"Flying Tulips" Stencil Test Drive

When Jessica Sporn's Flying Tulips stencil arrived in the mail, my very first thought was, "This would make a great french wallpaper background."

If you read my crazy haired ladies post, then you probably won't be surprised to know that my mind immediately went to the original crazy haired lady herself...

Marie Antoinette!

Combining Jessica's beautiful stencil with a crazy haired lady was a lot of fun.  I started by drawing her with just a simple mechanical pencil and photocopied my drawing at different darkess levels. 
(The original drawing is the one in front.)
(I revealed a similar technique here.)

Then, I played with different watercolor washes, inks, colored pencils, and of course, the "flying tulips" stencil!

My fun with Jessica's stencil wasn't limited to portrait backgrounds.  I also used her stencil for a couple of resist techniques, and for gelatin printing! (It's a very well-made and versatile stencil.)

(See how I created these here.)

Great big thanks to Jessica Sporn and Stencil Girl Stencils for the opportunity to participate in such a fun test drive!

And, please be sure to have a look at what else was created with
the "flying tulips" stencil:
Jessica's blog
Maria's blog

26 Hearts (A Painting For The Paint Party Friday Auction Blog Hop To Benefit Sandy Hook Elementary School)

"26 Hearts"     12"x12"     Acrylic on Canvas

I am thrilled to welcome you to my auction post for The Paint Party Friday Auction Blog Hop to Benefit Sandy Hook Elementary School!

On December 14th, 2012, tragedy struck as 20 innocent children and 6 brave adults lost their lives in the second deadliest shooting in American history...

I can remember sitting in front of the television with tears streaming down my face as I learned about the unthinkable.  Three months later, I still find it difficult to put words to my feelings... My emotions are still raw and my heart is still very tender at the mention of Sandy Hook.

By auctioning the painting above, I hope to honor the lives of those lost and support the Sandy Hook Elementary School and Newtown community as they continue to heal from their inconceivable grief.

All proceeds from this painting will go directly to a Sandy Hook Elementary Charity.

(Details below.)

A step-by-step look at "26 Hearts".

About the Painting: 

This painting was created with acrylics, love, and lots of layers on a 12"x12" gallery wrapped canvas.  I started the painting by writing my wishes for Sandy Hook ("love", "hope", and "peace") with drippy black paint.  I added bright colors and bold patterns with the intention of finding my inner-child's carefree style.  I added more writing, painted with my fingers, and basically just played.  Since I wanted this painting to be infused with true childlike spirit, I enlisted the help of my favorite little creative collaborator...

Tyler's layer.

My six year old son, Tyler!

Tyler loves to draw fantasy worlds and creatures, and I am constantly finding "maps" for imaginary places throughout the house.  When I asked Tyler if he would draw one of his "worlds" on my painted canvas, he happily grabbed a white charcoal pencil and got to work!  (After he was finished, I went over his lines with white paint.)  Then, I drew in 26 hearts to represent the 26 precious lives lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy.  The final step, after adding some more paint, was to add a little extra "love".

The 1/2" sides are painted black, so there is no need for a frame.  There is a beautiful texture created by the multiple layers, and the entire painting is finished with a gloss acrylic varnish for protection.

This painting will come signed on the back (by me and Tyler).

(The step by step details of "26 Hearts", along with the step by step photo collage above, will also be included.)

Auction Details:

This auction will run from Friday March 15th, 2013 until 

Monday March 18th, 2013 at 11:59 pm EDT.

(I am in New York, to find out what time that is where you are click here.)

Shipping (anywhere worldwide) is free. 

(If painting is shipped internationally, shipping is still free BUT 

the buyer is responsible for any duty/taxes/etc.)

How to bid:

1. Place a bid (with a way to reach you) in the comments section.

2. Bookmark this page so that you can easily check back to see if you've been outbid 

(and need to make another bid).

3. If you are the winning bid, I will contact you.

4. Payment will be made from you to a Sandy Hook Elementary charity (see below).

*I will not personally be collecting any money.*

5. Once you have made your donation to a Sandy Hook Elementary charity, you will send your proof of donation (a forwarded receipt) to me at: 

kristindudish (at) gmail (dot) com

6. After I have received your proof of donation (and you have given me your address), I will mail your painting out to you! 

As you make your bids, please keep in mind that all proceeds go to a worthy cause...

Thank You and Happy Bidding!

Sandy Hook Elementary Charities where donations can be made:

https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/

http://newtownmemorialfund.org/

http://www.mainelovessandyhook.com/

*BIDDING IS NOW CLOSED*

Congratulations Beverley Baird!  
Thank you so, SO much for your very generous bid!!!  

And, thank you to everyone who bid and left comments - your kindness is definitely appreciated!

xo
Kristin

Random Fun!

2013: 11

(gouache, micron pen, white gel pen, and matte acrylics)

When Jessica Sporn asked if I would test drive some of the stencils from her new stencil girl products line, I was thrilled and honored.  And, when the "random squares" stencil arrived in the mail I was giddy... I love to play with new art supplies and her stencil looked like it was going to provide lots of inspiration!

I'm so happy that the Random Squares Stencil Test Drive Blog Hop is finally here, and I can show you what I've created using Jessica's very versatile stencil!

What better way to showcase the random squares stencil than to share the random artwork I've created using it?

