Painting Pumpkins

Not too much creativity this week, but my children and I painted pumpkins. We enjoyed this small fall project.

Childhood

My creative project for today was inspired by a technique taught by Judy Wise as well as an idea I found in The New Acrylics:

In Photoshop, I converted the photo to BW and used a stamp filter on it. Once printed, I covered it with Self-Leveling Clear Gel Medium. Once the medium was dry (it took a couple of days), I wet the photo and peeled the paper off the back. Now my image is translucent! The inspiration for my background was Simultaneous Open Windows by Robert Delaunay. I read about it in one of my favorite books, Sister Wendy's 1000 Masterpieces. Finally, I added some pressed flowers and a few paint swirls.

Fiddleheads

I have decided to take the Creative Every Day challenge for 2008, even though we are already in the tenth month of the year. I painted this last night:

I did not paint with any plan. I just went on instinct, and the result reminds me of emerging ferns. It was definitely fun just putting layers of paint on my canvas and seeing the result.

Wings of Beauty

I was in my garden this afternoon and took photos of two lovely monarchs. My favorite shot:

I am past the peak migration dates for my longitude which are the last two weeks in September. However, this is my second fall here and I rarely see them until October. 

Mixed Media Collages

Inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts' book, Taking Flight, I have begun to explore mixed media collage. I have always admired collage and have even collected materials, but have never ventured forth to actually create something. My first attempt:



The lyric "Because we all have wings" is from the song Never Tear Us Apart by INXS. The cute elephant paper is a freebie from Jackie Eckles on the Little Dreamer Designs blog.

Second try:



Most of the elements on this page are from the Angel Kit by Lily Designs.

I enjoyed the process of making both collages, especially getting to paint. I already have other projects in the works, and will be trying some new techniques. Ahh, art is bliss!

Waterford Homes Tour & Crafts Exhibit

Today I went with my daughter on a field trip to Waterford, Virginia for the annual fair. Waterford was founded around 1733 by Amos Janney,  a Pennsylvania Quaker. It is also a National Historic Landmark. We watched juried craftspeople in 18th and 19th century style clothing make baskets, do woodworking, stencil floorcloths, and spin wool, to name a few. One of my favorite exhibitors was Vermont Botanical. Maggie Lake's pressed flower art is spectacular! I loved the Jack-in-the-Pulpits and Fiddleheads (emerging ferns). I could have spent the day learning about all of the traditional craftsmanship, but we had a bus to catch back to school.