Pretty Papers

I just wanted to share a photo of some beautiful yummy handcrafted papers I received as a Christmas gift from one of my online art friends.

We belong to an art site and some of us joined a "secret santa" type swap. After giving a few ideas of what would be on our wish list....the names were given out randomly.

My friend Verna received my name and delighted me by filling my wish list of some new handcrafted papers to use in my Torn Paper Paintings!!

Thank you Verna.....they're just lovely!!! I'm sure you'll see some of them showing up in paper paintings very soon!

Merry Christmas!

To All

A Very Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bigger Bird

 Tis the time of the year when it is hard to get new work done!

I had been really wanting to do one of my seagull in a larger size. With an upcoming appointment with another gallery, I had all the motivation I needed. Just finished this one tonight.

He measures 11"x14". I especially love the fact that most of the body is made from papers I made myself!!

I find that extremely satisfying.

I took the picture below to show the difference between the little tiny ones I'd been doing beside this bigger version.

While the new one isn't huge....it sure looks it next to the little guys.

I'm sure there will be more of these sea birds to come!

The Auction

The fund raising auction for the Fall River Historical Society is now available for bidding to all...via online. You can check out all the great little 8"x10" artworks that were donated by area artist....and maybe you'll find something you can't resist. Enjoy!!!

An Artsy Weekend

Just had a delightful time this weekend in Boston. Went up on friday for the the "First Friday" open studios they do each month. We had a chance to see sooo much lovely art and enjoy so many wonderful artists spaces!! It's always fun to see the space where an artist creates their work. The SoWa artist guild has a vast number of working studios and such a great space. We walked around until we simply couldn't any longer....lol

The next day...before coming home, we walked around the galleries/shops on Newbury St. I ended up meeting a gallery owner/art consultant who became interested in my work after we'd talked a while and we'll be making contact again this week!!! You just never know!

While walking down Boylston St I discovered giant Christmas ornaments strewn about. Hmmm....wonder how that would look in my yard....lol

Ssssh....secret santa

I've been sooo very busy lately that I haven't gotten as much art done recently as I'd like. The holidays have a way of doing that.

However, I am happy to say that I've finally managed to get my "secret santa" package ready to mail.
It is off to one of the other members of the art site I belong to. Sooo....as you might imagine....the little goodies inside are....yes....art related!
I just received a beautiful package today from my santa and I'm holding back...yes I am....from opening it up. I'm honestly just enjoying looking at it! Isn't Christmas fun!! :)

My Contribution

After my Torn Paper Painting of the Koi appeared as a full front page on one of the local newspapers I received a request from the local Historical Society. Last year they ran a fundraising auction called "Palette Pictures" and many local artists had done a painting for this on an actual wooden palette. I hadn't heard of this event before, but sounded wonderful.

I was told they would again be holding the auction, Palette Pictures II, but the art would be created this time on a 5"x7" canvas. Seems that my koi had sparked an interest and they decided to contact me to see if I'd be willing to create something for them.

Every year I do a number of pieces for fundraisers of one sort or another as I can fit them in. Feels good to give back.
So, I took on the task.

I wanted a piece that would be directly connected to the area. Since I'm usually geared toward the coastal scenes...one of our delightful little lighthouses came to mind, the Borden Flats Light. If my research is correct, it started it's working life in 1881.
This was such fun to work on. So much history.

The city had also been know back then for the Old Fall River Cruise Line.

I was lucky enough to run into some darling little vintage looking cruise images which I gave a sepia coloring to and have added them to the base of the lighthouse. When viewed without knowing it is actually quite subtle...but there.

I will deliver this piece next week and am hopeful that someone will want to take it home to enjoy!

 

Another teenie one

Something sooo tiny shouldn't been sooo much work, but it most certainly is. Not quite sure if I'll do another one of these or not.....we'll see. Having fun experimenting with these little canvases.

A Tiny Piece

 With the holidays coming I wanted to play with the idea of some little torn paper pieces that could even be used as ornaments.

I found these tiny little canvases that are 2 3/4" square and started to experiment. I wanted something that would not simply be a christmas theme, but something that would also work year round.

Staying within my usual coastal theme, I decided to make the first one a seagull.

This was really fun and a bit of a challenge to work this small.

Hope to try a few other designs.

ART - Home Delivered!!!

Front page!!
Yes....what an exciting start to the day.
One of our local papers, The Herald News,  is trying to bring more art to the public and has begun a week called "Reality, Illustrated" in which one piece of art is used for an "extra" front page, called a wrap, each day this week.
My "torn paper painting" koi was chosen as the first piece this week. My photo and short bio also appear on the "actual" front page as well.
Home delivered art...what a great idea!!

