BlueBelle the Bird!: Mixed Media Process Video

3 weeks.  That's all it takes for me to be out of practice.  I need to remember this, to help me stay focused and maintain my motivation!  Life just got busy this fall and I spent more time in Photoshop then creating and getting messy.  I must remember to find that balance!

I'm not sure how to explain it, but my spirit feels so much better, sated even, when I find the time to create something.  My mind is always thinking of things to do next, things to create, that if I don't try and make one of these ideas a reality every now and again, I feel antsy. 

Here is my latest mixed media piece, BlueBelle the Bird.... she just makes me giggle!  I love this cartoony style, and I hope to make a few more characters (non bird like) with the same googly eyes soon!

Here is the process video, and the Original painting is for sale in my shop!  Thanks so much for visiting!

Products used:

8x10 wooden board canvas

(I covered it in Black Gesso before the video)

Misc Acrylic Paints

Liquitex Matt Medium

Sharpie White Paint pen (fine point, water based)

Hard Foam Stamps

(handmade with kids craft items at Dollarama... feels like mini pool noodles!)

Foam/Sponges

(recycled electronic packaging, instead of foam brushes)

Misc Stencils

Bamboo Pen

Glass Pen (Gypsy Road)

Punchinella

Stabilo Pencil

Bubble Wrap

Spectra Art Tissue Paper

7Gypsys Tissue Paper

Grand Opening! The Creative Cat Lady Shop!

I'm so excited to finally share with you what I've been working on for months!  My own little Art Print shop, full of bright colors and cute funky characters! 

Eventually, the shop will be a combination of Art prints, Original pieces, along with perhaps a bit of funky silver jewelry... but for now I've only listed a few prints.

I've been saving up for months and months to purchase the equipment required to print at home, and I'm just tickled pink that it is finally a reality.  The equipment and software were just the stepping stones... getting the proper scanning and Photoshop skills in place were a bit more of a challenge! haha! 

What a great learning curve though, I love that "outside of my comfort zone" feeling... when you take the time to learn, challenge yourself to just dive in!  I've learned more about Photoshop in the last 2 weeks, then I have in the last 8 years I've owned the software.  The best part, is that I think this may change up my photo printing for scrapbooking as well!  Yay!

Please drop in and check out the shop, let me know what you think!
Cheers,
Steph

Twinkling H20 Process Video: Cat in the Valley

I love adding context/scenery to my kitty characters!  Here is a little Bengal kitty taking a stroll in a valley.  One day I'd love to draw a mini story/adventure, with a sequence of watercolor kitties.... but I need to learn how to draw different body poses for variation and interest.

I've been reading a book on perspective drawing this week, so hopefully this will get the ball rolling on that skill set.   

Here is the process video for my little spotted Bengal kitty... and you can see that I'm keeping it real!

I messed up when adding my ink, and I included my "fix" in the video. 

Making mistakes is all part of the learning curve, and for the first time in my life, I am embracing them.  The more mistakes I make along the way, the more interesting this adventure becomes for me and the more progress I make with my artwork.

Enjoy!

Steph

xo

*Supplies used: Twinkling H20s, Ink and Canson 140 Lbs watercolor paper

Guest Blogger: Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine

I'm so thrilled to be a guest blogger on the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine today! 

There are a couple of new Scrapbook layouts using some Echo Park and Studio Calico collections, and a bit about my new process video adventure.   Please pop over for a visit!

Steph
xo

Process Video: Twinkling H20s and Arches Watercolor Paper

I've been trying different types of watercolor paper to use with my Twinkling H20 paints, and I think I have found my favorite so far: Arches Cold Pressed 140lb 100% cotton.  I think it may still be a student grade paper, as it was the least expensive of the Arches papers (mind you, it was a pad of only 12 sheets!)

I was really interested in trying out something that is 100% cotton, and was curious to see how the Twinkling H20s react to it.  I was having "blooming" issues with my black Twink paint when using the Fabriano Hot press papers, and I thought perhaps it was a wonky reaction due to only being 25% cotton.

Here are the results, and I have to say I really enjoyed these papers! They were much rougher than I expected, but I didn't mind it... It's not like my work has super fine details that would be hindered by the texture :-)  I loved how the paint dried without pooling too much, as I tend to be heavy handed with the water. 

Here's a quick process video, hope you enjoy!
Steph
xo

Mixed Media: Funky Feathered Owl YouTube Process Video

This feathered friend was such fun to make!  I struggled a bit with the background, but all in all I am pleased with how it turned out.

I bought some new supplies last week and wanted to give them a try, however I think I need to spend some time using them on a Bristol paper piece before using them on a canvas again.

The Golden Fluid Acrylic paints were lovely, but I need to get to know their properties and how best to use them.  I have a few more colors on their way to me next week, so I will be sure to spend some time playing once they arrive.

