Inspired by famous paintings - Vermeer

This is the painting that started this series even though it took a while to finish it. :) This was the first sketch and I fell in love with her. I began with a black background and then I blocked in the shape with color.

Inspired by Johannes Vermeer and The girl with the pearl earring.

Mixed media on wood. Size 20x30 cm (8x12 in) and 2 cm thick. I used acrylics, Faber Castell's india ink pens and collage for the dress.

Original:

(Image Source)

I'm entering her over at The Butterfly Effect and PPF. Go check out these awesome sites to see who else is creating this Friday. :)

Inspired by famous paintings - Vermeer

A journal page and a Cat

What's on my work desk today? A journal page and a Cat. :)

Yeah, that's my Charlie sleeping in my "art box" where I keep my bits and pieces to have them handy. He's alowed cause he's a cat. :) Obviously when he's in there my bits and pieces are not so handy any more.

And that's my mermaid page almost finished. On the right you can see where I keep my paints. I like to have them in a box cause I move around the house to create and this way it's easier to move them around with me.

If you want to snoop around more desks go over to WOYWW. Happy Wednesday! :)

A journal page and a Cat

Review of the Workshops 2

Today I'm going to combine Summer of Color with some Workshop love. :) If you're into on-line classes you'll be happy you stopped by.

First let me introduce little Alice with her Cheshire cat. This one is not an ATC but an actual postcard that will be finding its way over to Neet as a thank you for being such a sweetheart and sending me one of her Alice cards. :) And because Kristin over at Summer of Color said it's time for purple, Alice had to go purple. I used acrylic paints but watered them down so it looks like watercolor.

So on to the workshops. :) I have once before talked about on-line workshops I've taken and gave you my thoughts on them. Since then I have taken a few new classes and it's about time I talk about them, too. :)

I know there are so many on-line workshops out there it's maddening. :) I want to take them all but don't have the finances to back me up so I have to make choices. If it's the same with you this blog post might be of some help to you.

Art and Heart with Tamara LaPorte - Free class
This workshop is awesome! I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who is into mixed media - folk art - whimsy - healing kind of stuff. :) Love Tam's way of teaching.

Oh! And I just found out this a couple of days ago that Tam is having this HUGE giveaway so if you want in you need to go over to her blog and see what you can win. And all you need to do is put this button on your blog sidebar. :)

She art with Christy Tomlinson
Christy covers some of mixed media techniques for backgrounds and teaches you how to make her style of collaged girls without faces. I loved this workshop and Christy is totally awesome and very enthusiastic teacher. :)

21 secrets
There are 21 workshops so you'll definitely find something that suits you. I loved these four workshops I talked about the most.

Digital Dreams with Tamara LaPorte.
Again a great teacher Tam. Loved this class! I had Photoshop installed for ages but never knew what to do with it. It was all so puzzling to me. :) And I'm not a type of gal that can just play around and figure out stuff. I need instructions! :) So this was a great workshop that taught me to love my PS4. :)

Portraits and Papers from Jane DesRosier.
I always wanted to know how to do an under painting. :) It's not as simple as I imagined. Jane did a great job on showing some basics of face proportions and drawing with charcoal. I wish there was more information on different angles but she said it herself she is not qualified to teach that yet. :) Great videos on backgrounds and collaging. I was glad to find out some new techniques.

Color my World with Monica Zuniga - Free class
Monica generously offered a free class on coloring a face with watercolors. I have some kind of fear of watercolor paints. :) Even though those might be one of the first paints I used in my life but I never got a hang of it. This was an easy way to learn how to color a face.

Story telling basics with Mystele - Free class
I joined Mystele's ning site a while back but just didn't get to the free classes she offers. So recently I watched the Story telling basics one and loved it. It's a great way to loosen up and play with paint and papers.

Paint Free with Wyanne.
I love Wyanne and her art. This workshop was a little different than the first one I took from her. I think she was more comfortable with teaching and it showed. :) Great exercises in this class. Taught me to trust my "little spirit". :)

Fantastic Faces at ArtTrader Mag
I had to look up who was teaching this workshop. It's Andrea Melione. She teaches how to draw funny - weird faces. If you're into pretty faces maybe this one is not for you. :) But she covers some basics of facial proportions and she covers how to draw emotions on a face. So this is good to learn.

ATC - Kitty and I

So to sum it up. :) I actually took some really amazing classes that each taught me something different and inspired me in its own way. Hope I didn't forget to mention any workshops I've taken. :) It's not intentionally but I don't have it written down anywhere besides here on blog.

Review of the Workshops 2

Inspired by famous paintings - Degas

Another Friday and another PPF. How was your week? The highlight of mine was a broken camera and a new haircut for both my pooches. That's as interesting as it got. What? I'm not boring. Who said that? Well, it's been shitty weather here all week what was I supposed to do? Oh, yeah. I did paint a bit. I made some ATC's. You'll get to see one of them on Monday. :)

But for now a painting inspired by Edgar Degas and The green dancers. Only my dancer is blue cause when I look at that painting the dancers are blue only the title suggests they are green. :) I don't know if the color changed through the years or Degas was color blind. :) If this was a poll what would you vote for? Color change through the years or Degas was color blind? Or someone actualy knows the truth. Please share!

