Block Prints on Mixed Media Journal

 These are process images of my first Mixed Media Accordion Journal - this layer is various block prints in various colors.  More to come later on.

Visual Journal Series for 2015

 I went to the store to buy mixed media paper to make Mixed Media mail art postcards and found a great deal on giant rolls of Canson Mixed Media Paper.  I have so much of it ...... and still trying to get into working in the studio - and thinking I do best when I have something specific to work on each morning when I show up.  I have decided to make some accordion folded journals - mixed media techniques.  Here is my first one.  Golden Fluid Acrylics in primary colors followed by some sprayed diluted gesso....let's see where this goes!

Having fun so far!

Work in Progress - 10 x 15"

Here is another work in progress.  I am really not happy with the silver marker lines, but I am sure I can turn it around.  I just need to work intuitively and not overthink it.  Stay tuned!

Three Square 9" Collages

Here is another group that is a work in progress (I think).

This group began with the a torn strip of foil from a chocolate bar wrapper.  If I turned all these pieces a quarter turn - the foil strip would line it's way across all three boards.

Next, I screen printed the recipe in black.  Then, I printed the circles, bubble wrap, and more recipes in gold.  After that, I painted the red lines and circles with crimson paint.  Lastly, I washed the boards with fluid acrylics.

Are these done?  I am not sure.  These are waiting for a decision.

Works in Progress - 10" Squares

These two are works in progress......it will give you an idea of my process. 
Steps shown here:

1. gesso the illustration board surface and edges
2. screen print text (Grandma's recipe) in black
3. block print circles with metallic paint
4. collage found images
5. collage tissue paper
6.  ? 

I am not sure where these two are going, either.....I know I will figure something out.  I will be sure to take pictures as I proceed and will post them here.

Four Five Inch Squares

These four five inch pieces might be done, but I am not sure, actually.  The picture is kind of funky because it is possible to see the surface between these small pieces.  I am thinking I may do some ink work on these - I feel like the circle block prints need a bit of emphasis. 

Work In Progress -" Rocks and Water" Mixed Media

 This piece is unfinished at this point.  It is sized 10" x 15".  The layers to this point have been:
1. seal illustration board and edges with gesso.
2.  screen print text (Grandma's recipes)
3.  print with bubble wrap and metallic paint
4. paint layers of Golden fluid acrylic, and letting the paint drip down the board to create linear details
5. collage a mountain scene onto the board at the horizon line
6. collage tissue paper using matte medium (diluted)
7. screen print a mountain scene sketch with gold metallic paint
8. collage another layer of found imagery - water overflowing a lot of rocks.
9. collage over with another layer of painted tissue paper.
10.  Rub with pastels to emphasize wrinkles
11 - ?  I am at a pause on this piece.  I really like it so far and I am not wanting to ruin it.  I am waiting for final inspiration. 

Carrot People Mixed Media #1, 2, 3

I have been working with mixed media the past several months.

 Because the process involves adding layer after layer - with lots of drying between layers - (usually at least half the day), I decided to work in series - keeping with similar color families and design elements for the entire group.  To do this, I cut my 15 x 20" illustration boards into smaller sizes.  This group of three is sized 9" x 5".  I did not take any pictures of these in progress, so you are seeing the finished pieces here.  At least, I think they are finished.   The final layer - the screen print of the carrot people petroglyph gives them their name - "Carrot People #1, 2, 3.

Painted and Hand Printed Tissue Paper

 Here are some examples of the painted tissue paper that I am using for my mixed media art.  Some of it has been screen printed and block printed, also.

Painting Tissue Paper

I have shifted my focus a but to working with mixed media.  Paper, paint, print, and recycled materials.  Here is what's on my print table today - I am painting tissue paper.  I place a sheet over waxed paper and paint with watercolors or diluted fluid acrylics.  When dry, I peel away the waxed paper and add it to my collection.

