Plaster, Paint and Wax

Playing with plaster for texture, paint and added wax, I created these pieces on wood. Based on a workshop taught by Dayna Collins and Stephanie Brockway, I really enjoyed the process. The mandala below is 6x6 inches.

 

Here's a much more abstract interpretation.  I really like the texture created with the plaster. This piece is 8x8 inches.

My favorite is this wooden box. It's five inches square.

Abstract Painting

Cleaning my studio out over Labor Day weekend, I came across some abstract practice paintings from an online workshop I took with Jane Davies called "Sketchbook Practice". I painted large sheets of paper with black and white paint.  From these, I used a view finder to select sections that I liked and cut them out. Later, I added color to a few. It's very freeing to make marks with no intended purpose. Seeing these paintings encourages me to do more.

Hughes Water Garden Sketch

Today, we sketched at  Hughes Water Gardens.  I played with a Tombow ABT duel brush pen. I like the watery-look and looseness of the drawing.

Cosmos - What is art?

I'm interested in how geometry influences works of art and our universe. Check out this video by Myron Barnstorm on how he answers the question-  "What is art?"  Is this apple drawing by Ellsworth Kelly in the video an intuitive expression of the artist or is it planned?

Scattered by the Wind Prayer Flag

Dayna Collins started her Scattered by the Wind Prayer Flag project to help fund art programs at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility.  She sells each flag for $10.  It's a wonderful idea and she's getting lots of response. Contact her if you want to participate.  I made this flag with my Indian rug fabric strips.  you can see how I got these scraps HERE.

Blog Hop

Dayna Collins invited me to participate in my first blog hop.  I met Dayna through our membership in the Portland Art Collective.  Her creative energy always inspires me.  It's fun to see her artwork progress from her curious elements assemblage pieces to her colorful abstract paintings. She shows her artwork at Guardino Gallery and is working on her Prayer Flag project.  It's exciting to see that she plans to teach and share her painting techniques in 2015. Thanks, Dayna, for inviting me to join this artistic blog hop.


How My Creative Process Works

This Spring, I took a brush lettering class and this Rumi quote sums up what direction my creative process takes-

Lately, my heart leads me to mark making and sacred geometry-

The portfolio holds the work-

How My Work Differs from Others of Its Genre
I cannot say that I have one genre that I focus on in my artwork because I like to dabble in many different creative projects- mixed media painting and collage, jewelry, drawing, calligraphy and fiber arts. Nature themes usually inspire a common bond.  I like to study and learn how to use new media and synthesize it into my artwork.  I want to explore watercolor painting beyond my sketchbook-

 

I tend to be literal in my interpretations of the themes I choose and want to embrace more abstraction in my artwork.

What I'm Creating Now
My exploration of watercolor painting continues to develop-

 

Let me introduce you to a couple art bloggers who I admire and inspire my creativity.

Penelope Harris tells stories with her handmade books, zines, journals, sketchbooks and collage art in her Radiant Crust blog. She taught me how to use Microsoft Publisher software to format cards and zines (short little informal, self-published magazines). She's submitted four sketchbooks to the Brooklyn Art Libraries annual sketchbook project and coordinates ATC Vancouver, a group of Vancouver, BC artists, who get together to create artist trading cards. As a writer and story teller, she introduces me to different authors and quirky artists who let me see the world with different eyes.

Jacqueline McIntyre shares her oil paintings, collage and mixed media artwork in her Art from My Easel blog.  Nature influences her work with her fabulous bird paintings and her abstract/botanical landscape paintings.  I first became aware of her artwork on her Pinterest boards.  She participates in the Portland Audubon Society 6x6 Wild Art Project and shows her artwork at Tualatin Art Splash and Side Street Gallery.

Hydrangea Sketch

Another flower sketch, trying to be loose with line and color.