Jacobean Florals

Weeks ago I started working on this old canvas that already had many paintings on it. I gessoed and painted over it and then got out the stencils and had some fun with them and finally painted on the Jacobean Florals. Today I finished all the gold outlining...

Today is Day 5 of One Story Down photo a day challenge: 30 days of gratitude edition November 2013 I am grateful to have finished this piece of creativity.

Here are the evolution pics:

I feel that the background is too busy for the flowers....Here are some of my other paintings with stencil backgrounds and blocking out...

I may do some more stencil backgrounds and Jacobean Florals - like this last one but with a stencil background...

1911 Hans Andersen Book

I found this 1911 Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales book at a second hand book stall at the local arts festival today.  How much did it cost?  Just a donation!!!  So I bought a few books and some old maps and gave them $10 and ran away quickly with a big smile on my face.

Not only is it old but it has illustrations in it!!!  Today is Day 2 of One Story Down photo a day challenge: 30 days of gratitude edition November 2013 - This inspiration is this book with all these beautiful illustrations and ideas for using in collages and mixed media.

And an inscription!




You may remember that last year whilst in NYC I went to the Strand Bookstore and found another old illustrated children's book.....read about the 1890's book here - well, I have laser copied some of the pages but have not used the image transfer technique I learnt at Squam.  I have made the book and the Ampersand Gessoboards which I ordered from dickblick.com in the States as something precious and therefore I am unable to use them as I'm afraid I will ruin them....argh....we need to use our precious art things and with no regrets....

So the question is what to do with this book?

One Story Down - Gratitude

I saw this on Pinterest and thought I join in: One Story Down photo a day challenge: 30 days of gratitude edition November 2013.

1. This Moment - Today I helped my arty friends, June Stevens and Claudia Kraus set up their stall at the local arts festival.  I'm grateful to have these arty friends as part of my local art community and to be able to help them out.  More pics tomorrow when they are up and running!

Even though Thanksgiving is an American tradition I think it's always good to take time out to be grateful and count our blessings.

Maybe you'd like to join in....