Whirligiggs!

Whirligiggs!

I finished this mixed media piece this evening.  I am going to use it for a lesson for my watercolor class this summer.  They have expressed an interest in doing some mixed media work.

I used an old watercolor painting as my base and then collaged green tissue paper over the entire surface allowing some of the original painting to show through.  Then I collaged pieces of white tissue paper on which I had painted and stamped gesso patterns.  Then I took a stiff bristle brush and softened the edges and drybrushed white gesso over the entire painting allowing the green tissue to peak through..  At this point, I drew the koi fish and then painted the composition with watercolors which worked really well over the gesso.  I was happy with the results because I love the textures which are showing through all the different layers.    This painting is approximately 12" x 16".

2014 Hand-painted Ornaments

Today I finished part of the miniature hand-painted ornaments for this year. I give hand-painted ornaments to family and friends every year. These 10 small acrylic paintings are done on 3"x 3" stretched canvas  panels, to which I have added a small eye-ring at the top for hanging on a tree, if desired.  They also go very nicely on the miniature easels available in art supply stores.

These are fun to paint - each is different and when I start one, I have no idea where it is going to lead me, except that it will finished with snow-covered pine trees.  They look cold - don't they?