Pear #19 and a bit of weird science

Plaster, burlap, photocopied image, charcoal, pastels, shellac, beeswax

5x7 

~~~

This one was a bit more involved

I asked myself "what if" quite often.

I started out by pouring some plaster onto a piece of burlap.

Let it dry thoroughly.

Next I cracked the plaster.

Then several coats of beeswax were applied.

I tried a photocopy transfer

but it was too textured for it to work.  

Sigh~

Rubbed some charcoal powder over the pear

with my finger.

Went out side with shellac, and a torch.

The transfer and charcoal pretty much disappeared.

Sigh~

Then I used a razor blade to scrape off

the toner and charcoal.

Cut out a photocopy of my drawing of a pear.

Used more beeswax to adhere it to the surface.

Used more pastels

and called it done.

The razor blade chattered and created a wonderful texture.

I love how this turned out.

I really like the cracks

the texture of the razor blade

and how the shellac burnt away.

The whole process was a pleasure.

~~~

Now for a little bit of weird science....

As I was googling something,

something else got my attention.

Someone made "stains" 

from steel wool and copper.

So in one jar I've got a steel wool pad

soaking in vinegar for a rust stain.

In the other jar bits of copper

even some pennies---though I don't know if they are copper.

The copper will produce a turquoise stain.

There is an odd sort of film in the steel wool jar,

must be from oil (?)

I understand it will take at least 10 days 

for something to happen.

I'll let you know when something does.

Thanks for visiting, have a nice weekend!

pear #18 ....and part of the process?

Casein, pastel & beeswax on paper

5x7

I started by brushing casein onto paper.

It becomes waterproof in 24 hours.

I then drew the pear and painted with those

buttery Pan Pastels

final step--dip in beeswax.

A few years ago, my Dad gave me

his electric frying pan.

It's a nice size for dipping papers.

~~~

We'll soon be dropping art off at a couple of galleries

in Door County.

While I should be working

I'm really distracted.

Clutter is closing in.

That 6 foot work table

is down to 12 square inches of workspace.

Does that happen to you?

I start looking around the room

walking requires tippy toes into 

empty spaces--which there aren't many.

Time to stop and pick up.

I don't want to trip and conk my head on something.

Then I start sorting through things

which can wait

but I can't help myself.

I have oodles of 3-ring binders with 

notes, printouts, magazine articles, newspaper clippings

you get the picture.

Some of these things haven't seen 

the light of day since they were hole punched

long ago.

I start flipping through--tossing (recycling)

hours were spent pitching & tossing....

when I should be working.

I decided that it "part of my process".

How about that?

No beatings this time.

Now I have a clear head and room

to let things percolate.

Do you have a similar process?

Pear #17

"Cop-pear"

Copper foil 5x7

One of my very favorite techniques 

is repousse; embossing.

The amount of pressure applied with a tool

(here I used a metal ball tool- it's double ended)

to the copper--front or back

leaves either very subtle marks

or deep dimensional textures.

Sometimes I glue small shapes on the piece.

I use liver of sulfur to patinate the copper.

Then I buff it with steel wool.

Copper is a bit hard to photograph

but then again,

you know I have issues with cameras ;)

~~~

Spending time writing in my journal

is helping me sort out the 

tangles.

It's a good friend

it listens

it doesn't judge me

and it brings moments of clarity.

Pear #16

Acrylic on wood 6x6

I strayed from the 5x7 canvases.

Sometimes you just need a little change.

Acrylic gel medium

slathered onto a hand cut stencil of a pear

and also through punchinello.

Painted with acrylics as well.

I like working on wood.

I think I bought a bundle of scrap

from Home Depot....cheap-cheap-cheap.

Perfect for these little paintings.

~~~

I had a good visit with my friend and PT, Jill.

She's one of those very logical people that you can't get enough of.

I wish I were that way.

I'm far too impulsive.

I'm in hip deep before I even give something a second thought.

I also have a tiny problem with perfectionism.

Are you that way too?

I beat myself up lot

call myself terrible names.

~

I wouldn't want to be a friend

to someone who treats me the way I do.

~

Journaling....I've neglected journaling for a few weeks now.

I can think clearer when I write things down

and hash them out on paper.

Tonite seems like a good night for a cup of tea

and my journal.

Thank you for visiting.....

Pear #15

Can you guess what this is?

Watercolor on canvas board 5x7

Do you need a hint?

I think you got it.....

O-pear-a

I can't believe how long it took to do this.

When I first got the idea,

I cracked myself up

thinking about the stainless steel cone-bra,

the helmet and horns,

the braids,

the Mimi blue eyeshadow.

This was a lot harder to do than I thought.

Which medium to use?

A while back, Carla Sonheim posted a technique

that I thought would work.

I really enjoy her paintings, 

so I thought I'd give it a try.

I had a blast....but I'm sooo ready to move on.

~~~~~

Am I glad tax season is over....whew!

Work gets a little (okay--a lot) crazy during this time.

Since I'm the receptionist

the phones are the tiniest bit busy.

When I get home from work---I'm wiped out.

I've been trying to work on some art 

when I get home,

just to unwind a bit.

You know what?

It works wonders.

~

I missed showing them to you

the daffodils

thick and lush

looking like a choir,

all facing the same way,

as though they are fixed on a Director.

A Host of Golden Daffodils

on the way to the office

It's something I look forward to every Spring!

They are fading now,

it's a reminder

to stop and smell the roses.

What do you see everyday

that fills you full of wonder

if you would only stop

and soak it in?

Pear #14 and the girls

Take two (snap)

interference gold dry brushed on Niddegan

The pear was drawn with Sumi ink

Can you see the shimmer of the interference gold paint?

Have you tried Pan Pastels?

(by now you have figured out that I am

an art supplies slut enthusiast) 

They blend beautifully

the set came with a few spongey applicators.

Then a coat of beeswax.

This time the shimmer shows through.

This is what I had in mind.

Close-up of the dry brush shimmer

Last weekend we took the girls
up to my Dad's house with us.

They loved running around exploring everything.

We're still sorting through Dad's belongings.

Little by little.

Friends of one of the neighbors

stopped by to look at the house.

They loved it

but......

they have to sell their house first.

Hopefully it will sell soon.

It's just not the same going there.

I'm so ready to let it go......

Thank you for visiting.

Have a great weekend!