Friday, March 22, 2013

Keys4Art 2013 Part II

PROJECTS, Continued
 
 
Last year Pat and I attended a class with the very talented Dina Wakley, where we learned to paint birds.  Actually, the technique can be used to paint anything, but we all love birds.  If you can take a class with Dina, I encourage you to do so.  If not, she has a wonderful new book out called Art Journal Freedom, which has, in addition to lots of tips and techniques, 10 complete and detailed lessons, including the one on bird painting.  I got my copy at Amazon.  My artsy friends did some fabulous paintings:
 














 
 
Pat did a class in stamp carving and that was such great fun.  These are the three simple stamps I carved.
 
 
 
 
I love the way the two small designs look when stamped repeatedly.  In the following, I used black ink to stamp them over two of my gelli plate prints.
 

 
 
Teri taught us how to make a little origami book, which involved some nice paper and a few clever folds.  First, how it looks closed, and then the magic.....how it looks when fully opened.  (That's my NYC stamp on the cover, stamped over a bit of a gelli plate print.  I love how we were able to use things we made in one class in another project).
 


 
 
Pat is a master card maker (that's not all she is, of course, but she really is so skilled at turning out great cards), and she shared a few techniques with us.  These are not fully realized cards, mind you, just practice pieces I did after her demo.  First, faux layering.  This looks like torn paper was used to embellish the card, but it was all done with ink.,
 



 
 
Next up, a seasonal easel card.  Clever use of the grass to hold the card open.
 
 
 
And lastly, my favorite, the fluttering butterfly.  If I had a clue how to make a video I would, because you need to see this guy's wings move to fully appreciate it.
 


 
 
I thought I could do the whole retreat in two posts, but there's still more, and I'm tired!  To be continued.....







11 comments:

Helen said...

Wow, Eileen!! Loads more great photos, love all the bird paintings, they are fabulous. As for your stamp carving...

Claudine said...

It looks like loads of fun and many learning opportunities, thanks for sharing with us.

Lori said...

Wow, those birds are just amazing! Great job on the hand carved stamps... and I love the cards, such great techniques!

Unknown said...

o wow, i wish i was a fly on the wall to listen and see how all you did these beautiful projects! how fun, and beautiful!

Jennifer R.D. said...

Another amazing post Eileen!
I loved the photos and reliving all the
delicious details!
Hugs,
Jen

Unknown said...

OMG you sure did a lot of great work!

teri said...

Love seeing all those beautiful birds one more time. What a great class that was!

craftyM said...

Such fine feathered friends.... love everyone's bird paintings, too!!! Can't wait to see more....
Marita

Rhea said...

Looks like you all had a blast. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Patzee said...

Great photos!! I love how you used the deli papers for other projects, and captured it in photos. Great stamp carving, too!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Those birds are all fabulous!!!