Layers - a sneak peak on new works

A peak at new works for my 

Artist Open House June 29th 2013

LAYERS

After my Art Master Class with Justine Formentelli I was so inspired to put my new technique to work. Admittedly I was still a bag of nerves after I sat and passed my driving theory exam I had to do something creative. The wonderful thing about this particular layering process for me is that I find it very calming [ the glass of port wine has nothing on this!!!!!] I had 15 medium canvases in my loft, which I retrieved into my home studio and went to work on them.....all 15! I really could not stop....it was like a layering frenzy. I  normally set the scene when I am working with music and scented candles but this creative session needed no frills. So now all my canvases are layered....I still have to paint and add more mixed media . I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Art Masterclass with Justine Formenteli

Young Picassa's

It was a dismal day in London town not too long ago but not at Chelsea Art Designs HQ! 

"Mummy may we paint please??? Sure you can my darlings...what colours would you like to use? yellow, green, orange, pink and blue please. Ok one moment........an hour later..."

I always encourage my daughters to do what makes them happy, follow their dreams, be happy in their own skin and  embrace every moment!! quote courtesy Pinterest

 Embrace the moments that life present to you!!!! have a lovely weekend!! Best Wishes Chelsea

Handmade Upcycled Travel Journal

Hello friends...I hope you have all been well. I have been under the radar recently, you see when there is sunshine and warmth in the UK everyone is out catching the rays and I am no exception. I have been very creative though, water colouring, art journalling and zendoodling while soaking up the sun.

Above - front and back cover. I did this little project last night. We are off the to south of France for a camping trip  

And I most certainly have to be creative while there and so  thought I would make a travel journal [despite having well over 30 new and partially used...shhhh no judgement] 

I used my daughter's unwanted Hello Kitty notebook [12 pages] I added and layered the pages with various textured paper. I am so excited to use this journal and see it transform into a colourful story, with secret pockets, tags, laces, empherma, quotes and maybe learn a few more french words.

This will be my first time doing an official travel journal, what a pity I only recently discovered this because I have done a fair bit of travelling in my time [ Germany, Spain, Holland, France, Barbados, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Canada, Scotland,...] how divine would it have been to have a travel journal for each of my trips then????

We live and learn, it is the journey of life.....I wish you all a wonderful weekend. Oh please wish me luck on the driving theory test on Wednesday!



courtesty PinterestPinterest

Mixed Media Sea Scape Painting

A few months ago I was asked to do this commissioned painting.

This sketch was my brief along with a guided dimension and apart from that I was given full artistic license

I knew I wanted this piece to be 3 dimensional and heavily textured, with the sun lifted from the surface, the roofs sticking out and the landscape protruding!

[the sun was moulded using clay then baked and painted.]

The foundation of the canvas was covered with over 16 layers of vintage musical note paper. My experience of being at the seaside is always a musical one...listening to the waves and seagulls. Nature has it's own wonderful rhythm and I really wanted to carry that essence through the painting

This was the original painting I which  inspired  my client to commission a similar  and larger piece.

It is important for me to challenge myself and not be a comfortable place creatively. I used to always do a  blended and smooth sky but since learning from an Art Master ( twice a month for an hour) I felt I wanted to change the skyline and the sea to give more life to the painting ..as you can see from the finished piece!

Applying the various stones was a delightful experience. It looked amazing, adding lots of texture and light to the painting but when I placed the beach houses it did not fit well on the stones, so I had to sculpt the houses and add more stones. Once I added more stones (which I brought in Bavaria) the landscape felt off, so I painted it several times with various shades of earthy tones to get the colour I was finally happy with. I used lots of gold, silver, copper and  bronze to add more texture and life.
It would have worked better if I painted the houses on but I really wanted to make a feature of it with little roofs. If  I am to do a similar piece again I will do a few things differently, using other mediums. But that is the game as an artist, every piece is prototype.

 All in all this painting took me on a wonderful creative journey, applying new techniques and mediums. This piece has been the object of my affection for the past few months and will be off to it's owner soon..where I hope it brings many smiles and joy to within new home. It is difficult to not be connected to paintings like this when I have spent many many hours creating, I will miss it very much. So have a wonderful day and week until next time. Chelsea