With Heartfelt Thanks!

I can hardly believe it's been over a week since I last posted. Well, when that happens you know I'm out of sorts as I'm normally pretty reliable....normally. This week has been the exception to the rule with me feeling like total junk, run down, congested, body aches...blah blah blah blah blah. Add that to having to work on opening a new branch, get adjusted to a new schedule, and a few other misc. things added in and you have my excuse as to why I haven't posted.

I did manage to get to the Carolina Mixed Media Guild meeting on Thursday, lucky thing as I was to present a demo on using acrylic mediums to add texture to mixed media paintings. I debated on whether or not to cancel. I really really wanted to have the opportunity to do the presentation but with feeling so ill I could barely muster the energy to get dressed and get to work let alone work on a presentation and samples. Well, somehow I did it even though I wasn't at a 100%, and I actually survived! :)


This is one of the samples I brought to the monthly meeting. 4 x 6 mixed media collage on canvas, using acrylic paint, papers, stamps, graphite pencil & washes, gesso, then for my feature technique-I used tar gel to create a unique image transfer. This piece is called "Broken"--which is basically how I've felt for a long time, brokenhearted if you will so I thought it appropriate to use a portrait of myself over top a little journal writing which lets my constant questioning of 'why' come out in my art. I've pretty much moved past this time in my life, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have sadness over what could have been....

The uniqueness of using tar gel for an image transfer is the fact you only need one coat of the gel over top of the image. With most gels, you need to use typically 4 coats to get a good transfer, letting each dry for a day before adding the next coat. With tar gel, one coat does the trick! For this image I used an inkjet print sprayed with workable fixative to set the ink. I added a layer of gel and then let dry overnite before peeling the paper off the back of the print to acheive the image/skin.


Another good reason to go to this month's CMMAG meeting was our ATC Valentine's Day swap. Penny our new President made these uber adorable goody boxes to hold our treasures. After my demo, everyone started the ritual of trading cards and ohhhhing and awwwing everyone's beautiful creations. It was so much fun! I truly felt like I was back in grade school!

These are samples of the ATC's I made for the group. I collaged canvas paper, used a brayer loaded with 3 colors and then adhered fabric/paper hearts I made then finished off by adding some text and a little decorations with gel pens. Lots of fun!!

Enjoy a sampling of other members cards--each and everyone was totally unique!


Awww...Debbie's included a sweet treat!


What a great way to spend the Thursday before Valentine's Day, don't ya think?? I appreciate those that were at our meeting and put up with my feeling under the weather, it was thrilling to be able to do a presentation amongst such a talented group of artists! Thank you again for support :)

***
Some sad news to report--my step mother in Florida is not doing well at all..things don't look good unfortunately. Out of the blue, her heart stopped and she went into seizures one night last week--she has spent the last week on life support and nothing seems to be working. No answers as to why this happened or even any forwarning. According to my father, the evening was normal, laughing, joking, spending time with the family, went to bed, hugged good night and said their love for one another then next thing he knew, she was having seizures (never happened before). It doesn't seem fair to have no warning, or is that a blessing? Please keep my father and my step sisters and all in your thoughts and prayers if you will. Life will not be the same for them.