Often Medieval In Mood

Medieval Fantasy.

2012-05-17T22:36:00.001-04:00

Dreaming up a mixed media art series inspired by Game of Thrones... my mind is whirling with ideas and images.

Mixed Media May. Today.

2012-05-16T07:35:00.003-04:00

Hop on over to Cindy Lantier's MIXED MEDIA MAY blog today to read my interview and to see a selection of my mixed media pieces. Enjoy!

Remember to visit Cindy's blog all month long to see what's going on. From Cindy's write-up: "For 30 days in May, I’ll feature a different mixed media artist. Every artist was asked the same questions, but their answers are wildly different! Each contributor has also shared some of their favorite mixed media artwork to be featured along with their interview. Prepare to be wowed! The artwork is amazing and the styles are vastly divergent. I promise you’ll be inspired each day." Cindy has something special planned for May 31st. There is also a Facebook Page :)

Thank you for this wonderful project, Cindy! And thanks so much for including me in it!

Game of Thrones.

2012-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

I am immersed in The Game of Thrones. My thoughts are full of rich images and evocative names; my dreams carry me to this fantasy world by night. Today's image for The Recipe Book Project over at Clearer Reflections is definitely influenced by this amazing series.

RECIPE

REX II - a mixed media painting from my
Medieval Journey series.

Shoot a photo of your artwork from an unusual angle with ProCamera.

iDarkroom filters applied.

Open photo in iDarkroom.

Apply filters:

pallette > CP. Purple

paper > Wallpaper

Save.

IRIS filter applied.

Open new image in Iris Photo Suite.

Apply filter:

Lo-Fi > WWII

Save.

RainyDaze filter applied.

Open new image in Rainy Daze.

Apply filter:

Romantic Rain 09

Save.

Snapseed frame applied.

Open new image in Snapseed.

Apply frame of choice.

Save.

PhotoStudio filter applied.

Open new image in FX Photo Studio.

Apply filter:

Symmetry Vertical

Save.

I hope you enjoy this very medieval image. I enjoyed the process, as I thought about Game of Thrones and listened to Alan Parsons...

Brydge to the future.

2012-05-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

The Spring weather has finally arrived, with temperatures more conducive to working outside. It's so lovely to have all these technological options - thank you, once again, Steve Jobs!

iPad+wireless keyboard+coffee in favourite mug. in the courtyard.

And I discovered Brydge. An amazing device that basically turns your iPad into a laptop... all with a brilliant design look worthy of Apple. I'll have to have one of those when they come out!

the brilliant Brydge

Karen Rosasco. Design Guru.

2012-05-09T18:34:00.000-04:00

I was thrilled to attend a five-day Experimental Watermedia workshop with Karen Rosasco a few weeks ago. Karen is a super teacher, knowledgeable and encouraging.

table set up and ready to start.

work in progress.

Karen's focus is on design which resonates with me, having come from a background of graphic design and calligraphy. Design is an integral component of a successful piece of art. Bringing opposing forces together to create balance and interest... putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

hand-carved stamps from Softoleum, used for patterning.

We were challenged to observe carefully - to see abstract painting possibilities everywhere we looked.

unaltered shot of a slate countertop in a restaurant bathroom.

We did lots of layering which brings such a sense of depth to each work. She had us work on sheets of paper, which is new to me. I like it! I am used to working on canvas or board - now I can use those supports to mount the finished work.

layers of paint, stamps and my new favourite - alcohol. rubbing, that is!

I came away with three finished pieces. Two are now mounted on gallery canvas, signed, named and wired for hanging. The third is mounted and waiting for final touches.

work set out for final critique.

I learned many things, including new ways of approaching my work and different ways to set up my work space. My current Muse Journal is full of notes and a larger sketchbook contains fodder for future work. I have sheets and sheets of pieces on paper in various stages of completion, inspiration to keep me motivated and effective tools to resolve my paintings. If you ever get a chance to take Karen Rosasco's Experimental Watermedia workshop, do it!

