Lost Aussie on the loose

Angels On High

Not much time for art at the moment as all my attention is focused on making the most of the days that I have with the boys and getting them ready for the next leg of their "Summer" vacation in the northern hemisphere. 

I have several pieces that I need to get ready for gallery submissions and exhibitions for next year, the Angel, being one of them, has evolved over several days and a few late night minutes snatched when I can.
Not my usual work habit, but that's OK as being "Mom" is more important than anything else right now!

One For The Birds

It's snowing outside and cold enough that I daresay there will be a blanket of white when I wake up in the morning.  Just the sort of inspiration needed for creating a picture of chilly little birds huddled on a winter branch. 

Ive experimenting tonight with some of the techniques that I have been learning in Misty's class and even though I am still most comfortable sketching and painting with pixels rather than charcoal or paint, I have garnered quite a bit of useful learning in the class.

I guess it does not really matter what your preferred medium is, there are some art 'rules' that are applicable across the board!

And I apologise if I owe you an email (or two), I'm a little behind in that department - Mom chores are front and center for the moment :-)

xoxo

Lady In Waiting

DH will be back with the boys on Saturday - and yes, I am waiting with baited breath!  It's only a scant six weeks since I saw them last and although I see them on Skype most days and run up humongous phone bills talking to them before they go to bed each night, nothing really takes the place of having them in my hot little Momma hands and being able to take care of them.

That place between being a 'little boy' and a 'big" one is strange. It's so easy to think that because they are 16 & 17 and over 6' tall that they don't need nurturing, love and gobs more understanding than usual - in fact it seems to me that it's quite the opposite.  When they become lean, gangly, shaving, almost men and at odds with everything - then that's when they need the most love and attention.

Knowing what they listen to on their Ipod, what cool (overpriced) Tshirt is the must have outerwear for parties, which friend is IN, which friend is out, how  many (dubious) groups they belong to on Facebook, being able to relate to them on at least 10 different levels on subjects that you have (almost) no clue about..and having the fortitude to grin and bear it when they tell you they have used $30 of phone credit in a week....

It's a complex time, but I am grateful for each and every moment and for the fact that there is enough trust and love for us to talk to each other and that DH and I are not only their parents but part of their world too....

I am very blessed!
Hurry home Boys (all 3 of you)!!!! xoxxo

 

Paint or Pixels

A while ago I signed up to do a painting workshop with my friend Misty Mawn. Now if you know me well, then you know that painting is really 'not' my thing, but having been in a bit of an art funk of late - a little painting seemed like a good idea.  So far I have just watched the videos and slurped up all of the goodwill that abounds on her class blog, facebook and flickr.

Tonight however I decided to put into practice some of Misty's good instructions and had a play with my paints (kind of grungy and dried up as they were!), collaged a little, made marks and generally had a bit of fun!

By contrast, last night I collaged and painted backgrounds for a digital project that I have been working on. These days I am not content with just 'printing' my digital creations on plain paper but like to add dimension, colour and depth by creating custom substrates -  makes each image unique and interesting and gives the whole piece a much more "mixed media' feel!
I think I know where my forte lies, but there's no harm in playing....right?

A-way

I'm off to the City tomorrow - some business, some pleasure and hopefully some ART!

I'll no doubt post some pics when I am back1

xoxo

Happy Halloween!

Thanks to all my Blog friends (and others) for all your recent comments, caring and support!  It's much appreciated!

In the spirit of Gremlins, Goblins and other things that go "Bump" in the night - here's some Halloween Treats for you all!

Happy Trick or Treating ~~~~~~

xoxo

Pulling It All Together

After a lovely dinner out with friends tonight I'm feeling fat, happy and contented...just as you should after a nice fillet mignon and a few glasses of delicious Silver Oak Cabernet!

Despite the compelling draw to hop to bed and nap once I got home I peeled off the finery, threw the high heels into the corner and hopped back into the studio to check on my latest project which had been drying and pressing.

A couple of days ago I made an acrylic skin out of digital grounds and printed up a version of my 'famed' AC picture, tweaked and tricked in Photoshop, added some layers of the previously posted 'silhouettes' in another layer, painted them up and then printed.....

The 'skin' came out beautifully and yesterday I mounted it on a 10x10 wood panel.

Tomorrow I will add some new layers with (real) paint and possibly gold leaf.  Might sound complicated, but really not and one of the few techniques that I will be teaching at AnS in Virginia....so be not afraid, you can do it too!

ciao for now

Challenge - what would you do with this?

Over on NOT MASS PRODUCED'S  blog -  This Disordered Life there was a lovely little challenge posted.....
And I quote:

wHat wOuLd yOu do wiTh thiS?

One of the things that most fascinates me about art is how you can have a group of about thirty people give them the same task and they all come up with something different. It's amazing.

This is a collage and paint background i created. I was about to work over it but then i wondered what other people would do with it. So if you have the time, download this image and work your magic with it. Just remember to show us what you do!

So I duly downloaded the challenge pic and "had at it" in Photoshop!  and here's what I came up with...

Very FUN...thanks for the creative prod!

Illustration Friday - Tango

it's more than just a dance
it's capture and surrender
on a hot steamy night
when a dress all flimsy and light
clings to curves
and beckons you
to hold on tight
to flip and to twirl
to race the cobblestones beneath your feet

it's more than just a dance
as the music and the beat
steal your heart
fill your head
and you dance your dizzy steps
with a passionate frenzy
irresistible and wild
the music of the Tango leads you on
marie otero

Freedom of Flight

To lift from earth and feel your heart swell
Is a thrill no man can tell.

And to land again
As if guided by some magic mystic hand.

My sadness turns to joy,
Joy becomes boy,
and boy, becomes man!

Ron Karcz