Mixed Media Artist

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Lost In Your Dreams ( A Work In Progress)

This is a 18″x14″  mixed media painting in wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted red.

This painting is SOLD

This painting is not a work in progress. It is complete. Our subject, however,  just may be a work in progress, just as we all are. Living our lives on a day-to-day to basis. Doing the best we can.

I had a lot of things going around my head as I painted this one.  I was thinking about how when we are young, we sometimes give up our authentic selves  in order to be accepted in a group, or perhaps by a love interest. Sometimes we try so hard to become  what we feel we need to be,  we totally lose sight of who we really are. We try to blend in, to fit, to please, not realizing that, being untrue to who we really are will never lead to happiness.

As a mother of two young girls, intellectually,  I realize that helping my children to have self-confidence and self-respect is crucial.  Emotionally, however, I find it difficult when they question everything that I tell them  and make choices that I would  not make.  If I don’t let them make their own choices about these small things at this young age, how are they going to have the skills to make good descion when the stake are higher?  If I expect them to bend to my way, all of the time, why would I expect that they wouldn’t   bend to other people as well?

It is like walking a tightrope, trying to raise children that are considerate and respectful but also have their own ideas and purpose.

These are the titles that I wrote down as I painted this one:

Falling Into You

Becoming You

Becoming Me

I Become You

You Become Me

Blending In

Falling Into Me

Lost In Your Dreams

Lost In You

Don’t Forget You


Awaking Dreams


This is a 8″x10″mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5 and are painted red.
This painting is available HERE.

“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

~ Henry Van Dyke


Fancy Plumage

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This is a 12″x12″ mixed media painting on clayboard.

Hey, what is that peeking over the side?

Fancy Plumage side


Collage Crow

Collage-Crow
7″x9.5″Mixed media painting on paper
This little guy has parts another painting (that wasn’t working as a whole but that I just loved parts of) collaged into it.

I might do this again. I quite like the results.


Rose Red

Rose-Red
5.5″x6.5″ mixed media painting on paper.
SOLD
October 15,2009
I was asked to write about this one, so I am coming back to it a few days later.
When I was little I got this old fairy tale book that had some obscure stories as well as some more familiar ones. I don’t remember what the book was called but one of the stories was about two sisters, Snow White ( who was fair) and Rose Red (who was dark). I remember it really struck me because up until then I always knew of the classic Disney Snow White, who was dark. My mum used to say that when I was asleep I looked like Snow White because I had very dark hair, very pale skin. So when I read this new story, I once again felt a kin to Rose Red and instantly she became a favorite.
The other day when I was painting this piece, I began by making her hair dark and when I did the name ‘Rose Red’ popped into my head. The whole time I painted it I was thinking of this story, the book, and my connection to the character. I wanted her hair to be blue black ( a colour my Grandmother’s hair was often described as), her lips, cherry red and her skin porcelain (like mine used to be).
This is my version of Rose Red from that old fairy Tale.


Dummies

Dummies-web

5″x7″ Mixed media painting on Paper.

SOLD

I watch way too much TV, I will be honest, but there are few programs that I actually enjoy watching.

I LOVE WATCHING PROJECT RUNWAY!

It is so much fun to watch and it is a show that Chris loves too, so we watch it is a couple.

I really love fashion and at one time in my life, really wanted to be a fashion designer/costume designer.
Didn’t happen, can’t sew worth a bean (and boy can these people sew!). So I live vicariously through them via reality TV. Works for me!

Speaking of Reality TV, have you heard of Star Portrait? My mum was telling me about it. It sounds fabulous. Right up my ally! Anyway, I haven’t watched it but plan on it. It is on Bravo and three portrait artists have two weeks to finish a portrait of a famous Canadian.

(YES, THERE ARE SO FAMOUS CANADIANS!)

I like the fact that it is not set up like big brother. Can you imagine a whole bunch of portrait artist living in a house together for weeks on end? No?

ARTIST #1: Did you see the way she painted his nose! Who the hell does she think she is!

ARTIST #2: Ya, well I heard that she only cleans her paint water once a week.

ARTIST #1 NO!

Not exactly riveting stuff.


Prada

prada-shoes

These are last year Prada … but I’d still wear them!

This is an original 3.5″x5.5″ mixed media painting. Available  for sale on etsy.


ACEO The Girl And The Pear

aceo-girl-holding-a-pear

This is a painting if Scarlett stealing a pear. I have this stool from IKEA that has felt on the bottom and she can move that thing around and get up to where she wants to before I even know what is up. Most of the time it is to steal food. Honest, I DO feed her!

Oh, and look, there is another empty chair. For those of you that follow my blog, you will know what I mean. For those of you that don’t, get with the program!

SOLD


IF Similar

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The Orange Peelers, 1.5’x5′, mixed media on canvas, 2008

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A Favorite topic of mine.    The ‘Orange Peeler’ Factory.  This idea came about when I handed Scarlett a bowl of tiny little oranges and she spent 2o minutes peeling them.  In a two year old’s world this is a very long time.   Anyway, that was the inspiration and then I just let my imagination fly!


My Red Accordion

This ACEO is an original mixed media painting that I did today.

I love this new character. She is a harlequin musician. Here she is playing her red accordion. I plan on doing a larger version in the next couple of days.

