My Weekend CREATE-ing

Hello Everyone!

I hope the weekend treated you all well!  Mine was amazing!

My Mom and I went to the CREATE Mixed Media Retreat, finally, after waiting for over 6 months for it to arrive.  I don't know if you remember that I asked my Husband for this gift last Christmas....a Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary gift all rolled into one....

My Mom wanted to attend with me, so it was nice to have a Partner in Crime to go with.  Plus, she lives just 15 minutes from where it was held here in California, so we didn't have to spend the money on hotel rooms.
If money was no option, one could take (4) six hour classes and (4) three hour classes over 5 days.  We took (3) three hour classes and (2) 6 hour ones....5 classes in all.

On Wednesday, we took a class called "Carved Birches - no cutting tools required" given by Staci Swider.

This was a 3 hour class.  We used 12x12 canvases, acrylic paint and oil pastels.  The neat birch tree effect was created with molding paste, crackle medium and house paint!  A really cool effect!

 

My oil pastels weren't blending very well, so the teacher let me borrow one of hers.  It was some French brand of oil pastel....and it was like butter! So creamy!  I need to add those to my wish list!

 

Thursday night, we took a class called "Crinkly Iridescent Vestiges" given by Helen Shafer Garcia.

 

 

 

We were given a special Masa Paper (rice paper) that we drew simple images on, crinkled up and soaked in water.  We outlined our drawings in a wonderful acrylic ink and watched them bleed. 

 

 

We filled them in with watercolors and embellished when dry.  We worked on several, but this is the only one I finished.

 

 

 

We took a 6 hour class Friday morning called "Unleash your Creative Spirit" with Staci Swider again.  This was so different than what I'm used to, that it really forced me to just go with the process.

 

Here's my view of the class from my side of the room :)

 

 

 

We started with a 2 foot square wood panel.  We covered it in gesso and acrylic paint (I used my hands the whole time).  We dripped water over the top and swirled it around by moving the panel to and fro.  We soaked up the water and some paint with a large piece of watercolor paper.  We did this as many times as we liked........then, we were told to find something hidden, looking at the panel in all directions.  Some found faces, others found animals.....

 

 

I saw a giraffe :)

 

 

We were told to incorporate some of the watercolor paper into the panel. 

 

 

We used oil pastels to define our lines....otherwise, it was all painted using just my fingers!

 

 

Saturday morning, we took a 6 hour course by Chris Cozen called "Incised to Perfection: Working with Color, Pattern and Texture"

 

 

There were lots and lots of layers put on this piece with flowers being "found" in the random designs.  Stencils and course molding paste were used.

 

 

I didn't realize you could paint over molding paste with watered down acrylic and have it bleed over the surface. Interesting.

We worked on 2 canvases, but I didn't come close to finishing the 2nd.

 

 

 Our last class on Saturday evening was called "Chip Off the Old Block" given by Pam Carriker.

We were given tips and guidance for carving our own stamps.

I've tried this before, but not for a long time.  I tried to pick an image that I could get a lot of use out of.

 

 

I carved both sides so I would have both wings.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of these in art to come ;)

 

 

Thanks for letting me share my class projects with you!  Attending them was a wish come true....

 

I think we'll try to go next year, too! We'll see what the Hubby says....heehee ;P

 

Big paint covered hugs to you all!

Cam 

 

Whimsical Critters

Doesn't it feel good to make good on a promise....

Now, I don't make promises lightly, but, I have to admit....sometimes I don't get them met until long after most have forgotten I made the promise to begin with....haha!
Not this time :)

I promised you guys more art.
...and more art I have :)

 

For inspiration, I flipped through some of Maggie's nature magazines.  When I saw a creature that made me stop and pause, or grin to myself, I earmarked them. 

Elephants are one of those animals that draws me in.  Such interesting features, kind eyes and an overall silliness in their wrinkles.

 

This is entitled "Lady Grey"

Is that her favorite tea or her name? Hmmm....

 

I saw a raccoon in the pages, too, all fuzzy and sneaky.  I had to paint one! Here's my version.

 

 

I call him "The Star Thief"

 

 

They are each painted on 4 x 4 inch (10cm x 10cm) canvas panels and come with a cute little wood easel for displaying.

 

I have 2 more of these little panels left.  We'll have to see what animals catch my eye and imagination next....heehee!

 

I'm off to yoga now, but when I come back, I'm going to spend the afternoon visiting with all of you.  I feel like I'm just not in Blogland as much anymore....and I really miss seeing what has been keeping everyone busy!

 

Til later, Namaste :)

Cam

More Mermaidens

Here's what I've been working on lately.  More art for the swap....

What swap, you say?
Well, now....please click on the button to the right.  I'm hosting a Swap of the Scaly variety :)

If you already signed up....then one of these girls could end up in your mailbox....heehee....but which one, I wonder?

Isn't that part of the fun?!  You just won't know until you open the package :)

I'm having so much fun!  I've been cutting up every spare box I can find to use for these ladies.  I have 9 of you signed up so far....and there is still over a month to sign up and send your Mermaids to me!  Hope you'll join in :)

Also, I wanted to mention that Amalia at Pencils and Fireflies is spreading some Sponsor love today and included me in such a nice little feature!  I'm over the moon happy :D

You can also visit her wonderful Shop....she is an amazing artist!

Hope to "sea" your name on my swap list :P

Love ya guys,

Cameron

Duck, Duck, Swan

My Dears,

In keeping with my reflectiveness of late....another birthday passed.....dwelling far too much on the aging process and things being left behind (my teenage metabolism, unabashed spunkiness, perky boobies, hair that didn't require coloring, the excitement of finding love...over and over...haha!) 