Torn Paper Paintings now offered Online!!



My store page

 Today marks the beginning of a brand new venture with my Torn Paper Paintings.
I was contacted recently by someone who had discovered my art in a gallery. It turns out that this person owns and operates an online store called "Ocean Offerings" that specializes in products with the coastal theme.

She explained that she was interested in adding my art to her shop. What a nice surprise that was!


Store front page

We met to discuss how this would work and after taking care of what details needed to be tended to, I am now proud to announce my new association with this very cool online store.

I hope everyone follows the link above (as well as in the sidebar) to see all the cool items she sells.

Thanks Melinda....I look forward to working with you!



Double Koi

Well....I'm delighted to have finally completed a piece I've been working on for a while now. It's the first of my fish pieces to be done on the canvas.

My subject matter was drawn from photos I'd taken while visiting my friend Roc back in June. She has a wonderful little koi pond with some of the biggest koi fish I'd seen anywhere. I must have taken a hundred shots of them while standing on the little bridge that goes over the pond.

 

For this piece I combined fish from two different shots. I also decided that for this particular piece I would leave the underpainting in the upper left hand exposed since it seemed to add to the overall effect of the water.


Hope to make more from these lovely creatures. Roc....thank you for sharing your inspiration!



New Works

Been very busy in the artroom lately. Just finished and delivered a nice batch of new torn paper painting works on canvas to Collyer's Gallery in Mattapoisett, Ma.
If you're in the area.....stop by and have a look!!

Beaches everywhere

There has been such a demand for torn paper beaches that my art room is overflowing in the theme.

As you can see here...there's always a batch of beachscapes hanging on my easel....with more that you can't see in the works on my drafting table.

I'm almost caught up and have some new pieces all sketched out and ready to start playing with....can't wait.

Visitors Center

Just returned from delivering some Beachscape artwork to the Visitors Center at Heritage State Park in Fall River, Ma.

The local art association invited a small group of members and resident artists to display at the building throughout the month of Oct.

It's a really lovely spot...great walls, great light, and right on the water!

There will be a festival there on the grounds this weekend starting tomorrow. If you're in the area...you should certainly stop by!

I'm Back

Feels as if it has been a while since I've posted. I have been sooo busy with making my canvas paper pieces. I have numerous requests for them and have been working almost non-stop. Not complaining mind you....I'll take this anytime!

I did manage to just spend a weekend away at my in-laws river house for the annual "girls weekend". It's a get-together with friends each year for a little fun and a great recharge!

Since I've got so much work to do as well...I decided to bring some of my smaller canvas pieces along with me that I'd already started as well as several bins of papers in my most used colors.

I did manage to make a bit of progress while still enjoying the view....and a great bit of inspiration that view is too!!!

Not a bad little spot to work at all :)

Full Display

A few days ago I made a trip to the Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis with my new pieces that I'd been creating on canvas. They have had a collection of them as I'd been doing them previously, framed under glass. The owner was quite excited to see the new works.

Well....it's always a pleasure to take a drive through the Cape on a lovely day....but an even greater pleasure to see the reaction my new work received.

The only problem it created was in deciding what she wanted to keep and what to send home with me. In the end....only one left the gallery!

This is a pic she took later that day after arranging the two styles together. There are actually a couple more pieces in another spot as well.....so I must say.....I've got a pretty awesome Torn Paper Painting display there right now!! Thanks Jen!

A Warmer Place

Here in New England, as the weather begins to get cooler, my thoughts seem to be going to a warmer place.

Yes...it's still at the beach....but a warmer one right now.

Instead of the usual dunes.....this one has gone in the direction of palm trees!!

Ahh...love palm trees :)

Vineyard light

Using a photo I'd taken in Martha's Vineyard, I just finished my latest Torn Paper Painting.
I've included a close up of the lighthouse to see some of the text that has been incorporated. There are some other little surprises throughout....but I'll leave those for the folks who see it personally! :)

And the Winners are........

Mark & Sarah!!!!
Every other weekend at our beach club there is a Beetlecat race. The final race of the season is always the Sunday of Labor Day weekend....the race that there is actually an award for.
My husband and daughter had a really good season this year with their boat coming in first a few times. For those races a ribbon is given.
The labor day race has the honor of getting a plaque, or rather, custody of a plaque for the year....to be given to the winners of the next years race.
They've had this honor a few times in the past....so their names are already on there in several of the spots!
It's been a while now since we've had custody...but it came home today!!
They raced an awesome race and led by a huge length!
Congrats you two.....I've never seen a better team!!

