Sunday, August 26, 2012

Wedding Decor Sketch



A sketch of head table decor for the
upcoming wedding.  Sharpie pen
and watercolor in my art journal.
In case I am at the rehearsal when the
reception tables are decorated, someone
will be able to use this sketch (along with
a photo of the set up) to decorate the 
table for the bride and groom.

Black metal lantern from Hobby Lobby.
Assorted ivy and grapevine for greenery.
Stone doves from a home decor party.
'Love' plaque by Carruth. Silk flowers 
from Michael's and Hobby Lobby.
We used primarily burgundy gladiolas,
 white daisies and white roses, 
with assorted other flowers in the
mix. The bride really likes the 'messy'
wildflower look.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Sketchbook Revisited


While searching for something from
my daughter's old 4-H days, I came
across some old sketchbooks.
The tree, above, is a favorite.
Other sketches in this book were 
dated 1989.





I used to do black and white pen drawings
for our church bulletin cover. Probably
drawn from photos in magazines, but 
I am not sure. It's been quite a few years.





















Friday, August 10, 2012

'Vintage Wedding' Sketches



I've been busily making silk flower
bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres
for my daughter's wedding.  I originally was
going to post some photos, but then realized
the bride might not appreciate my revealing
them prior to the wedding...




so here are some sketches of some of the accumulated
items for wedding flowers and reception decorations.
(It's beginning to feel like a bridal warehouse around here)
Assorted vintage glass jars and vases will decorate
the reception tables. (I love these,
once I started buying them,it is really
hard to stop!)  A few will be altered
with burlap, lace, buttons, flowers
and whatever embellishments I can devise.
Pinterest is full of amazing inspiration...





We'll use canning jars for votive candles on
the reception tables.
So far I've made a lot of flower items:
6 Bouquets
7 Corsages
9 Boutonniers
1 Cake Topper
Assorted altered jars~
and that's for a bridal party of 4 bridesmaids and groomsmen,
which is not as large as some weddings are!
Flowers still to go:
8 Pew Wreaths, decorations for
Gift table, Head table, Candy buffet,
Wishing well for cards, Guest book,
and whatever else comes up!
It's going to be a busy month.
Counting down to October 6th....
So far, I'm enjoying the process.
We'll see how it goes the closer
we get to the event...!


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Art Journal: Bits and Pieces



Art journal pages in the Bits and Pieces journal.
I drew these in Sharpie pen while riding in
the back seat of a car...just consider any
wobbly lines as 'character'...caused by 
bumpy freeway driving!  I added the watercolor
after arriving back home.  A trip to Tennessee
and back was about 18 hours (including rest stops)
so when I wasn't driving, or complaining about 
other drivers 'cutting me off,' I did some doodling.

Have you doodled today?


Friday, August 3, 2012

American Folk Art; Index Card Conclusion


Theorem painting.
Sharpie pen and watercolor
 on an index card.

This index card art was inspired by
theorem painting, a turn of the 19th century
art form that was taught to young ladies in
the New England area of America. Women in
academies and boarding schools were taught
to embroider samplers and paint theorems,
as a way to become 'accomplished ladies.'
A true theorem was created using stencils.
(so my work, above, is not a true theorem,
but inspired by the fruit still life often depicted)
Theorems often featured fruit, flowers, and 
sometimes birds or insects. They were often
painted on velvet, but also on paper or wood.

Folk art flowers
I delight in the varied flower shapes
and leaves on one stem.


Traditional American folk art
would have used primary colors,
but actual antiques would have a
subdued color palette due to their aging.




The angel, above, is created using 
flourishes and a flower.



Trees, flowers and birds would have been
used on family records, award certificates,
and even mourning art.


The bird above, inspired by an
image that was termed a "peacock."
I have modified its design, but the
long, thin shape is true to the colonial art.



"Pop Ten"
The one card on this post that isn't American Folk Art.
Collaged from a root beer soda carton,
 a Chinese calendar image, a postage stamp,
and a scrap of vintage wall paper.

Was the Index Card a Day Challenge
successful for me?
  1.  I didn't make art every single day, but I did keep going for the entire two months, even if I had to make several cards in one day. 
  2. I found myself working "in series," which helped me explore a subject, medium, or style in more depth.
  3. I did more 'drawing from life' on the index cards than I usually do on my art journal pages. I consider that a positive thing.
  4. At first, I spent quite a bit of time visiting other bloggers' sites and commenting on their work. That became time prohibitive, so I was unable to keep it up. Perhaps that is the same situation other artist bloggers found themselves in, because not many visitors commented on my posts after a while. I wonder--were you tired of seeing index cards?
  5. I did stick it out for the whole challenge, and have 61 cards to show for it. Some may become mail art, some will go into art journal pages.  I plan to make something to hold the rest of the cards to keep them together.
  6. I didn't do any acrylic painting. I think time constraints were the reason.
  7. I found that I don't require a "challenge" to make art, but it did give me a "deadline" and a focus. I was more conscious of my commitment to make art. When I go for a few days without drawing or painting, I get that restless feeling, as though I've missed something important. Something as simple as drawing on an index card (or in my art journal) helps me feel happier. A specific deadline brings that need to the fore. A self-imposed deadline could be what is needed.
In the next few months, stop by to see wedding crafts!