Painted and Printed Tissue Paper

Along the lines of my current obsession with mixed media - I have decided to try my hand at painting and printing some tissue paper.  The paper is first painted with diluted Golden Fluid Acrylics, and when dry, followed by block and screen printing using acrylics in a heavier bodied form.  I was very pleased with the way this tissue turned out, but I have found it rather challenging to add to my collages.  It just has such a different look from the other papers I am using.  I have used it a bit, but not nearly as much as I expected to!

Cutting Up the Paper Lamination

To use the paper lamination in my collage, I feel it must be cut down, so I do this in a random way and here it is all piled up and ready for the next phase.

Auditioning Sheer Overlays for the Brown Collage

 I am determined to stretch myself by resurrecting this unfinished brown fabric collage.  This kind of challenge is a good way to get me back into a studio routine.  I've been sorting through drawers and purging, but also reacquainting myself with old work.  I have this screen printed raw silk leftover from last year's series and I think the colors are good for this collage.

 I add another layer of hand dyed silk organza (above) to see if that is going to be useful.

Then, I audition another sheer - this laminated paper piece I created a few years ago - and I find I like this one better. 

The Sketchbook Project - More Pages

More Sketcbook Project Pages

Sketchbook Project

Have you heard about the Sketchbook Project?
Link to their web page here.

It's like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks.

Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country.After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view.

Above - the cover for one of my sketchbooks.
Below - a couple of pages from that sketchbook.

This book is going off in the mail ASAP. Thought I would share a few pages before it disappears.

I call this junk mail collage. I browse the junk mail that we get and clip interesting images.

The blank pages were painted with watercolor paints.
Images glued in place. Then I add a quote that I like and a little doodling.

Body Works

This is a work in progress. . . . Or is it finished?

I am calling it "What's Your Number?"

This is my piece for an upcoming group show with WAV. Collaged paper from phone book pages, sales flyers, newspapers and magazines.

My dilemma - to paint or not to paint. I thought I might paint with a wash of fluid acrylic, which would be transparent, revealing the black print clearly. I fear color might have a negative impact on the stark message of the black and white.
However, I am somewhat bothered by the different shades of white......

Opinions welcome!

Yellowstone Art Museum - Small Works Auction

"Rock On"
acrylic, thread, and stones on watercolor paper.
5 1/2 x 9"

Today is auction day at Yellowstone Art Museum!
Every December, the museum sponsors a small works auction to raise funds.
This particular event - the Miniature Masterpiece Mystery was an "invitation only" event.
I was invited to submit a piece in a particular size.
The artist is not revealed until the piece is purchased.

This is a fundraiser for an arts scholarship to be awarded to a child who's life has been affected by AIDS.

Here's the wall! Auction tonight!

Iron Oxide Series

Iron Oxide # 6

Iron Oxide #5

Iron Oxide #3

Iron Oxide #2

Iron Oxide #1

These are more from the Iron Oxide Series done on my handmade paper combined with rust dyed fabric. These could not be included in the One Cause auction because they contain plant material that cannot be mailed overseas!

Hand Made Paper

I have achieved one of my summer goals! Making paper!
Above, you can see some of the paper I made in this first batch.

I've been saving paper all winter. This spring, I ran it all through the shredder and stuffed it in this bag in anticipation that I would find a way to make my own paper this summer when I could work outside. I put about half my shreds into this large plastic box and covered it with warm water to soften it.

I picked up this set of adjustable window screens from Lowes. I think they measure 15 x 18". I wanted to make large sheets of paper!

Here is my set-up. Two banquet tables. A shallow slurry tub. The dedicated blender. We had just replaced two sliding door screens, so I had those to work with, also.

I floated the screens until I was happy with the consistency of the layer of slurry on them, then I let them drip a bit.

These were then inverted onto a piece of cheesecloth and laid out to dry on the screen.

The drying took a while, but otherwise, this was not nearly as time consuming as I thought it might be. A few hours hands on- maybe less.

I am delighted with my results! I am looking forward to working with my handmade paper when the cold weather arrives. I'll just put it away for now.