Shed Med[ieval].

2012-05-06T10:56:00.000-04:00

Earlier in the week, I spent an afternoon in the studio prepping gallery canvases - painting the edges black. My newest works are created on watercolour paper or illustration board [since my workshop with Karen Rosasco - but that's another blog] and they will be mounted on these canvases.

prepped canvases in the studio.

After painting the edges, the canvases were stowed in Shed Med [our "Medieval" shed], ready to grab as I finish a new piece. As you can see, I have a LARGE supply of 14"x18" canvases, and a fair number of 10"x10" and 6"x6".

shed med[ieval].

a peek inside reveals stacks of canvases.

It feels good to be using the materials I have on hand. The best part, though, is that I am building a body of work! Look for new pieces featured here on my blog, on Facebook and on my website. Two new paintings make their debut this week.

Mixed Media May.

2012-05-04T18:27:00.000-04:00

Check out Cindy Lantier's MIXED MEDIA MAY blog all month long! From Cindy's write-up: "For 30 days in May, I’ll feature a different mixed media artist. Every artist was asked the same questions, but their answers are wildly different! Each contributor has also shared some of their favorite mixed media artwork to be featured along with their interview. Prepare to be wowed! The artwork is amazing and the styles are vastly divergent. I promise you’ll be inspired each day." Cindy has something special planned for May 31st. There is also a Facebook Page :)

partial glimpses of what you will see on the 16th of May

I am lucky enough to be one of the artists included in Mixed Media May. Look for me there on the 16th. What a wonderful idea - to explore new artists and their work during the lovely month of May... thanks, Cindy!

My World.

2012-04-25T08:36:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my contribution to Dave's App Recipe Book Project! April Edition. Check out the other contributors listed on Dave's blog and, of course, Dave's images!

iPhoneography is such a wonderful way for an artist to explore imagery. Head on over to my Facebook Page to see many more images... I indulge in iPhoneography almost daily! Please remember to LIKE the page too if you want. :)

RECIPE

duvet cover & coffee mug

colourful curtains

Start with two photos that you have taken with your iPhone. I have replaced the original iPhone camera app with ProCamera for everyday use.

Open both photos in Blender.
blend 50%

Open new image in 100 Cameras in 1.

Apply filter:

"looking sideways, a clever smile"

(I love the names of these filters!)

Save.

Open new image in Pic Grunger.

(have fun looking around the iPhoneography blog too!)

Apply filter:

"scuffed"

strength - adjust to taste

style - after hours

texture - water stained

Save.

My World.

Open new image in Snapseed.

Apply filters:

"tune image"

ambiance - +100

white balance - +100

"details"

structure - +100

"frames"

random - pick one you like

Save.

And there you have it. I was intrigued to find that the resulting image reminded me of my painting, "Something Rich and Strange I". Completely unintentional. HCIT???

Script. Secret. Slight of hand.

2012-04-08T10:23:00.000-04:00

It has been a wonderfully creative weekend so far!

Script.

Secret.

Slight of hand.

CBC's "Creative Block" explores my creative process.

2012-04-05T16:56:00.000-04:00

About a year ago, I was filmed for a segment of CBC's "Creative Block". Today I received an email that the show had been aired on March 18th, 2012. I wish I had known so that I could have watched it at a friend's place. We aren't hooked up to TV here at home! Not to worry - they are sending a DVD of the show, so I'll be able to see how it turned out :)

If you would like to watch a "teaser", click here. Enjoy!

Here is some info about the show:

Creative Block delves into the minds of some of Canada's best singers, musicians, visual artists, designers, spoken word artists, authors, actors, dancers and more – and explores their creative process. The Creative Block community also introduces emerging talent from across the creative landscape.

Creative Block is an international award winning show, hosted by CBC News Ottawa's Lucy van Oldenbarneveld.

