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

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

May love envelop you!!! :D

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

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

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

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