One hundred days of hair challenge

 I'm still working on my 100 Days of Hair Challenge, this lady was inspired by Tamara Laporte's class on Life Book 2021 course.  http://www.willowing.org/

This is Day 56/100 of the challenge.

Keep on creating each day!  Sending you big cyber hugs~ Renee

StencilGirl Collaboration with Tina Walker

Beautiful Minds Inspire Others Collaboration

 A few months ago I noticed on Face Book that Tina Walker was looking for participants for a StencilGirl Product collaboration.  I LOVE StencilGirl Products!  Of course I volunteered right off the bat.  I decided to make a cover for a handmade art journal for the challenge.  I have signed up for a few online classes for 2021 and I thought it would be nice to have a journal or two to put my finished projects in.  

Tina asked that we mention who was our inspiration for our project and I immediately thought of a fellow online artist that I have followed and been inspired by for many years now.   Linda Edkins Wyatt is my inspirational artist, I have been encouraged over the years by her drawings of unusual faces and the fact that she even has her own line of stencils that you can check out in the Stencil Girl product line.

I've included a step by step photo diary of my process.  I hope this inspires you in some way to create art as a way of maintaining balance and beauty in your life.  Also, I hope it will encourage you to jump at the opportunity to participate in a collaboration with other online artists even if it feels a little out of your comfort zone.

List of stencils:

StencilGirl Products

Talaya Goddess of Rain by Andrea 

Laugh by Pam Carriker small 6" by 6"

Unfinished by Seth Apter 9" by 12" 

Art Supplies

Paper products used:

Strathmore Mixed Media paper 5.5" by 8.5" for the face drawing

Strathmore 140 lb watercolor paper measuring 11" by 15" (for book cover folded in half)

Piece of black paper for matting and another mixed colored piece of paper for another mat under the black paper

White Gesso and Liquitex Ultra Matte Gel

Ranger products:  Distress Oxide Ink Spray Bundled Sage, Distress Oxide Wilted Violet ink pad

Tsukineko Inks:  Jet Black StazOn ink

Pens and Pencils:  Stabilo All Pencil Black, Black Fude Ball pen, Posca white pen, Memento Green markers for leaves and Gothic Purple Memento markers for flowers

Stamps:  Bird by Picture Show

Purple satin ribbon and double sided adhesive tape

First apply a thin layer of white gesso to the paper and allow it to dry.  When dry, place the stencil on the paper where ever you choose to place it.  Spray a light spritz of Tim Holtz's Distress Oxide Ink Spray, I used the Bundled Sage color.  Lift the stencil straight up and then allow the ink to dry.  When the ink is dry I used my black Stabilo All Pencil to outline her hair and the features on her face.  If you want some shading at this point just use a wet paint brush to drag the color from the pencil around.  This pencil will continue to activate whenever water touches the graphite so it can be applied lightly depending on the look that is desired.

 

Now I brought in Pam Carriker's stencil called "Laugh" and applied some of Ranger's Distress Oxide Wilted Violet ink using an applicator.  I didn't use the face of this stencil just some of the portions like the wing and the bottom portion with the number 3.  I added a touch of the violet color to her hair.

She made me think of Spring so a few flowers in her hair seemed appropriate.  I incorporated the Wilted Violet colors in her hair and used a Fude Ball black pen to turn them into flowers.

A close up photo shows the little bird that was stamped on a piece of tissue paper and added with Matte Gel.  Her hair was enhanced with more tangled roses and strands of hair using a Fude Ball black pen.

Seth Apter's "Unfinished" stencil added more details.  I only used a part of the word "unfinished" to get the title of "SHE", then I also used some of his other images within that stencil to add interest in the background.

To finish the piece I matted the face drawing on black paper, then I used a piece of Gelli Plate paper from my stash under the black matting.  Then the entire unit was adhered onto a piece of gessoed water color paper that had been folded in half to make an art journal.  The purple ribbon was laced through punched holes in the middle of the book cover, this allows me to add pages to the journal later.  The space at the bottom was left blank for now so I can title the book however I choose to in the future.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you will check out some of the other artists participating in this collaboration.  Take care and be safe!  ~ Renee

Social Media links:

Blog: www.renee-boltonhouse.blogspot.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeZarate

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rzee2015

Twitter: @ReneeZarate2015

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

Tea art- Using every part of the tea product

Sorry I've been MIA for so long, I've had a few things that popped up over the past few months.  As I mentioned before we had the hurricane and flood drama, shortly after that I had to have surgery on my right hand.  A trip to Florida and then California for a month and finally things have settled down a bit for me. At last, I'm back in my studio.

Today I'm sharing some "tea art".  This project includes used empty tea bags, a tea tin and some loose tea.  I needed a home or a nest for a little steam punk bird I created a while back and this seemed like the perfect spot for him.

I can highly recommend Harney & Sons tea, it is delicious.  My favorite is the "Tower of London" tea in the amethyst colored tin.  This one was very nice too.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs ~ Renee

"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

Artists Trading Coins using StencilGirl stencils

Have you heard about Artists Trading Coins?  I keep seeing and hearing about them in magazines and online so I ordered a few different sizes from Joggles.com.  The coins that are sold by Joggles are made from water color paper so they lend themselves to many different coloring mediums:  inks, paints, matte medium, etc.  I used stencils for this collection and Tim Holtz's new Distress Oxide inks, these can also be purchased online at Joggles.com.  I like the results.

The stencils are from StencilGirlProducts.com; these faces are the new ones in Pam Carriker's collection, the background stencils are from Seth Apter's newest ATC stencil.  Like all ATCs each one is a small piece of art, these happen to measure 6".