Watch Creative Block on BOLD channels: 277 Rogers, 641 Bell Expressvu, 512 Shaw Direct, 96 Shaw, 166 Cogeco, 106 Vidéotron. BOLD is CBC's digital channel that pushes the boundaries of conventional television.

Indulge Your Inner Voyeur.

2012-03-23T15:49:00.005-04:00

Seth Apter's book, The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed, arrived at the Post Office today. YAY!!!

I've been carrying it around, room to room, as I make meals, organize the studio and prepare for teaching this Saturday and Sunday's Creating Muse Journals workshop. I plan to read this wonderful book, cover to cover, by the end of the weekend. Then I promise to write a review, Seth!

I just love the whole idea behind this book! Click on the back cover to find out why.

I was so excited when I found out that my piece, "The Invisible Labyrinth", would be included in Section Three – Secrets Revealed.

I am honoured to be in such amazing company – with artists I have admired for years and new ones I am now discovering.

Congratulations, Seth!!! You have created something beautiful and meaningful, that will serve as inspiration for so many people. Once again I say, "YAY!!!"

Check out Seth's Blog, The Altered Page, to read about each of the book's 31 featured artists during the month of March. In fact, follow his blog - you will learn so much and have the chance to participate in many creative happenings!

Something Richer and Stranger.

2012-03-21T10:52:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my contribution to Dave's App Recipe Book Project! March Edition. Check out the other contributors listed on Dave's blog and, of course, Dave's images!

I find that iPhoneography is a quick way to satisfy my creative muse when I don't have time to paint. Colour, texture, line, imagery - it's the next best thing... and it gives me ideas for new paintings. Head on over to my Facebook Page to find many more images - LIKE the page too if you want. :)

RECIPE

Start with an original piece of art that you have created. In this case, I used my newest painting, "Something Rich and Strange I". iPhoneography is a great way for an artist to find new inspiration by altering and exploring their own work. Try it!

Something Rich and Strange I.

Shoot sections of your work with your iPhone using ProCamera. I have replaced the original iPhone camera app with this one for everyday use.

Chosen section.

Result from iDarkroom.

Open one of your successful shots in iDarkroom.

Apply these filters:

"Hi Sepia"

"Recycle"

"Sketch"

Vignett 1"

"Sprockets"

Save.

My favourite image from SCRATCHcam.

Re-open image in SCRATCHcam.

Hit "Random" until you find

an image that you like.

Save.

I always save many!

Pick your favourite.

For your enjoyment, a slide show with variations on this image...

Doodling & Altering

2012-03-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

Oh, yes. I'm still making Zentangles and Arabesques :)

Zentangle - hand drawn original, marker with pencil shading

Arabesque - Zentangle layered with original art (altered), iPhoneography apps

Zentangle - hand drawn original, marker with pencil shading

Arabesque - Zentangle layered with original art (altered), iPhoneography apps

Creating Layers Workshop

2012-03-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Five determined people made their way through extreme snowy conditions to my studio in Merrickville for the CREATING LAYERS workshop on Saturday, February 25th. I commend you all on your bravery and excellent driving skills!

Tools for building layers.

The studio was filled with a wonderful energy as we explored various techniques for building layers with acrylic paints, stencils, masks & collage. Brayers, old credit cards and brushes were used to apply transparent, opaque, interference and iridescent paints.

Success! Colourful, layered pieces full of depth & mystery.

I particularly love the "AHA!" moments and the sharing of so many ideas that happen during a workshop.

Thank you to five fabulous participants!!!

For more coverage of this workshop and the previous two - Creating Collage & Creating Text in Your Art - see Véronique's wonderful blog :)

Next up - "Creating Texture & Age" workshop here at the studio on March 10th!

One thing leads to another.

2012-03-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

As you learned in my last post, I have become intrigued (if not obsessed) with Zentangles!

