Art Project - Inktober 2023

#9

I decided to participate in the Inktober 2023 challenge.  They published a daily prompt list which I did not have time to follow.

I have been inclined to try this medium for a while and when the I was made aware that there was a Flickr Group I could join, I did.

I have some permanent fine tip markers. I used 90lb watercolor paper for my first few pieces because that is what I had on hand.  I pulled out what supplies I had and got started. 

#1

I used a Ultra Fine Point Sharpie marker for this piece on the light weight watercolor paper.

I was always inclined to want to paint afterwards which why I used watercolor paper.

I laid out my wavy river lines then marked up the vertical and horizontal lines on either side.

I added dimension with the color.

I knew I had tools I had used in the 1980s for calligraphy so I pulled those out. Turns out I had Speedball holders and quite a few calligraphy nibs most of which had a reservoir. I had picked up a small metal box of dip nibs recently so I pulled those out and cleaned them.   There were a couple of straight dip nibs so I put one in a holder and tried it out.  I did have several bottles of Daley Rowney FW Acrylic Inks in my stash as well.

#2

This is my next piece which was a straight steel dip pen nib and DR FW Purple Lake acrylic ink.

I was able to achieve quite fine lines, tiny dots and marks. Filling in the darker spaces was a bit challenging and the paper was not smooth enough.

The watercolor paper tended to lose bits of paper fiber that would get stuck in the nib.

Composition quickly becomes a challenge and I was just making marks at this point.  I had check out a few videos on line.

#3

This one used blue acrylic ink. 

I used smooth 110lb white card stock I use for card making for this piece.  That worked better with next to no issues with the paper surface.

Still using the Macleans Best Ever No.2 steel dip nib and a black dip pen holder. 

It was not a very good composition.    I chose just a small corner that I thought worked out pretty well.

#4

The pen and nib were getting more comfortable and I dug more colors to play with.

This is a dark green in the same brand as before and the red is a calligraphy ink.

The grasses I managed to make some very thin and other a bit thicker.

The composition when drawing something actual instead of abstract worked out better.

#5

Here the drawing was a bit challenging.  I did make a light pencil to start with which I erased once the piece was dry.

More new colors was kind of fun.  

I was wanting to fill a shape with patterns - not realistic but artsy.

Other than the wing I am happy with this one.

After doing some checking on line for direction on a good nib for a dip pen I decided to visit my local art supply store - Delta Art and Drafting Supplies.  

The Zebra G nib was recommended on line so I purchased one of those at under $3. I was looking for a black ink which I could then watercolor on top. 

The Daler Rowney FW Acrylic ink was recommended on sale about $7. I had to leave it dry completely before watercoloring over it.

Now, I wanted a paper I could use.  After considering that I am a beginner and a $70 pad of paper was out of the question I settled on a Canson pad for fluid mixed media.  The pad was also on sale for just about $9.  I went home with supplies for about twenty dollars which I hoped would help advance my art pursuits.

I also found on line a video that recommended a container of alcohol to clean your nib as you were drawing. I chose an old film container as it seals tight.  I use put in enough to the depth of my nib.

I selected one of the dip pen holders I had in my stash.  I have no idea when I acquired this vintage Eagle Pencil Company - made in Canada holder.  It has been well used but still in good shape. 

That is the Zebra G Nib installed ready to go.

#6

Here's my first piece with the new tools and supplies.  The paper is very nice.  

I divided the page into 4 pieces with score lines which would make a manageable amount of space to fill.

I looked at several owl line drawings on line and composed one of my own using aspects of the ones I had found.

I am happy with this drawing.

And here it is watercolored.

I painted a light wash over the whole piece then added color to the owl.

I love the yellow eyes and dark wings.  Of course, the color is just out of my head.

I mixed all my colors mostly and used some black gouache to darken some of my colors.

#7

Here's my next composition.  I drew a meadow with a tree, flowers and a little mushroom.  The original was rectangular but with more flowers on the right hand side so I just cropped it to square.  I had to lose a bit of the tree to keep the mushroom which of course was necessary.

It was then painted. Again an overall light wash so I don't have a white background. Blue to the top and green to the bottom.

#8

Here's just an abstract where I drew lines then filled in the spaces with pattern.

I found this one quite dark as all the patterns are quite heavy.

It has been fun to work on these projects, learn something new, be inspired to draw and get the right tools and supplies to have some success at it.

I will make more projects and look forward to Inktober in 2024.

You will find number 9 at the top of the post. This is a smaller version of the owl for the Macro Monday challenge I do every week.  The theme was spooky but the limitations are that the piece photographed can only be 3 inches.  I scaled down my first one which was about 4 inches tall down to 3 inches.  I did not capture the ink drawing before I painted it.  I was on a deadline and missed a step.  That is how it goes.  Then photographed the painting with dramatic light and I think it did Spooky really well.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Wildlife in the river valley has been scarce this year.  I don't know if the wildfires north would affect the number of animals here.

