What's on my art table today

Yeah I have some fancy art table....it's called my kitchen island!  I keep trying to convince my husband to build me a nice big art room where I can have all my vices supplies but it hasn't happened and not likely to in the future. So I'll continue to plod away on the kitchen Island.
Meet the next two pieces of art (if you can call it that) to be papered.  Mister Goat and Count Dracula. I've already started hooking Count Dracula but he seemed like a fun piece to paper collage. I have to finish up some loose ends on a project I need to photo but hope to find some time tonight to collage.  The tricky part for Mister Goat is trying to capture the right perspective.  He is supposed to be peeking his head out of the barn.  Do you all see that?   My husband is dubious whether I can pull it off.  Oh just give me a challenge.   If I make blog worthy progress, I'll post some pictures tonight. Have a great weekend. Maria

Remember this sheep?

Someone asked about the status of my sheep and as usual I was not happy with it and when I'm not happy with something I put it aside. And that my friends is why I have so many darn unfinished projects. If the project is not humming along all hunky dorry, often I start something else like... Sweet Bea. When someone asked me about the sheep, I decided to pull it out and work on it again tonight. My main frustration, and believe me there are many things that frustrate me, but the main one is the bright colors. It is very bright and while that normally doesn't bother me, it does this time. Also I'm not an artist so it is a little frustrating trying to figure out perspective, shading just to name a few. But I am determined to become better and am going to make time to draw or paint everyday.
Here is what the photo looks like tonight after I worked on it for a couple of hours.

This is what the sheep looked like after painting.  It is not as bright in the painting.

Here is what it looked like when I put it aside.

It looks a little better but I'm still dealing with those bright colors. I played around with textures in the sheep and think I am happy with it.  It is kind of amazing what you can do with simple things like paper.

Thanks for the nudge to work on this project again.  While I am not entirely happy with it, I did try a few new techniques and learned how to do a few new things. Thanks for stopping by, Maria

Every so often I get the urge to play around with different mediums as I mentioned in my previous post. Lately, the desire to create art with little itty pieces of paper has intrigued me and I can't stop ripping paper. This is the fourth piece I've made and I wanted to share it with you. Originally, I had this little gal drawn (that I call "Sweet Bea") on linen and was going to hook her but I thought she would make a sweet little collage so the urge to play with paper won out.
Let me take you through the process. First, I painted Sweet Bee.

Next, I started covering the canvas with little itty pieces of paper starting with the background

Generally, I start with the background and move to the body and the rest of the design.

Here is a closeup of the collage....

Aren't all the different papers and textures neat?

Does anyone besides me like to play around with different mediums?

Before anyone asks, not to worry, I am still hooking rugs and "Sweet Bea" is being offered as a rug hooking pattern. Size is 10 x 18 and the pattern's cost is $32. 

I'm off to start painting her with wool. Thanks for stopping by, Maria

Switching mediums!

I have been playing around with paint and paper and this is my latest project. This little canvas is a Christmas gift for a friend. Don't worry friend, it is going to look a lot different when completed and hopefully better. I'll show the different steps along the way in my next post. That is of course if it looks good! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Maria

Excuse the Cheerios in the picture!

The Finished Tree Skirt

Julie sent me a picture of the completed tree skirt. All she needs to do is bind it. Isn't it great! Thanks to Julie for sharing this awesome finished rug. Maria

Whale rug

This is an antique rug that I have been wanting to hook for a while and never seemed to find the time to hook it. As I've been spending a lot of time in the car lately traveling to hockey games I managed to hook it this past month.
I have an affinity for whales and just loved this antique rug depicting whaling. Somehow, I think those guys in that little boat with the small harpoon didn't stand a chance of catching this massive creature. That's my story anyways.
I still need to tweak the rug a bit and I'm thinking I may add a braided border to the edge. The second picture is of the antique rug. Thanks for stopping by, Maria
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