Happenstance

Is HAPPENSTANCE even a word?!  Well, that's the word that popped into my mind for this little bit of creativity.  Sometimes, circumstances just happen!  My daughter recently moved, and was going to discard this gold ornate frame.  Even though it's not my style, I couldn't bear to donate it; it just seemed that I could do something with it.  So days went by, and it occurred to me that it would frame something lovely for Christmas--but what.  Yesterday, while at Hobby Lobby, looking for something else, I happened across this big, bold gold-wrapped flower, and I thought it would be perfect for the frame.

At first, I thought I would hang it from the back, but it didn't look quite right.  So then I searched my stash of vases and bottles for something to put it in, and found a green wine bottle--perfect.  It certainly helps that the wall behind it is red, but any contrasting or dark color would work for this.  I love the look:  fresh, whimsical, and certainly festive.

What Grows in Your Garden?

I just finished these decorative yard paintings for a friend.  She has often commented on mine, which are quite a bit smaller.  I have them wedged between the rails on our picket fence in the back yard.  So when she asked if I could paint some for her, I was happy to do that.  I painted 6 of them.  And guess what they actually are?!

They're slats for patio blinds!  I cut them to her chosen dimension, which is 45 inches long.  They are reminiscent of nautical signs somehow, although that was not the intention.  Someone else mentioned that they reminded him of Native American symbols.  Whatever you want to call them, hopefully they will add a bright spot to my friend's garden!

Boat/Beach Decor

 I am making some boat decor and artwork to sell at our Marina.  Here's a little treasure chest that would look cute as a table centerpiece.

 And here's the side view of it.  I tried to find "plants" that one would see near a beach.  Luckily, most of them were on sale!

And here's another one:  a basket that has a larger display.  When I finished, I thought the front of the basket needed a little something extra, so I added the bias tape with holes (I love this stuff!) and attached some little trinkets.  These were a lot of fun to make; I hope they sell!

The Flowers of My Dreams

Here is a large canvas I recently completed.  It was a work of intention; most frequently I paint without an end in mind.  "In my head," I saw these big red flowers on an ochre background, but when I went to paint them, the flowers wanted to be different than what I "saw."  And I do like these.  Not realistic (I've never seen any flowers like these!), and yet they COULD exist.  And in fact they do now exist on this canvas.

I chose red because I wanted this to be in our newly remodeled bathroom, and all the accessories are dark red.  It fits quite well, and they brighten my spirit every time I look at them.  Now back to simply PLAYING with paints, with no intention:  my favorite.

Healing

Here is my latest piece, recently completed: 24 X 24 canvas.  It took me months to finish, from the first mind image that came to me in my sleep, to the silver bowl glued to the table.  This was a challenge, as it was the first piece I have made, with intention, with no model.  The table alone took a lot of planning (and erasing!).

The bricks are actually  "mortared" with spackling compound and a trowel.  The "holes" are pieces of cardboard, peeled back to expose the interior, and almost-dried-up wood icing.  The colors are Golden Fluid Acrylics, heavy-bodied acrylics, craft paint, and pastels.  The bowl is silver-leafed.  Truly a mixed-media piece!

This canvas has special meaning.  It holds a lot of symbolism and spirituality for me.  What do you see in it?

Happy Spring?!

I created this little sign, after being inspired by a posting on Pinterest.  The original used coasters (like you get at a restaurant), but I used balsa wood.  I think the coasters would have been a better idea, as the heaviness of the wood may end up scratching my paint job on the door.

Anyway, when I finished it, I hurried downstairs to hang it up, and when I opened the front door, that's when I saw it:  it was SNOWING!   Mother Spring must demand her time!

Here's a Spring Wreath I made yesterday.  I used white eyelash yarn (found that idea on Pinterest), and wrapped it around a styrofoam wreath (I re-used the one I made for V-Day.)  Than cut artificial flowers with a wire cutter and inserted them into the styrofoam.  Also re-used the bow from the V-Day wreath.  I like that the white reminds me of fluffy snow, and then the flowers are a hint of Spring.  It WILL be here soon!

I've also been working on several other pieces of art, but nothing is ready to be posted yet.

My latest

 Just finished this 3 dimensional piece yesterday.  I've had the frame for while; just couldn't think of what to put in it.  While at Michael's a couple weeks ago, this wooden heart caught my eye.  I've always liked to paint on wood.  So I got out some gloss red acyrylic craft paint and painted the top of it red.  Then I etched into it with something I had on my work table (I can't really recall what it was now!)  I really liked the effect; so much so, that I incorporated this same red/etching into a claybord I've been working on (photo of that soon).

I like the coppery effect on the frame and on the edge of the heart, so I also added some copper tape to the frame.  It's sort of a Valentine-inspired piece, but it also feels spiritual to me.

And THIS!  This is so unlike anything I've ever done before!  Being on Pinterest, I think I get inspired by other artwork, and I always go for COLOR in the middle of the winter.  It's Twinkling H2O's on watercolor paper.  Yes, I love circles, don't I?!

Here's my budget-friendly Valentine's Day Wreath.  I bought the styrofoam wreath form at Michael's with my 40% off coupon; everything else I had on hand.  I wrapped the form with pink/green/white checked fabric, then made some rosebuds out of pink crepe paper.  I pinned them, along with vintage valentines I had, and pieces of white paper doilies.  Lastly, I made a bow out of pink chiffon I had on hand.  Altogether, it cost me about $6 (today), and took less than half an hour.  I am proud of myself!  Creativity on a shoestring, is my love!