Mixed Media Art. Photography. Inspiration.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Mixed-Media Painting: Lavender and Blossoms


I've had some ideas for paintings like this swimming around in my head for a while, and for some reason I haven't made one until now.  But when I've thought of doing such paintings, the color purple or lavender was definitely NOT on my mind.

 I wanted to make something for the final week of Louise Gale's Creative Color Challenge, but I was intimidated when I learned that the color was lavender.  I love lavender plants, I think they are beautiful and smell fantastic,  but it is not a color that I normally use in my artwork.  I guess that's why it's called a challenge : )


I started by plastering the top 2/3's of a 6 1/4" x 11 1/4" wood board with Golden' light molding paste, using an old credit card as my "trowel".   I used the same technique to smear Golden's crackle paste (love!) to the bottom 1/3.  While still wet I drew the design into it with a pencil, and used the credit card to create the straight lines.


When dry I painted the lavender background.  Originally this piece was only going to be lavender and white, but I remembered that for this week's challenge we could add any of the past challenge colors, so I added a soft sea green and some raspberry red.


On the bottom right corner I added a small square of silver leaf torn from a Japanese washi paper.  Once it dried overnight, I sealed it with a matt sealer and then antiqued it lightly with a raw umber glaze.  I did this to bring out the cracks and grooves a bit more, and make the colors not quite as "bubble gum".  The camera (or photographer ;) ), was having trouble capturing the true colors, but this is close enough.  They are a bit more "dirty" in person.


So what I thought was going to be a project that I would want to give to the nearest passerby once done, ended up being one of my favorites!  Now I love the color lavender and am already planning on using it in more of my work.  Thank you Louise for that!  What I realize is that I could probably use any color in my work, as long as I learn how to make it "Esther".

 I also am realizing that plaster or molding paste is one of my favorite things to use.  I've used it many times like on this piece here, and on my sister's 3 other pieces (which I still have to share with you), and I really feel like that's the way my artwork is going to keep heading.  I had a blast creating this piece and want to make many more like it.  And using plaster takes me back to my favorite finishes from my faux-finishing days, so whenever I miss it, I could just whip out a very large canvas and get plastering!

10 comments:

Sherri B. said...

Thanks for sharing all of the details of your sweet creation. I know nothing of this medium but love the effects. Very nice!

Kristin Dudish said...

I think it is great that you shared your process with us - this is absolutely fabulous!

I've used the molding paste, but never the crackle paste... I might have to give it a try (you make it look like so much fun!)

Unknown said...

I love the textures you have achieved, and thanks for sharing how you did that! I also want to try playing with those mediums now!

Gumnut said...

I'm certainly getting educated in techniques :D I've never done a mixed media piece (well beyond a little pencil over some acrylic). You're certainly daring me to climb outside my box by sharing a piece of work like this. Some fascinating textures you have there.

Thanks for sharing.

Nutty
(how many more moments can I steal why bubs is asleep?)

Lorraine said...

I really like the way you have scratched into the plaster shabby chic style..fantastic painting..thanks very much for your comment about me being published..hoping to send lots more in now I have got the confidence

Brigitte aka Scrappassie said...

This is such a fantastic piece of art, I love it! All the texture going on, so much to see and discover. And the colors are beautiful ! I think we all have one color we hate to use, loved to read that you were surprised by the color lavender ;-)

Manya Keseloff said...

It is beautiful! I like the fact the you used an old credit card as a tool for your art.

I love, love this... "What I realize is that I could probably use any color in my work, as long as I learn how to make it "Esther"."

Carin said...

Esther, this is such a wonderful piece! It turned out beautiful and I love that you desctibe the process so well. You always inspire me!

Unknown said...

I love it! It's so balanced even though there is so much going on.

Kristin said...

Hello my friend! THAT is what I was going to say to you - I am starting to think of you when I see pieces with beautiful depth and texture.
You have a wonderful talent of taking a simple thing (tree branch, leaves, bird, swirl) and making it grand with beautiful and bold texture and/or scale. I am really impressed with this - and I too am a huge fan of Golden's crackle paste . . .xoxoxo