There have been fewer sighting of chipmunks and song birds.  It's is possible that my going out later than I usually do has affected what I see.

It's been a tough summer and I have to admit getting up bright and perky before 7 am has not happened much this year.

It's been more like 9am which means the animals have just moved on with their day and are no longer where I expected them.

We had some heavy rain this week.

This is the lamp post in the back alley and you can see the rain dripping off the fixture and driving sideways.

A set of house shoes which I hope will keep my feet warm and not create too much static.

I bought these back in April when the weather was cooler.  I have not worn them much as the temperatures warmed outside.  I expect as the temps are cooler I will be inclined to wear them.

I managed to remove the few splatters of white paint.  The price was great!

I found this small teapot at the thrift store this week.

It is 3 inches tall and a bit wider than that.  It is made by Fitz and Floyd.

Fitz and Floyd Special Teas Collection Mini Deck of Cards Spade TeaPot.

I love teapots of all sorts and I really like this one. The price was under $5 and it has no chips or cracks.

I will add it to my displays shelf.

L is for Lawless by Sue Graton.  It is always a pleasure to reacquaint myself with Kinsey Millhone.

She decides to do her landlord Henry Pitts a favor.  Johnny Lee who lives in the garage apartment next to white stucco house with very tall grass in the front yard. His grandson Bucky and his wife Babe live in the house.  Johnny has passed away and Bucky would like to give his grandfather the military funeral he is entitled to but there seems to be a problem with Veteran Affairs records. Could Kinsey make a few inquiries.

Things are not as they seem, there is a break in at Johnny's apartment.  Chester, Johnny's son has a conspiracy theory. Who know?

Meantime, William who is Henry's brother is set to marry Rosie who runs the local bar and eatery where they often hang out. 

Kinsey's involvement takes her on a wild trip, encountering a very dangerous character.  Does she make it back for the wedding.  Another great story!

This is art by a tradesman.  I found these markings on a cement wall at a parkade in the area.  I will presume that he/she was cleaning off their brush after applying tar on the surface of the structure.  I thought the shapes were very intriguing.  I have converted my shots to black and white and added a bit of contrast but they are pretty cool!

Exchange Cards - June

This months exchange card feature gold non shed glitter paper and plastic daisy accents.

I chose a Real Red card base and mounted black and white designer paper to the front. I placed a black daisy plastic flower onto a gold glitter scallop circle held together with a red mini brad and attached it to the designer paper. 

I ran a length of black thread from the flower to the edge of the designer paper and taped it to the back.  I adhered this layer to the card front.   

I added a narrow strip of gold glitter paper towards the top of the card.  I mounted a Stampin Up Modern Label Punchie greeting on the left hand side over the gold strip.

For this card I swapped the colors of the plastic daisy flower to red with a black mini brad.  

I changed the orientation to portrait (tall).

The strip of gold glitter paper is wider and adhered across the bottom of the card.

I wrapped the black thread over the glitter strip.

I created the greeting with a 2 inch oval punchie layered with a solid red one which was cut in half and offset on the right and left sides.

The greetings are adhered with 3D foam tape.

I added a white insert and envelope.

Cards - Gallery - B&W photo cards

I brought some new cards to the Art Gallery Gift Shop today.

I created a set of black and white images.  The photos are printed at a local photo developer and mounted to the front of a heavy 110lb card stock base.

The cards are A2 4.25 x 5.5 inches with a white envelope included.

The inside is left blank for a personal message.

In this image are the seashell with a black background and a grass seed head against a black background.

This card features a flower called Astrantia major "Alba".  It features a beautiful bokeh background.

It was photographed at the botanic park.

I brought 2 of each of these 5 designs. 

I also took the opportunity to bring home cards which have been sitting there for a while.

The card on this left in this photograph is dried grass in a snow bank but it could as easily be sand.

The one of the right is a cloud shelf where the clouds are heavier and darker.

It's been so long since I had been through the process of updating stock at the gallery.

Now that I am retired things are a little different in my record keeping.

Everything changes.

Sympathy - Tragedy strikes

This card is for my aunt who lost her granddaughter in an airplane crash this week.

The young lady had moved to California with her husband.  She had just finished her education.  Due to COVID she had not been back to visit and now it will not happen.

She was 33 years old with her life in front of her.  It is very sad.

This is one of my photographs with a filter applied to create a black and white stylized evergreen branch.  Printed on heavy card stock, trimmed to leave a small border and mounted to the front of a Kiwi Kiss card base.

I used a Modern Label punchie with a color printed greeting. Chalked with green to coordinate and mounted with 3D tape. 

Allied Arts Council - 2021 On Line Seniors Show

Our Seniors Show is going ahead on-line as we are still under COVID restrictions.

