Dang! No April Blog Post -- But Here's A Little Something For May!

Hello Art Peeps, 

Well, my intentions were good for my New Year's Resolution of posting every month, but April kind of got away from me! Crazy busy at work and at home. Quick post tonight, just showing a couple things I've done recently that I haven't yet posted. April was so busy there were weeks that went by that I didn't even get a chance to get into my studio to play. That is NOT good! Hoping May is much better! 

You may remember that I painted my Midori Traveler's Notebook some time ago. Then I decided to paint a pair of Dansko clogs the same way. This is my favorite color palette as many of you probably know. So I also decided to paint a Dylusions Journal cover to match. 

Here's my first (and only) journal page in this book. I have been going to Weight Watchers since early January and I was documenting my weight loss to the point where I did this page at 21.8 lbs. I'm happy to announce that as of today, I'm down 29.4 lbs. I was sort of wavering thru the busy times in April and bounced up and down a bit and didn't make as much progress as I'd hope, but I'm very pleased all in all with my numbers. Besides the weight loss, my bloodwork numbers are way down and really looking better than they have for years, so I'm thrilled about that. Hoping to get them down to where I can get off some of these darned meds I take. 

I streamed last Sunday and did a collage I but down into ATCs. I just love the way these little works of art turn out when you cut up the larger collage. I use these as a little thank you note for my customers that purchase items from my Etsy Shop Inky Obsessions. Ustream seems to be giving everyone problems and I've not been able to upload my recordings to YouTube for my last two streams. Very frustrating because there's no one to call and speak to at Ustream to figure it out unless you are on the professional level of service and pay for streaming monthly. However, all is not lost. If you missed the live broadcasts and would like to view the recordings, you can do that by visiting my Ustream channel page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see all my recent recordings. 

I'm planning to stream live this Sunday morning, a little earlier than I usually stream, hoping to start at 10AM EST. Its been raining here daily for almost three weeks and calling for a break in the weather Sunday, so we're hoping to get the lawn mowed. Its never been as high as it is now and will be quite a job for sure. Hope to see you on the stream! Until then...

Happy Arting! 

Patti 

This and That...(figured out the pic upload thingy!)

Eureka! I finally had time to try to research the issue of not being able to upload photos today and figured it out! Geeeeeez!!!

So let's get to the good stuff, shall we? 

I can't seem to stop making texture panels since I was in Jodi Ohl's class at Create Art Retreat in New Jersey. The substrate for these is claybord. Its very reasonably priced and readily available and comes in lots of sizes. I haven't tried this technique on anything but claybord. I'm guessing the intense heat you need to cause the bubbly texture to happen doesn't seem to affect the claybord whatsoever. These are made using Silks Acrylic Glazes. If you haven't tried these you really should. Loaded with pigment, very sheer but can be layered for intensity, and they mix perfectly with one another when you overlap them. Here are a few I've made recently. 

You may have already seen this one if you follow me on Ustream. I did this one live while streaming one night. The video is available at my Ustream channel and I also uploaded it to YouTube. Sometimes I giveaway the project I make on my Ustream to one of the viewers. This panel is on its way to Paula S!

  

  

 I did this one on a larger piece of claybord, I think its 9 x 12. I wanted it for our bedroom which is decorated in turquoise and browns. I thought this would look nice in there. 

 This is a triptych I made for my niece Chelsea. This was in honor of Chelsea's Mom Janine, my sister-in-law that we lost three years ago, much, much too soon. When we see a butterfly, we say its Janine visiting. Her ashes were placed to rest in the Atlantic Ocean, so we also refer to her as our Mermaid. And Chelsea has always said her Mom was her anchor . Chels loves turquoise like I do, so this is what I came up with. 

   

 My other sister-in-law Linda got this one. She retired and moved to a house not far from the beach in Delaware and has it decorated in blues and tans. She got a small black easel to sit it on. 

Another new thing I've been trying my hand at is doodling. I ran across Joanne Fink's book and her YouTube videos online and fell in love with her ZenDangles -- that's not a type-o -- she dangles, she doesn't tangle! I started using my new small size Dylusions journal as my doodling and sketching book that I carry with me most of the time. When I find myself having a few minutes to spare, I dangle! Here are some of my efforts: 

 I thought I was finished with this one, but then kept coming back and adding more and more to it. I did the coloring with Sakura Glaze Pens. 

  

I think I'm finished! ;o) This is 11 x 14. 

 These next few are done in my small Dylusions Journal. I really like this size. 

Well, I don't know about you, but I feel much better. Its good to know I'm back up and running on the blog. I hope you enjoyed these few projects. I've been playing with some other new stuff -- well, new to me anyway. I'll share that as soon as I can find the time.

Stay tuned...Gelli printing on fabric and some things I've made with the results coming next ! 

Happy Arting, 

Patti