Creating a Koi Pond with Stencils

One (there are many) favorite artist is, Claude Monet. I am so drawn to his paintings especially his water lilies. I could stare at them forever and so I decided to create my own water lilies painting.

I started with a 11x14 cradled wood board and painted in with TCW Black Gesso. Then using acrylic inks and water added green, yellow and some blue to the background.  When all the paint dried I used TCW433 Wildflowers stencil to the background.

Using modeling paste I added the fish from TCW499 Koi Pond stencil. 



 

 

 

 

After the modeling paste completely dried I painted the fish and then added the lily pads.

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the fish. 

 

I also added flowers to the lily pads with modeling paste and painted them in magenta.

Here is the finished piece. I really enjoyed creating this and there will be more in the future.

 

This painting was put up for a Breast Cancer auction where one lucky winner took it home.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wild Bloom in Black and White

I created these two canvases for a design team post for The Crafters Workshop. I'm loving black and white right now.

 

These are 8x8 cradled wood boards. I'm loving the hard boards because I find sometimes the canvas stretches out or if I want a clean stamped image on a canvas I have to stamp it on tissue paper first then add it to the canvas.

 

You can see how I created them by clicking HERE!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Don't forget to check out all the other design team projects for The Crafters Workshop while you're there.

Purple Water Lilies - SOLD

Hi Everyone!

I created this 12x12 canvas for a breast cancer event that was held in October.  The wonderful thing is that I sold it before the event.

It was very exciting for me and the event!

 

The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with stencils and mediums to create this project.

The opinions I share are solely my own because I do love to use them.

 

Created on a 12x12 stretched canvas, acrylic paints, modeling paste, and The Crafter's Workshop stencils (Koi Pond, Wildflowers, Lotus Blossom, Messy Script Bit)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

From Art Journal to Canvas #2

Hi Everyone!

 

Due to a back injury, I haven't been able to create very much art until the last few weeks. I haven't been able to sit on my art room chair long enough to complete anything. My back issues have been around since I was little. This time I've been struggling since July 15th; physical therapy, medications, etc. and I'm finally starting to feel human. I've tried to paint or play in my art journal while I'm partially laying down, but pain has a way of stopping all creativity.

 

So for now, I'll be sharing with you what I've been up to but there will be no step by step processes. 

 

First, my art journal spread was using leftover TCW Gel Medium from my craft sheet and the new Daisy Chain stencil. I finished it off with paint in blues and purples and TCW Gold Gesso.

 

I decided to try to duplicate it on a canvas.

This took a few days. I couldn't sit very long at times when I had physical therapy.

 

It was created the same way as the journal spread but I used the new Infinite Lace stencil and TCW Modeling Paste. 

 

 

The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with stencils to create this project.
The opinions I share are solely my own because I do love to use them

 

That's it for now.

 

Although I haven't been around here on the my blog, I have posted a few creations on my Instagram account (@karenlizhenderson).

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Poppy Fields: An Art Journal Spread

Hi Everyone!

Tax season is almost over.

One more week to go.

I can't wait to spend more time in my art room.

I created this art journal spread using The Crafter's Workshop new stencil called Poppy Field for a Design Team post.

If you head over there you will see how I created it.

Just click HERE.

Thank you for stopping by here and The Crafter's Workshop!

The Crafter's Workshop provided me with stencils to create this project. The opinions I share are solely my own because I do love to use them.

Thinking Of Spring: Birds Nests

Hi Everyone!

I love birds. I think I get that from my parents. We didn't have a lot of money so vacations were camping/hiking trips. My father was a Boy Scout Master and also taught survival training. So guess what we learned while camping. One of the things both my parents taught us was to sit and listen for bird calls. We would then have to find the bird and when found they would tell us what kind of bird it was. To this day I love to sit on  my deck and listen to the birds.

Okay on to my project.

Today I have two tags to show you. 

I have a small bin of tags I've splattered with paint, started not finished, die cut, embossed, etc., and I keep them all because I never know when I'll need to them. 

This time I used two tag that were die cut and decided it would be a great place for a bird to build a nest.

