{Mother Earth Interpretation}

A work in progress...

This is my largest piece of work to date, painted with acrylics on stretched canvas.

It is my interpretation of Mother Earth.
To be completed...

{Doll Dreams - Art Journal Cover}

I have been a long admirer of the very talented artist Adriana Almanza for a fair while now, and I find her work incredibly awe inspiring.  I jumped at the chance when I saw her offering art workshops to learn how to draw her beautiful dolls.
After signing up to join the DOll Dreams class, I have learnt a huge amount about.  Not just about drawing the dolls, but also about the importance and technique of shading.  I have never been able to shade my artwork correctly when using acrylic paints - watercolours, yes - but not acrylics.  I'm learning how to change that now.
Adriana is very generous with her knowledge sharing, and she allows us to "copy" her own artwork for us to learn.  She offers step by step tutorials via PDF and video files that I have found incredibly useful.
One of the tutorials was an art journal cover using one of her gorgeous girls.  After studying the step by step pointers, I set about creating my own using the same styling.

I used acrylic paints, paper, embellishments, a charcoal pencil, and a PITT waterproof pen.  I'm really pleased with the way it came out for a first attempt of the doll style - but I don't like the over similarity to Adriana's work. Now I have a strong basis on which to grow into and find my own style and way of doing things - exciting things to come...

**If you want to have a look at the Doll Dreams workshops, further information is available here:  http://dolldreams.ning.com/ **

{A little bit of something different..}

As Taisia hasn't been settling in the evening too well over the past couple of nights, I have had to think of something creative I can do whilst sitting next to her.  I don't mind.  I am very blessed to have such a gorgeous little lady in my life and I know that each moment with her is precious - kids soon grow up don't they?

I decided to try my hand at knitting again.  I had picked up some cheap yarn at Wilkinsons a couple of weeks back.  It was only cheap at just over £1.20 a ball, but it said it was self-striping and I was intrigued.

I have chosen to knit a hooded tunic style jumper for Taisia, it's a pattern that I took out of a Woman's Weekly magazine a long time ago.

Day 1

I am in love with the self-striping yarn!

{The Beginning}

Painted on 7in x 5in hardboard.

Ingredients:

• Hardboard.
• White Gesso.
• Printed Papers.
• Assortment of Acrylic Paints.
• Rubber stamps.
• Charcoal Pencil.
• Brayer, sponge, and brushes.
• Prisma colouring pencils.
• Versafine Ink - Black.
• Ranger Distress Ink - Walnut Stain.
• Computer Printed Wording.
• Gel Medium.
• White Gel Pen.
• PITT pens in various nib widths.
• Gold leaf Pen.

{Fly Free}

Painted on self cut MDF arch.

Ingredients:

• MDF - cut into arch shape using a jigsaw.
• White Gesso.
• Patterned Papers.
• Assortment of acrylic paints.
• Prisma colouring pencils.
• Versafine Ink - Black.
• Rubber Stamps.
• PITT pens in various nib widths.
• Charcoal Pencil.
• White gel pen.
• Sponge and brushes.
• Gel medium.

{Imagine}

Mixed media canvas, measuring approximately 7in x 5in.

Ingredients:

• Stretched Canvas.
• White Gesso.
• Assortment of acrylic paints.
• Versafine Ink Pad - Black.
• Ranger Distress Ink - Walnut Stain.
• Gold Leaf Pen.
• White Gel Pen.
• Black PITT pens in assorted nib widths.
• Computer printed wording.
• Charcoal pencil.
• Sponge, Toothpicks and Brushes.
• Rubber stamps.
• Gel Medium.