"Santa Baby" emperor penguin (or how I had fun with glitter)

"Santa Baby"

Penguin, that is.

I decided, on a whim, to print a giclee of my baby penguin... with the Santa hat I added last year for Christmas cards ... and then to cover the red of the hat with micro glitter.

WOW!

that's all I can say. 

I keep walking past this ACEO print in my studio, and when the light catches the glitter - it's stunning. 

I love happy whims :-)

(I loved it so much that I printed the same painting at 8.5 x 11 inches, and went glitter-crazed on it too)

baby boy blue watercolor portrait

6x6 watercolour portrait of a baby boy in blue.

I love how Manganese Blue granulates - see the texture in the background?

ah, the simple pleasures of paint.

Audacious? Me?

"Start with a whisk and end with a broom." ~ John Singer Sargent

"10 seconds"
24x30 inches
watercolour on canvas

"Creativity means thinking on your feet, making adjustments and sorties as you go along, advancing commitment as well as erasure. Unless you express your wishes, however modestly or timidly, you may never know your power. Your general overall theme may be audacious, even simply audacious, but it is the final, well-planned flourishes that will help your work to fly."

~ Robert Genn 

That inspiring message was in my inbox today, and it came at a wonderful moment for me because I am adding the final touches to a piece I'm entering into "Eye for Art" today. I had literally been standing there, paintbrush in one hand and wet rag (for erasing) in the other.  Was it finished? Did it need a little more depth?  Once I sorted out those final adjustments, I took a break and read my messages.  


I've been told, on occasion, that I'm not lacking in audacity *grin*... so while thinking along those lines I pondered some possible titles I'd jotted down to go with this painting.


After much scribbling, erasing, staring at the painting, staring vacantly out the window, people watching, coffee, etc, I was satisfied with a title.  Originally I was planning a series of  paintings with the theme "Fiction" but as this piece seems to stand alone now, I wanted a more relevant, mysterious, funny, and even (dare I say it) more audacious title.


You can view the work-in-progress of "10 Seconds" in my previous blog post.


The tech specs:
24"x30" 
watercolour on canvas
This entire painting was completed using only my Yarka #10 squirrel brush.  I've found that when working on watercolour canvas, I achieve the best results with a natural fibre brush.
Paints by Daniel Smith, naturally.  Basically I used Naphthamide Maroon, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, and Indanthrone Blue with a few added punches of colour.


The painting has now been sealed, and is ready to be delivered to the Thames Art Gallery for jurying today.  I'm satisfied with the end result, and although it will be under the critical review of others very shortly, I feel no apprehension or nervousness.  


This was painted for me, not the judges, and I stayed true to myself.


Would you like to receive Robert Genn's twice-weekly letters too?  Visit his website, The Painter's Keys, and sign up!

Let's Get Primitive

The Primitive Collection available only at www.christydekoning.etsy.com

Things got a little primitive at my place this week.

While playing and painting with my youngest son, I squeezed out just a little too much Duochrome Saguaro Green iridescent paint 

(I love this stuff - shimmery gold green watercolour available exclusively from DanielSmith.com)

What's a girl to do?

Get messy, I say!

I had a sheet of hot pressed watercolour paper handy, and using a #4 round I just let the paint do what it wanted to.  Loading up the brush with lots of juicy wet paint, I didn't worry about the end result, preferring to relax and let the brushstrokes do the talking.

What I ended up with was a pretty fun mix of primitive folk-art style creatures that I cut into ACEO cards. 

 Each one is numbered :

"Primitive #1 (the fish)

"Primitive #2" (turtle top left)

"Primitive #3"(lizards)

and "Primitive #4" (turtle top right)

A great exercise in loosening up.  Try it!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Are you thinking about Christmas?

I just received an order of art cards in the mail. I love how they were packed in their own little jewel case, which will keep them safe and clean until they move on to their new homes.

I chose my "Nutcracker" painting from last Christmas to use as the image on these art cards.
They are standard ACEO size - like a hockey card - 2.5 x 3.5 inches

and the cool part ...
the cards are printed on both sides, and have the same glossy feel as a playing card.

What do you think? You can find them in both my Etsy and ArtFire shops!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

An Event!

I'm in the middle of planning an event.

This is a big thing for me, because planning and organizing are not my strongest points.

I'm really good at showing up and making the best of any situation. 

I'm the kind of girl who can make dinner in 5 minutes out of 2 ingredients

 

but give me all day to prepare 

and I'll have done everything BUT make dinner 

until 5 minutes before the guests arrive.

So the only way this is working for me is to just jump in and pretend it's happening tomorrow.

I've made phone calls, I've designed the poster, I've sent the ticket design to the printer and I've (somewhat) organized entertainment for the night. Thankfully I have two amazingly organized women leading the wagon here or who knows where our event might end up...

So what's the big deal? It's HUGE (well, in my world it is, anyway).  On December 1, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm the Chatham-Kent Etsy Team will be presenting "An Evening at The Mansion".  It will be an indulgent night of shopping for the finest quality handmade gifts in one of Chatham's most historical homes.  The Mansion on Victoria was built in 1875 for the then Lord Mayor of Chatham. From their website: "The Mansion's original grandeur will charm and romance with its luxury and elegance. Complete with amenities of the discerning traveler, The Mansion is located on a beautiful tree lined street on one of Chatham's most prestigious avenue." Operating now as a B&B, for those who wish to come from afar for this event, why not stay at The Mansion?

As the event draws closer, I'll have more news for you on who will be exhibiting their work, what kind of entertainment, and the down-low on refreshments (aren't you glad I'm not cooking for this?) 

For now, it's time to get back to work. Painting, that is. 

I'm confident that my trusty CK Etsy team cohorts, Brenda Braun and Ann Kirkham, will give me a kick if I get preoccupied organizing my sock drawer and fall behind with my duties...