Mixed-Media Girl Paintings

I've always loved drawing and painting, but there is also almost always something lacking. I would NEVER just paint on a canvas, how BORING! When I discovered light modeling paste, something clicked. Then I discovered that if you mix in cheap craft paint, and I mean CHEAP, you can get some great translucent effects. The craft paint that comes in a little bottle for around $.89 is what I'm talking about. No Liquitex artist paint here! It's too nice! It covers too well! I love a nice translucent layer of modeling paste, usually pushed through some kind of texturing tool or stencil, to hide and reveal my background layers.

I will try to list the products I'm currently using, there are SO many! Let's see.... canvas of course as a base, 12x12 paper collaged for a background, clear gesso, pan pastels, mechanical pencil, Copic markers, punchanella, light modeling paste, craft paint, Liquitex acrylics both heavy body and basics in tube, a brayer and assortment of brushes, stencils for cupcakes, PYMII, glitter and glitter glue by Jones Tones, K&Company borders for scrapbooking. I may have forgotten something, but oh well!

I'm working on a new body of work to show to the Austin Craft Riot so I can partner with my friend Deanna and do a show at the end of August. I can't do jewelry locally as the market is SATURATED! I actually think perhaps the time has come for a promoter to do a handmade jewelry show, so that everyone who makes jewelry can get together and have parties of their own.

 

 

Can I just say how much I love Pan Pastels?

Compared with other, wet, messy art supplies, these things are AMAZING! I drew a picture and "painted" it this morning in about 5 minutes. Of course, the background had been created over time, as a by-product of some other mixed media experiments with my gelli plate and sprayed inks. I love the idea of keep a stack of backgrounds around and then whipping up a pretty face using my pastels right over the top, which allows the layers underneath to show through. So awesome!

 

 

All I want to do is BellyDance!

Ugh! And let me tell you, finding a class series and actually completing the sign up process here in Austin has been a nightmare.

Rachel Brice, image from http://paisleycurtain.blogspot.com/

1. All you dance instructors should get together and create a master site where interested parties can watch a short video of your dance style and teaching style, and link to an ACTUAL calendar of your classes, with buttons to buy a seat in the class.

2. Websites for single artists should really have working links to actual calendars and purchasing mechanisms.

UGH! I spent an hour trying to find a class I could sign up for. And WTF! Why are ALL beginning Bellydance classes on Tuesday nights? Could someone PLEASE diversify and offer a different night? It's the only night of the week I actually have a schedule problem, and ALL of the classes are then. UGH! My husband said it's probably due to competition or something. Come on, women, cooperate!

OK, rant over. I emailed two teachers trying to get a response and sign up for something, we shall see what happens....