A New Addition

Has been added to the collection of fabrics using my Torn Paper Paintings!!
I've just reviewed and made available my cupcake titeled "Unwrapped". The colors are amazing in this one.
I've now sampled them in two different fabrics. While the "quilting weight" is quite nice and very general purpose....the "linen-cotten canvas"....amazing!!

Artwork now on Fabrics

Well....I've been playing around with the idea of having my art on other items. A natural next step for any artist looking to get their images out there.
My first step in doing this has been to create mirror image patterns of my torn paper paintings on the Spoonflower site. (Link is also in fabric image in upper right on blog)
I've just gotten done approving the first couple of samples from them, so I now have two images available....a koi and lobster. There are a few more in the prep stages yet that will be added a bit later.
This is also great fun for anyone who wishes to create items of their own designs as well.

Backyard inspiration

Every year at this time I am given a close up view of some beautiful waterlillies. Out back in my pond we get a vast number of lily pads and beautiful white lotus flowers.

I've taken sooo many wonderful shots of them from the dock thinking I may use them in my art one day.

Well....I finally got around to it. Decided to give them a try in my torn paper painting. I do hope to make more...but here is the first.

My rice papers lent themselves beautifully to a large part of it.

A new inspiration

Just when you think you've seen all the variations on paper painting...you find another.
As I was having my morning coffee yesterday I turned on a cable channel for a bit of early news...and there it was...a segment on artist Derek Gores.
I have no idea how I've missed his work until now.....it's just wonderful.

He has a technique which is almost a controlled AND random act that becomes a detailed portrait!!
His work has many beautiful portraits which include several of Obama over the last few years!
Click on his name....I've added the link. When you see the front page....watch that slide show. You will be quite impressed as the picture changes from something which looks like nothing...to a great piece of work.
Beautiful beautiful work. Thanks for the inspiration Derek!!

Weekend fun

I went to visit my daughter for the weekend and we discovered that the same Marketplace Festival was going on that we had discovered by accident last summer. It is sponsered by the Ma Horticultural Society...and the grounds are just beautiful!

Thought I'd share a few of my favorite pics. The giant red chair is a favorite of ours...and the tree trunk you see just looks soo goddess-like to me! Maybe it's "mother nature".

A Little Zen

As with anything you do all the time, you need to take a momentary break from the daily routine. Same is true with my daily work on my torn paper paintings.

With a new batch of trades coming up for the month on my online trading group, I took the time to create this months bookmark theme....zentangles.

It is such an enjoyable and "zen" like process. No, I've not taken their classes or bought the kit or any such thing. Honestly, it is really more of an organized elaborate doodle.

I must give them credit for giving a name to something many of us have been doing since childhood and getting it out there for others to enjoy.

Give it a try....the results are sometimes surprising!

Evolution

As with all things, there is a natural progression and evolution.

This is now true with my art pieces as well. I have been doing my torn paper art on a heavy 200lb watercolor paper and then framing them under glass with spacers between the art and the glass. A very time consuming process to say the least.

I have wanted to experiment a bit more to find a process I liked that would allow for less framing time and more art time.

I may have it. Stretched canvas.

I've just tried my first experiment with this and I like the effect. This beachscape is on a stretched canvas. With the protective coat of varnish over the work it is able to skip the framing.

I quite like the less formal look of this and the more casual "beach cottage" feel.

Onward....more experiments to come!

Little Beach

Thought I'd show you a picture of my most recent "little" beach.

There's just something about the coloring and the textures in this one that I like quite a bit. May be be one of my most favorite little pieces so far.

My Own Papers

Spent a lovely day today making papers. I'm still quite interested in making more of my own hand made papers for using in my torn paper paintings.
I had a great time experimenting with different papers and inclusions....not to mention the different thicknesses.

The greenest paper you can see here in the bottom row has pink added to it, which I did with some pink slurry I'd had from a previous day of experiments. I dropped the pink into the vat before pulling up the mould.

For some of the pieces you can see fibers from adding pieces of raffia to the mix.

Making paper is a bit of a messy process...but doing it on a hot summer day isn't all that bad!!

Month of Shows

Every July I can count of things getting pretty busy. This year is no exception.
Seems all the art venues want to have openings during the month....but at least I'm ready for them!!
Soo....my art show schedule is as follows.....

