Trying Bigger Canvas

I've been in such a slump ... and FINALLY I have the urge to paint again. Normally I paint canvas boards and mini canvas ... but this time, I decided to really take my time and try a larger canvas. The size I'm painting on now, is 12x30 ... and it's called a Studio Canvas - the sides are about 3.5 inches wide. This piece is slated for my bedroom ... it will be an angel. PHASE ONE:

PHASE TWO - working on my skintone

What's On My Paint Table

I am using up my stash .... and this weekend I decided to create a cover for my new Summer Art Journal. it will be the cover to my Summer Art Journal. The surface is an 8x8 canvas board - the back is covered with scrap paper from my stash (not shown). As you can see, I've already added eyelets. Also used from my stash - luminare glitter spray that I have had for over 3 years...and this was the spray that convinced me not to ever buy spray again. Well, I transferred the spray to larger Ranger Mister bottles ... and they worked. Another thing on this cover are the little flowers....flowers I've had for about 5 years, LOL. They are the ones you dye .... so I dyed them with the Luminare glitter spray. Her dress and leggings are cut from old papers (Studio Calico) that I've has in my stash for about 3 years. Everything else, I painted using Jo Sonya acrylics.

Trying to Find a Balance

After 15 months I finally started doing mini albums again. I love making mini albums ... but I think I set myself up to fail, when I begin watching all the youtube wonder gals churn out masterpiece, after masterpiece .. and I feel as if what I am doing will never compare.

And then I began to ask myself - why should it?

I need to stay on the path I set for myself ... slowly incorporating my designs into all that I do.

This mini album is one that I started a couple of weeks ago - to get back in the wing of scrappin' and making mini albums. I gave this one to my sister, who is here visiting me from Brooklyn.

I used all old papers that I had ... I haven't bought ANY new supplies in a long time ... and I refuse to by more until I get rid of what I have. So ... for now ... I will busy myself with using the YouTube Wonder Gals for learning the marvelous techniques that they share. Though, I will not let myself be deterred from incorporating my art into all that I do.

Playing with Watercolor

Color me surprised!!!...but I had no idea watercolors could be so vibrant! I'm finally getting around to playing with my collection of Dr. PH Martin's Hydrus line. Right now I'm really just trying to get used to the "feel" of the medium ... but I must say - I'm impressed with the vibrancy of these colors!

Painting with Stamps_Journal in Progress_Part 3

Hello out there ... I've started working on the body of my image - incorporating scrapbook papers and other embellishments. It's a work in progress ... so stay tuned!

Painting With Stamps_Journal in Progress_Painting Faces Part 2

Hello! I get so many messages and emails regarding painting faces -in particular - African American skin tones. So, here is a more detailed and close up look at how I build the layers for a darker skinned face. I always start off with a medium flesh/skin tone paint - in this clip I'm using Jo Sonja skintone (med) for my base coat...then I'm building layers with yellow, green, burgundy, raw sienna and burnt sienna.

Enjoy ... and thanks for watching. Stay tuned for more painted journals... :)

Painting With Stamps_The Journal Cover Part One

Instead of talking through the painting process - which can sometimes be distracting for me - I've opted to just paint ... and added some license free music from Beatpick.com

I am going to let you follow me through my creative process, as I try and decide what I'm going to do with this journal cover ... so stay tuned....and thanks for tuning in.

Playing With Stamps_Art Deco

Sketching the design for this stamp, I was talking to my younger sister Sam. She's always on the go ... pursing her career as a sous chef in New York.

As I was carving the stamp, I thought about how she always seemed to keep her eye on the prize - even if she got a little off course ... nothing really has deterred her from her dream.

She's young ... she's artistic ... feminine ... beautiful.

I am finding inspiration all around me this year ... hope you are too.

Playing With Stamps

I'm having so much fun carving stamps and bringing them to life with the paint brush. Carving is very addictive ... I seem to lose myself in the process ... but I love the results!

New Year ... New Direction

Happy New Year!

It's a wonderful thing to wake up to a new day ... a New Year! I hope everyone brought in the New Year with loved ones, whether at church, at a party or at home tucked in bed warm and comfy!

I am happy to bring in the new year creatively rejuvenated - and going in a new direction this year with my hand carved stamps.

Look for many things int he future from journals, cards...and lots of fun things with fabric! I'm excited and can't wait to share!