Pugs completed at last.

Finally. I'm satisfied. 

Pugs progression.

Pugs. Think I'm almost done. 

  

mixed media piece

I've been working on this piece and think it's almost done......

Titled Solitude, it's acrylic paint, collage, ink on a 36x16 canvas.  My first effort at something so large....

working in layers

My first mixed media project on 15 x 20 watercolor paper using watercolors, acrylics, stencils, stamps, markers, oil pastels, inktense watercolor pencils, a bic whiteout pen and whatever else came to hand.

Wanted to color block it but the blue ... oh the blue .... really BAD idea and normally I would have trashed it, but I'm working on keeping going, working through mistakes or things I don't like, so....

Added some black and white to bring out details and am pleasantly surprised.  Detail shots:

Lovin' all those layers and textures!

Although I didn't post something every day this month, I did work on something creative every day.  Once again this place proved invaluable in getting me jump started for the year after the holiday lull.  It's such a positive, supportive group - I really appreciate all the time folks took to leave comments and encouragement.  Here's to a productive, creative 2012 for all of us!

mixed media

My art-a-day is all over the place again this year - want to try my hand at so many things.  As a result of an online class w/ Traci Bautista, I made a couple mixed media pieces:  acrylic, spritzed watercolor paint, stencils, stamps, oil pastels, markers, bic white out pen and even a bingo marker!  If you're interested, I posted some of the interim steps on my blog - click here.

Traci advocates having a second (in my case a third too) piece of paper to clean stencils and brushes on so you create multiple things at once and no paint/ink goes to waste.  I started with a 12x12 canvas and ended up with the 2 watercolor papers filled as well.  There were certainly stages in each that I hated what I was doing and despaired of a result I would like, but I kept moving forward.  While I don't LOVE any of them, I learned a lot and have many ideas floating about on how to apply the techniques differently next time.....

sketching continued

I was feeling a little daunted by my sketching efforts following Everyday Matters prompts and though I will continue to work through them, I got sidetracked by a new book that arrived for me today.  It's 52 Drawing Labs by Carla Sonheim and gives a series of drawing exercises that are designed to loosen up, inspire, or help you become more comfortable with pen and paper.

I tried the no peeking, draw one line without lifting from paper technique to start with.  This was quick and fun and definitely loose and much less intimidating than actually trying to draw an actual car or cat.

Then a couple days ago I started a mixed media practice piece(s) based on free video class offered by Traci Bautista for Strathmore.  Her philosophy is that it's all about making marks and continuing to build layers of patterns and marks using a variety of media.  Early stages:

Some spritzing over a hand made stencil, acrylic paint, oil pastels, markers, etc.  Oh yeah, and the red is from a $1 store bingo marker! :)  One is on a canvas and the other two on watercolor paper.

Outside my comfort zone

Really most of my art making these days is outside my comfort zone. Mostly I'm a fiber artist, spinning, dyeing, weaving, and knitting. Lately I've been compelled to branch out. To that end I did a bit of mixed media journaling with "mixed" success.

Forest View

I felt so much better today that I got out and walked out by the river. I was so inspired by the natural growth of trees and contrasting greens that I came right home and drew this.
Of course, my painting/drawing is in the height of summer, but it was "form" that I was looking to experiment with. Form wasn't the only thing I played with. I used crayons, acrylics and a Sharpie to get the many layered/textured effect.

I think my sickness is nearly over, if only this cough will leave me!
Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman