Saturday, December 31, 2011

Medieval Fragments--Revised



Black and white line drawings are a favorite 
technique of mine, but these just didn't seem finished
without color.  Watercolor added in
my purchased Mixed Media Art Journal.
(Canson multi-media paper)





It seems odd to know that sculptures of the
Early Middle Ages were probably brightly
painted. We are used to seeing the
worn sculpture surfaces without color, 
the texture of the stone and the shadows
created by the shapes creating subdued
but striking compositions.

I am thankful that in our time, art can be
created and enjoyed by all, and is not
 found only in churches and museums.
The packaging of your morning cereal
is art, and even the billboard down the road.
(though some more so than others!)
Where did you see art today?


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Stitching Roses







Christmas gifts stitched for someone
whose Christmas tree is decorated in
white crocheted ornaments, with
accents of mauve and light pink.

Cross-stitch on cream Aida
with organza ribbon and white cord trim.
Rose patterns from a book by Leisure Arts
titled "Sweeter Than The Rose," copyright 1993.
I used portions of larger patterns to 
create the ornaments.




Friday, December 23, 2011

Medieval Fragments




Art of the Middle Ages, though it seems
primitive to us in many ways,
fascinates me in its richness of
design, pattern and symbolism.
Above, drawing done in my art journal
after a twelfth century sculpture.
(photo in Art of the Early Middle Ages 
by Souchal, 1968) 
Mary seems melancholy, but
the child Jesus looks happy to
be in his mother's arms.






Above drawing in my art journal
inspired by a stone relief called
Adoration of the Magi, Mid-twelfth century,
Church of Sainte-Croix.
I chose to draw only Mary and Jesus.
Jesus' head is missing in the photo
of the relief, so I improvised.
Regardless of the stiff pose of
the figures, it still has a charm 
all its own, and this particular relief
is "evidence of the vigorous art being
done at the time of transition from Romanesque
to the new Gothic style,"  according to the author.

Peace and Blessings to you all.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Rust and White Pages



"Farewell to Age"
8.5" x 11"  collage on watercolor paper
for Elizabeth's themed book "Rust."
Images from a vintage book.
The woman is an Elizabeth Arden
advertisement.  Lace and 
metal embellishment above,
acrylic and watercolor background.





Fabric, buttons, and vintage metal key;
collage on watercolor paper.  Acrylic paint
and watercolor background.  
Embroidery, felt, and paper combined
to create the round embellishment.
Click on the image for enlargement.




Assorted papers, fabric, and rusted metal
on painted watercolor paper.  Thanks to Halle
for the Citrisolve papers! They were a nice
rusty brown color perfect for this page. 
The unbleached muslin fabric was quilted
before stitching rusted metal piece onto
the surface. All rusted metal was coated with
gloss acrylic medium to stabilize.




Fabric pockets with unbleached muslin strip
gathered with a running stitch,
 and a tattered stitched rose.
Lace and embroidery accents.





Tags for the pockets, with my swap
information on the back.  A bit
of brown paper bag on the tag at right
is from the paper covering my work table.
Lots of paint from other projects,
and a spattering of gold spray.

It's always a fun challenge to work
with colors that I don't often choose.

Now back to Christmas stitching...
have a creative day!


Friday, December 2, 2011

Journal Pages: All Sorts



Journal page resulting from
a tempera paint session with 
the grandchildren, ages 2 and 6.
They really enjoyed it, and so did I!
Combined my painted doodles with
magazine images, fabric 
and pen work.





Some of my pages are for sketches
or notes.  Above, some ideas for
necklace 'beads' and wrist cuffs.
Ethiopian prayer box beads are 
made of metal, but I think 
a fabric version with beads and
quilting could be quite interesting...






Notes from a book from the library.
You can click on the image to enlarge and
read the notes.  Sometimes I find that books
for 'young people' make the concepts 
much more understandable, and
therefore more enjoyable.






Above, another sketch from a library book.
I believe it was about Irish art. 
This portrays a book shrine, in which
manuscripts were housed. Some were 
wood covered with metal.  Stylized motifs
of spirals, trumpet patterns, crosses,
winged beings, people and birds
decorated these shrines.  Icons and
saints were often portrayed.
Shrines were also made to house relics
reputed to be associated with a saint
or religious person.  I just admire the
beauty and devotion which these
pieces represent...perhaps
inspiration for a 'shrine' to house
an art journal?