Year of 100 Faces?

A few years back, I decided I wanted to learn how to draw, and I have been slowly working myself towards the goal of drawing faces. I started 2010 out by taking an online face drawing/painting course with Misty Mawn. It was a wonderful experience, and inspired me to continue on my quest.

Some of the faces I have been drawing are quick 5 minute sketches, while others take me a few hours to draw.

I worked at drawing realistic faces, but really what I enjoy most is more unrealistic or whimsical faces.

Early on in 2010, I decided it would be the year of 100 faces - but not long after that I decided to not put a number on it, but rather to continue on in my goal, and not pressure myself to draw 100 faces. I enjoy drawing faces, but only when I want to - not because I have to. And so it will not be a year of 100 faces - but perhaps I will count up the faces at the end of the year, and then I will know that it was a year of (insert number here) faces, and that that will be fine, because I have enjoyed it, and continue to learn and find the style I am comfortable with.

Following My Heart

I love to brush paint or dye onto paper - be it tissue paper, paper towels, hand made paper, paper from old books, or new paper. I also like to add colour to material of a variety of sorts, so my supply of colourful paper/material is quite large.

Yesterday morning, I came up to my little studio - just because the urge was too strong to ignore, and I have learnt that if I ignore it, I feel unsettled and out of alignment with who I am. So follow the muse I did.

I tore decorated sheets of paper, and cut decorated material into long strips, and glued them all down onto a base piece of paper. I then covered that all with a wash of colour
(a golden yellow in this case).

After it was all dry, I stamped some white dots on with acrylic paint and bubble wrap, and it was ready to cut into pieces, add some more stamps and make into cards.

Here is a close up of a card I made with the golden sheet.....

and here is one I made with the orange/red sheet.

A day well used.

But, now I am feeling a little unsettled, as I have to leave my little studio for a week, as the demands from the day job are calling. I need to take a few supplies with me, and so it is time to wander around my little studio and pick a few things to create with on the road.

Resin Filled Bezels

Well - nervous as I was, I decided it just had to be time to fill my bezels with images and resin. I choose some images (all except the butterfly is either a photo I took, or from a painting I made) and mounted them as described. I read the instructions for the resin a few times (very unlike me to read instructions) rewatched the video on pouring resin from my amazing online course with Stephanie Lee and then collected my courage and mixed and poured the resin. AND then I waited - it was supposed to set up in 6 hours - but it didn't, so I waited 4 more hours and it was still sticky - but it was time for bed. Some of the information I had read said if you didn't but enough hardener in the resin wouldn't harden up..... so I slept, and thought positive thoughts of my resin setting as I slept. First thing the next morning, before anyone else was up I checked on the bezels, and I cheered a quiet cheer as the resin had hardened after all! Although these are not perfect in any way, I am happy with how they turned out. I enjoyed just about every minute of making them (except the anxious ones where the resin wasn't setting).

Here is a necklace that I have made using one of the smaller bezels I made.

Some people have asked me how it was taking an online jewellery course, and all I can say is this one was GREAT. I learned so much, and enjoyed every minute of it! I look forward to many more minutes of creative play with what I have learned!

Rules

Last night I HAD to paint a picture. I had been looking through this blog, - she paints wonderfully loose and colourful faces, and I knew I had to paint a face or else I wouldn't be able to sleep. This is the painting that came out of that need. Still not as loose as I want - but the colours were fun.

My Rules......

• one step at a time
• be gentle with self
• enjoy the moments
  

On a completely different note - my resin making supplies arrived in the mail today. I am excited and nervous at the same time to fill my soldered bezels with images. Stay tuned!

Imaginary Creature and Other Stuff

Last October I was fortunate enough to take a course with Carla Sonheim. My daughter and I travelled together to Oregon and took some art courses together in celebration of her 16th birthday. We had a wonderful time, and took an Imaginary Creatures course together. Carla has recently written a book that has many workshops in it, and one of them is imaginary creatures. I was looking at this book the last couple of days, and it reminded me of what fun I had creating these creatures. I do have to find some time this winter to do some more imaginary creature making - hopefully with some friends!

But lately my creative time has been spend with torch and solder in hand making jewellery components - now I need to get busy and make jewellery out of this pile of things.... I have done a wee bit of soldering before, but never this much. I also have never done resin work before, but I have ordered some resin, and am waiting for it to arrive to give it a try. If it works out I will post it here for anyone to see.... if it doesn't work out - well I guess I will try and try again!

P.S. The on line jewellery making class was amazing - I learned so much, and will continue to learn. It was with the multi talented Stephanie Lee

Soldering is Relaxing!

I have been so busy with soldering lately..... I have a pile of soldered pieces made that are ready to be used in jewellery - I find it so relaxing sitting with my torch on and soldering little bits and pieces.... who knew I could be so relaxed with a hot torch being held in my almost useless left hand while the right hand is busy with bits of wire and metal. I wish I was better at patting my head while rubbing my tummy - which is a bit of what this soldering metal bits is like - different motions with each hand at the same time. I will continue to practice. Above is a piece I added some beads too - but I couldn't find a good place to take a picture of it, so it ended up on my piano!