Here Is...

I feel like there has been quite a bit going on behind the scenes in my little part of the (blog)world, so I thought I would take this opportunity to share some of the things I've been up to.

I was interviewed by Helen from Scarlet Designs as part of her "Blogs From Around the World" series.  (You can read it here.)

I receive many questions about my art, and this past week I received an email with specific questions about the painting techniques I used in my One World One Heart painting and also in the Bohemian Butterflies painting.  After I wrote back, I thought it might be useful to post my answer here too (just in case anyone else was wondering).

Here is the question:

I'm curious about your materials and technique for overpainting the bright backgrounds you paint. What type of paint do you use? How do you cover the background so completely? I've done some background/overpainting like that but never got the background covered as nicely as you! I'm using acrylics. I'm wondering if I'm using the wrong kind of paint or just not enough.

Here is my answer:

The truth is that I use whatever paint I have lying around - I generally use artists acrylics for underpainting, details, etc.  For the overpainting in the paintings you're talking about I actually used latex house paints - it's great for opaque coverage (and I always have lots - before I had Tyler I was the co-owner of a mural/decorative painting company).  I mix my own colors using white latex (usually satin finish) with the basics - red, yellow, blue, brown, black.  Sometimes to achieve a really intense color you have to rely on artists grade paints... it all depends what I'm mixing.

As far as technique, for the heart painting I used an expired plastic gift card to apply the overpaint (kind of like a trowel)... first a deep blue (I think that was actually some craft paint I had lying around - premixed), then I put on a layer of turquoise latex house paint, then a layer of light green house paint - I let a little of each previous layer peek through.  For the butterflies, I used a brayer for the overpainting - I actually used some saran wrap to dab on the colors, then used the brayer while it was still wet to blend it.

(I love receiving emails and I'm happy to answer any questions I can, so feel free to email me anytime!)

And, speaking of painting, I think Eva and I have kept you in suspense long enough...

On Friday March 18th, Eva and I will be launching Paint Party Friday!  I think it's going to be a lot of fun and I hope you'll join us!  (You can read more about it here.)

Since I'm still on the topic of painting, I would be remiss if I didn't mention...

The amazing wood mounted print I just received in the mail from the very talented Lori Diane!  I have loved this painting of hers from the moment I saw it and I was lucky enough to win a print of it during OWOH!  If you would like a piece of her gorgeous artwork for your very own, be sure to visit her etsy shop.

Thank you so much Lori (Bob and I know exactly where we are going to hang it)!

I would like to finish today's post with some gratitude by giving a shout out to some great etsy treasuries and a big thank you to each of their creators:

sleepyhollowfolkart

LittleFishSupplies

MissBettysAttic

sharethebeauty

Lincikas

I'm so happy to be a part of these fun treasuries - thank you for including me!