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.

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

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 

Commissioned progress

I sold 2 paintings to a client a few months ago Exhibit A

  When I delivered them to his home I was pleasnatly surprised with a request for a commissioned piece. Doing commissions really floats my boat because  I take great pleasure in giving people what they want (with a little extra as a small thank you and appreciation). 

Here is the draft/brief.............I stuck it on my mood board so sorry for any distractions on the background. I wanted to share my progress with you { with granted permission from the client)

Here is the piece..My client has a red sofa that is central within the living area of the home, so I painted the edges in red to tie it with the room.

I wanted this piece very textured as it is a mixed media piece, so I layered it 8 times with various textured paper which took  3 days to apply, dry, apply, dry.......

My client was  inspire by this Seaside 3Dimensional piece I did  a year earlier and wanted  a larger ,wider version with his own specifications.{ I love working with people who knows what they want, it makes my job much clearer and therefore more enjoyable}

So it was late nights and early morning with a bonus of zendoodling while wainting for layers to dry..

I will share more photos as I continue to progress with this piece

I am currently working on the beach houses at the moment, so expect more pics soon. Much love and have an amazing weekend. And please leave me a comment, tell me what you think of the progress. Do you love the seaside? This piece  gets me reminising of many seaside holidays spent as a child in the caribbean.

Fat free, Sugar free Fun-Zendoodle

About 2 months or ago I discovered Zendoodle/Zentangle as it is also called and I was mesmerized.

Ofcourse being the creative type I thought to myself 'I must try this', I have since done nearly 100 patterns. It is extremely addictive, without the sugar, fat and caffine. Also completely great for releasing stress. I highly recommend trying this. It is such mindless fun, and if you do not quite get it at first, please try another right away, it gets easier very quickly. The idea is that if you are able to hold a pen and write your name you can do this.

The term 'Zentangle' was created by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts when Maria, a calligraphic artist, found that she was creating designs while her mind entered a meditative state. They designed a small library of 'tangles' and set about transforming Zentangle into a business.

 You can find them on You tube- their body of work is amazing with free tutorials. There are now tonnes of information now on the internet, with kits available and such. But really, just get a journal or small sketch pad and a pen and voila! 

All the designs shown are my own. These are just a small offering of the many I have one so far. I will share more in the coming weeks if you like. Enjoy! Be Inspired. Try it.

Materials for Zentangles
The great thing about Zentangles is that you can carry everything you need in your purse/bag making this art form extremely portable.

Materials for Zendoodles;

1. A small sketchpad 
2. Fine liner pens - I tend to use Pilot  Hi Tecpoint V5-extra fine

That's it really...and you are on your way

Benefits of Zendoodling

 The main benefits for me with this process is that it is so relaxing. I find it great way to clear my mind and de-stress. I now take my little sketch pad with me everyhere, even in bed ( I find the stessors of the day melting literally away). It is a great way to end the day. Also if I am at the doctor's or dentists office waitng to be seen, in a car, bus or train. Really any situation that I am sitting for any period with my hands free...it's Zendoodle time!!

 

I hope you liked reading this post...............if you tried this or have been doing it for a while, let me know how you find the process, do you enjoy it?

Best wishes Chelsea