Mushroom Ornament Trio

I have to give this year's ornaments credit to my Pinterest images. Inspired by my DIY board, I made a big batch of homemade paper mache clay.    Jonni Good of the ultimatepapermache.com advises that the paper mache will keep moist for about a week, so I got busy trying to make the most of it before it completely hardened.  (btw...2 weeks later, it is still moist and usable...I kept mine in a freezer bag.)

I found an image of mushrooms again on Pinterest and decide to give them a try.

I started out by making a small mushroom mold out of paper and masking tape. For the paper,  I experimented with a mix of brown wrapping paper on some and tissue paper on others.   Also, I ran a wire through each mushroom and made a small loop at the top to hang.   So you have to kind of twist and twirl the paper around the wire and keep applying masking tape to hold the shape.

Mushrooms in different degrees of finish

It was a lot of trial and error, but the way I found what worked best was to spread the paper mache out on a smooth surface to about 3/16" - 1/4" thick.  I then picked up small little squares to wrap around the mushroom.  Here above, the one on the very right has the top drying with paper mache and the armature at the bottom exposed.  The mushroom next to it is totally done in rough form.  Then the mushrooms toward the top left were sanded and coated with an additional final smooth coat (glue and wall compound) to fill holes or imperfections. 

Just by accident did the mushrooms end up with this unique look.  I started painting them in the traditional red tops with white polka dots, and they were charming and pretty especially on a tree.  But the acrylic finish seemed to show a lot of imperfections.  So I had the idea of using the Annie Sloan french linen chalk paint.  It's made to cover imperfections in old furniture, etc. and to be sanded and waxed.  The colors all popped once it was waxed and it has such a wonderful finish and feel in one's hand.  I just fell in love with the way they turned out.   

The happy mushroom trio

Chase Your Wildest Dreams

Chase Your Wildest Dreams, mixed media 11" x 14"

"Chase Your Wildest Dreams"  has been brewing for a long time now and I am delighted with the finish.  The girl was painted over a discarded  floral painting.  You can see the white flowers coming through even on her top. 

She's chasing her dreams symbolized by the butterflies.  I think the nature of butterflies is a great way to show desires and dreams the way they float in and around you yet seem just out of reach.    You see, she caught one though and will catch more, no doubt.

Reindeer Sculptural Ornament

Reindeer Sculpture, 4" x 5"

Faux deer head and antlers

I saw these wonderful reindeer sculptures on Antiquefarmhouse.com and was inspired to make this cute little reindeer wall hanging, too.

I started with crumbled paper and masking tape to form the deer head and attach it to a 3 x 3 canvas.  Then I used air dry modeling compound to finish sculpting the reindeer.  To sculpt the deer antlers, I made a wire antler form and used masking tape to give it some bulk.  Then, to give them some color, I used tissue pattern paper and glue it around the antlers.   I thought the little red glitter ornament just finished it off.  Don't you!

Japanese Geisha Painting

Japanese Geisha Painting, 5 x 5 arcylic on textured canvas

I had this prepared, textured canvas on the shelf just waiting for something special to happen to it.  Sometimes you have to just let the artwork spring forth without much thought.  I didn't set out to paint a Geisha, nor did I use any references.  I just let the painting emerge.  I believe sometimes you need to let your hand be guided.  This Japanese geisha painting is available in my Etsy shop.

Snow Day Children

I love to share with you these original portraits painted on 2 x 2 canvases of these little Norman Rockwellesqe-type snow children. I'm starting to list these little gems in my  Etsy shop. They're a one of a kind piece of art at an incredible price. Each original portrait brings back memories of bright sunny snow days where children gather on the biggest hill they can find to make snow angels and sleigh ride in the snow.

"Cora" 2 x 2 mixed media portrait painting

 Don't you just love how sweet they are.   Because of the itty bitty papers underneath, you can see texture and lines running through each painting. My favorite texture is braille and you can see a little piece in each ornament.

"Charlie" 2 x 2 mixed media portrait painting

  This is a great price for an original piece of art!

Kelly Berkey Portrait

A couple of years ago I met a very lovely person, Kelly Berkey, who was putting herself out there with a little fun painting exercise.  She would post a picture of herself one week, and we had a week to paint, sketch, whatever and send it back to her to post.  This is one of my favorite fine art paintings that came from that time and now it has found its rightful home with Kelly.

Treasury Time!

Amalia featured my "LOVE" mixed media painting in a treasury.  Looks awesome.