Cardinal II

10" square

collage with hand painted and found papers on wood cradled panel

It seems appropriate to be using these colors at the start of this new holiday season.  I've been doing a

little calligraphy as well and decided to work them in, in subtle ways.  I'll be taking better photos as these are a tad fuzzy.

Cardinal Collage

8" x 10"

Painted and found paper collage on cradled wood panel

Moving on from chickadees, cardinals have been a joy to work on.  I had been hoarding favourite papers but was determined to actually use them.  Although I have several new ones to post, I returned to this from a previous post to add more branches as it seemed to need a little something more.

Latest Collage One of my Fav Subjects

If I am going to paint a bird, chances are it will be a Chickadee or Misanges as they are called in French.  This one is my latest collage on wood.  Snippets of maps, wrapping paper and hand painted papers were used.

10" x 10" x .75"

collage on wood panel

with raised border

$90

Some of my favourite things.....

These peonies were left from our backyard wedding and were the most spectacular I had ever seen.  I photographed them for days hoping to have at least one image I could paint from. (I think I do).  The chickadee is a collage from a series started last year.  I picked it up again and have created a few more.  Each time, I marvel at how much I learn when I work in a series.  My santos doll doesn't have to have a purpose.  She has an air of grace and beauty.  I have great plans for her.   The portrait of the little girl I just couldn't part with.  Her intense gaze pulls you in. 

Wow, I just realized this is my 400th post!

A Trio of Geraniums

A Trio of Geraniums

12" x 24"

Oil and Collage on Wood Panel

I've always wanted to pair collage with oils as I mentioned in one of my previous posts.  I'm excited to do more like this.  Maybe it's finding unexpected patterns and textures peeking through here and there.

Geraniums

Who would've thought geraniums with their little florets would be so appealing to paint?  The clusters that make up one flower would seem daunting.  But each little distinctive flower that make up the whole are so simple that I've returned to painting these several times over.  This time I wanted to try a little collage for the background.  This one is not finished yet but I think I will try a few more like this and perhaps add my drawing first so I can place the papers more strategically.

12" x 24"

Oil on wood panel with collage

Collage

Having fun these first few months of the year participating in Lilla Rogers MATS Bootcamp 2015.

Working towards assembling a portfolio of work for possible licensing.  I've done a sprinkling of

freelance illustration work but would like to have a stronger presence in that field. 

The Busy Season

The same sketches that I had printed to fabric are being used on a new card line that I've been

working on.  I've been painting with paper these days!

The Sky on His Back

8" x 10" Collage

The quote is from Henry David Thoreau - "The Bluebird carries the sky on his back"  Do you think I could borrow this quote for my bluejay?  Different kinds of birds but still with the beautiful blue.

I am enjoying the series of birds but my next one might be a different subject.  I'm acquiring papers

and techniques that I'd like to apply to other images.  As with the others, I used hand painted papers and magazine clippings.

Time now to go back and take a look at my approach since the first one (the chickadee).  There are

elements about the simpler way I started them that I like but at the same time some subject matter simply needs to be handled with more intensity.  This bluejay with the black stripes for example.

Please email me with inquiries.  I will eventually place on Etsy but would be happy to answer any

questions you may have.  Not entirely sure whether I will mount this to a wood panel and still have

it frameable or use a mat and put it under glass.

Robin Collage

Robin

8" x 10" 

collage on 3/4" wood panel

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and picking up techniques along the way.  Next up will be a 

Bluejay simply because I have some beautiful blue papers to use.

Cardinal Collage

I enjoy making textured and painted papers but don't seem to use them enough.  Having started this

bird series is the first time I am really using them in a way that justifies making more.  So all is good.

These are done on a card stock weight of paper but I'm thinking I may use the wood panels that I use

for the small daily paintings because the grain of the wood might be nice to use too.  I can see myself

adapting this newfound interest to the use of fabrics.  Something I've admired in art quilters but didn't think I'd get around to trying.  

Computer monitors vary quite a bit but for some reason the background green is more saturated than

my scan.  It's only when I bring it into this blog that is becomes a little too strong for my liking otherwise the original and the prints I'm making from it are a much nicer earthier green.

The original measures 8" x 10"

A companion

Having fun with these.  This now completes a series of three chickadees but definitely not a completion of this media.  My next one might be a cardinal.

Explore a Different Path

I think I'm getting the hang of this....

Explore a Different Path

Creating an image in collage is a different than when painting for obvious reasons.  Having completed this second one, I am starting to accumulate a few notes on a working approach.  Really looking forward to starting the next one with a new and improved work flow.

Something I've been meaning to do....

For various reasons I've been making painted papers over the years and for some reason, I haven't had a reason to use them.   Some papers I like so much as is that I hesitate to tear them apart.  But this time I felt motivated enough to make this little collage of a chickadee.  Funny enough, most of my papers were of very saturated high key colours (which were fun to make) but for this collage I need mostly neutrals.  It doesn't take much but it's nice to have a ready assortment to pick and choose from.  So having done this one, I'm going to make a few more.  But not before I make another assortment of beautiful neutrals.  Once I've completed a few more, I'll put these up as prints and notecards in my Etsy shop which I've sadly neglected in recent months.

Silver & Gold Part II

18" x 24"

Oil and Acrylic

Collage on wood panel

Another one in the series of traditional subject on a fragmented field.  My previous post showed another format of this (8" x 24") and I think I like the outcome enough to pick it up again and

expand on it.  The painting from that post (Silver & Gold will be in the Small Format show at

Galerie Viva Vida for the month of December).... : > )

Picture Perfect Pets

It's funny, I never set out to paint cats in particular.  But they languish and pose so beautifully, how could I not?  Just a few of the cats I painted this year....with more to come judging from the growing collection of photos I've been sorting through.

A Little Departure....

6"x 6" collage

wood cradled panel

Last year I spent some time doing small format collages (a prelude I guess to the 6"x 6" oils I've been doing lately).  I will probably return to making more of these.  It's a nice blend of photography, hand painting the papers, textures and interesting materials.  This has that little band of copper at the base, and since I enjoy creating jewellery, I get to use my metalsmithing skills too.

Valentine's

Following up on the success of my Christmas greeting cards, I've completed some new ones for Valentine's.
I'm enjoying the chance to work digitally and am on a roll. Here are the first few...

Creative Impulses...

I can't help but let other influences sneak into my repertoire. Long ago, B.C. (before children) I was heavily into quilting and textiles. Along came children and I wasn't about to give up what I loved to do but did try and focus. Painting was that focus and still is but along the way I discovered I had to make room for jewelry design. These two pursuits are here to stay and are the very "fibre" (pun intended) of my being. And now, for better or worse, past pursuits are re-surfacing and I am giving them room to grow. Fibre art is an amalgamation of my painting with textiles and that is how I justify it! Texture was becoming more and more
important in my paintings and that would often mean the addition of layers of canvas in collage fashion. It was only natural to add fabric to those layers whether on paper or canvas and before I knew it they had morphed....! So now I let my creative impulses guide me. Here's a little "Fibre Art Quilt" I recently completed using hand painted fabrics and digital prints along with
fused embellishments. The best part is that I have wonderful references in the photos of still life groupings that I intended for painting that translate well into these art quilts so it was really meant to be!

Wing Flutter Problems

Just finished.....I'm pouring myself another cup of coffee, one last self critique and then it goes into the frame....
Having access to many vintage aviation books, I came across this excerpt on "Wing Flutter" problems and loved the idea
of an avian subject over this as a mixed media piece. Many more will follow....
P.S. that bit of pink in the upper right corner is part of my tablecloth and NOT part of the painting.....