Some of my best ideas come to me at night, when I can't sleep. Since I acquired an iPhone, I have been using this "extra" time to pursue the creative ideas that are constantly whirling around in my head. I have been experimenting with iPhoneography - another passion - and I thought, "What would happen if I combined altered images of my art with my Zentangles?

Zentangle using "Betweed".

An "Arabesque" is born.

Well, this is what happened. I created this image exclusively on the iPhone, using apps I have collected for iPhoneography. I have named it an "Arabesque", which I believe captures its elegant movement and "other-worldly" quality.

Another Zentangle.

Another Arabesque.

I am so excited to have discovered this new realm of creative possibilities. There really are no limits to the imagination!

Have you LIKED my Facebook Fan Page yet? Head on over to see more Arabesques and find out what people are saying about them. I would love to hear what you think too :)

It's a funny old world.

2012-02-29T11:59:00.001-05:00

Have you ever done a Zentangle? I must warn you - it can become an addictive pursuit... and you never know where it will lead you!

I love what happens when the shading is added.

I volunteered to present a mini workshop at the February meeting of our book arts group - CBBAG-OV (Canadian Book Binders & Book Artists - Ottawa Valley). I had first come across Zentangles a few years agon when I discovered Milliande. I watched with fascination as she drew simple patterns that, when put together, created an amazingly complex result.

In preparation for the meeting, I did more research online. I found the originators of Zentangles and TanglePatterns. I paid a modest fee for a PDF of patterns, out of which I chose six, figured out how they were drawn and created my own step-by-step handout.

I watched a couple of videos by Rick & Maria. I created a Zentangle of my own. I became more and more fascinated with this "meditational doodling". The process is wonderful and the result always blows me away.

I always feel the need to draw sketchy lines. I love the organic look.

Since that meeting, I find that I want to make a Zentangle every day! I don't always have the time, but I have the craving. A couple of friends from CBBAG-OV say that they have been Zentangling ever since the meeting. What is it about this intriguing art form that gets under your skin? Is it the "doing" or the result? I have decided that it matters not... I'm going to enjoy the ride.

Do you Zentangle? Please send me links to your work!

Fabulous Workshop Fun!

2012-02-22T10:30:00.001-05:00

The Creating Collage and Creating Text in Your Art workshops are over and we all had a lot of fun, while learning, experimenting and creating!

Busy Creating Collage

Demonstration

Work in progress. Beautiful, Wendy!

Creating Text in Your Art - we made samplers!

There are lots of ways to get text in your art! Great sampler, Sandy!

Véronique's broad smile says it all. Looking forward to the next workshop!

Texting - the Artist's way

2012-02-17T13:14:00.001-05:00

"Creating Text in Your Art" workshop happens here in the studio tomorrow!

We are going to have SO much fun! Oh, yeah.

From Counterpane to Hourglass

2012-02-15T07:36:00.000-05:00

On the third Wednesday of every month, David Hayes over at Clearer Reflections will be hosting "Dave's Recipe Book Project" - an online collaboration. This is the second in the series.

The pic can be of any subject and any app(s) can be used… the only stipulation is that the image must be done all "in-phone" (or iPad). Along with the image, a specific step-by-step "recipe" is to be included.

Dave will post a list of all participating iphoneographers on his blog today so that you can be sure to find the links to all the "recipes". Check it out and join in if you like!

Here is my "recipe"...

Photo of bed clothes taken with OldCamera with flash. Setting>Filter>Mode>Cyanotype

Pic Grunger - Effect: Sponged Border: ON

snapseed - Drama2. Tune Image: saturation 85

Photo Studio - Symmetry Quad

Something Rich and Strange I

2012-02-06T15:34:00.001-05:00

Once again a deadline has helped me to finish a new painting. It was submitted for jurying for the Ottawa Mixed Media Artists' exhibition at Brush Strokes Gallery in Carleton Place, Ontario. It got in. Yay!

So here is a first online look at my newest work. It is quite different from my other paintings and I am excited about where my muse is taking me.

