Cityscape, Portrait, Acrylic Painting on Canvas

Howdy from my studio at the ranch!!! 

This is an acrylic painting on canvas that included:
 a cityscape, a portrait, and even a painting of a painting - all in one!! 

A dear friend and valued employee of many years retired this week.  This was one of her gifts.

Here is the photo that was taken for the painting.

Painting the background was fun! It was done by mixing various DecoArt Media paint colors with DecoArt Media gesso and tinting base. 

This time, it seems overwhelming to try to sketch everything so out came the DecoArt Americana Transfer Paper. 

For me, the most difficult part was the portrait so I began with it. 

Slowly but surely... she began to come to life! So thankful for my Dynasty Brushes that seem to guarantee preciseness every time. 

The DecoArt Festive Red Dazzling Metallics, DecoArt Media Metallic Gold and DecoArt Media Black Shimmer Metallic Lustre were perfect for her jacket, glasses and streaks in her hair. 

The chairs were done with DecoArt Iced Expresso Metallic Lustre. A bit of DecoArt Media Translucent White added shading to the seat cushions.

Andy Skinner's Toxic Stamp set by Stampendous was used for the floor tiles.

And of course, DecoArt Media Liquid Glass was just right for the shimmering glass in the mirror!

The desk was done with DecoArt Media Carbon Black and DecoArt Gold Rush Metallic Lustre.

And this is how the painting looked when I stopped at the end of the first day.

Houston Texas cityscape time!!!  

Still in process!! 

And even when I thought I was finished, I worked more on those buildings at the bottom.

A wash of DecoArt Media Raw Umber Antiquing Cream helped make the scene look more like it was being viewed through a window.

And now the part I was looking forward to the most...

making a painting within a painting!!! Soooo fun.  

Using a bit of DecoArt Media Patina Antiquing Cream and Crackle Glaze... the planter received an extra bit of character!

Products Used: 

A few close-ups of the 20x30 painting! 

Hubby added a floating frame and I finished it with Carbon Black and Metallic Lustre Gold Rush to match the painting. 

It was covered during the retirement party and then shared!  When uncovered... there was a gasp... and then silence. Many were crying.  

Afterwards folks were saying, one after another, how they remembered sitting in those chairs - from year to year - overcoming issues in life and work thanks to a wise and understanding mentor behind the desk. 

They felt that her office was always a safe, happy and cherished place.

 What an honor it was for me to be able to paint a canvas of memories that touched hearts.

Thank you for sharing this joy with me. Xj.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Excited to share with the following: 

Mix It Up Challenge Blog

This is a mixed media canvas and it was "mixed up" with techniques that produced a portrait, a cityscape, and a painting within a painting and more. 

So fun to be a part of the 'pre'- mix it up challenge! j.

======================================

===========================

====================

=============

========

Woodburning with DecoArt Media Bling!

Howdy Honeys!

A bit of wood burning enhancement....

for a box hubby made for a friend. 

The verse was wood burned onto a piece of cedar and then enhanced with DecoArt products. 

DecoArt Copper Kettle Metallic Lustre was used to make the wood match the inside of the box. DecoArt Media Metallic Gold Fluid Acrylic was used to add bling to the inside of the lettering, the top and the sides. And the entire piece was covered with DecoArt Media Liquid Glass for shimmer and protection. 

It was a bit tedious but my very thin Dynasty liner brush made all the difference getting the Metallic Gold into those letters!  And the shimmer of the DecoArt products made the little plaque elegant.

Thanks for letting me share! 

This is only my second project using a wood burner. I'm a bit slow but it's rather interesting!! 

Have a super fine week! Xj.

======================

===================

===============

===========

======

Easter Bunnies or Wild Hares? Abstract on Paper

Howdy Honeys!!! 

It's spring at the ranch and we have lots of real bunnies hopping all over the fields.  It's so fun to see their little nests here and there. 

Here is a Bunny Pair on 12x12 paper. 

Yes - abstract... as requested by my SIL.

For me... they are more like "Wild Hares"!!!

But she loves them. Whew!

The paper is: 

Elle's Studio, Flowers for You - Shine Collection.

I treated the front and the back of the paper with DecoArt Media Matt Medium. This helps with curling and protects paper.

Using DecoArt Media Misters and dabbing some DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic... the fun began!

The rabbits were sketched with a Faber Castell Big Brush Pitt Pen. 

Using a pencil and then a Dynasty brush/water to activate... the pink sketched lines were enhanced to give a bit of dimension.  Spraying the White Shimmer Mister onto my craft pad, I went over the top of the bunnies with the white mister paints and the Dynasty Brush.  Now bunnies have a white shimmer!!

Products Used: 

DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Yellow Green Light

DecoArt Media Misters: Red, Yellow-Green

DecoArt Media Shimmer Misters: White, Yellow

DecoArt Media: Matt Medium

DecoArt Media: Gesso

Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt Pens

Faber-Castell Grip 2001 Pencil

Dynasty Brushes: Black/Gold 5/0

Sponge Dabber

12x12 Paper

Here are the bunnies in the acrylic tray that we change out on holidays!  It's brighter in person - just the lights I guess!

HAPPY EASTER to those who celebrate...

and HAPPY SPRING to ALL! Xj.

 =============================

=====================

============

======

===