SOLD


My Red Guitar

I love my red guitar
It almost looks juicy
I could just eat it up
It makes sweet music
That fills me up
It makes me feel happy
It makes me feel content

This an original 11″x15.5″ mixed media painting on 100% rag paper.

This painting is available  here   http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16864305


Eating Watermelon

This is the third time that I have painted this subject.  I have done one ACEO and one 11″x15.5″ mixed media piece on paper.  This time around I have painted it on 11″x14″ profile canvas (3″deep).

This has been included in a treasury on etsy! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=18516

It is avaiable in my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16805616


The Girl With The Magenta Hair

Hey! I was added to another treasury today! It is called The Little Red Coat http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=18359

She stood silently in the winter night.  The cold air touched  the tip of her nose and flushed her cheeks.  She wiggled her nose to stop the tickle in her nostrils. She liked that feeling, when the hair inside her nose began to freeze.  It was an odd sensation but it meant winter was really here.

The snow sparkled in the moonlight.  How could she think it so beautiful and hate it so much all at once?  It was hard to explain but standing there, in the moment, with the snow softly falling around her, it was undeniably  breathtaking.  And for right now that was all that mattered. Perhaps that was the key to it all,  not resisting it so much. Not anticipating the months to come, but instead, just taking pleasure in the beauty of  the present moment.
This is a mixed media 12″x 16″ painting on wood stretcher.  It is 1″ deep and the sides are painted magenta. This painting is available here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16805934


Just Waking ACEO

I have just been added to another treasury on etsy!  http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=20638

The treasury is entitled Like A Kid In A Candy Store and was put together by  the wonderful artist Victoria Usova  http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5376404.

This is a original mixed media ACEO painting on 100% rag paper.

This painting is of Scarlett just waking. She does this wonderful thing with her lips when she is feeling kind of moody. My little Jessica Lange.

ACEO available here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=16776504


The Thinker

It is amazing to me how children become who they become so early on in life.  Imogen has always been a thinker.  Very compassionate and sensitive.  When she was less than a year old, you could not sing certain songs to her because they would make her cry.  Really cry, like her little heart was going to break.  Two of these songs were My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean and Momma’s Going To Buy You A Mocking Bird.  As she has gotten older, it hasn’t really changed.  She basically doesn’t like songs sung in a minor key.  This kind of rules out  lullabies.  Maybe that is why we didn’t sleep for that three month period when she was first born!  We thought we were comforting her but we were actually distressing her!   I have since asked her why she didn’t like the Mocking Bird song and she said because the mamma kept taking everything away from the baby.

My friend took this picture of her and  it seems to capture her in a moment of deep thought.  Who knows what she was thinking about at the time, she could have just been contemplating what she wanted to whine about next!  A five year old’s prerogative, you know.

SOLD


The First Snow

This is an ACEO that I did today.  It actually hasn’t snowed yet but I am anticipating it.  It should happen any day now and lasts for … oh, ten months …OK eight …OK, OK six.  Tomorrow is supposed to go as high 19 (that is nearly 70 for you Americans)!  Maybe, for the kids’ sake it will hold off until after Halloween.

SOLD


Scarlett Plays The Piano

I did this 8″x10″ mixed media painting today.  It is of Scarlett at the piano.  She really takes her playing quite seriously.  My five year also takes Scarlett’s playing quite seriously.  When Scarlett plays,  it SERIOUSLY bugs her!


Alice Spots The White Rabbit


Poppies

A beauty amongst the beauties.  Don’t you think?

8″x12″ profile canvas (3″deep).  The sides are painted red.

Double click on the painting to get directly to my etsy shop.


Imogen Harlequin

This painting was featured in Cynmb’s treasury on Etsy.


The Green Corduroy Coat


I love this coat so much. I just took it out of Scarlett’s closet so I could pass it on. Most items of clothes go through this process with out much thought but this outfit (there are matching pants) was worn by both of my girls and is a reminder that they are growing up way too fast!

This is a 8″x10″ mixed media painting on a Paulowina Wood profile strecher frame.


Now That I Have Your Attention

The meeting will now begin

What do two white ravens need to discuss?

The would like it to be noted in the records

They are not albino

They simply have some type of mutant gene

They like that they are symbolic of peace

And they really like the gold sequins on your hat

That is all

The meeting can now be adjourned

Hello everyone, now that I have your attention, I just wanted to let you know that I will be having a Etsy showcase in the Art section Aug10 starting at 12 am for 24 hours. All of my new stuff from the last week will be up. I’ve been working really hard and I hope that you enjoy it!

Thanks,

Maria


I See You

11.5″x15.5″, mixed media on 100% paper.


The Orange Peeler 2

This is an original mixed media piece on 100% rag paper.

I had this little painting taped down for ages. I needed the the drawing board so I decided to finish it and I am glad I did. Poor little neglected painting.

This painting is of Scarlett peeling oranges. I have done several versions of this subject and am working on a large canvas of 5 Scarletts peeling oranges in a row. I call it The Orange Peelers or The Orange Peeler Factory. It all started when I discovered that by giving Scarlett a bowl of tiny oranges to peel I could buy myself at least 20 – 30 minutes of free time. This was an event to remember and to even document! HA!