Friday Desk Photo July 9

This week I was working on a little bird house for a garden art swap.

I started with a base coat of white house paint then put on Golden regular gel (matte) and before it dried I created texture with sequin waste and a credit card. I rubbed on and off several layers of color to bring out the texture. Then started painting the bird....

Three times I painted the bird.

I roofed the house with a piece of rusted tin from a friends remodel in fact from the house that our picnic was held in so it was fun to use.

And the back of the house. To finish it for the out doors I sprayed it with polyurethane.

Portland Art Collective

Yesterday was our annual picnic, we held it indoors because of the heat but that didn't slow us down a bit. We laughed ate great food and did the garden art exchange. Here is some of our group with the art they made. Go to the PAC blog and check out more of the photos.

This is the beautiful piece I won, made by Paula, visit her blog and see how it was made and the beautiful watercolor journals she does. It's a dream catcher that hangs on a swivel. I'm going to put it just outside my window so it will catch the wind and the sun.

New Art For My Walls

In the past few weeks I have been involved in several art shows, as a participant it was successful and a wonderful adventure. I met many artist old and new, fell in love with so many beautiful pieces but could come home with only a fraction of what I wanted. I was not surprised at the colors and subjects I picked but was amazed at how well they all go together once they were all on the same wall. We are still in the middle of a remodel and they will find new space after it is all done but for now they will hang at the side of my bed where I can see them every night and dream of art and color.
Remember if you want to see the art work up close just click on the picture.
This piece is by Barton DeGgraaf click on this if you would like to see more of his work. I love all his work, the one above is titled "Gone Fishin" and is a watercolor.

This one is by Robin Olsen from her pod series, an acrylic on canvas. The title is "Alone Time". I love the values and textures in her work,check out her blog and see some amazing art.

This one is so alive and my photograph does not do it justice because the depth, color and different textures captures the viewer. It is titled "Sunrise, Sunset" a mixed media collage by Lorraine Jones.

Here they are next to the bed.

So sweet this little Jack Sparrow Hawk (American Kestrel) is acrylic on wood by Susan G. Jensen

And isn't this one fabulous it is a African Guinea Hen. Acrylic on canvas by R. Goldys.

A bird of a different sort a "Urban Folk Art Bird" by Stephanie Brockway.

The pillow is by Suzanne Reynolds a wonderful seamstress and artist.

The card is a photo of a couple sock monsters by Darlene Veltman.
How lucky am I, I sold enough art to buy some amazing pieces from artists I admire.

Artist Retreat

What a weekend, we all enjoy a spot in Creevy Commons to visit, laugh and make art at the Portland Art Collectives fall retreat... painters,knitters,jewelers, sculptors, artisan's of all sorts work together and share knowledge....

we had a small table of show and tell, next time I want a big one its so nice to see the work others are doing....

the demos went well.... new addictions....

Jan concentrates....I can't wait to see that one done...

or this book....that Dayna works on...

Linda helps me get the panty hose on the wool covered balloon ? what ?

it became a hat.. my sis Becky models...

Diane's faces come out for some air...

little mushrooms pop in the leaf litter...

and Jan captures them.....

thank you to the group for a very nice card and gift, you touch me in so many ways.....

as I said in the first line "What a Weekend"

Weekend Art Date

The best kind of art dates are when they last for three days. My art group Portland Art Collective has just returned from our spring retreat at Menucha Retreat and Conference Center. We all know how good it feels when we are with a kindred spirit now imagine it with 14 all in one room creating and laughing.

I spent most of my time this weekend listening and laughing. And that is an understatement we all laughed so much we held our cheeks and gasp for air. I'm happy to say silly prevailed.

I worked on a paper cut based on the sculpture "Going to Town with an Umbrella. Click here to see the sculpture. Each time I do one of these I learn something new in this case just how relaxing it is for me to cut on a predetermined line being able to listen to every little thing around me.

The Grosbeaks moved into the garden while I was away. This is an Evening Grosbeak, they are about the size of a Robin with a parrot like beak and lovely color brighter than in this photo.