100 Days of Hair project

100 Days of Hair

During the quarantine I've been focusing on drawing faces as my art project.  I never seem to tire of this for some reason.  To guide me with the proper placement of facial features I have found that stencils can really be a big help.  I use a lot of the StencilGirl Products including their different face stencils.  One that I am especially fond of is Andrea Matus deMeng's "Abigail".  First I apply a thin layer of Gesso on a piece of 140 lb watercolor paper, when that is completely dry, then I pencil in the face using the Abigail stencil.  Every time I use that stencil the face looks different depending of whether I collage the hair or paint it with acrylics.  The stencil is just a placement guide for the features.

"Bombshell"

And then we must remind ourselves that
"Not all Bombshells are Blondes"

 I'm trying different techniques out for hair, these two seem to be stuck in the late fifties early sixties of hair styles.  But there are so many different ways to do hair, I'm up to day 38 now with lots of Zentangled hair, of course.  I've been trying to post art as often as possible on IG and FB so the blogging has suffered a little.

I'm hoping you're all staying safe and healthy!  Hugs ~ Renee

 

Somerset Studio magazine just arrived!

Now that there are no new magazines at the bookstore, plus I don't really go to my usual hangouts due to the Corona Virus...I really look forward to receiving my faves in the mail.  I recently received the Aug/Sep/Oct issue of Somerset Studio.  The new format of the magazine makes for a gorgeous issue with tons of interactive pages within.

I did have a few cards featured in this issue, which was a huge surprise to me since I submitted them several years ago!  Hey, it's okay with me, I'm just happy to be there. 

I hope this finds you well, thanks so much for stopping by!  Hugs ~ Renee

Tea Bag Art~ Entry for the stay at home and craft challenge

I recently received an email from favecrafts.com putting out the challenge to create projects with recycled things around the house.  I think a tea bag creation qualifies along with a few old packets of embroidery threads.  Here is my submission.

You can check this out using this link:  https://www.favecrafts.com/MixedMedia/Tea-Bag-Art-73234

You may want to enter something yourself, you still have time to do so.  Thanks for stopping by!  

Hugs, Renee

Summer issue of Somerset Studio just arrived!

I received a little ray of sunshine today in my mailbox, the latest edition of Somerset Studio Summer 2020 has arrived.  With all the negative news about the Corona Virus that we have every day everywhere it is nice to take a breather and enjoy some beautiful artful imagery.  This is the May 1, 2020 magazine and the colors on the cover and in the magazine are magical!

There are instructions on my blog in 2018 as to how to create these Artist Trading Coins.  These particular ATCoins are very large, 6 inches of surface space to play in.  I like the larger size watercolor paper coins from joggles.com since they provide a solid surface that can take a lot of water and a larger area for stencil play.

Pam Carriker released these face stencils back in 2018 and I've been using them ever since.  I used Tim Holtz's Distress Oxide spray inks for the faces and the backgrounds.  I also used Seth Apter's ATC stencils for the backgrounds.  Any rubber stamp can be used to add a thought or theme and in some cases just a ChitChat sticker will say it all.  StazOn Jet Black ink for me is a must for the stamping and could be embossed with clear embossing powder.  For the shading I used my Stabilo All water soluble pencil with a water brush.

If you enjoy doing a quick piece of art I would encourage you to make some ATCards/Coins.  They're quick to make and can be incorporated into greeting cards or art journals.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!  Stay home and stay healthy, sending you big cyber hugs.
Renee

Making tea tin birds with my daughter

My daughter was out here from California visiting for the past 10 days and of course we were in my studio for a couple of days during that time.  She wanted to learn how to make a tea tin bird of her own.  It is one of those processes that takes time since the project has to dry in between layers of gesso, paint and StazOn Studio Glaze.

Purple Reign.

I'm sharing this one today and I will try to share Holly's finished results later in the week.  We had a lot of fun, as always!

Thanks for stopping by ~ hugs ~ Renee

The new issue of Somerset Studio has arrived...

Today I received the new edition of Somerset Studio in the mail!  I'm very excited to say that my tea bags earned a spot in this beautiful issue.  The cover artist, Lynne Moncrieff, has shared many of her amazing details along with other artists that I love and follow online:  Vicki Kammerer, Kim Collister, Renee Stien, Linda M. Cain and so many others.  This issue is pretty amazing and inspiring.  One of the themes followed was "In Stitches", many artists showed how they have incorporated stitching to their artwork.  Lots of machine and hand stitching projects to drool over.

It will be on newsstands Feb. 1, 2020.

Thanks for allowing me to share my joy.  I hope you get a chance to check this out soon.  As always, I appreciate you stopping by.  Hugs ~ Renee

“It’s Your Time to Soar” tea tin bird

I finished another lady bird tea tin project.  For this one I used a tin that reflected my friend’s love of Earl Grey tea, the bird’s coloring is dictated by the color of the tea tin.   She has a lovely glaze of StazOn Studio Glaze in a few different colors and a whole lot of Finnabair’s Mechanicals.

I generally stamp on the birds with StazOn black ink but only a hint of that peeks out here and there.  The theme is taken from a That's Crafty, Lynne's Affirmations stamp designed by the amazing artist Lynne Moncrieff.  After painting and gluing ephemera all over the bird then I pile on tons of Microbeads and attach some bling.

 She’s flying off to Arizona tomorrow, I hope her new owner loves her as much as I do!  Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate it.  Hugs ~ Renee

An altered tea tin, "Don't doubt the strength of her delicate wings"

I just finished another tea bird and this one has flown the coop to Hawaii.  The title is:  "Don't doubt the strength of her delicate wings".  I used That's Crafty, Lynne's Affirmations stamp with that phrase on her back and a few other spots.  Her hat is an antique crystal pull knob with a tiny crown.

This is a great way to recycle not only the tea tin but a multitude of other small interesting objects.

Thanks for stopping by! - hugs, Renee

Create more art by recycling tea bags

As you know I'm a big fan of re~purposing every part of my afternoon tea/bags/canister.  Today I'm sharing a group of tea bags that have been dried, emptied and used as a canvas for my art.  I applied the Gouache paint with my GelliPlate and then added the Tim Holtz paper dolls and Small Chit Chat stickers on top of that.  The art was further enhanced with a Stabilo pencil and a white Uni-ball Signo white broad pen.  I used Jane Davenport's Paint Over pens blended down to apply a small smudge of color on some of the faces and clothing.

In the meantime I'll just keep sipping my afternoon tea and saving the bags.

Hugs - Renee