Saturday, September 7, 2013

#29Faces Days 6 & 7

Day 6 was a quick pencil sketch. As I typically draw very feminine faces I tried a more masculine one. No reference was used for this sketch. 
For today, day 6 of #29faces, I started by painting and playing with generic, neutral face shapes and features. I kept thinking about a vintage Victorian photo of a woman I recently saw which I found exquisite. That image was the inspiration for this face. 
They have all been pretty different so far, it will be interesting to see what face emerges next...Hope to see you tomorrow!

Happy Creating!!!
CARPÉ DIEM!!
:D

Christine


Thursday, September 5, 2013

29 Faces Day 5 with thanks to Ade!!!

I was asked several days ago by a young woman on Instagram if I would draw her portrait. I was rather surprised she asked me as of all the thousands of artists on Instagram I seem to be the least likely to perform this task. Until day 3 of this challenge I have never really attempted to draw a "real" person so certainly none of my posted work would shout out "I'm a portrait artist". Since this challenge encourages stepping out of your box and experimenting with different styles, techniques, mediums, etc. it seemed rather serendipitous to be asked at this time. Today I attempted two portraits of this very cute young woman. In the first, she looks way older than the reference photo.
 I think I  captured her cuteness and youth much better in this second image.
These are not great, but not bad. Perhaps there's some potential here with more practice and guidance. Any input is always welcome and encouraged as I frolic through this artistic adventure. 

Happy Creating!!!
CARPÉ DIEM!!!
:D

Christine 


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

29 Faces Day 4 and THANK YOU Universe

Today's face went back to what comes naturally to me...intuitive doodling, no plan other than making a face. I call this         "Spiraling Out Of Control". 

And here's a shout out to "The Universe" which showered me with MANY gifts. How did it know I would need them so much today?!?? THANK YOU!!! :D

Happy Creating!!!
CARPÉ DIEM!!!
:D

Christine

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

29 Faces Day 3

Today's face inspiration for 29 Faces is the beautiful Instagram avatar of my friend, artist, world traveller...,Patricia Saint-Lannes. With permission, I attempted to recreate the simple yet gorgeous image of her. Alas, my skills are not yet up to that par but Patricia's image was a wonderful reference for me to work on given her lovely proportions. And work on it I did, on and off throughout the day. In addition to stepping outside of my box in trying to recreate the image of a real person I also stepped outside of my box by adding color using colored pencils. Believe me, Patricia is far prettier than this... but I present you with today's evolution of day 3 of 29 Faces...

"Thank You Patricia Saint-Lannes"

Monday, September 2, 2013

Blowing off the Dust with 29 Faces

PHWEW! The dust is flying and I'm hacking away as I dust off this long lost blog! The impetus for this resurrection is the 29 faces challenge  http://29faces.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-add-link.html?m=1. I just heard about this yesterday through my friend and fabulous artist, Ardith Goodwin. Coincidentally, prior to reading about this challenge, I had spent part of that afternoon doodling around with a face ..it all seemed rather serendipitous, so hear I am. Though I'm still not exactly clear how to post to this challenge I have gathered that is via sharing your blog. I always enjoy a good challenge and this is a great way to attempt to pick up this blog again while exploring faces. 

Posted are my faces for days 1 and 2. Day 1 represents my "typical" "doodling" style.
For day 2, I decided to try something different and "doodle" with acrylics.


It will be interesting to see how the style of these faces evolve as I experiment with creating them. 

A quick update on my art adventure the past several months:

   *had a small but very successful show in February (Whoohoo!!!)

   *completed several commission pieces (YAY!!!)

   *participated in a Plein Air Competition not knowing what the heck I was doing but had a BLAST, completed 4 pieces (in "110" degrees) and met several local artists (FUN!!!)

   *joined a local art guild (Excited!!!)

   *just completed my first "real" art lessons taking an 8 week landscape workshop, have learned a TON and am signing up for another 8 weeks (LOVE LEARNING!!!)

   *got a booth in a high traffic local festival, Clifton Day, October 13 (YEEHAW!!!)

   *have completed a plethora of work in a variety of mediums, styles and techniques (I'm quite passionate and enthusiastic!!!) 

LOVING my art life!!!

Happy Creating!!!
CARPÉ DIEM!!!

Christine
:D

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

May love envelop you!!! :D

Many Smiles! Happy Creating!! CARPÉ DIEM!!! :D













Thursday, January 24, 2013

ANOTHER !!! FUN !!! Art Day!!!

