Simply Sunday "Frida Kahlo"

Frida Kahlo 1907-1954
These are some progression photos to show some of the changes made to the end result *Click on image to
enlarge

With working on my Dia De Los Muertos paintings and thinking of Mexico from Inspiration Avenue's Challenge. I decided to create a painting that was a tribute to Frida Kahlo. I am so inspired by Frida Kahlo, her art & her inspiration through other artists . How despite her many medical challenges she was able to work through her pain and create such amazing works of art filled with passion and color. Out of 143 paintings 55 were self portraits. If you live or visit Las Vegas, Nevada the Barrick Museum is having an exhibit of her works Oct.29- Dec. 10,2010

Today's journal prompt* is to paint, draw or write a tribute to someone who inspires you creatively.

Who inspires your creativity? Who are your favorite artists? I would love to know~

Painting completed my life ~ Frida Kahlo

The only thing I know is I paint because I need to, and I paint what passes through my head without any other consideration.~ Frida Kahlo

Mexico Challenge

Inspiration Avenue has challenges and this past weeks has been "Mexico" The two paintings on the left are partials & I just created them. The one one the right is what I created last year. Dia De Los Muertos is a Mexican Holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.
I have wanted to create a painting each year in honor of my mother who passed away & found this celebration is the perfect way to honor her memory~

Here is more detail of the mixed media one I did

Here are some photographs of my painting in progress that isn't finished. It is larger and I can't wait to share it with you when its done.

Little Red Riding Hood Mixed Media Painting

Here is Little Red Riding Hood complete with some close ups for you to view~
I really enjoyed making this painting. Playing with the layers of paint. I actually took colored pencils and wrote a lot of the store on the painting. I was going to take out the word red but or try and mute it in the painting but then in one point I was thinking it is a bold color, this is a bold fairy tale, it evokes thinking of blood without creating a blood scene & all the wolf could see was red. I don't know if I was being over analytical or just being bold. I left it in~
I don't know when I will try another fairy tale but I would like to do another try at painting an illustration of one. What fairy tale would you read today? Have you ever tried to illustrate a fairy tale? I hope your long weekend allows you time to pick up a book and get lost in it~

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. C.S. Lewis

Little Red Riding Hood Mixed Media

I thought I would continue the work in progress photos with a collage to make it easier to view. I hope you enjoy seeing the transformation of this painting~ You can click on the images to enlarge them.


You can see I illustrated Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf~ & then used painting over collage elements and scrapbook papers to create the different effects. There are quite a few layers of paper and paint in this painting.

This is an image of the painting almost done. Right here I was debating whether to completely hide the word red in the background or bring it forward. I guess you'll have to wait to see what I did until the next post. Hope you have enjoyed viewing it so far.
Who was your favorite fairy tale character as a child? Do you enjoy reading fairy tales?

Red Riding Hood Mixed Media Painting

Beginnings of Red Riding Hood ~ A mixed media painting

I thought you might enjoy seeing some photographs of a painting in progress and the transformation that occurs. I will have to post this in a few posts as there are quite a few photographs~ I started out with my Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf and it sort of took a twist in the forest. I hope you will enjoy the end results when they are posted.

I also have a painting on wood that I am doing for a challenge which I will share more of later. I am trying to limit my time on the computer right now and really buckle down on focusing on creating art and crafting. I hope to really push my focus and growth. When hubby took Sammie to piano the other day he brought home an artist post card of an artist who does en-caustic & photography combined and gives classes. I will check it out when I have the chance and let you know about it. It is local and not online but you may like to check her web site and work. I love inspiration from everywhere~ Don't you?

Well I must go for now and pick up Sammie from school and then back to painting~ What are you focusing on lately? What mediums are you working with currently? I would love to know~

Simply Sunday "Free Journal Prompt"

I am sharing a calendar I made with you in mind that has my photography and artwork on it. I hope you enjoy it. It is at a file sharing site and will make it easy to use or share. I hope you enjoy it! PS. my newsletter is ready to send out this week, so if you are wanting to receive it hurry & sign up is on the sidebar. It is bi monthly and has images, links and inspiration~


This weeks Journal Prompt* Scan some flowers from your garden and then you have a photograph that you can add to your journal. You could even dry some flowers and paste them in and write a little about nature.
Here is a link to how to capture an image without using a camera from Gardening Gone Wild they have some amazing examples and also a contest going on in October!
I am definitely going to have to give this a try as I love flowers and the images I have seen from their web site ~

Also don't forget I still have a fall link up so if you have any Autumn or Halloween items / posts be sure to drop your link in! I put the link on the side bar for easy access~ Lets inspire others and show them what we are creating.
Are you decorating for fall yet? Creating any fall inspired art work? Doing any fall inspired photography?

October

Photography & Poem by Theresa Huse
I hear a knocking at my door today. Oh, October wants to play. Its brilliant colors shine through the door as I open it to my Autumn dreams. I make a place for you today to sit beside me and inspire me to create. Thank you October for the feast you bring on my pallet plate~ Theresa Huse



There is no season when such a pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

What colors are inspiring you as you open Octobers door? Do you get a renewal of inspiration from Autumn? I would love to know~