiation treatment on the left side.  You might be wondering why it's being done in split treatments.  I have had SLE Lupus since I was a child.  We finally managed to get the Lupus levels into reasonable levels and radiation and Lupus are normally not friendly!  In other words, Lupus and light is not a good mix.  My oncologist and radiologist have decided it is too risky to do all the treatments as once.  I can't wait until it's all over and I can have some of my life back!  Between cancer treatments, not feeling good and lack of energy, my blog has taken back seat to everything else. When I don't feel well, it's hard for me to be creative.  I'm hoping that changes soon!  

 I entered the Fort Saskatchewan Art in Public Places 2015.  And I won!  Yipeeee!  My piece "Roots" won and was purchased by the city.  I have to say it was honestly a great honour and I really never thought I would win.  Abstract art is something you either really love or really hate and I wasn't sure it would be liked.  You can visit www.fortsask.ca for more information.

I've completed another painting titled "Hidden Layers".  It is a mixed media collage abstract piece.  It's done on canvas (16x20) and was create using my hand painted papers, acrylic and watercolour paints, watercolour crayons and texture paste.  I still need to sand down the sides of the canvas, paint the sides and frame it.  Once that is done, I will be listing it for sale.

 
 

I'm working on a tutorial on how I create and use my hand painted papers.  I hope to have it posted as soon as my radiation treatments are done and before the next set begins!  

I have been quite busy the past while with some really fun and interesting projects.  I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog posts but I simply haven't been feeling the greatest.  I have always said I did not want cancer to be the focus of my blog or my art, but having cancer of the blood really has affected how I feel and my energy level is not what is should be.  I am going to really try to post more often.

One painting I did want to share is an abstract, mixed media painting I created for my town's Art in Public Places 2015 submissions.  I wanted to enter this contest because I really believe in supporting our local artists and I honestly can not think of a better way to contribute to my community.

This painting was created using watercolour, acrylic paint, various acrylic mediums, and other various mediums.  I added Zentangle inspired elements, as well.

 

Commision Elephant Mommy and Baby

I recently recieved a commision request for a mother and baby elephant.  I created this painting using watercolour and ink.  I normally work exclusively on 140lb cold press watercolour paper, but the lighting in this photo does not show the texture of the paper well.  I am not traditionally a realist painter.  I love whimsical paintings that are filled with imagination and loads of colour and shapes.  But, on occasion, I enjoy the challenge of more realistic renders.  

I have found a printer that will be doing all my giclee reprints!  I am excited!  And they drop ship too!  So I expect to have my etsy store up and running sometime soon!

If I Were an Elephant

If I were an elephant, how lucky I would be!  Actually, with my luck, I would get a peanut stuck in my long nose and choke to death!

I love elephants!  My latest paintings and drawings seem to be focused on the beauty of the elephant. I have been experimenting with combining watercolor, ink, pencil crayon and graphite together.  I love the effect I have been getting and it seemed so very suited for the textured skin of the elephant.

This painting is a work in progress.  I started it a couple of weeks ago and have been slowly working on it.  I saw a photo on Pinterest of an elephant face and was mesmerized by the beauty of shadow and texture.  Deep lines that seem to tell an ancient story engraved deeply into an almost knowing face.  Beautiful and breath taking are two words I would use to describe it.  I wanted to capture the depth of the shadow but all also focus on the texture of the skin.  I did a rough sketch and used my Sakura Pigma Micron pen in Black size 02 to outline the comtours of the face.  Then, I used my Sakura Brush pen in black to establish deep shadow.  Using my watercolor paint, I added an under painting of deep blue and grey, building the colour through multiple layers of watery paint.  I am at the stage where I am ready to add pencil crayon in a slate grey.  So far, it is working out as planned!  I will update with the final results soon.