Oh my aching back!!

I’m having back surgery (complete disc replacement) in December.  I’m nervous about it.  There is a list of things I shouldn’t do in the 3 months after surgery, for example, no lifting more than 10 lbs., no twisting or bending, etc.!   I’ll go stir-crazy if I don’t have anything to do.  Since my paintbrushes, paints, and paper don’t weigh much, I will work on an art journal just as I did during COVID-19.  I’ve already started the prep work.  

Journal Cover (front)

I bought quite a few dollar-store children's books, cut books apart

and punched holes using a Cinch machine.

Sanded the front and back of each page; applied a layer of gesso on each side.

Painted the front and back of one page with acrylic paint - this will be the cover

Now the fun really begins.  

I created and painted my image using watercolors, acrylic paint, and Inktense Blocks. 

I utilized my Cricut Explore3 machine to cut a thought bubble and add the text. 

Glued thought bubble on the cover.

The pages are so thick that I must make several sections before binding. 

 I have no idea where this is going, but that's the fun of it!

I Meant to Put Flowers in Her Hair...

I meant to paint flowers in her hair but then decided not to

20x20 mixed media on stretch canvas

20x20 stretched canvas, acrylic paint background

 

"Les trois derrière”

My daughter and I had a fantastic time on vacation in Quebec City and Montreal.  We laughed a lot, ate a lot, climbed a zillion staircases, and slept a lot. We both enjoyed keeping track of our daily activities in the travel journals I made for us.

Inspiration is everywhere.  I took many photographs, of course.  The weather was perfect for outside dining.  We took full advantage of that in both cities' many cafes and restaurants.  

The inspiration for my 9x12 mixed media painting on wood panel

My interpretation:

Just having fun with it!!

the background in acrylic paints

Oil paints to complete the composition

Voila!

I Need a Hug...

It's been 9 months since my dear husband, Richard, passed away.  I'm still struggling with my grief.  I cried while I created this mixed-media piece.  It helps to keep busy.

9x12 mixed media on wood board (acrylics)

inkjet transfer printed on deli paper

"What Makes You Angry?"

 "What Makes You Angry?"  For me, it's mass shootings, violence, abuse, homelessness, liars, and politicians.

Finished Work (18x24 mixed media on stretch canvas)

Charcoal sketch, acrylic background

added collage; begin painting face in oils

Secret Binding

I love making books.  I use these for art journals, travel journals, doodles, etc.  I found a YouTube tutorial on the "Secret Binding" - It wasn't complicated to do - it just takes time.  There are a few different tutorials on YouTube regarding this type of binding.

THE PROCESS

80lb Mixed Media paper to create signatures - that way I can draw, paint, or whatever on the paper without it bleeding through

I'm a big fan of using whatever I have on hand to create my books and/or dolls.  This is leftover chipboard from drawing pads to create the front, back covers and spine

Japanese hole punch - not easy to use with arthritic hands.  I had to punch the holes through front and back to get a clean hole - notice NO holes in spine

random painting with acrylics - handmade rubber stamp

 I used a straight needle threaded with heavy weight red and white bakery twine - to weave the covers together (I've purchased a lot bakery cookies over time!)

blue painter's tape helps keep the covers an equal distance away from the spine

inside covers

One of the perks with this type of binding is that the book lies flat when opened - the signatures are woven through the inside spine using a curved needle and waxed linen thread - thus the "SECRET"!

"She's NOT Unfinished - She's Just Getting Started!"

My 23-year-old granddaughter, Emily, modeled outfits in a retro fashion show last weekend. 

I loved the photo my daughter sent me so much, I had to paint it.  

My plan was to not paint the details of the outfit - just keep the outline.  I posed that possibility to my friends for their opinions.  One friend, Suzanne Sanger, opined "just the outline of the dress makes it far more unique and intriguing. I start imagining messages behind that decision. It makes me think. Something like, clothes may make the woman, but it’s the woman inside the clothes who really matters. Hence we see only her because the clothes are irrelevant."  Suzanne was able to articulate what I was thinking perfectly! Once it’s dry and sealed (oil paints), I’ll frame it and send it to Emily. 

original photo

draft drawing

(It was blind luck that the texture I created in the background followed the flow of the outfit.)

completed work (9x12 mixed media)

"Emily - She's NOT Unfinished - She's Just Getting Started!"

Front Door Geraniums

The poinsettias we had potted for the holidays are toast now.  What could we put there to replace them?  Geraniums - what a brilliant idea!

11x14 canvas, coated with gesso - base coat with acrylic paints

quick charcoal sketch of potted geraniums

This piece, completed in oil paints, came together so quickly, I forgot to take photos!  A happy problem indeed!

 

A basketful of posies...

Waste Not - Want Not.  I like putting a layer of gesso over an existing painting and starting all over again.  I can't remember what piece I gessoed over - it really doesn't matter...just ready to try something new. The layers it creates add to the interest and history of the piece.

The underlayer of gesso created texture.  Background created with acrylic paint.  I dragged a notched credit card over the top of background while it was still wet to add even more texture.

Kimberly 9XXB pencil - quick sketch

Underpainting in oil

Completed work

and so it ends...

 Happily finished this piece today.  I decided not to stress too much about the hair and brows - just grab some paint and go!

...and so it begins

11 x 14 canvas - textured with gesso; acrylic paint 

stamped using plastic bowl; fluid acrylic

portrait sketch in pencil

oil paint

more definition in oil paint

background needed some tweaking

Now, it's time to tackle her eyebrows and hair which I have been putting off and mulling over.  For me, this is the hardest part.