Little Owl

The past few weeks I took a break from quilting and just did other things.  It is interesting to observe my creative meanderings - sometimes I just need to change gears and do something completely different. 

And I have really enjoyed the little paintings and the on-line class.

But I was ready to make a small quilt.  And this is the little guy that I made.

He is only 9x13 inches and he lives on the floor.  Yes a quilt on the floor.  Not where they usually live.

We have a wonderful water filter that removes the chlorine and the fluoride from our city water.  It sits on the counter with the spigot hanging over the edge of the counter.  So we need a little something to catch any small drips that may fall on the wood floor.  Voila!!  A little quilt. 

I like this guy.  I wasn't sure what else to add to his space but I like the simple branch shapes.  And I especially like the fabric that I found for his chest because it looks like feathers.  Hoot!

Four Little Paintings Get Together

Remember the painting class I took recently where I learned to use charcoal?  Well the last lesson in the class was mounting the drawings/paintings on wood panels. 

Wow.  I never would have thought of that myself.  But it was easy and it made them look so much more.... important?  Official?  Not sure the perfect word to describe the difference - but they looked surprisingly better. 

So I hung them up in a group.  The photo is slanted because they are in a narrow hallway and I couldn't get far enough from them to take a direct shot.  I would definitely take another class from this teacher because I learned SO much.  Now I just need to actually USE that new knowledge to make more drawings. 

Postcards

 I plan to participate in Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour next Fall.  People have such a good time visiting artists' studios that sometimes they like to buy a "little something" from the artist as a memento of that visit.

I was looking for something that reflected my style but was small enough to fill this purpose for some of my visitors.  An artist on this years tour had small postcard size drawings (I bought TWO!) and I am trying out that idea for myself.  So here are pics of some of them.  They are 4x6 inches and I will be getting some transparent mailer covers for them. 

A worthy (and FUN!) experiment.  I am having great fun making these little guys and isn't that what it is all about?

Another little guy....

Some of my card critters.....

Learning More New Things

So here is my first attempt at Pears.  Hmmmm.
It was hard.  Partly because I did not have the proper supplies.  I have a grand supply of acrylic paint - but not heavy body acrylic paint (which is apparently thicker and covers over other layers more effectively).

The process for this little painting was to start with looking at shapes and shadows and then paint those basic areas with a very dark paint.  Fine so far.  Then you use other colors to use the initial sketch as a base - and color over it.

That is where the problem occurred.  My paints would not cover the dark initial layer.  Hmmmm.  A challenge!!  How to proceed?

So I looked at the supplies that I did have - and added some gesso to the paint - and it worked pretty well.  It eventually covered.  I really did learn a huge amount by trying to add the right colors in the right places and to "see" the shades and shapes.  And I am happy with this for a first effort.  But I have a whole new respect for people who paint pears!!

And here is the last lesson.  A "loose sketch of a hummingbird showing motion".  Again hmmmmm.  I don't do "loose" very well.  It is apparently (for me at least) an acquired skill.  I will definitely try this again.

Overall - a GREAT class.  I learned so much about supplies and tools and about ME.  I can't wait to try some of the new techniques on drawing a face.  I'll let you know how it goes.