Today I took my FIRST art class, a one time 2 hour class at a Michael's Arts & Crafts Store. !!! FUN !!! I painted my FIRST skyline. !!! FUN !!! It was the FIRST time I have ever painted with anyone else. !!! FUN !!! Made a couple new art buddies. !!! FUN !!!

So far 2013 has been FULL of art FUN!!!
I have sold three painting, two originals and one framed print. !!! FUN !!! My sister-in-law and her friend are hosting an art show for me the end of February, introducing my work to a whole new set of people. !!! FUN !!! I'm having a BLAST participating in Ardith Goodwin's 52 week Mixed-Media Challenge. !!! FUN !!! I could go on and on...I am DEFINITELY relishing in these moments and "CARPÉing the Diem" and having !!! FUN !!! :D

Many Smiles!
Happy Creating!!
CARPÉ DIEM!!!

Christine :D






Friday, January 11, 2013

Listening to a Whisper

Weeks 2 & 3 in this 52 week mixed-media journey I'm on involves acrylic skins. Until several days ago I never even heard of them. The basic process is drying acrylic paints on a surface they can be peeled off of then using them as a medium. This challenge suggests making "monochrome skins, translucent skins, skins that climb on rocks, thick skins, skinny skins even skins with..." (jokingly sung to an Oscar Meyer Weiner tune, LMAO!!!). Anyway, many different skins in many different ways. This is the first of several skins...monochrome...

These craft acrylics are as old as Methuselah!!! I spread a relatively thin layer on the bottom of a plastic container tomatoes came in. When dried it took a palette knife, razor and fingernails to remove. Though it looked beautiful spread on the plastic (wish I had a pic), the crumbly messy looking result was rather disappointing. But, while looking at my current WIP, waiting for my muse to whisper a direction in my ear, this mess began to look like gold leaf and I started embellishing her hair with it adding a headpiece. I think I heard that whisper...!!! Stay tuned...

Many Smiles! Happy Creating!! CARPÉ DIEM!!!

Christine :D













Wednesday, January 9, 2013

A "Challenge" with Rewards (my first sale of 2013!!!)

I received a set of 48 Prismacolor Art Markers for Christmas. Upon opening this gift, I was "challenged" to start producing things with more color. When I asked for suggestions I was given a rather snarky, sarcastic answer of, "a psychedelic pizza with people dancing on it." This fun piece is what I came up with in response. I had a blast making it and am so excited that it will be enjoyed by somebody else!!! If only all of life's challenges were so easily solved with such great rewards...

I will enjoy this immensely!!!

Many Smiles!
Happy Creating!!
CARPÉ DIEM!!!

Christine
:D


Friday, January 4, 2013

Finding Something in Nothing

Happy New Year!!! Though I never want to wish my life away, 2012 was an extraordinarily difficult and challenging year, a true test of "CARPE' DIEM"!!! I am happy for a "new beginning". On the positive side, my creative self was given amazing opportunities to thrive, absorb, learn, experiment and grow. I made deep, special, wonderful connections and true friendships with people around the world thanks to "creativity"!!! As some doors closed others opened brimming with things unseen. I look very forward to the unknown that will reveal itself this new year!!!

My first project of 2013 (thank you +Ardith Goodwin!!!) has brought  me to today's post. Week 1 Challenge (acrylic and graphite) of a 52 Week Mixed-Media Challenge had me surprisingly stymied as to what to do (quite unlike me!!!). I stepped out of my current box (though I jump in and out of them on regular basis) and found something out of nothing!!! After being stumped for a while, I thought of a great idea that I DID NOT do (why make it easy on myself...sheesh!). Unlike what was suggested, I decided to start bigger (14x22) than I've done in several years as I recently completed 14, 4x6 detailed ink and markers drawings. I looked at that big white blank nothingness and began a journey into the unknown...

The Process:
1) randomly poured a little gesso on paper


2) randomly squirted some acrylics (violet, blue lake, crimson yellow ochre, phthalo green)

 
3) blended/scraped front top to bottom with an old credit card

 
4) randomly added drops of white acrylic then used a brayer to spread it over the page


5) slowly I began to see people and faces emerge which I traced with various graphite pencils; I then highlighted with the above mentioned colors.


 
 
 

Though I was originally not happy with the results, as new things emerged I loved it more and more!!! It continues to grow!!!

If you look closely, even when life seems a huge mess, special surprises will emerge!!!

 

Happy New Year!!! Happy Creating!!!

CARPE' DIEM friends!!!
Christine :D