2013: 5

To create this piece, I started by using masking fluid in the openings of the random squares stencil, then washing over it with watered down matte acrylics in earth tones.  After it was dry, I removed the masking fluid and added more random squares in a light golden brown.  Finally, I created the face over the background with matte acrylics, prismacolor pencils, graphite, and a wee bit of white gel pen.

2013: 6

I started this piece by lightly drawing an octopus using a plain old pencil.  After the octopus was sketched in, I dripped and washed watered down matte acrylics on the drawing, loosely paying attention to the lines.  Then, on top of that, I added the random squares all over using white paint.  When the stenciled squares were dry, I went back in with prismacolor pencils and more white paint to add details to the octopus.

2013: 7

The inspiration for this piece came from one of my (favorite) old drawings.  I quickly "sketched" the giraffe image using sepia watercolor and a very wet brush, encouraging drips.  After the watercolor was dry, I drew in the giraffe with sepia prismacolor pencil.  Then, I laid the random squares stencil down in the areas I wanted spots, and I used the sepia prismacolor pencil to color in the squares.  When I had all of the spots I wanted, I continued to add more details using a prismacolor pencil in dark brown.

2013: 8

This owl started as a white charcoal pencil drawing on a black matte acrylic background. I painted the owl, moon and background using more matte acrylics.  After it was dry, I added random square details to the moon, sky, belly, and branch.

2013: 9

For this painting, I decided I wanted to create a bold and simple image, using bright colors to showcase Jessica's random squares.  I had leopard spots on the brain, so I went with it.  This one is pretty straightforward, a matte acrylic base with the random squares stencil overlay.

2013: 10

(gouache, watersoluble ink pencils, micron pen, and white gel pen)

I had so much fun creating all of this "random" artwork... I think the possibilities are endless with this stencil!  

Since this is a blog hop, the fun doesn't stop with me...

Please be sure to check out these other talented artists:

(I can't wait to see what they've created!)

Seth Apter, The Altered Page

Carolyn Dube, A Colorful Journey

Corinne Gilman, Sparkle Days Studios

Diana Trout

And, be sure to visit our blog hop hostess with the mostess, 
Jessica Sporn!

(She's having a giveaway too!  Hooray!)

To buy your very own random squares stencil, please visit:

On The Road Again

I am excited to announce that "...you'd be home by now" 

(my sketchbook from the 2011 Sketchbook Project) has been selected to go on the inaugural tour of The Sketchbook Project Mobile Library!  Hooray!

In case you missed them, you can read my posts about the making of the sketchbook here.

Or, you can take a trip with my gnome throughout art history and view the digitized version here.

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

OWOH Giveaway Winners!

This is so exciting - let's get right to it!

The 3 winners of the mini print on canvas with easel are...

#187 : Esme from Chocolate and Croissants!

#186: Pixiewinkle from My Cosmopolitan Diary!

#146: Electra from Wishin I Knew How to Blog!

Drumroll please...

The winner of the original One World One Heart Tribute Painting is...

#29: Jenny Blair from Love and Peas!

Congratulations to all of my winners (I'll be in touch) and a big thank you to all who entered - this was so much fun!

I would like to offer a special thanks to Lisa Swifka for taking on the monumental task of organizing this incredible event... I have 'met' some pretty amazing bloggers (and I still have loads more to visit)!

She has an exciting plan in the works for next year, so be sure to stop by A Whimsical Bohemian to find out the details.

One World One Heart 2011

Welcome to my blog!  I am so excited to be participating in the One World One Heart Blog Hop created by Lisa Swifka.

Please allow me to introduce myself:

My name is Kristin and I live in Western New York with my husband, son and 2 crazy cats (Mona & Lisa).

I spend quite a bit of time playing in my sketchbook...

And I'm always up for a challenge!

I recently completed my moleskine for The Sketchbook Project:

I love to experiment with many different types of art (even edible).  But if I had to choose, my favorite medium is paint.  Which leads me to...

The Giveaway!

"Tribute (One World One Heart)"   10 1/2 x 11   acrylic on wood

One lucky winner will receive this original painting that I created just for this event!

Three additional winners will each receive 1 mini print mounted on a 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 canvas displayed on a mini easel!

This giveaway is open to all active bloggers worldwide!  If you are a blogger and would like to enter:

• Leave a comment on this post
• Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win
• You have until the end of February 17th to enter
• Winners will be chosen from a random draw and announced on February 18th (I will also email all winners)

I look forward to 'meeting' you too...

I'm so glad you stopped by and hope you visit again soon!

*Update*
The winners have been chosen!
(Check out the announcement)

I Interrupt My Regularly Scheduled Blog Post...

To share the super-cool-artsy-fartsy-fun day I had today!

Remember this little guy?!?

Today's artwork is not a painting...  It involved an all day process (9am until 9pm!) and was unlike anything I've ever done before!  (Even though it technically can't be considered part of my 30 in 30 for 30 project, I definitely wasn't slacking off!)

"Turkey Pour 2010"

I created today's sculptural relief piece at an iron pour my sister Stevie invited me to.  The iron pour was hosted by the sculpture department at my sister's college.  It was an all day event and I learned a lot.  (You tube has lots of iron pour videos if you're interested in learning more about them.)

Back to painting tomorrow (I'll be doing an extra to make up for today)...

It's day 20 of AEDM, so be sure to stop by the Creative Every Day blog to share in the fun!