"A Warm Welcome"

(unavailable)


"Behind every Texas star is a warm welcome." It's been a little while, but the Texan in me doesn't stay submerged for very long. So here it is...another Texas piece to make you feel proud today. What a way to begin a Saturday!

If you look closely at this photo, you will see multiple stars in the background. The image is actually a round metal candle holder with a little door that allows the candle to be placed inside. The entire piece looks deceptively simple and it is in one respect. However, there are several layers of technique happening.

Before printing the image on Arches Text Wove, I drew some erractic pencil lines from edge to edge with a few words written here and there. That would be layer one. Layer two is the actual printing of the image on a laser printer followed by spraying the image (3x) with Spray Acrylic Coating. The photo then needs to be cut and mounted on a 1/8" depth clayboard panel and set under a heavy book or rock to dry overnight.

The next layer (3) is covering the entire piece with slightly diluted gesso applied with a sponge brush. Immediately pick the piece up and spray with water, removing as much of the gesso as you like to reveal the image. Dry. Layer (4) is dipping a stiff brush into rubbing alcohol and removing some of the white gesso along the edge to create more texture. Layer (5) is brushing charcoal powder along the edge and corners until satisfied. (Leave some of the white to connect with the white lettering.)  Spray again with acrylic spray coating once to secure the charcoal powder. Apply (3) coats of diluted gel matte medium to prepare surface for lettering.

Layer (6) is the lettering. Spray again with Acrylic Spray Coating and allow to cure for a few days. Final spray is with Varnish specific to oils and acrylics. And that's how it's done! Just a few more things to try or think about.

"Star, Bell, and Tree"

($40.00.....mounted on a 1/8" depth clayboard panel)


"A star, a bell, and a tree converged on the landscape with warm greetings." This beautiful photo was taken in Silverado, Colorado. Enjoy all the beautiful images you see as you move through your day. They are everywhere!

There is a beautiful contrast in this piece between organic and manmade shapes. Both shapes extend from edge to edge vertically, making it a great division of space. They are harmonious in the sense that they're both vertical and have an apex at the top, but they also have extreme contrast in texture, color, line, and shape.

The focus on photography this month has made me even more aware of how much can be learned about composition so quickly. If you have young people in your home or life, it can also be a way to ease them into understanding composition and move into the technical aspects of drawing and painting. (It is useful to carry a small camera in your purse or backpack with a zoom lens for those unexpected things you might see while you're out and about.)

For those of you who are into offhand flourishing, note the placement and direction of the flourish. It leads your eye right to the tree, bell, star, and quote. It's almost like an invitation to come into the piece. Just a few more things to try or think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"My Home" (Sold)

(sold)

"Other places I may roam, but Texas is my home." This time of year many people may visit other places, but those who live in the Lone Star State have a pride like no other, and Texas is their home. The star in the image is on the (5) acres we call home.

It is very easy to get locked into a particular technique and stay there forever, but real growth happens when you hold loosely to particular techniques and simply allow it to continue "morphing" into something else. This has been one of the hugh benefits of blogging every day. The process seems to spur on this "morphing process".

In this piece, I poured a bit of Walnut Ink onto my glass table top followed by the laying down of Arches Text Wove to make a monoprint. After drying thoroughly, I then printed my photograph over the monoprinted paper. I could have stopped there, but the look of Liquitex Pouring Medium plus a bit of Titan Buff has captivated me so I did that technique as well. (The photograph must be sealed with 2-3 coats of Krylon Spray Acrylic Coating first and mounted on a clayboard panel.) Pencil lines and writing were also added. I have some other ideas to try and you probably do as well. Just something to try or think about.

"Texas Star" (unavailable)

(unavailable....in the permanent collection of dee day)

"Everyone who lives in Texas is a star." From time to time my Texas pride overtakes me. This piece seemed to just evolve and finally there appeared a Texas star. Cowhides and Texas stars are the core of my decorating style. I do believe we have a Texas star in every room in the house. That's just the way it is here in our fine state!

One of my favorite formats is to divide the space into (4) unequal quadrants. It is often called a cruciform format. It is a simple way to design your piece without too much fuss and it works every time it's tried.

For those of you who were in the color workshop, you might recognize the presence of pouring medium. The only difference in the look here is that I worked a bit "wetter" which created some strong blocks of color and lots of movement. If you don't know what to do with some of the pieces you created, you might want to consider collage. By limiting your collage to just a few strategic pieces, you can create a very cohesive piece.

Remember to think about the corners. Having something different going on in each corner creates interest and keeps the viewer engaged in your piece. Also, keep the main thing the main thing. Going off into too many different directions leads to chaos, especially with collage.  Do have fun and let the creativity flow. Just something to try or think about.