Happy February!
Today I am sharing with you my 2nd set of projects for StencilGirl StencilClub Voices. These are using the February set from StencilClub which is called “Grandmother’s Kitchen” and designed by Kristie Taylor.
In my artwork I typically use stencils to build up background layers and the February stencils are perfect for that! All three stencils in the set have the same basic pattern, but in different sizes. I love having repetitive patterns carry through my work and the multiple sizes helps add dimension and depth. The first thing I did with these stencils is to just play and create some background layers for my stash to be used as the mood strikes.
I used one of the smaller backgrounds to create my February Mandala. I layered the stencils in various shades of blue and then used the 4×4 in white as the center of my mandala. The details in the pattern made it easy to pick out elements to repeat and build off of in my drawing. I’m not sure if the result is more wintery or watery. What do you think?
I also used the smallest version (although the biggest stencil!) as a background on a memory box. While the pattern may have been inspired by interiors, it reminds me of a garden trellis and felt like the perfect back drop to the loose, brush stroke trees.
I see these stencils getting a lot of use in my studio going forward – and I think they might come in handy during summer kids art camp…(garden trellis, chain link fence, spaceship targeting systems…lots of possibilities here!)
You can check out projects from the other StencilClub Voices here on StencilGirl Talk.
(And if you are interested in seeing what the kids do with these stencils come summertime, be sure to sign up for my newsletter below!)
One of the questions artists frequently get asked is ‘where do you get your ideas?’ Inspiration can come from many, many sources. Things that we see, experiences that we go through, thoughts we remember at odd moments. Everything that has happened to us in our lives influence what we create and put back into the world.
The painting I am sharing today has some pretty straight forward origins. In my Zentangle practice, I will switch back and forth between working on Zentangle tiles and working in my sketchbooks and journals. Some of the drawings are just for the meditative practice, and some call out to me to be turned into something else. This quick drawing in my sketchbook was one of the later.
My mornings in the summer normally start with a quick trip out to the garden to say good morning to the bees and check for any new vegies that are ready to be harvested. The blooms always draw me in, this pumpkin blossom being no exception.
I had a few new boards prepped for new paintings with some background colors blocked in. I had already been influenced by these trips to the garden and had a background in progress with shades of green and orange. With the 2 images above in mind “Abundance”, the final painting, started to emerge.
The mandala of ‘Abundance’ captures the energy and potential of new growth, while the colors fading into the background reflect the peacefulness and serenity I feel sitting in the garden each morning, listening to the bees as they make their rounds.
Make sure you save some time on your schedule to come visit the studio on November 19th or 20th. With 12 artists onsite and welcoming you into their studios, you are sure to find something that intrigues you.
The Diva’s challenge for this week is to create some valentine inspired tiles, just in time for Valentine’s Day! I didn’t create these just for the challenge, but they are full of hearts, so they fit the bill.
First up is a zendala full of heart shaped tangles.
This is a piece that is a sample for a kids art/zentangle party. So much fun!
Don’t forget to head back over to the Diva’s site to check out all the great work everyone has submitted!
Happy new year everyone!
Always a time for stating intentions and declarations, and reflecting back on the past year. While I have a number of goals, one of my main focuses for the year is to nurture my creative side and produce more work. Hoping to post a lot along the way to share with all of you.
For now, here’s a peek into my new Tangle a Day calendar for 2016 (made by Carole Ohl).
Tangle a Day Calendar
The new Zentangle® class schedule is also up on the site for January and February. I’d love to have you join me for a class!
Hope your new year is off to a great start!
