Mixed Media Canvas Workshop with Emma Louise Wilson

21st February 2015

Spent a very enjoyable day at this workshop.....

....it started with Emma showing us samples of her work using teabags, assorted fabrics/papers, angelina fibres and candle wax to create texture.....

....we all began with a square blank canvas which was painted...

....well I daubed with a spatular which was a first for me.....

....next PVA was brushed on the unpainted canvas and I  added some cotton scrim for texture...

....a path in the middle made lumpy with blobs of candle wax....

.....more daubing for the forest floor in autumn!

While this was drying I used scrim, pva and paint for tree trunks...

......printed tree type shapes....

.....painted black tissue with bleach, how gorgeous is this??

Sort of finished with some highlighting with oil pastels....

......I think it needs something, maybe some stitch. I am not 100% pleased with the result, think it needs more depth, but have learned a lot in the process !

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My friend made an amazing picture.....

...lots of texture using the spatula....

....skeleton leaf and fabrics added....

......yarn and wax....

....seed heads using layers of fabric/paper/net/tissue...

....I LOVE THIS!

Jo might put also add some stitching....

...results  from the rest of the group....

...this still has to be completed....

.....a demonstration of how to melt wax on a tea bad which contains papers/words so that it becomes translucent....

....bandage,fabrics, paper, threads and paint have been used to create this....

......the lady who did this played with oil pastels on paper, rubbed with her finger and then painted with linseed oil.....

....lovely effect....

....must make the tea now......

......think I will be playing tomorrow!!

These photos are not really showing the colours and texture well but it gives you an idea!

Making Gelli Papers

20th February 2015

Took myself off to my loft space this afternoon for some playing with my Gelli plate....

 ...I used a small blob of white lino acrylic paint but it was really too thick and didn't spread well....

.....pressed square stiff hessian onto the plate....

....quite like the background print.....

...the net is on the left, print from the net in the middle and Gelli print on right...

......overprinted with my wooden block.....

....a couple of cards here I think.....

....I used a leaf for the resist on a brown recycled envelope....

....spread these colours with a feather on the Gelli...

.......and placed the Gelli over the original print.....

.....rather autumnal, not sure whether to highlight the leaf and veins, maybe with stitch.....

....metallic feather prints....

....just playing with my blocks/fir cone on a variety of backgrounds, top right is bubble wrap then wooden block print....

.....printed off the Gelli onto fabric, I might use Kantha stitch on this....

.....finally, I printed some tags last week, stitched onto another tag (I have hundreds of these!)

.....glued a coloured skeleton leaf on each and when dry coated with acrylic wax....

...the wax seals and enhances the paint texture.

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I am on a mixed media course tomorrow so watch this space........

A Walk by the Sea

18th February 2015

You all know by now how much I love the sea.....

....crashing waves....

......beautiful clouds....

.....gliding gulls.....

.....resting birds as the sea recedes..

....and a little sunshine peeping through the clouds!

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Spent about an hour this morning on Moo ordering 'business' cards using images from my work....

.....hope they look ok!

Also sent off my application to be a volunteer at Lytham Hall....

.....retirement is GREAT!!!

Snowdrops at Lytham Hall

16th February 2015

I have had a brilliant weekend with all the family celebrating RD's birthday.....

......never too old for the sand dunes....

....so lucky to have beautiful weather this weekend!

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My books arrived...

....haven't had time to look at them yet!

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Today took my sister to Lytham Hall to see the snowdrops...

....I have NEVER seen so many.....

....so beautiful....

.....this was an amazing tree at the side of the hall...

......the volunteers created these steps and their initials are carved on the top step....

.....fungus and moss on this tree stump surrounded by snowdrops....

...beautiful reflections in the lake....

....the moles have been busy...

....bullrushes....

....a 'Hobbit' tree...

....so much work done by volunteers....

.....lovely cobbled path....

....the toilets....

....just had to buy these snowdrops!!

A wonderful morning and I took an application form to be a volunteer!!