Herndon House Mixed Media Painting— A Christmas Gift

Wrapping up my holiday orders! Ok, I lied, I'm just getting started. I have a few more houses to go:) But just finished this Downtown gem. Ho-Ho-Ho!

"Herndon House"

11"x14" Mixed Media Canvas

Latest Commission— A Chicago Home

"Chicago Home"

11"x14" Mixed Media Canvas

Commission

My reference

It was a pretty tedious painting that I got myself into this time. It must have been late one night when I started the brick because I decided to paint, cut and then place each brick with tweezers. Yeah, and as if that wasn't enough, I did the same thing with the shingled roof. Yes, I know. I'm insane. It took a lot longer than I thought, but I couldn't help myself. 

You can kind of see the 3-D elements from the side. I used old book pages and canvas with molding paste on the house and paper-pulp for the landscape. I think my favorite part of the painting is the house numbers and the shadowing on the garage. 

It ships off to the customer tomorrow. Bu-bye my little labor of love!

Newest Painting— "A Mother's Love"

"A Mother's Love"

18"x24" Mixed Media 

Commission

Finally, carving out some time to paint again! I just finished this piece for the Seminole County Healthy Start Coalition. The mission of the coalition is to provide a system of care that guarantees all families access to prenatal care ans all infants access to services that promote optimal growth and development. This painting will be auctioned off at their gala in October.

Hope everyone has a great week!

An heirloom to treasure.

This past November, my kids' school held their annual Fall Festival and Silent Auction. I donated my services as a Silent Auction Item— offering a "ewe"nique opportunity for someone to buy a mixed media reproduction of their own home. 

David White and his wife Kelly bid on my item and won! I gave them the painting all wrapped up on Christmas Eve. Here is their home.

The White's House

11"x14" Mixed-Media Acrylic on Stretch Canvas 

The thoughtful details:

• Pages from an old book wrap the walls of the home;

• balsa wood columns add dimension to the front porch;

• a painted burlap matt is a welcoming added detail, while the fabric window simplifies the look;

• felted wool, yarn, pom-poms and buttons depict the lush landscape;

• the exaggerated roof was created using molding paste, acrylics and a pallet knife;

• masking tape and acrylics create a subdued sky.

• and finally, paper pulp was used to create a 3D tree that embraces the home; 

The meaning behind the expressionist style:

I drew a distorted home with exaggerated lines and angles, and added colorful accents to simplify the look and make it fun. At first glance, it's a simple home, but as you look more closely the thoughtful details are revealed. To me it almost looks like someone has given the home a big hug with a tight squeeze (just like my kids give to me). I'm sure the White's house has a lot of love in it. That's what makes a house a "Home".

Week-at-a-Glance as of March 25th

WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE:  What a crazy week it's been, and it's not even over yet! I started my Mixed Media class Monday. Very fun. Painted the poppy-ish kind of flower (see below). Wood burned a sign for my neighbor's husband's outdoor kitchen. Then worked on some promo materials for Fund Education Now and the "Rally in Tally", going on as I blog. And today is Wesley's 8th birthday! He asked if I could bring Dunkin Donuts to school for his class and he wants to eat his birthday dinner of choice at the Mall in the Food Court. We're in the big time now!

"Blossom"

Used miscellaneous papers in my stash to make the flower petals.

 Lined the flower with dyed organza, then beaded each petal. 9x12 canvas board.