hello paint, it's been awhile...

The last few projects I did which involved paint, were large scale murals for babies rooms. fun, but not particularly artistically rewarding. I calculated the other night that it's been close to 8 years since I've touched a canvas, perhaps even more, as I recall being deep into fiber arts and drawing in my last year of university classes. I shouldn't have been surprised that many of the tubes of acrylic paint lying in the bottom of my dusty red metal toolbox were dried up and ready for the bin. I was surprised at how easily the memories came flooding back when I examined the contents of my paintbox. I could remember the excitement of acquiring a new shade, or a new brush, projects I worked on, people I worked with, a different time, a different me, but I remember totally loving art, and my creative process.

My first canvas done for a workshop that I'm currently taking called the She Art Workshop from Christy Tomlinson, is a mere 6 x 12 inches- miniature compared to canvases I've worked on in the past. I knew I didn't need to take the class to learn techniques but I did hope to gain a kick in the pants, and an excuse to paint again. What I have come away with so far, is permission to allow my craft to intermingle with my art. My aha moment was as I was applying much neglected rub-ons from my scrapbook stash to the layers of paint, paper ink and gel medium on my canvas- I thought "now I know where I can use these damn things!"

I have to admit, I took a lot of liberties, and changed things up a bit from Christie's instruction, but then again, I wouldn't have had as much fun had I copied her process and design.
Here's my first She Art girl:

Materials:
Paper: Bazzill Basics Paper, American Crafts, Bella Blvd., Jillibean Soup
Stamps: La Blanche, Gel-a-tins, unknown
rub-ons: Heidi Grace, Prima Marketing, Basic Grey, Hambly
Ribbon: Doodlebug Design Inc
Ink: Ranger Distress Ink, Colorbox, Staz On
pens: Pilot V7, Bic Mark-it
Paint: Liquitex
gel medium: Omer de Serres
Sealant: Mod Podge