Make a Moo or Two - Birds

The theme this week MAMT is birds.

For some reason I've always thought it was against the rules to make them 'landscape', but since I've seen several other artists doing it I decided to do one that way this time. I had fun making the backgrounds for these and putting them all together. Thanks for looking!

Altered Diva Workshops

I'm taking my first online class, a summer class through the Altered Diva Workshops. I had hoped to squeeze another one in before the end of summer, but with all that we have to do I'm not sure that will be possible (or wise).

I'm taking the Softly Spoken workshop, mainly because I want to get over my fear of applying paint to canvas. I'm a decorative painter for heaven's sake, but I simply can't get myself to put brush to canvas or watercolor paper very easily. I'm too careful, I'm too much of a perfectionist.

I've learned a lot so far. Thank you to Karyn for offering a class taking opportunity for those of us who don't have a lot of options.

These are my backgrounds up to lesson 3. I hope to move on to lesson 4 tomorrow. The last one I actually disliked and was using it for my practice sheet. Now that I've added the gesso stamping I like it better. A good thing I guess, considering it's a larger piece of watercolor paper at 7 1/2" x 11".

Mixed Media Monday - Monochromatic

The theme at MMM this week is to do a piece of artwork using only one color. I chose blue.

I used a 5"x7" canvas board, painted it with various blue acrylics, then stamped the splotches on using dark blue paint and a stamp from Inka. I laid a piece of light blue tissue paper over top to give it some texture and a more subtle look. The tulip is a photograph of mine that was manipulated into a negative image. The bird was accidental. It's from a digital collage sheet from Retro Art Cafe, but while I was printing it out my printer ran out of ink and half the birds came out blue. lol I figured I'd have a chance to use them at some point....The word 'dream' is also stamped with paint, using an inexpensive foam alphabet set. I edged the entire piece in dark blue paint to make it stand out, and sealed the entire piece with a matte finish.

It doesn't feel quite finished to me, so I may add more edging detail later on.

At this time of year...

there are so many photo opportunities. That is assuming you time it right, the lighting is right (or cooperative), and if you're me, you don't have a cat rubbing or bouncing up against your ankles jarring you and the camera lens.

This morning I was taken by the light through the linden tree. I love how it seemed to glow. Linden flowers are odd looking things, but the fragrance is wonderful. It is a little scary standing underneath with millions of bees buzzing around though. A very creepy sound! The bees absolutely love this tree and its flower!




This is my shadow when I'm out in the yard. Kind of furry isn't it? lol This is Turbo. If you've read any past postings you know all about him. He was a little dazed by the heat.

In My Pocket - Little Bird

The theme for this one is Little Bird. I collaged using various papers, antiqued with distress inks, and added some decorative elements in the form of a pheasant feather, and a tabarelle to keep the flap closed. The quote is from Maya Angelou.

This weeks treasures....

I went out into the big wide world today, not looking for anything in particular, just wandering for the pure sake of wandering....In the process I found two treasures...This birdhouse, which I got at JoAnn's for 60% off (making it a mere $6), and at Goodwill I got this basket handbag for $5. The lid opens by way of sliding up the handle. Very clever.

I'll hang the birdhouse outside for the summer, but come fall I'll bring it into my work space. :-)

We seem to be inandated with wildlife these days. This morning the doe and her fawn were out in the back yard, so we got a morning breakfast show. Baby was running, jumping, darting, mama just ate grass. She did look exasperated a couple of times and hubby said she's probably wondering how long this stage is going to last. lol

The other doe was in the back yard this evening.

Flutter by oh butterfly....

Flutter by, butterfly,
Floating flower in the sky.
Kiss me with your petal wings
Whisper secrets, tell of spring.

I took this picture last Sunday at the Oregon Garden (I'll share more pictures later).

A butterfly hovers closely
And then quickly moves away,
Swiftly going where so ever
Her heart may freely say.

A butterfly lowers and rises
With the winds's gusty breath,
As if coupled within a dance
Of a loving tenderness.

The butterfly only knows
How it feels to have wings,
To kiss the petals of flowers
In such elegant flitterings.

To have but one moment
Of such an exquisite flight,
Would be like a dream
Where all seems so right.

Author Unknown

Think Monday - Think ATC - Colorful

The theme this week is colorful. Make an ATC with lots of color.

Little morning visitor...

This peeked its head out while I was sitting on the porch having coffee this morning...

Hello!

InchybyInch - Keys

The theme this week is keys. The first is all collaged bits, the second I used charms.

Small World of Inchies/Twinchies - Summer

The theme this week is summer. I made twinchies (2" pieces of art) for a change of pace.

Make a Moo or Two - Black and White

All three moos are hand stamped. The first one with an image from Magenta, which has been cut out and glued onto corrugated paper. Though it doesn't show up very well in the scan, there are circular jewel like stickers in the center of each square.

The second is stamped with images from StudioG (the saying and swirl) and Renaissance Art Stamps (woman).

The third is stamped with an image from StudioG (flower), and the butterfly is actually cut from background paper. I made the dots with a gel pen. The butterfly is raised with double-sided foam tape, though of course that doesn't show up in the scan.