These are the 3 pieces I submitted for this show.

Title: Distant Hills
Size: 8.00 x 8.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 8x8 inches

 

This was created using the technique of in-camera motion.  I took some of my background fabrics and hung them in my small studio.  Set up my lights to capture the reflective surfaces and them moved the camera by hand.  It means taking a lot of shots, hoping a few will be good ones.  

 

 

 

They all received some level of post processing to bring out the texture and pattern in the photograph.

 

Title: Darkness to Light
Size: 11.00 x 14.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 11x14 inches

 

This is another in-camera motion image with a filter applied to increase the contrast in the image.

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Leaves
Size: 8.00 x 8.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 08x08 inches 

I set out to capture an abstract image from Hosta leaves on my morning walk.  There were several plants and I tool a lot of shots.

This one worked quite well.

The awards and reception will be announced on Friday, May 28th, so I will update this post should I be win an award.

I am happy with getting an Honorable Mention in this art show!

It's always nice to know that my art has connected with the viewers.

You can check out the full show here!

Allied Arts Council - Juried Member Show

It's that time again!  Our Juried Member Show is being hosted on-line and we hope to have the gallery open to patrons as well.  We will see.  It was reviewed on Wednesday and winners selected.

These are the pieces I have prepared and submitted for this show.  The Zoom reception is tonight where we will learn which pieces have placed.

 

 

Title: Streaming
Size: 14.00 x 14.00 inches
Mats: Double archival mats in white
Frame: Black wood
Print: 8x8 inches

This is a black and white abstract.  It has beautiful texture and layers in the image.  It was converted to B&W and had some textured filter applied in post production.

I chose the title Streaming because it applies be it water, traffic, on-line, conversations and much more.

What do you see?

 

Title: Fabulous Fungi
Size: 12.00 x 16.00 inches
Mats: Single archival white mat
Frame: Black wood
Print: 8x10 inches 

These are Ink Cap Mushrooms which I found in the park. 

I loved how the morning sun was highlighting their gills and black edges. 

Of course, our wonderful summer blue sky is showing through in places.

Taken at a very low angle.

Title: Follow Your Heart
Size: 16.00 x 16.00 inches
Mats: Double archival with grey and white mats
Frame: Black wood
Print: 16x16 inches 

I just love this heart stone.  I placed several stones in front getting bigger as they reach the heart.

It has a great bokeh background which makes the heart the focal point.

So many of us this year have and to re-evaluate our priorities and pare down our expectations.

I encourage you to follow your heart so the important wins out.

 

I will update the post should any of these be selected for prizes.

Washi Tape Cards

Another set of cards, this time I used my Washi Tape collection.

I chose 1 colored tape and then added black and white ones on either side.  With different widths and patterns.

I cut a layer to coordinate with the colored tape. I adhered the washi layer to the solid layer.  I then adhered it to a black card base.

I punched a Stampin Up Modern Label in black and I added a SU Word Window punchie greeting.  It is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A couple of the cards have brads on the greetings. A couple of thank yous.

Framed Photo - Joy to the World

I created this art with my Alphabet Photography. 

I did "JOY to the World" where Joy is created with my alphabet photos. I  mounted it onto a barn wood background which is another photo I took along the way. It was printed in black and white to a size 5x7 inches.

It was mounted to a piece of white card stock.  I added a deep navy mat into the 8x10 inch silver matte frame.

It will be in the Miniatures Show on the weekend.

Graduation Gift - Art Feeds the Soul

I created this framed piece of art for my niece who is graduating from high school this year.  She is a very good artist and photographer.  I used 3 of my Alphabet Photography pics to spell ART in 4x6 photos. I matted them with black leaving a small border.  I then printed the white background which adds the words 'feeds the soul' onto a piece 8.5 x 16 inch piece of card stock.  I then adhered the matted letters above the words.  I added a black mat and selected a black metal frame.  It turned out really well and I hope she likes.  She is taking art in college so it will give her something to hang on her wall when she has a place of her own.  

Thank You Card - Alphabet Photos

Here's my Thank You card to the girls who have signed up for Card Club.

I've been working on my inventory of letters for several years.  I decided to go ahead and start using them.  I laid out the letters and added 2 frames around the words. One skinny one wider.  Printed them on white card stock.



Here's how I packaging their small gift.  I used treat bags in a warm yellow color.  I used the same paper clips I had used on the Gift Card Holders to keep the bags closed.  I added a small note which I personalized with their names.

Mosaic Monday - ABC

I've been working on my inventory of Alphabet Photos.  It's taken 4 years to get at least one image for each letter.  I have several options for about half the letters.  It's a lot of paying attention to my surroundings and putting on my letter seeing glasses to see them from a different perspective.

I've created a collage of the first 3 letters and the last 3 letters of the alphabet.

Submitting to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.