"Distortions" a class with Ardith Goodwin

I'm currently taking an online art class with Ardith Goodwin.  If you're not familiar with her work you might want to check out her site.  Many of my favorite artists are students of hers.  Her work is very abstract and fractured and I adore it!  Not to mention the fact that Ardith is an amazing teacher.  I can share some of my progress from the class but of course not the process.  Hopefully I won't be a slouch about posting work in progress.  I hope you won't judge it too harshly, just remember it is not even close to being finished, there are 5 weeks to go in this class.

Title suggestions are very welcome.


I wish you all a wonderful week!  We've got lovely weather right now.  Take care ~ hugs ~ Renee

Working my way through Karen O'Brien's book Imaginary Characters

Do you buy books by your favorite artists and work your way through the techniques in search of the magic that spills out into their art?  One of the artists whose work I truly love is Karen O'Brien.  She has a book out called Imaginary Characters which I adore.  I've been having fun trying to imitate her wonderful creatures.  Her technique tips use all of those hoarded supplies like watercolors, Distress Crayons, acrylic paints and of course my ever present, Stabilo pencil.  Today's project was executed on a wooden canvas from Hobby Lobby that measures 8" by 10" that I first coated in white gesso.  Then I drew my image in Stabilo pencil and painted it with watercolors using a water pen.  When it was dry, stamps were applied with StazOn black ink and the edges were distressed with MementoLuxe Gray Flannel ink.

Supplies used:
Peerless Watercolors
Gesso
Stabilo pencil
StazOn Black ink
MementoLuxe Gray Flannel ink
Delicata Gold ink

Ranger Distress Crayons

Stamps:
Stampendous
Dina Wakley
Stampers Anon

Stencil by Momenta

8"by 10" wooden canvas

Let go of expectations and just dive into a book by your favorite artist.  Use new techniques and tips with abandon, have fun.  We don't need anyone's permission to play and art is a great place to exercise that right.
Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your visits, leave a comment if you have the time!  Hugs ~ Renee

Painting Faces with Acrylics

I am back on my face drawing kick again but I decided to paint them on old discarded canvases that I found when I was cleaning out my studio.  I am trying to use my stash as much as possible.  I hate to waste anything so I seem to have all sorts of pieces of thread, paper, projects that didn't work before, etc. in a large plastic container.  Actually 6 large plastic containers......all color coordinated.  (Like that makes it sound better, right?)  Any way, I had these canvases that were distressed but unfinished.  I recently saw the work of the most WONDERFUL artist on Pinterest so she was my inspiration for these two pieces.  Her name is Mystele, if you get a chance click on the link and check her out.  She is AMAZING and so talented.  Both of theses canvases measure around 7" by 13" by 1" and had been previously painted, distressed and cast aside, now they're cute.

Miranda wants to fly

Beatrice is in the show

I used some of my delightful Artistcellar stencils and some gesso to add a little more interest to the backgrounds.  These little paintings were really fun to do if only for my own amusement!  So what are you up to this weekend?  Are you letting your Muse run wild?  I hope so.  Thanks for stopping by, take care ~ Renee

Pam Carriker Teaches Using Face Stencils

We were very fortunate to have Pam Carriker here at Ink About It in Westford, MA last weekend.  There were two all day classes that were taught and they were AMAZING!  We also had an opportunity to purchase her new stamps, stencils and new book.  Here are just a few photos of what was taking place and some of the students.

Here is the beautiful and talented Pam.

We folded 90# watercolor paper into 2 different sizes of work books.  This is handy to know so you can make your own art journals with a few simple folds.

Pam is demonstrating the final fold on one of the books.

This is one of Pam's samples showing how to use one of the face stencils.

Pam made it look like this with just gesso, a Stabilo Aquarellable pencil and some water.  Amazing!

Using bright acrylic paints, some water, a little black, gray, and white acrylic paint we learned how to make a color wheel.

Why make color wheels? you might ask.  By making color wheels you can find your own special palette of colors.  By making LOTS of color wheels, using her stencils, you really start to understand how color works.  You can use the wheel also as an element in your journal, as I did here in mine.

Since the class I've made about six color wheels and love filling them in, which I really didn't think I would but each one is so different.

My faces aren't as good as I would like them to be but I'm having fun doing a different style of face using bold colors that I mix myself and Pam's face stencils as my guides.  Here are a few samples of my own work.

I have to add some photos of the happy faces of the students in the classes!  We all had a fabulous time.

If you are not able to take one of Pam's classes, I would highly recommend her new book called Creating Art at the Speed of Life.  I started reading it while going through withdrawals after the classes ended.  I heard several people say exactly what I was thinking, I would have been happy to sit through a week's worth of classes with her.  The book also shows how to fold your own watercolor paper handmade journals, which are really cool.  

In closing I'd like to share some of Pam's amazing faces that she shared with us in her classes and very generously allowed us to photograph.  If you are interested in seeing more of her work, she is featured in the latest Art Journaling magazine by Somerset Studio (Autumn 2013 issue).

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share these fantastic classes with you!  Take care~Renee