Exhausted

***Remember: If you are not viewing this blog with a green background, you need to click on the title. 

This past weekend I took a two-day workshop in Dalton, GA at the Creative Arts Guild.  It was led by Louise Farley who has a wonderful loose style of painting.  It was amazing to see her stroke here and there and watch as these strokes quickly turned into a wonderful painting.  I encourage you to click on her name and see some of her work.  Louise has a studio in Charlotte, NC.

The workshop was about using Yupo paper. The word paper is very subjective as it is more like plastic sheets. Sometimes Louise starts painting one side of the painting and then folds (careful not to crease) the sheet over so that it meets the other side and transfers the image to that portion of the page. If you look at the paintings here, you can see that technique used in some of them.  It is not meant to be an exact replica of what she has already painted but a jumping off place to continue creating.

My attempts are accurately called attempts.  Loose may look easy, but it truly is not.  Lousie added strange unexpected colors using both paint and oil pastels.  How does one even think to do that?

Oh, my!  Now that I posted these, I see a giant eye in the misty water of the lower painting!  I haven't decided if I am going to try to do more to these and just leave them.  The EYE, however, will have to go!

It was fun, I learned a lot and got to spend some time with some very talented and enjoyable people. What more could I ask?

The Making of Reno

ATTN:  If you are not reading this with a green background, you need to click on "the Making of Reno."

This weekend I am taking a class about using Yupo paper in Dalton, GA which is about an hour from Cleveland.  I am afraid that I may be out of my league: unfortunately, that won't be anything new!

Speaking of new...here is what I am presently working on. Of course, I failed to take pics at every step. However, I remembered to get a few.

Background with various yellows plus stenciling

Two more stencils were used

Glazing was added

More glazing

 One preliminary drawing.  Everything is much easier when I use a pencil and ERASER! When you see the painting, you will realize that I didn't actually follow this picture--I may regret that.

Right now it looks as if she has a huge lump on her right temple and she is wearing a hat with a string hanging down. I hope it doesn't look like that in a few days!

If you have suggestions, let me know. I can use the help!

There is a new Head of the House at the Bijou!

If you are not reading this on a green background you need to click on the title above (There is a new Head of the House at the Bijou).

I spent time collaging some paper houses today. Seems easy enough, but it actually was not--even for quirky little houses--ESPECIALLY for quirky little houses.  The one below is on a zebra tray which was not a good choice for a background. I  I didn't take individual pics of the others.

However, here is what I did with them with thanks to my good friend, Lorraine, for the suggestion.

(Since I originally posted this, I have altered the headdress a bit.  

Hmmm...Should it be Vesta who is the goddess of the Hearth or should she just be called Head of the House?  More work is needed, but I hope to finish her very soon.

I'd love to read your comments--The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly! Either here under Comments or you can email me at vickistyons@me.com or, of course on Facebook!

Feeling Dejected!

If you are not viewing this with a green background, you need to click on the title.

The first piece of art I sold in a gallery was at the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton, GA. Due to some strange circumstances, I did not have to be accepted by the jury for that show. Several weeks ago, I submitted five pieces (the max allowed) to the same venue. This particular show has a rather fancy reception; the tickets to it are $50 and it is well attended so I really wanted to get in the show which hangs for six weeks.  Today acceptance letters were scheduled to be emailed. My sister texted that she got it, and my good friend got in,and then I heard of several others who were accepted. I was very happy for them, but feeling a bit dejected.  Okay, a bit more than just a bit dejected!

Being kind, they told me that perhaps not all of the acceptances had been sent out, but I was sure they had been.  Later, going through my email, I realized that I had the acceptance all along, but I just didn't recognize the name on the email!! Hallelujah!   Oh, joy!

Here are the pieces that were accepted:

She was So Two Faced

Idioglossia (10x10)

Original Intentions (40x30)

Glyphs (20x20)

I think I sent a better photo of the last piece to the jury, and the main word in Cyrillic was more obvious.  Also, the pic of the assemblage was better.  I need to learn to file these pics better!

Caroline, my sister, pulled a fast one on me last year. I said I would go with her but she said she would pick up our pieces from Dalton by herself as she knew I wanted to meet with some other art friends on the pick-up day. She was picking up for herself, Lorraine, and me. I got a call; she had not been able to get one of my painting and one of Lorraine's.  I was mentally kicking myself for not going with her and wondering just what could have possibly gone wrong. Then the stinker threw in the zinger--both Lorraine and I had sold a painting! We were over the moon and had to open the sunroof to get both of our heads back in the car! Oh, and BTW, Lorraine also got Best in Show which carried a $1000 prize!