Planetary

This past weekend, we had a retreat here at home. It was fun to get away from the city and get to spend a bit more time with some of the church family. Sunday mornings are so rushed!

Anyway, one of the things I was in charge of, was having a little art workshop during the free time on saturday. I was glad to do it, though I had so much to prepare for between the workshop and the games I was in charge of, it was just a lot of stuff to pack and bring, all for a one night away.

I decided that I would teach a bit about collage. It's what I've been doing alot of lately. We got off to a slow start, with only 2 people joining me at first. Then one more, and then a whole family of 5 joined us at the very end, with only 20 minutes left. Things got a little nuts there at the end, and I'm not sure anyone learned great things but I think everyone had fun, and got to play with some things they might not have come up with on their on.

The little painting above is what I did during the workshop. I was just playing with shapes, and textures, and when my boys and Fabio came to see if I was done, they declared that it looked "planetary" or like-saturn" or "from outer-space." I did a little finishing touch to it when I got home, but though it wasn't my intention, I think they are right. I like how it came out.
Any one have any thoughts?

the man behind the music

A good friend had a birthday about a month ago. I told him that for his birthday, I would be giving him a "glaucia original." This is what I came up with
Kareem is the music leader at our church, among many other things. But more than that, he loves music, he inspires others to love music. He will give guitars to anyone who wants to learn, and he will teach them the basics. He loves to support all musicians and artist in general, and I feel like he's one of my biggest "fans" and supporters. He really is the man behind the music and that is what inspired this piece. Pictured are just some of the instruments he plays.
I hope that he'll enjoy this piece, and that I can be as generous and inspiring with my talents, as he is with his.
8"x 8" mixed media, on wood fiber board

prom

Another mixed media piece.
This time, I added texture to the gesso, as well as did the transfer method straight to the acrylic gesso, and it worked pretty well.
It'a also got collage elements.
It's been really fun experimenting with all these different techniques.
6"x6" on canvas

dania

Yay! I finished another mixed media piece.
Again, it was experimental, and full of learning.
This one includes a photocopy transfer, drawing/writing and collage, as well as painting. It includes a bit of a background technique I read about in Claudine Helmuth's book which includes the use of vaseline. I don't think it worked like it was meant to work, but in either case I like the way it turned out, considerin how much learning went into it.
6"x6" canvas
Any thoughts, or advice? I look forward to comments!

danielle

The first of a series of mixed media collages, after having found some great older photos from my husband's family.
6"x6" canvas

Everyday in May - Fourteen

Victory is mine!
I think I'm done. I think I like it.
Looking at it here, in this small version, makes me like it more.
I finally had enough time, and mustered energy enough to finish it. It was a fun process. Lots of new aspects for me in this. From the collage of chinese newspaper with gel medium, to the glazed, layered acrylic style, it's been full of experimentation as well as learning.
Believe it or not, though I have drawn Fabio many times, this is the first time I painted him, even though we've been married 8 years. I attempted to paint him before, but just didn't get it done. So this finished project is satisfying for that reason as well.

Every Day In May - Seven

Two days ago, or rather, 3 days ago, I worked more on the collage painting.
I focused my limited time on the face. I still need to do a little more to it, but it's mostly done I think.
Now I gotta work on the other things on the painting. I think one or 2 more sessions should be enough for this one.
Sorry I haven't been posting on the day. It's been hard to kep up. I hate that!
Hope you're creating something this month!

Every Day In May - Two

Just a continuation from yesterday, a bit more paint has gone in. Not as much time to paint today, so all of what was done, was done tonight.
I do have to make a trip to the supermarket sometime, since Fresh Direct will not deliver to my house. Thanks for that reminder today, Susan!!
Anyway, here's the second installment of the same painting.
Can you tell what I worked on?

Every Day In May - One

A work in progress, this was a painting I started working on about 2 weeks ago. But with the kids being sick, and getting ready for the painting I did at church, as well as working to get the church's website finished up, I just hadn't done anything but got it ready.
Today, paint finally made it's way onto it.
It's experimental, joining collage and acrylics. I'm excited to see how it will turn out.
If you find it hard to see, that is because this is sorta at the underpainting stage.
It will be nice to see the work develop the next couple days.
Stay tuned, and let me know your thoughts...

Crown of thorns

This week I had an unlikely opportunity to do something unexpected. I was asked by Graffiti 2's director, Andrew Mann, to put together a visual for the Lord's Supper multi-sensory experience he was planning for this sunday. It was to be some sort of a picture with the focus on the crown of thorns, and the "man of sorrows".
Even though it was wednesday, and we needed this to be done by sunday morning, I decided to make a painting. It seemed a fitting project, and just up my alley.
I wanted to make sure I delivered something that would fit with the request which had been presented to me and that the painting would be a blessing to the people that saw it, and that it would draw them closer to God. All I know is that it caused me to pray more as I painted. And that in and of itself was a good thing for me.
As far as the outcome, I will probably never know of when and how it might have blessed anyone, but I know it blessed me and brought me joy in the process.
It's approximately 11x7 inches. It's a mixed media piece, which is one of my first. A mix of watercolor and acrylic, along with collage, and the use of design for the fonts.
So you can click on the picture above to see it bigger.
Let me know what you think.

30 faces no.10

Yesterday I did want to draw or paint or something, but I was out all day, and then I was with the kids and then I had the rare opportunity of watching a dvd with my love, so I took it. by the time the movie was over, I was definetely was too tired to do anything.
There was full intention of doing something first thing in the morning, but saturdays tend to be very long days, while my husband is at work and the boys drive me a little nuts. Today was no different. I finally got them to do some play-doh, while I worked on this collage. It's different, but was somewhat therapeutic to my tired mommy brain.
Hopefully I will be able to make more art tonight, in order to stay caught up.