FRACTURED ANGELICS: Day 3

DAY 3 IS HERE....AND I AM READY EARLY!

(despite being up until 2 am sewing elements to my pages, but it was worth it)

I experimented with some ink on fabric & gesso.  I liked the result, but not the color choice.

Hence this is going to be my back page that is adhered to the wood back page.

The first signature with the strands to bind it together. This page will be covered with the wood front.

I did stop by Joann's before Day 2 and picked up a few lacy linens to use.

This white one is my favorite.  My album was in a pink, green, white, and bluish tone.

I used a transfer on the thin white fabric and love how it is seen on through the fabric.

I plan to use some other transfers that I failed to mirror before printing; therefore the writing will be legible.

My journal goodness prepared to be binded together :)

So in love at how the edges look and pile on top of each other.

Back page also showing the side panel of a completed coptic stitch binded book.

Prior to lunch, Melissa and I walked around the yard (which also features a labrynth) and admired the gorgeous flowers and landscape Catherine's home features.  Beautiful & Serene.

The weekend crew & our books.

Goodbye sweet girls!  Until next time.

Thanks Catherine & Kate for such an enjoyable weekend

Exhausting, yet unbelievably INSPIRING & ENJOYED!

FRACTURED ANGELICS: Day 2

DAY 2 & MELISSA IS HERE!

So happy to have another friend join in the festivities of the art weekend.

Day 2 & 3 consisted of creating a fabric art journal with Kate Thompson; hence the first step is to prepare your pages.

The journal we did was an 6x8 booklet of artsy goodness.

And it didn't take long for us to start getting our hands nice and dirty.

This weekend was messy hands all day, and scrubbing hands all night :)

But so worth it for a enjoyable end result.

Kate has some great images for us to get inspiration and share. 

Her Pinterest board is also a fabulous visual find. 

I decided to use mannequins and some old ancenstry images I had at home. 

While we waited for the pages to dry, Kate delicately showed us how to create a beautiful flower using so many different mixed media elements.

As some pieces dried, we added elements to scrap pieces to add another layer to each page.

I have to admit the layers of fabric on each other, really gives it a Shabby Chic look & it is gorgeous.

The covers were made out of wood which we gessoed and transfered images on.  Some painted, some watercolored, it was whatever you desired to do. I went with a few of Kate's mannequin images.

Then we sorted through our materials to put together our first signature for the book.

I opted not to glue or hand sew on my elements, so waited until I got home to use my sewing machine.

However, I did manage to get one signature put together as did the rest of the class.

DAY 2 DOWN...ONE MORE TO GO!

FRACTURED ANGELICS: Day 1

LET THE 3 DAY ART WEEKEND BEGIN AT CATHERINE ANDERSON STUDIO :)

Friday began a new art adventure for me & some new/old artsy friends.  It was so fun seeing people I hadn't seen in years...and doing something we all love.  The art community is somewhat small for mixed media, so it tends to be a small & wonderful world.

The artist is the fabulous  Kate Thompson  I can't begin to tell you how amazing her work is.

Below are two samples of the work she brought to teach us various techniques...AND WOW!

Does she do amazing work...such a soft touch and so realistic.  Complete adoration for her art.

The class began by selected various fabrics to utilize in our class.  Most had these amazing vintage fabrics from home or ancestors or estate sales, ebay, etc.  They were gorgeous!!  I, on the otherhand, had remnants I purchased from various local stores.  Both ended up working great plus the ladies were more than happy to share their goodies.

We began deciding on a layout, and adhering each down to each other.

Next, we added layers of joint compound, gesso, stencils, etc to the top layer. 

The drying part and prep work is the most tedious...especially for an impatient girl as myself, but fun at the same time. Kate planned for drying time and filled in with lots of fabulous techniques to utilize.

One included a face transfer with lines marked for easy learning on shading techniques. 

AND IT WAS ON VENETIAN PLASTER...how awesome is that!?!

I really want to strive to do more abstract, lighter pieces ...which Kate has mastered perfectly.

As they say practice makes perfect which I plan on doing.

start

middle

finished piece.

(I left the piece as is for a reference of what to do better next time...and what I liked)

Once the canvas was dried, the foundation was ready for more layers of artwork.

I chose to adhere a magazine ad (picture of a girl with honey dripping down her face . . forgot to take a before photo of her).

This result taught everyone something.  Transfers do not work well over Joint Compound.

However, it does provide a great blurred line and blends the canvas and image together.

I was in complete awe and finished with my girl after that.  .

I just need to add some elements to the other side to balance the piece out. 

It is still a work in progress

Since I had a piece of scrap watercolor paper left & watercolor on my pallette, I decided to try another transfer.  I started with the image above.  Applied it to the paper.  While it dried, I randomly applied my paint on top.  The image dried, I peeled it off....and this was the RESULT:

too cute, but again, I think this is also a work in progress.

I cannot leave without mentioning how gracious our host was.  Catherine Anderson & I met several years ago in a complete different element of her taking photos of the recreation teams at the center I worked at.  She was always so gracious, professional, & a true sweetheart (with an South African accent).  I originally thought she was from Australia...nope was I a little off.

(photos courtesy of Kate Thompson)

Her studio is such a peaceful, serence escape in Charlotte, NC.

(not sure it was ready for us loud artists though :)

It rained a lot, but also had several moments of great sunlight.

The scenery is beautiful and a welcomed place for wildlife.

Throughout the weekend, deer, squirrels, hummingbirds, cardinals, rabbits, &

gorgeous flowers made a presence in our eyes.

Hated to leave the first day, but so glad to have 2 more days of FUN to go.

The girls from Friday's class :)  SO FUN!!

TRUE FREE SPIRIT: July Project

Tasked with the prompt: DREAM of a place and CREATE. 

HENCE my initial sketch leading to the following creation on canvas. 

I wanted to create an abstract version of the South Street Seaport in NYC.

I collaged an abstract piece with tissue paper and gelli prints. 

Next, I applied paint using a Pallete knife for a textured look and added a baggage claim sticker to the boat. And I loved the look but not the bridge part
Sooooo . . .

I took that part off and a skyline emerged. I textured up the buildings, added rubons to elements.

And it was complete in my eyes. 

ETSY STORE IS NOW OPEN!!!

A new adventure...A new challenge...& A new way to share my art.

Take a moment to view items in my shop with more to come...

And option of custom orders. 

ALIGITT.ETSY.COM