Day 81

Self Portrait is the theme over at PixelDust this week.  I did share earlier some other avatars, but this one is definitely my alter-ego avatar.  She is originally a canvas piece that was covered in Asian script.  A foam wig head was cut in half and applied.  Several layers of stamping, drawing, inking, etc. were done to create the patina collage.  The bulbs on her head are the ideas that are constantly floating around in my head.  While these are not light bulbs, but Christmas ornaments, they created the illusion of light bulbs for this piece.  Of course the glasses completed my look.  So this is me, or I should say, my altered me.  Frozen in time.  You may have seen her before since I use her as my on-line presence.  She's my avatar on Facebook, Pinterest, ning groups, galleries, anywhere that an avatar can be used.  Heaven forbid I would ever have to or want to change her.  Would take me all day! 

Day 80

Have you ever decided to learn something new and was overwhelmed with not only learning the ins and outs, but the practice time was also overwhelming.  That's how I feel about learning watercolor painting.  I know how to paint, I've done it all my life, but switch mediums and I feel like a fish out of water.  (Excuse the Pun.)  I originally drew this boney carp in one of my art journals, but decided to use it for a practice piece.  I don't usually do whimsical, but I did have fun with this.  Did I learn anything?  Yes, I did.  I learned that watercolor painting is all about going with the flow-the flow of the water that is.  I learned so much I won't bore anyone by listing the lessons learned.  But, not only did I learn a lot about this medium, I enjoyed it.  I've got several other paintings that I am practicing.  Some I've done 2-3 times already and each time I redo one, I learn something else.  Each one allows me to edit and perfect my control, my patience and my enjoyment. 
Are there really 23,978 bones in a carp?  Probably not.  I added the numbers and word for fun and drama.

Day 78-79

Over at PixelDust this week, Bonnie's challenge was a portrait.  Next week, a self-portrait.  I like to create avatars which represent my alter egos.  I have quite a few of these little thumbnails in my folder now.  This image is a headband that I designed for my Jewelry book that came out a few years ago.  It is a hand painted copper patina, wig head on a wooden base.  I use these wig heads in my assemblage art quite often since I'm not, nor ever have been, a portrait artist.  They allow me to use the human head as a generalized element in my 3-D work.  I wish I was always this peaceful and calm.  Something to work towards this year.  Tai-Chi and Yoga anyone?

 The 2nd image is another avatar that I haven't used yet.  It is of a necklace I made for a competition that required you to have your display for sale.  I made this for myself, so I didn't want to part with it.  It's made using jet black & amber jade which is the perfect accents for the focal element. 

The avatar I use everyday, which is posted at places, such as Facebook, my ning groups, photography groups, etc. will be shown next week for the self-portrait challenge, because I can relate to it more than the ones shown here.

Reflecting on these two avatars, I noticed they are jewelry related which is insane because I rarely wear jewelry other than earrings and a wedding band.  I did say these were alter egos!  I hoard vintage jewelry with the plans to recycle them into something more stunning.  Some day...

Day 68

The Photo Art Friday challenge was to create another abstract using Bonnie's textures.  Well, I piled them on!  Here is the list of textures that were used to create the background for this layout: 1. Antique Me, 2. Cobblestone Road, 3. Dropped Petals, 4. Sweet Thoughts, 5. Scratched Lens and 6. Soft Reflections.  I cut and pasted parts of these textures to get the layout covered then I applied a hand-painted and stamped detail from my art studio.  With blending modes, each layer was altered and here is the final design. 
This 2nd image is of the first version using nothing but Bonnie's textures and some brushes.  I'm so glad I kept this because I can see using it again in the future.  A quote would be nice, or maybe just one simple word. 

Day 57-58

I have something new for you today, several layouts of a color palette I got from Milliande.  I am trying to come up with some unique ways to present the colors in a custom palette.  Here are a few of my current samples I made earlier today.  I'm not sure which one is my favorite, maybe this 2nd one which I used a paint drip brush to apply the color, but I like the grunginess of the 1st one.  It was made from grungy borders and the 3rd one is made from coffee stain brushes.  I like them all and will keep working with new ways to present the color palettes because I get tired of seeing the same things over and over again.  Maybe a variety is the best way to go.  :-D

Day 54 & 55

Whenever I come across some interesting ideas, patterns or designs, I like to try creating hand-carved stamps with them.  Here are two tags I made with some of the carvings I did awhile ago.  One of my personal symbols is the circle, thus carving a stamp using this pattern was a challenge.  I wanted the circles close together, in their own pattern in a grungy style.  The doodle circles were done after the stamp was printed. 
The blue stamped image below was done on an eraser I picked up at the $ store.  I think there were 4 per package and soft enough to carve a stamp easily enough.  My goal with this carvings was to create some scratch grungy texture and when this printed out I loved it.  Reminds me of the masts of a sailing ship with the waves of the ocean crashing on the shore in the moonlight.  I need to make some everyday greeting cards with these images and of course, carve some more! 

Day 50

 Over at my Art Studio blog, I shared 5 amazing Quick and Easy Stencil Techniques, using some supplies that anyone who has a well stocked art studio would probably have around.  LOL!  Glue sticks, (cheap) rubbing alcohol, dye inkpads, polyfill, glossy photo paper and black gesso to name a few.  Here are a few photos of Technique #5 that is posted at my ArtStudio
My friend Cecilia has a new line of stencils now available at: Stencilgirl   I noticed several other artists also have featured designs available.  I hope you will check them out!