Thanks for stopping by!  Take care, have a great week ~ Renee

Distorted Faces using Pam Carriker's stencils

I'm still such a fan of Pam Carriker's newest face stencils found at Stencil Girl Products!  I am reworking an old canvas using acrylic paints, gesso and the stencils.

I hope you're having a fun day.  The sun is shining here and the temperatures are in the upper 60's.  Amen, comfortable at last!

Thanks for stopping by, hugs ~ Renee

Hurricane Florence, local floods and a new stencil from StencilGirl Products

We had quite a scare with the recent hurricane (Florence) that skirted past our area and then the subsequent local flooding.  We boarded up our house and literally fled as quickly as we could to Atlanta, GA for nearly a week to get out of harm's way.  As soon as we returned we heard about the flooding heading our way from North Carolina so we sandbagged our house with scores of sandbags and yards of heavy plastic.  Our neighbors reported snakes in their yards that were being displaced from a local river that was rising.  That was eerie!  I have been leery about walking into the backyard ever since, I take a good look around wherever I step.  Now we're gearing up just a little for what we hope will only be a Tropical Storm (Michael) when it gets to South Carolina.  Better a tropical storm than any "category" hurricane.  

So I needed something nice to brighten my mood and Mary Beth Shaw provided that!

A couple of weeks ago I entered my name in a contest to win a StencilGirl Products ATC stencil and look at what I won!  This is Seth Apter's new ATC stencil and it has been a real pleasure to use this over the past few days.  There are many different artists who have created stencils using this format which is great when you're making a lot of ATCs.  With this stencil I'm not fighting the excess areas that I don't want to use, it makes the process very simple.  Just click on the link below to take a look at the new collection.

Seth's new ATC stencil

Here's a group of the ATCs I've made using this tool with ink and Tim Holtz's paper dolls.  I added some of Prima's micro beads for a touch of bling.

Your limits are only your imagination!  Thank you Mary Beth and Stencil Girl Products for my new fun stencil, it's made me really happy.

Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs ~ Renee

Tangled Pit Bull

I've been working on a ZIA project lately of a Pit Bull dog.  I know most people are afraid of this breed of dogs but I do know one that is very sweet, this picture is of her.  If you look very carefully this rescue dog's name is tangled into her right shoulder.

This is my process after outlining my subject, then dividing the animal into sections to be tangled.

It's not a difficult technique even though it looks that way.  It is divided out into small areas that take about 10 minutes or so to tangle.  The tangles can be repeated.  Practicing Zentangle is a great way to warm up artistically each day and the end results can be quite amazing.  Here's my VIDA link if you're interested in seeing my Pit Bull design on a couple of accessories:  http://bit.ly/2BngetO, just type in my name to see my collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you're having a wonderful day.  Hugs ~ Renee

Pam Carriker new face stencils alert!

Just thought I'd let you all know that StencilGirl products has a new Pam Carriker face stencil release.  I love her stencils so you know I splurged and bought 9 of them.  I thought I'd share with you the results of my play date with a few of them yesterday.

This one is called Create.

Strength

Honor

These were all done with ink pads in my notebook, I applied small amounts of inks with daubers.  On two of them I used Micron 05 pens and on the first one I applied Dyan Reavely ink pens and Jane Davenport's crayons blended down with a water brush.

If you want to draw faces but find it a challenge stencils are the way to go.  I just wanted to share!  I hope you're having a great day.  Hugs~ Renee

An Altered Box Finnabair Style

A little while back I received a couple of Masonite Boxes from Joggles.  I altered one of the boxes right away which Barb shared on the Joggles blog.  I finally got around to altering the second box which measures 4" by 9" by 4".  First I painted the entire box inside and out with black gesso.  Next I dry embossed a piece of Ranger's Inkssentials Foil Tape Sheets and used the self adhesive backing to glue it to the top of the box.  I painted a coat of Finnabair's acrylic paint called Opal Magic Blue/Gold all over the entire outside of the box.  When it was dry I used all sorts of Prima/Finnabair products to create the design on the top of the box.

I made the wings out of paper clay with Finnabair's wing mold, most of the metal pieces are from her Mechanical collection.  I adhered everything with Finn's 3D Gloss Gel Transparent and let it dry thoroughly before continuing.

This is always the hard part...paint the entire top of the box with black gesso.  Now I start bringing some color back into this mixture.  First by painting the top of the box again with the Blue/Gold Opal Magic paint.  When that is dry I bring in Finn's waxes!  This is the delicious part, not only are they pretty but they have a lovely fragrance that fades with time.  I used many different colors of waxes such as:  Vintage Silk, White Gold, Red Amber, Brushed Iron, Amethyst Magic and Lucky Emerald.

Joggles carries all of these waxes as I believe does Michaels.

The colors of the waxes are very subtle and a tiny smear of wax on the tip of the finger goes a long way.  I will be applying paper clay molded strips to the sides of the box and adding waxes to the entire outside of the box.  It is a fun project that requires some patience as there is drying time involved with each layer.  But then too it is a great way to use your stash of buttons and metal embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate any comments you choose to leave.  Hugs ~ Renee

Mixed Media play on canvases

I've been making small canvases (4" by 4") using mixed media techniques.  Here are my five pink ladies.

I used products made by a few of my favorite artists:  Lynne Moncrieff, Seth Apter and Kristin Peterson.  A tiny splash of Finnabair's Glass Glitter, paints by Jane Davenport and additional inks by Tim Holtz.  It doesn't get any more fun than playing with all of this from my stash.  Oh, I brought out my embroidery threads and needles, back in the 1970's I used to do all sorts of needlework.  It's like riding a bike you never forget how to do it even after a few decades.  I need to do more of that!

Thanks for stopping by ~ hugs ~ Renee