P.S. After reading your comments it occurred to me there is a third option. I'm the one color blind! Cause I see blue from whichever angle I'm looking at. :))

Acrylics on wood. Size 20x30 cm (8x12 in) and 2 cm thick.
Original:

(Image Source)

Inspired by famous paintings - Degas

Look! a corner of my new desk

Look! Look! You can see a corner of my new desk. :) But I had to keep the Ikea table cause I have this monstrous prehistoric monitor that takes over half of my desk. But as long as it's working I'm keeping it.

We've been cleaning out my parents' apartment and I came across some old books that I can use in my projects. And under that pile are some wood blocks and canvases waiting for my genius hand to slap some magic on them. :) If you want to snoop around more desks go over to WOYWW.

Did I tell you I broke my camera? Yes, I did. It fell from that little table so it wasn't far and it was in its camera padded case that you can see on the photo but still when I turn it on it's all pink. It must be something with the lens. I don't know if it's worth repairing cause I know it will cost 100€ to fix it.

You wanna know how I know that? Cause it has happened before. It was brand new and my hubby and I went to Egypt on holiday. We were in Alexandria and I handed the camera to him to take a photo of me and when the exchange happened the camera landed on the floor. Dropped directly onto the lens so it couldn't even close. I was so upset I started crying. I blamed my husband of course. :)

So I'm using my Nikon D90 now. But I liked that little camera. I kept it in my handbag and took it everywhere with me. I'll have to think about whether to fix it or buy a new one.

Look! a corner of my new desk

It's red and it's winged

I am late today. :) I forgot to preschedule the post. Do you preschedule your posts? I find it easier to be witty and charming in the evenings than at 7 in the morning. :)

So what’s happening today? I have to call my gynecologist to schedule a visit on Friday and call the dog hairdresser for an appointment. The little pooch is getting hot under all that fur and the big pooch developed dreads on her butt. Don’t ask me how but apparently while combing her we only combed the top layer. And I would cut it myself but it’s really big and so close to the skin I’m afraid I’d cut her by accident. And we don’t have that machine for cutting dog fur either. Oh well, I was meaning to try out that new doggy salon in town anyway.

And this just pisses me off. Why do animals have long fur if you can’t take care of it normally? I mean, yes, you have to comb it but I have a cat that I have to cut the fur around her butt, too, cause it gets so long her poop gets stuck in it. I’m not kidding! And because she’s so furry you don’t get to see the poop straight away it’s only when she jumps in your lap to cuddle that you go: “What’s that smell?”

It’s the same thing with my mom’s dog. We have to cut his butt, too, or he’ll have shit hanging all over him. And he’s not easily convinced to let us do that. One of us is holding his collar and the other is cleaning his butt. Not to mention my dad yelling in the background to leave the poor dog alone cause he’s making noises like we’re neutering him or something. It’s hilarious unless you’re the one doing it. My hubby was brave once and hold his collar but the dog nearly bit him. I don’t need to say he’s not helping anymore. Yeah see, the females in our household are the one in charge of the animals. You’d think the opposite, right?

Anyway, enough of the babble. I told you it’s better if I preschedule. :))) It's 7 in the morning and I'm still half a sleep. Give me a brake! :)

Summer of Color chose red for this week with something winged. I did this ATC in June for Summer of Song swap over at Willowing.ning. :) It corresponds so well with this week's theme that I just had to show it.

And because it's a mixed media piece I'm entering it over at The Butterfly Effect.

It's red and it's winged

Inspired by famous paintings - O'Keeffe

You might have expected something different today since I showed you in progress painting on Wednesday. But that one is not ready yet to be publicly viewed so I got this one for you instead. :)

This time I wasn't inspired by an actual painting from an artist but by a photograph of an artist Georgia O'Keeffe. I'm still calling it "inspired by a famous painting" even though "inspired by a famous photograph" would be more appropriate. :) But Uncle Google is not giving up the name of the photographer that took this photo so I can't credit it.

I made her look a little younger but I don't think she would mind, would she?

Acrylics on wood. Size 20x30 cm (8x12 in) and 2 cm thick.

Original:

(Image Source)

Head over to PPF to see what other artists are up to this Friday. :) Have a wonderful weekend!

Inspired by famous paintings - O'Keeffe

On my desk today

This is on my desk today. :) But fear no more cause I got myself a new computer desk and this wee little table will soon be history. :) I'll have to clean up though. That's something I'm not looking forward to.