Something Rich & Strange I - 36" x 24", mixed media on birch panel $2000. CAD

I would describe the process for this piece as very intuitive. It grew organically as I discovered shapes and developed them, working from right to left. I will reveal the transformation in a future post… the finished piece is unrecognizable from the first layers of paint. But they are underneath, adding their mysterious depth and richness.

Enigmatic

2012-01-31T11:52:00.002-05:00

Check out Seth Apter's MASTER CLASS post over at his blog, The Altered Page. This is most recent Master Class post - if you look in the sidebar you will find many more posts for this topic, among others.

Today, you will find my answer to the question posed:
'If you could take a class from one artist from anytime in history, including the present, who would it be and why?

As you will see, Dave McKean was the artist I chose. Discover his darkly mysterious world at your leisure.

And there are lots of other artist's responses to read. Seth has added links and pictures of his choosing to illustrate these. I think you will really enjoy reading the comments too... it's worth taking the extra time.

Happy exploring!

Five Fabulous Workshops Trailer

2012-01-24T13:28:00.000-05:00

There has been a great response to my Five Fabulous Workshops. People are signing up quickly! I am posting the available spots left for each workshop daily... you can check it out here.

Watch the Five Fabulous Workshops Trailer!

Five Fabulous Workshops!

2012-01-18T17:43:00.004-05:00

I'm thrilled with the wonderful input I received through my blog, Facebook, Twitter and email regarding workshop ideas. Thanks, everyone!!!

I have chosen five workshops from the list. They are shown below. Click here to go to the "Workshops" page on my website. After each workshop description there is a "Sign Up" button. At the bottom of the page is a link to general workshop info. All workshops are held at my studio in Merrickville, Ontario.

I have sent out an email about these workshops to my subscribers. If you would like to subscribe to my email list, you can sign up here or send me an email asking me to add your name. Without further ado, I give you the chosen five...

Workshop dates, cost, descriptions and supply lists can be found here. Scroll down the page to see all five workshops.

If you sign up for three workshops there is a 10% discount. This applies if all three of the chosen workshops go ahead with the required participation - a minimum of 4. There is room for 6 participants only, so sign up quickly :) Hope to see you at one or more of these Five Fabulous Workshops!

Dave's Recipe Book Project!

2012-01-17T20:08:00.000-05:00

On the third Wednesday of every month, David Hayes over at Clearer Reflections will be hosting "Dave's Recipe Book Project" - an online collaboration. The first one is tomorrow - January 18th.

The pic can be of any subject and any app(s) can be used… the only stipulation is that the image must be done all "in-phone" (or iPad). Along with the image, a specific step-by-step "recipe" is to be included.

Dave will post a list of all participating iphoneographers on his blog tomorow so that you can be sure to find the links to all the "recipes". Check it out and join in if you like!

Here is my "recipe"...

original pic

iPhoneography

Photo fx - Special FX - Day for Night 1 - Apply Layer - Wide Angle Lens (Distortion 10)

Snapseed - Drama - Bright 2

Pic Grunger - Weathered (Style: After Hours, Texture: Metal, Border: ON)

Workshopping Ideas

2012-01-08T16:08:00.000-05:00

I've been scribbling down ideas for art & artist-related workshops to teach at my studio in Merrickville. So far I have nearly covered my large work table with sheets of possible topics - Composition & Design, Writing (bios, statements), Tools & Techniques, Collage, Getting Text Into Your Art, Breaking Through Artists' Block, Creative Process, Book Boxes, Calligraphy, Creative Play, Layers, Altered Books, Oil Pastel & Acrylic, Using One Palette, Texture and Aging...

I suddenly thought, "Who better to get input from than the people who want to take art workshops from me?" I already have requests for Muse Journals, Mixed Media Painting and A Storybook in Mixed Media. And a suggestion for a "How do I fix this/troubleshooting with paint" workshop.

How about you? What workshops would you like to see me offer at my Merrickville studio? Tell me by leaving a comment on this blog post :)