I think Maggie created a monster - Boats and more boats

My last post talked about me learning a tiny little bit about acrylics.   The only way to learn more is to do more.    I really like boats - don't own one, but I really like them.   I decided to do more boats.  If you remember I went to a class by Maggie Ruley a few weeks ago and discovered that I loved acrylics.

First, I sketched on what I wanted.   This helps me get the proportions right.

Second - I added a wash of color for the canvases.   Need to cover every square inch with paint so you have a base to pain on.

 Then I put on several layers of paint, shaded them and when satisfied, put a couple coats of shiny varnish on them.   I love them. 

Maybe I will said away in one of them.   That would be fun. 

Inspiration - amazing where it comes from.

Last Thursday I attended and posted about a painting class at Maggie Ruley's studio.    I really enjoyed it and felt really enthused when I got home. 

I had seen a painting at The Studios show in March.   Loved it and thought something similar would be good.  Since then, I've seen about a dozen similar ones in Pinterest and figured I would try it.

I've had this canvas cut and in this frame for years (years is NOT an exaggeration).   I took the second photo (one I found on the Internet - similar to the one I saw in March) and sketched it on the canvas.   Step 1  - done.

 Here is the photo I had printed off the Internet.  

 Below, I had  blocked in all the areas with a base coat of acrylic paint.   I am not really experienced in acrylic as I started in oils, moved on to watercolors and now I am trying acrylics.   So far, so good.  

A little more detail added.   Sorry about the feet in the picture.  Oh well, that's the problem with my TINY studio space.   Doesn't handle big paintings..
 Still more details being added.

 Picture finished with two coats of acrylic varnish.   I like the sheen on the painting.  Intensifies the colors too and I really - really like that. 

 Picture framed and is now hanging on my ever-crowded walls.

You notice that I left out the board that props the boat up in the picture.   Didn't think it was necessary.  

This is really fun.   I will have to go through my pictures and see if there is anything I want to paint.   I expect there is and I will post when completed.  

An afternoon of painting!

Yesterday my friend Michelle and I attended an afternoon painting class by Maggie Ruley.   She has a great shop with great paintings.

The medium us acrylic.  One I am familiar with but not too experienced with.  

 

This is the result of about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  I did the boat below.  Now I plan on doing more boats.  

Enjoy!

Looking to a Higher Power!

I have found a new love.   Gluing stuff to a canvas.    I have lots of stuff, so this is fun.  I found the girl form at an art and soul retreat.  The face was from my sister.   The cross was a purchase! 

Enjoy!

Unlock yourself

I purchased the face and body at a craft sale at The Studios in Key West.   It has been in my stash for a long time.  Finally got it out and assembled another piece.

Enjoy!

Dressed to the Nines

Dressed to the Nines is an english idiom meaning "to perfection" or "to the highest degree".   That's my title for the two assemblages I created.   Pinterest is going to be the death of me.   So many ideas and so little time to do all of them.   Similar ideas are all over Pinterest and this is my interpretation.

 

They were so much fun!!! 

 

Gettng my challenge finished - More Collage

Just this spring, I was lucky enough to go to Portland, Oregon for Art & Soul Retreat where I did a couple very fun and exciting collages.   One of a nest and one of my dog Benny.    You can see it on March 3 posting if you want to scroll back.    Susan Schenk was the instructor.   I had finished Benny and was ready to leave class and take a much needed nap.   About 3, Susan said that I had lots of time left and told me I had time to do another collage.   Not much interested, but always up to a challenge. I went thru her rather generic dogs and picked one.     Since I didn't want to take her pattern, I photographed her picture and went to work doing the background of the pup.   Background was done and it sort of layed on my work table until last night.   I was pleased with it but it took me a bit of time to finish it up.   

As you can see - a rather generic dog.

Finished and framed.   I think it looks like a dog I'd like to add to my household of 3 dogs and 1 cat.  

I see a lot more collages in my future.