Monday, July 25, 2016

"Every Flower is a Soul Blossoming in Nature"


This collage piece was inspired by an open painting day at the studio where I will begin teaching in August.

Many of the students have been working with collage so I decided to create a fun piece on  a sheet of 9x12 watercolor paper.  

My little box of mixed media collage pieces is brimming full of images and torn pieces of my own art.  I like saving little snippets of past work as well as vintage book and journal pages.  Even making colored copies of some to use and tear at a later date.

Simply begin by sketching out  your design.

Cut, tear and apply pieces of collage to some, not all of
the design.  Leaving some blank and some raised with the collage image.  Giving the piece texture and interest.  

        Using American Decou-Page, Antique Medium to apply.


             Add washes to the background with fluid acrylics and allow drips and colors to run.  *Keep a spray bottle of water near by to help.


Begin adding color to the design.  Stipple in centers of flowers with golden tones.  Add pinks, white, yellow and purples to the flowers.  Love how the various shapes bring on more of an abstract appearance.  Keep layering colors until you are satisfied.  Working wet on wet. You can even see my signature in one of the  flower pedals.

                                         Spatter, define and brighten. 

A fun and easy project to enjoy on a hot or rainy summer day.  This could even be done with your kids or have a floral painting party.  Each blossoming in their own way.

Have fun creating your own collage and garden of flowers.

See you soon!

Ursula
xo






Monday, July 11, 2016

Unexpected things await us this week.


Just like the unexpected flower that seems to pop up over night.  This is the first year that my Rose of Sharon is in full bloom.  We have had our share of rain and unlike some to the other flowers in my yard and garden, it flourished.  Others wilted and  have decided not to bloom for a while.

Taking advantage of my property and the beautiful landscape this morning.  It was a perfect morning for a little walk in the woods.  Being present in the moment, enjoying the gentle sounds of nature.

Something I need to do more often.  It is so easy to just start the day and get busy with things.  


I so enjoy the daily message from Ann Voskamp that I receive on Facebook.  Her thoughts for today were to look for the new things as the new week begins.  Unexpected things!  "We need to be present to the grace of this moment."  What beautiful words to live by, not just today, but every day.

      I love how the sunlight peaks through the trees and the beautiful melody of the birds I heard.  A peaceful and beautiful start to a new week.  

See you soon.
Enjoy!

Ursula



Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Sometimes we just need to step out of our comfort zone, believe and move forward.  Take some chances along the way or we will never know what could have been.  Because, in the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take.


I find this so true in my own life and am ready for the next chapter.  Not sure what it is, but I am stepping out and trusting God's timing.  "It takes courage to listen with our whole heart to the tick of God's timing rather than march to the loud beat of our fears."  Ann Voskamp

As I began this journal page, these words kept resonating with me.  Going back to my journal pages and enjoying the process of an image transfer.  These are always fun and the outcome is never the same and sometimes it doesn't go as planned. The paper isn't dry enough, the ink wasn't right, not enough transferred, the paper tore and so on.  As is in life at times.


I began with gesso and a couple of images that I printed out.  The leaves were from a botanical book I own and the portrait image was from one of my own paintings.  Adding the copied image onto the page with DecoArt media matte medium.  Allowing it to dry and hoping for a successful outcome.  Sometimes it is best to wait and let it dry overnight and hope for the best. We can take it into our own hands and take a heat dryer to speed the process along, but the results are not always as successful.




I trusted the process, followed the rules and satisfied with the outcome.  Drawing in the details, adding color and defining the features.


Adding collage pieces to the background and to her dress.  Moving along and trusting the process with hopes of a finished painting that I would be happy with.  It was only a journal page, but still wanted something I liked.


Adding washes of paint to the background and to her dress, over the collage pieces that I chose.  A small dot stencil was used to add subtle touches of white to the background. Topping it off with a lace collar and a small bird to the leaves.

                                    When she was dry, I added the word "Believe" to the dress.  

I was happy with the outcome and glad I trusted  and believed in the process.  Even though at times during, I wasn't sure I liked what was happening on the page.  I kept going step by step and trusted the process as I moved along.

Thanks for coming along this journey with me.
Prints are available.  If interested in one, please comment below.  

Talk soon.
Ursula xo



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