I have decided to not mourn these things....for, experience is not to be held on to, but to savor...the uncertainty of "seeing someone" has blossomed into a fulfilling marriage....my breasts allowed me to nourish a baby....graying hair and wrinkles are a small price to pay for the joy of continuing my experience here on Earth.

With this being said, and realizing that I need to focus on seeing myself in a positive light, rather than my skewed perception of what I think everyone else sees...I created this.....

"Always a Swan"

8 x 10 inches on canvas

We all need reminders sometimes....that we don't have to feel like ugly ducklings.....in fact, no one can make us one, if we don't already believe it's true.

Inside us, lies a beauty and strength that is timeless....ageless....magical.....



We are unique....each of us, special.......with gifts and talents to share....an inner light radiating out through our words, our actions, our emotions....

How could we EVER have thought ourselves ugly ducklings...outcasts and worthless?!!!!

When we are, and will always, always remain.....Swans!!

We are incredible!  *group hug*

Thank you so much, Dear Family and Friends, for believing in me....I believe in you, too!

Lotsa Love,

Cam



Fitting Halloween in a Box

Or at least on one!...haha....

I told you more little painted boxes were in my future!

I think they're a really fun way to add a bit more Halloween Whimsy to my house without destroying my budget :-P

I've been wanting to experiment with crackle glaze for a while now....

So, I thought these would be a safe, small project to experiment on...

I like the added texture and "finished" appearance it gives!

I learned, though, the thicker you apply, the larger the cracks....next time I won't be so careful, and I'll really slather it on :)

This one I made for a "Nightmare" lovin Friend!

I wanted to paint Zero inside, but the sides of the box were a little too deep to have good control over the brush/pen....so, a Halloweeny wrapped gift seemed appropriate :)

I used some irridescent glitter over the ribbon inside, and Jack's bowtie outside...

I think you can just barely see some of the flecks in this picture :)

My only complaint with these boxes is sealing them.  Does anyone have a suggestion on what to put on them that doesn't make the lids stick?  I've tried the crackle glaze and Mod-Podge with both having that kinda tacky feel....I have to pry the lids off sometimes...and the paper tears a bit :(

It's cold and rainy here today...and I'm loving it!! Hope you are all having a wonderful day, too :)

Big Hugs,

Cameron

Hoot Hooray!

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful wishes regarding the House!  It is exciting news....just trying to reserve all out celebration until everything is finalized :)

Anywhoo....I've got a couple little things to cheer about...like having Photoshop back!!  Woot Woot!

So, if I go a bit crazy with the filters and effects, forgive me...I've just missed it so!!! ;oD

My daughter and I finished planting and decorationg the front porch...

I love it when flowers and Seasonal Displays greet me at my door!

We did a bit more inside, too....like the piano...

Nobody plays the darn thing...and it takes up soooo much wall space, but my Husband won't let me get rid of it....so, it's just shelf space for fun stuff.....

Like these pics of our "relatives"...heeheee

But the biggest thing I'm cheering about today is having a new art piece to share with you!!! Yippee!

I've been in an Owl Mood (pun, intended :D) as I'm sure you've noticed by my new blog wallpaper of choice :)

This is "Darker Still" 6x6 inch Mixed Media on Canvas

I'm really happy with how it turned out....felt really good....quite natural, which is huge for me, since I'm still learning how to work with acrylics and this whole "anything goes" concept!  Probably send this to my Swap Partner for the Halloween Spooktacular swap :)

This is the scanned image....always hard to see any metallics this way...but I used golds and coppers in his feathers and lots of rusts in the original prepping of the canvas....

Hope to be back with more soon!  Have a fantastic Weekend :)

Smiles all around,

Cam

Ummm....

Hello Everyone....

I'm having one of those days where your mental agenda spins like a hamster on a wheel...over and over again in your mind....

All the things that I need to do, want to do and should do, collide like bumper cars vying for position.... So, I'm gonna do things a little differently today.  I wanted to spend the morning creating a little something new to post here since I haven't shared anything with you since last week....(and I do SOOO Love sharing new things with you) but, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

I have a lot of new things going on, actually...here's the short list:
   
 -I have an appointment with the buyer at a metaphysical store called Visions & Dreams tomorrow....while I'm terribly excited about having my work available in a retail location, I'm not fond of leaving things on a consignment basis...so, I thought I'd mark things way down for Wholesale pricing just to have some cash in hand, not have to worry about keeping track of what sold and what didn't, and move out some older stock in favor of not storing it any longer (and making room for new creations ;o) 

I made peace with this decision, but my Hubby (who is out for the Summer already and shaking up my morning routine..haha) is telling me that I'm selling myself short and not making what I'm worth, etc, etc..... I think it's better to take what I can get now, than wait around for the possibility of more later...does that make sense?  I had a business in the past, and I have quite a few pieces left from way back then....out with the Old, eh? :)

     - I'm spending a few hours every weekend painting a mural on my daughter's preschool wall.  This is the big news I alluded to in an earlier post!  I'm actually doing 2 walls.  I'm getting near completion on the first :)
How this got started is a pretty funny little story that I'll share with you when I post the finished product.  Here's a sneak peek....hee hee!

     -I have committed to a whale themed Swap on Swap-bot and just finished carving some stamps to use in the project....alas, I haven't "tested" them yet.

     -Just bought materials to make some Plushies (stuffed dolls) and I'm at the stage of..."Okay, Cameron, you have everything now...get moving!" So, that'll be a future post, too.

    -Oh, and we finally have ripe tomatoes. (I'll just put a picture of them up right now and call you updated...lol)

So, as you can see, I have my fingers in lots of pots!  I hope to have some exciting pictures to put here for you all!

Thanks for reading my ramblings...I needed to check something off my list today!  Hope your week is productive and bright :o)

Off I go again, Cam