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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Peek a Boo

I've been working on a big project since Saturday, and although I'm not yet finished, I though I would give you a few peeks. I've missed blogging so much, but I discovered that a painting takes a great deal more time than a journal page or an ATC does. This is a painting I'm doing for my husband's birthday, and, since he was a child of the sixties, it's going to be called "Flower Child." (Arty Girlz Flowers Challenge). I started with a 24 X 30 inch canvas added gesso, textured papers, silk flowers, tagboard cutouts and molding paste. At first I used a palette knife for the paste, but mooshing it on with my fingers was so much more fun.

After the modeling paste dried, I started layering on paint using everything from sponge to brushes to my fingers again for application.
When I had most of the paint on the large areas completed, I rubbed over the surface with walnut and black ink pads to bingout the testure. Then, I handpainted flowers onto watercolor paper and carefully cut those out. I did this so I could move them around the compostion and see which arrangement works best. When my art buddy Jann came over Saturday, she suggessted that I photograph the painted tin butterfly hanging in my studio and use it somewhere in this painting. So, I 'll definitely give that a try.

Here's what I've done so far. I have a lot more details to add. Please leave me a comment and tell me what you think. I always loved group projects when I was in school, so help me out and make some suggestions!

11 comments:

Barb Smith said...

Alberta, she's coming along wonderfully. I know he'll love it and I can't wait to see the finished piece, too.
Peace & Love,
~Barb~

Staci Danford said...

There are just no words to describe these but incredible. You have such a wonderful gift of color combinations. They are just wonderful.
Staci

Julie Allain said...

Your painting is looking beautiful I can't wait to see the finished piece

Thanks for joining in with Arty Girlz once again

Julie x

*jean* said...

wowweee love that texture! wonderful! how exciting to see snippets...can't wait to see it finished!! working big is a whole new ballgame and of course, you're up to the challenge!! lucky mr. al...

xoxo jean

allison strine said...

This is just tantalizing, Alberta! Beautiful work - can't wait to see the final result. Your dh is going to love it!

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, woman! I've been catching up on the last few posts. These are amazing!!! I dream of being able to do work like this. Breathtaking.

BlueRidgeLady said...

Exciting work Alberta! The colors and textures look alive! I love seeing it progress, and I know that it will be delicious!

Sandy said...

Wow this is excellent.
So colorful. Love them.

Terri Kahrs said...

Ohhhh, Alberta! What a beautiful, colorful, thoughtful gift! It looks fabulous and totally captures the "flower child feeling". (Been there, done that!) Wouldn't change a thing so far. Can't wait to see the finished piece.

Sharon Tomlinson said...

This is so wonderful and I really really really want to see it all....please hurry and finish and show us. I love the texture that you have created and I am inspired by it to try heavy texture this very weekend. I want layers of texture and ....I need to go home right this minute and start. Oh that feeling in my stomach! It is a hunger that I must feed. Maybe it's your vibrant colors. Or maybe it is the music I come and linger to listen.
xo

Anne, Bulles dorées said...

fantastic artwork !!!!