The oil paint sticks were a bit tricky, and not at all what I expected.  I think they would have done better on a smoother surface to begin with, rather than my textured star background... but again, I need to play and get to know their properties.  I forgot to prepare them before recording the video, so my apologies for the struggle captured when I was trying to remove the "skin" before using it! LOL

I used a ton of ink on this fella, I just can't seem to help it these days!  I love the messy, inky, scribbled look!  Going between the bamboo and glass pens really gave me a variety in line definition, and I had so much fun!

Here is the process video, hope you enjoy it!

Steph

xo

Supplies used:

8x8 Gesso Canvas

Misc Paint brushes

Foam (recycled electronic packaging, instead of foam brushes)

Liquitex Acrylic Paint

Golden Fluid Acrylics

Stabilo Pencil

Liquitex Modeling paste

Liquitex Black Carbon Ink

Punchinella

Bubble wrap

Misc Stencils

Bamboo Pen

Liquitex Matte Medium

Gallery Oil Pastels

Windsor Newton OilBar (White)

Maya Mist (Lime Metallic)

Mr Huey (Banana Stand)

Stazon Ink

Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps

Liquitex Acrylic Spray Paint

Glass Pen Handmade by www.etsy.com/ca/shop/GypsyRoadCanada

Tuxedo Kitty Watercolor - Twinkling H20

Some days you just need to get it down on paper.  No thought about your end result, just pick up that pencil, pen, paint or whatever you need to express yourself. 

I've been trying to sketch or paint something every day.  It isn't always easy to squeeze in, and some nights I'm scrambling during the last few minutes before bed to put a doodle to paper. 

However these quick drawings feel wonderful, even if the sketch is crap.  (and many of them ARE crap!)  This aspect of practicing my creativity surprised me; these bedtime sketches calm my mind, sate that need to "make something" and helps me improve every day! 

A concept so simple, and so obvious!  I know it sounds so corny, but I feel like this is such a lovely new chapter of my creative self. 

Steph
xo
 

A Clowder of Cats in Pencil Crayons

One of the things that I love to do when trying out a "new to me" product, is to draw a cute group, or clowder of cats and color them in!  So far, I've tried it with various watercolor products, Distress markers and I'm currently working on a large piece with my Faber-Castell Gelatos.

Here is my favorite clowder so far using Faber-Castell Polychromos pencil and Gamsol on 11x14 Bristol paper.  I've tried other "high end" pencil crayons before, and wasn't very successful; the leads kept breaking when I was sharpening them, and most are all down to nubs after using them for only a short time.

The Faber-Castell Polychromos pencil crayons are a dream to color with!  They can be sharpened to a nice fine point, and they lay color down smoothly. I'm still learning about shading, and I find these cat collages are great practice.

Gamsol was used to blend the pencil marks with a paper stump. (Be sure to use Gamsol in a well-ventilated area)  It took a few cats to get the hang of using it, but going in a circular motion seemed to work the best.

The paper stumps have to be sanded down after every color, so it does make a bit of "dusty" mess in your work space.  Be sure to have your dust buster handy if that bugs you!

Have you ever used Gamsol?  Any tips/tricks are welcome!
Steph
xo

Scrapbook & Cards Today Fall Issue and a Double Layout

Have you downloaded the latest copy of the Scrapbook & Cards Today issue?  If you haven't,  I suggest you click here and do it now!  It is a wonderful issue with so much inspiration! They knocked it out of the park again and I can't wait to receive my paper copy in the mail soon.  There's just something I love about a printed copy in hand (I'm old school I guess).

I was thrilled when they asked me to contribute to their Pet Feature, and thought it would be the perfect time to create a layout featuring ALL 6 CATS!  Yes, you read that correctly... I had yet to do this with our new gang!

*The last time I did this, was with my old gang in 2008

I pulled out my American Crafts Shimelle collection and created a double layout.... because when you have 6 cats, you need a double layout to accommodate them all!

I struggled with photo placement on this one, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I'm not used to scrapbooking more than one photo at a time.  I wanted to be sure all cats had equal focus, and I think I was successful.

For those of you who are new readers, 6 cats really isn't a lot once you get used to it.... For a short time before we adopted the Persians we were down to 3 and the house was so empty!!   I could do without the fur though, thank goodness for a robust vacuum cleaner ;-)

Thanks for stopping by!
Steph
xo

Watercolor: Tortie Kitty Love!

Here is the latest kitty doodle!  A 9x12 cute Tortie, inspired by our beautiful cat Summer Girl.
(aka Summer Lovin', Summer Breeze and Miss CrankyPants...LOL)

This was my first time using Watercolor Paper: Fabriano 140lb Hot Press, and I really enjoyed it!

If you are unfamiliar with the difference between Hot and Cold pressed Watercolor paper, it's very simple: Cold=Textured   Hot=Smooth
(I'm sure there are other variables that distinguish them, but I'm still learning)

The paint and water flow differently when you're working on a smooth surface, so I'm sure there will be a bit of a learning curve while I work through the paper pad.

Along with the Fabriano paper, I used my lovely Twinkling H20s and favorite Pilot pen.  I still can't seem to leave the dark pen marks off my page.  I love the soft watercolor look on other artists work, but I never feel like my pieces are finished until I messy mark them up with black!

Until next time!
Steph
xo