I used this new stencil from The Crafter's Workshop called Bird Nest. Don't you love it. For these tags I used the 6x6 size.

The first tag I used archival inks for the background and the stamp.

The bird on each tag is was created using black paint on some scrap paper and then I cut them out.

I then added part of the bird's nest with modeling paste so it looks like the bird built it on top of the die cut. I left the nest white and added some string underneath the bird.

Here is the finished tag.

My next tag I used the leaves from the new Curious Owl stencil and added them to the tag with paint.

I used the 6x6 size.

I added the nest with modeling paste but this time I added color to the nest. I also decided to add some white to the nest with a white pen.

I added the bird and a stamp from Red Lead Paperworks. 

Here is my finished tag.

I'm definitely looking forward to Spring.

I do hate the cold.

I keep thinking I need to move but can never decide on what warmer state I would live in.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

You can see all the new 2016 TCW stencils HERE.

P.S. The Crafter's Workshop provided me with stencils to create this project. 

The opinions I share are solely my own because I do love to use them.

The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #20 - Time Flies

Hi Everyone!

Today I created a project for The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge blog. This month's change is called Time Flies.

This is a perfect way to get my creative mojo moving.

I have this piece of paper from Basic Grey and I don't have many left and I didn't want to use it (horder tendencies!).

I decided to try to recreate it on a tag.

It sort of looks like it but I couldn't stand the dots in perfect order. I used a little too much brown.

I created the circles/dots with TCW stencil #203s called Mini Circle Grid.

Sorry for having no step by steps but I deleted some pictures by accident on my camera. 

I used TCW Time Travel stencil (TCW201s) to create this tag.

Used acrylic paints, modeling paste, gelatos, an old image of friends, and quote.

Hope you like my tag.

Don't forget to head over to see everyone's creations on MMMC!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

She Sees Many Things

Hello Everyone.

I created a new canvas and it's not Halloween themed.

I know weird!

I started the canvas by a layer of gesso and then added the Elegant Motif stencil in black and silver.

I added white paint and and some bead gel to tone it down.

Here is where more texture was added.

I mixed modeling paste, bead gel and silver paint together and put it through the Elegant Motif stencil.  When it was dry I added some black paint, pearls and beads.

I added the large face stamp, which was stamped on deli paper, and the frame.

It was the perfect addition.

That's it for now.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

SHE WAITS, SHE WATCHES and DECOART

DecoArt Mixed Media Haunts Challenge!

I love Halloween so DecoArt's Mixed Media Haunts Challenge was the perfect challenge for me.

My project was made on an 8x8 wood board.

I used these lovely DecoArt Products

Traditions: Phthalo Blue and Raw Umber

Matte Medium

Modeling Paste

Fluid Acrylics: Dioxazine Purple, Medium Grey Value 6, Dark Grey Value 3, Carbon Black, Titanium White, Interference Violet

Misters: Primary Cyan

I wish I had more step by step pictures but I didn't like what I was making at first.

I walked away and came back and then the magic happened.

I was having so much fun I didn't take many pictures.

You can see in this first picture the background I didn't like.

I created it with Mini Branches stencils but didn't like it.

I then added with stone walkway using Organic Matter stencil and modeling paste.

While the modeling paste was still wet, I added some grey paint watered down to the board.

It moved all the way through the stone path.

When it dried it looks like this.

Pretty cool looking.

I added more layers of paint and splatter it with titanium white to finished the background.

Doesn't look like a cool night sky?

Using a Stampendous Skeleton Lady and jet black archival ink, I stamped her on tissue paper and added her to the board.

I decided she didn't need anything else. 

She waits, She watches

I hope you like my project.

I had so much fun creating it.

Tip: Buy DecoArt paints.

The colors are amazing!!!

White Space, Texture and a Stencil

This canvas I don't think I ever shared.

August was purge my art room month and I found this one under a shelving unit.

I love white space and this was my first try at it.

I used metal embellishments and the Urban Landscape stencil for the words.

I think I added some gel medium and/or modeling paste for extra texture.

That's it for now.

I have lots to show you soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by!