Texture

I have a camera with me at all times and am on the lookout for various textures found in nature. Experimenting with different filters in Photoshop Elements is great fun. Here are a few examples.

tree bark enhanced

tree bark

mushroom cap enhanced

mushroom cap

ant hill enhanced

ant hill

Eyes

It's been a struggle for me to draw eyes. This is my latest effort.

These are the steps I took to draw these eyes. It took me all morning, but I'm satisfied. I'm a firm believer in "success is in the effort" and, of course, practice, practice, practice!

Only One Leg To Stand On

Honestly, should a grown woman have so much fun playing with dolls? The answer is a resounding YES!

The base for the doll is a vintage wooden shoe form. Her leg is made out of a thread dowel, which I painted and distressed. I recently redecorated our master bedroom. The dress is made of a toile fabric that formerly covered a bench in the bedroom.

Below you can see some of the steps taken in the creating this doll. I meant to take photos after each step, but completely forgot. Once I'm in the "zone," nothing else matters much!
The shopping bag was made out of grocery bag. The little handles are yarn. I made up a French label using Photoshop Elements. The trim on the dress, arms, and hat is vintage carpenter's tape. I fashioned the red flower out of a red plastic newspaper sleeve. Waste not, want not - that's my motto!

Play Day

I like to experiment with different techniques and media. I use a 6"x9" 110lb. sketchbook by Robert Batemen. This paper is heavy enough to withstand wet media and glue without wrinkling too much.

Resist with oil pastel, water color, acrylics, added paper, monoprint with transparency

Resist with oil pastel, water color, drawing with oil pastel

Stamped, inked, soft pastel, oil pastel, added paper, erasable water color. (The colors faded a bit when sprayed with fixative.)

2009 International Art Show - Abstract

The voting results are in. Go here to view the exhibit. Thank you to all who voted for me!

My toothbrush

The challenge was to draw my toothbrush. (acrylic paints, colored pencil) I continue to use my altered book as my substrate.