Friday, July 31, 2015

Exciting news and portrait study....

As I was packing and getting ready to go to Kate and Kelly's workshop, I received two emails from the DecoArt Company.  They asked me to be part of their Decoart mixed media program and also part of their Blogger outreach program.  I really didn't have time to process the news until I got home.

Since then, I have completed my first project and it will be on the Deco Art mixed media blog the middle of August.  I have used their paints for many years and absolutely love the mixed media fluid acrylics and mediums.  I am very honored to be part of these two programs!

This project was inspired by an art play date I had with my good friend.  We each took a photo from a magazine as our inspiration.  This portrait  is on 140lb watercolor paper, using , ephemera, DecoArt fluid acrylics and alcohol inks.  Using what we learned at the portrait workshop and adapting them to our own styles.
            The background is washed color, ephemera, pencil markings and alcohol inks. 
                                             Blocking in features with gold brown tones. 
"Let no one tell you what you are to do or how you are to do it".  Love that!  A happy accident applying the saying and didn't discover it until well into the painting.  So had to circle it!
I used DecoArt fluid acrylics and Americana Extender Medium. to create my layers.  Lightly applied to each area as I layered color.  Drying in between layers.
                                   Just couldn't resist adding Malcolm Liepke lips to her!
She is finished for now.  But, you never know, I may come back to her later .....

Thanks for stopping by and hope you get a chance to check out DecoArt and see what they are all about.  Look for "Nostalgia" watercolor tutorial the second week in August!
Ursula xo

Monday, July 20, 2015

My long time friend, Tryphena and I loaded up my car and headed to Excelsior Springs, Mo. for a week long portrait workshop with Kelly Berkey and Kate Thompson. 

We stayed at the historic Elms hotel which was built in 1888.  A beautiful hotel in a quaint little town.  

Here we are having dinner at the hotel one night.  The food all week was very good.

Each morning we met in Kelly's kitchen where she used her skills as Barista and made the most delicious Salted Caramel lattes. (or whatever you chose)  They were accompanied by fruits, pastries and spreads.  Then, over to the studio to learn and share each day.

We were the first group in Kelly's studio.  So it was special all the way around.  It was wonderful meeting such talented artists.  I learned so much from them and the experience was so valuable.  Not only were they all talented, but funny, friendly and warm.  

Here is our carpool group.  I love how we bonded and I will miss them.  But hope our paths will cross again and we can stay connected through social media.  Megan (on the right) kept us laughing to and from the workshop each day.

Kelly had a live model come in one evening and we stayed to watch her paint and draw along with her.
Kate taught us the planes of the face.  She also used flow medium with her open acrylics and I fell in love with the technique.  
One of my paintings on watercolor paper.  I cannot watch tv now without looking at the planes and shadows in a person's face.

They both opened my eyes to artists that I have never heard of and will continue to explore.  Modern day masters!  We even recreated a Malcolm Liepke with what we learned.  I will not only cherish the valuable lessons I learned, but the memories and friendships that were created.  

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

If You Dance with your heart, your body will follow. Mia Michaels

Whatever your passion is, do it with all your heart and soul.

I always wanted to take dance lessons when I was a young girl.  My parents didn't have the money and I envied the girls that had the opportunity.  I was fortunate enough to live across the street from a friend that did take dance lessons and she gave me her old tap and ballet shoes.  I would go down our basement and dance my heart out on those concrete floors.  Hours at a time, no music, just my imagination and those worn silver dance shoes!


The above painting is a value study, using the dancers.  Perhaps, capturing the movement and beauty of the ballerinas.

My passion is art and I want to continue to learn and strive to be better.  I will be attending a week long workshop with Kelly Berkey and Kate Thompson in less than a week.  I will be studying along with 9 other artists of all levels.  Very excited to get away, learn new methods, meet new friends and have some good food.



"You don't stop dancing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop dancing."

See you soon.  xo
Ursula