A group show at ArtWorks Gallery - theme-
"The Edge" Juried Exhibit
384 Acushnet Avenue
...Downtown New Bedford, MassachusettsDates: July 17 - September 4, 2010
Opening reception: Saturday, July 24th 3-5pm
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 12-5 pm

Little Compton Summer Art Show
Community Center - Little Compton Commons
Artist reception: Friday, July 16th 6-8pm
Gallery Hours: 17th & 18th 10-4pm

Westport Art Group - Community Show
Preview Party: Thurs. July 22nd 5-7pm
Gallery Show runs July 23rd - Aug. 1

Great Blue

Just as I was getting some art pieces ready to take over to an upcoming show, I looked out the window and saw a visitor on the dock. A Great Blue Heron.
I've seen them visit the dock before, but they always catch me trying to take a pic and they fly away.
Guess I was just quiet enough as I creeped behind some bushes on the far side of the pool and set my zoom so I didn't have to get too close.
Managed to grab one shot before he caught on and decided to leave. Wish I could have set the camera to movie mode fast enough to catch his flight. The wing span and the sound he makes would have been terrific to get.
Maybe next time I'll just have it set to movie mode and let him see me right away!

Unexpected visitor

Well....it's amazing what you'll see happen at an impromptu pool party where temps crack 100.

With a big pool in the backyard and visiting relatives around on such a hot day...we had the crowd spend the afternoon here to visit and keep cool.

Suddenly...the sound of ice-cream truck music could be heard and one of the kids bolted up the driveway to catch it. Well.....catch it she did..lol

The driver knows a good thing when she sees it and decided to come right on down the driveway and make those goodies available and tempting to the whole crowd...which she had no trouble doing by the way.

Only trouble she had was a little in the "backing up" part. Curves in the long driveway make that a little bit of a challenge. Had to do a little video of that part of it. Certainly made for some entertainment and now all the kids think we're a regular stop for the ice-cream truck...lol

Here it is....

finally!!! My latest torn paper piece!

After doing so many of my water themed pieces with the beaches and the koi, goldfish, etc...I felt I needed to add a new piece to the mix.

I had started this piece earlier this month,but it took me a while to finish him up since I flew out to visit a friend for a week. I do think I needed that break from this guy at that point anyway!

Living on the coast and having to be ready for the summer art shows, I think this guy will fit in just perfectly.

Not sure yet if I'll give him a little tweek here or there...but for now I think he's done. I never step away until it is actually framed....so I'd better get to that part soon....lol

Friends and Art

Just flew home yesterday from a week long vist with my dear artist friend Roc. It was such fun to play in her workroom!!!

Talk about a woman who has everything!!

We shopped, ate, played, and had a great time as well getting onto Skype and meeting some of the other gals in our art group.

How much fun it is now to put faces and voices to the avatars on the site.

Everyone I met exceeded my expectations! Guess this means I may need to finally get a webcam of my own so we can visit again.

While I was there at Roc's house, we also had another "in person" meeting from another one of our artist friends. Terri came to spend the afternoon with us!! What a delight she was. Had to take a pic of her with each of us... "terri & roc" in the 1st pic and with me in the 2nd.

We really enjoyed her company. Thanks for stopping by Terri!!

Roc also has this beautiful koi pond in her backyard.....so needless to say, I had to spend quite a bit of time taking pics of these awesome fish.

They were by far the biggest I'd seen yet!

No doubt they will become inspiration for future koi paper pieces!!

Roc...a big thanks to you and hubby for being such great hosts! I had a wonderful time!!

Now that I'm home again I'll be busy working on that special new paper piece I mentioned earlier. Hopefully I'll get that done soon!

Updates soon

I know I've been MIA for a little while....but I've been very busy. Soo many things going on
as well as a visit to a very special friend.
I've also been working on a new paper piece that is coming out awesome! Soo....there will be
much to update you on when the dust settles.

New book

In between all the paper pieces I've been working on, I took a bit of time to create a new art journal for myself. On my regular art site we've decided to make a personal book and scan each months page to share with the group.

Having never actually "made" a book before, the idea was a little scary and exciting. I found an old school encyclopedia that I'd kept around for using the pages in my paper art...so I decided to put the cover to use and removed the entire insides. Then, using tinted 140 lb watercolor paper, I cut the pages to size and bound them to the cover in numerous sections using sail cord.

There are enough pages in this book to last for several years making double spread months! Some of the pages have flaps added for interest. I've just gotten started with the first page by getting the background done with watercolors and adding the "day' boxes.

Now the fun can begin!

Smallmouth Grunt

Odd name...but cute fish.
Having created dozens of fish over the last few years, mostly koi and goldfish, I decided to break out some of my books on tropical fish to find a bit of inspiration for a new one.

This is not exact to the little grunt...but is most certainly based on him.
Some of the areas where there is a bit of iridescence in the paper, don't really show up so well in the pic...but you get the idea.
Nice to have another little fish join my vast group of swimmers!
Hopefully the warm summer beach months will inspire a few more.