Back to the Blog

After way too long, I decided it is time to reconnect with my blogging. I made a decision to "retire" from commissions and free-lance artwork and spend more time doing artwork that I want to do - on my own terms. (I'm weak and still get talked into doing a few commissions...) I spent 2 weeks cleaning out and reorganizing in my artroom/storage area. There is still much to do, but the improvement was phenomenal. I mixed up a DIY version of chalk paint to redo an old, beat up bookcase. I went to Spoonflower and realized that wallpaper is available. I also caught up on messages that were at least a year old. I purchased my design - Butterfly Meadow - in wallpaper and used it to line the back of the bookcase.
What a HUGE improvement.
The recipe that I used for the chalk paint worked great, required no priming and covered really well:
1 cup flat latex paint 
2 Tbs plaster of Paris
2 Tbs water
Mix the plaster of Paris and water into a smooth paste
 & add to the paint. Stir well. Paint. 
That's it! Easy peasy!

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to your comments.

Popular posts from this blog

TIP: Colored pencil breaking? Time to start baking!

Image
It is so frustrating to be "in the zone" working on a colored pencil painting and have the tip fall off the pencil. Then, you sharpen it only to have the tip fall off again - or worse - to remain in the sharpener clogging it. Sometimes that requires a screwdriver, a few expletives and an unwanted interruption in the work process. When colored pencils are dropped, the "lead" can break inside the pencil and no matter how many times you try sharpening them, the tip will continue to fall off. Well, I received a wonderful tip on resolving that problem from Audra Stevens, Product Information Specialist with Blick Art Materials. Here are her instructions: What you will want to do is put your pencils on a cookie sheet - preferably lined with wax paper or a silicone pad - and put the pencils in the cold oven. Heat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and let them bake at that temperature for 2-5 minutes.Then let the oven completely cool down to room temperature before ...
Click here to read more

Zentangle, Zendoodle...

Image
Zentangle - In the latest issue of CPSA's "To the Point", Verna Curnow presented an article on zentangle or zendoodle. An artform where repetitive patterns or shapes are used to create a meditative image. Easily seduced to try something new with art, I began my patterns with ink pen in hand. I used archival Pitt pens and made my image on Stonehenge paper. I have to admit it was time consuming, but thoroughly enjoyable. I titled this little piece "Edge of Entanglement". It's on an 8 x 6 sheet of Stonehenge paper. It's something I could work on between other projects with very little needed for materials. I did some of it while riding in the car and had to stay away from the finer lines while bumping along in the Mustang. Seems those sports suspensions are not built for smoothness. LOL! Now I'm thinking of doing a whole art journal in this style. Wonder if I can stick with something that long...Anyone can do this type of art and it if doodling is ...
Click here to read more

Finally Finished Cypress Trees in Colored Pencil

Image
Could you sense my absence from the web recently? I've been working, working, working on a colored pencil painting. I am finally finished - I think. I said that last night and signed it. In the light of day, I decided (with my husband's critique) that it could use a little punching up in places, so back to work. Then, I thought it was done and was pretty pleased. I took it outdoors and sprayed workable fixative on it. I almost always do that. I've never had problems with it before. But this time...horror of horrors, my dark purple shadows morphed into something more like neon fuschia. Not so good. I used much more Verithin Prismas on this particular work than I normally do and perhaps that accounts for the color shift this time. So, back to the drawing board - literally. I busily attacked the purple with a marine green and think I might have counteracted the effects. I had been so careful to maintain my lights - which is always a challenge for me - and was annoyed that I ...
Click here to read more