I still have Alice in Wonderland book over there as my reference for Mad Tea Party ATC's I've done. Beneath is my sketchbook opened liked this for ages. I don't really know why cause it's full and I'm waiting for my new Moleskine to arrive. On top is my new "Inspired by famous paintings" painting in progress. No doubt there, ha? :) And in the back you can see a painting I did like a year ago but I'm not happy with her so it just sits there for me to fix her up. That won't happen any time soon. I'm so over her it's not even funny.

So, what's on your workdesk this Wednesday? Stop over at WOYWW to have a snoop around. :)

And if you are an ARTSEE Blogger you will want to stop by HERE and join. This is a place where you can add your blog to. It has 7 categories so there is a place for everyone. You can chose to be added to:

• Digital Art
• Drawing/Painting
• Fabric Arts
• Jewelry
• Mixed Media
• Paper Crafts
• Photography

On my desk today

Mama Bear

Summer of Color's prompt for this week was brown with a splash of a screaming color. :) Here is my ATC of a Mama Bear. She is inspired by Tam over at willowing. I’m in her new Digital Dreams class and she showed us how to draw a simple whimsical bear. Digitally of course but you can’t stop me painting it. :)

I have a video for you. This time I tried talking and explaining along the way what I was doing but … BUT! I heard myself on playback talking and I was hilarious! :) OMG! I sound like a five year old. Seriously! I do not sound like that in my head. I had no choice but to override my talking with music. :) Sorry! You’ll just have to laugh at someone else’s expanse today. :)) As a matter of fact the music is awful so just put it on mute. You'll do yourself a favor.:)

I'm linking this mixed media ATC to the The Butterfly Effect as well. I'm not gonna tell you how I made it cause you can see it in the video. :)

And as usual if you want to trade this Mama Bear ATC with me let me know in the comments or e-mail. :)

P.S. This just in today. :) A brand new "place of inspiration for creatively inclined" :) Go join right now!

Mama Bear

Inspired by famous paintings - Dali

So it's Friday! That means it's time for PPF and my new series Inspired by famous paintings. :)

Would you like me to film the painting process for one of the paintings in this series? Cause I will if you want to see it. I find it nothing special so I haven't done it. :)

Some of you were wondering what I was spray painting and this is the result. I find spray paints one of the quickest ways to do a background and I love how easy the colors "blend". I painted the face with acrylics and I used Faber Castell's India Ink pens for the sticks and background details.

Inspired by Salvador Dali and The Dream.

Mixed media on wood. Size 20x30 cm (8x12 in) and 2 cm thick.


(Image Source)

Inspired by famous paintings - Dali

Just a background

On my workdesk this Wednesday is this background that is a part of my "Inspired by famous paintings" series. You'll need to come back on Friday to see the whole thing. I'll give you a hint though. It's time for some Dali. :)

Connie over at Dirty Footprints Studio is making us tell our journaling secrets. :) So here we go! I don't like journaling. :) As long as I can remember I was afraid that someone is going to read my thoughts. That's why I censure myself every time I try to write something personal in a journal. That actually sucks big time cause I'm not letting my soul speak.

And some time ago I realized my journaling doesn't have to be seen. What I do is I write my thoughts down. It might be something that is bothering me or just some everyday stuff. Then I paint over it. Completely. That way I let my soul speak without fear of being read by someone. :) My heart is lighter because of it and the art part of art journaling somehow comes easier because it's no longer burdened by thoughts.

Now, go check on WOYWW to snoop around other people's desks. :) And if you want to win 25$ certificate to Skybluepink go check out this post to see where you need to go and what you need to do. :) Wow! I'm full of links today. :))

Just a background

Pimping Amy

Ok, today I'm pimping! :) Amy is having a giveaway to help promote her new on-line class Soul Slambook over at her flutterbye.ning. Go check how you can win.

You might want to check out her ning, too, cause she has some amazing on-line classes for just 1-3$. Yeah, you read it right. You can take a Darn Sweet Book class for just 1$ and Satchels for Sweeties class for 3$. :)

Pimping Amy

Summer Sun

Summer of Color chose yellow for this week.

I made a couple of ATC's for a Summer of Song swap over at Willowing.ning and this is one of them. It corresponds so well with this week's theme that I just had to show it.

And I'm entering this one over at The Butterfly Effect. It's all about mixed media and if you haven't yet go check it out.

This ATC is made on a poker card with music sheet glued to it and I used acrylic paints and Faber Castell's india ink pens for the sun.

Summer Sun

Inspired by famous paintings - Warhol and a winner

Inspired by Andy Warhol's Pop Art painting of Marilyn Monroe.
Acrylics on wood. Size 20x30 cm (8x12 in) and 2 cm thick.

Original:

(Image Source)

You'll need to head over to PPF to see what everyone else is creating this Friday. :)

Not much to say today. :) Here is the winner of my Mad Tea Party ATC of Alice. I had 53 comments from which 2 were duplicates so there were 51 that made it to the draw. Random.org said:

Congrats Sandie! I'll be e-mailing you soon.

Inspired by famous paintings - Warhol and a winner