More Little Bits.....

I just finished 2 more of the mini painting necklaces....

I'm enjoying mixing different components from different sources.  I even went through my own jewelry box to see what unworn treasures could be brought back to life :)

This pretty necklace is called, "Flight"

Teeny and unique :)

This is my favorite so far.  The chain draping was a new thing for me.  I just love how it looks....reminds me of a Gypsy Princess.

I call this one, "Beauty"

 

The center abalone piece is from an earring my grandma had among her things.  The large round beads are made of carved cinnabar.  They've been in my stash for years and have just now found a purpose.

 

Remember these little paintings are just 1 cm x 1.5 cm in size... created with acrylic paints and ink on canvas paper and sealed with Diamond Glaze.  Can you see the hints of iridescence on his neck?

 

My daughter has claimed 1 of the paintings for her own ( a starfish) so I just have a toadstool and wolf & moon pendants left to bead. They are listed in the shop as soon as they are made, so please take a peek, if you like :)  

 

Speaking of my Darling Daughter, she was a sugar skull girl for Halloween this year.

This is how she went to school yesterday.  We didn't paint her face white....just painted the eyes and used temporary tattoos for the rest.

 

 

Here is the nighttime version.

 

 

It always makes a kid (and a mom) feel proud to get lots of compliments.  

Her costume was a big hit :)

 

I hope you all enjoyed your festivities, too!

 

One last thing I'll leave you with before I go.  Maggie's jack-o-lantern this year!

 

A 2-faced cat with 3 ears!

 

 

She conceptualized and designed this creepy creation all on her own.

Makes a Halloween-loving Mama's heart pitter patter with pride....haha!

Can't wait to see what she thinks of next year :)

 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Candy corn kisses,

Cam

 

Bringing the Dead to Life

Hello all my Wonderful Bloggy Buddies!

I'm so happy to be able to post here twice in one week!  It's all this cool weather...it just perks me right up :D

With Halloween looming in the air, I was enjoying some wonderful images of skeletons and spooky decor online, when I came across photos of Dia de los Muertos....sugar skulls, bright painted faces, colorful flowers.....a reminder to recognize and celebrate our loved ones past and present.

I was overcome to try Day of the Dead inspired art of my own....and...

I even rembered to take a few in progress shots :)
I started with some quick notes of what characterizes the style....

So, I chose 2 prepared 5 x 7 inch canvases and sketched faces on them...

First with pastel, then more detailed with pencil.

Once I refined their faces, I painted them white and sketched on the patterns they would have adorn their faces.

It's so amazing to me how I can just freehand a face shape, eyes, nose, etc, not purposely trying to make them alike or different........but end up with them having distinct faces from eachother...

I was laughing a bit here that they resembled those masks the wrestlers wear on tv :D

All finished up...

Flowers in their hair...

"Dulce" has such soft eyes and a gentle expression....perhaps missing a cherished one she lost?

From the side...

....and this is "Rosa".

Her more rounded eyes have a direct gaze....

She just plucked that rose from her Abuela's garden before joining the festivities.  A rose as pretty as her name....

I enjoyed this so much!  It was so much fun to dress these girls up....almost like I was playing in make-up in front of the mirror...heehee!

I hope you like them, too!  If you like them A LOT...they are in my Etsy shop ;P

Hold the memories of your loved ones close...and hold your living ones closer.  Tell them how much they mean to you.  Say "I love you" at a time when they least expect it.  Life is for the living...

and for Loving (imagine a heart icon here since I don't know how to do that...haha)

I love you guys,

Cameron