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Thursday, January 24, 2013

New Beginnings....

Along with getting caught up on getting back to my routine; I started two new projects.  We're getting ready to start a new Round Robin project in March.  And this time, each of us has chosen a color or combination of colors for the other artists to use as guidlines.  My problem: I love ALL colors, so how to choose?  I started with my all time favorites; purple and green.  They are still my favorites, but I don't especially like them together...so I changed it to Purple (AL shades) and chartruese....getting closer, but still not sure.  Finally I went with all shades of purple plus black and gold (which I changed to metallics) and splashes of blue green.  And while I'm still questioning my decision, I'm leaving it where it is!  Enough waffling around already!
The next step was to prep my book.  I like to rescue unloved, broken books and use them to make something new.  So I cut my book down to size and wrapped the covers with canvas paper.  And painted in a base using many shades of purple.
I painted in abstract-y blocks to frame the edge and drew in my lettering. In case you're curious, the words read "A Magical ART Journal Journey.....celebrating the color PURPLE with touches of BLACK, METALLICS and BLUE GREENS"  Next order of agony is deciding how to do my sign in page....it's lucky I have a month right?

The other thing I started was a new painting....when I started sketching out my new book, I wanted to include a small painting of a woman with peacock feathers in her hair.  But she REFUSED to be small.  SO, I skipped using her for the book and started putting her on canvas.  This is a VERY rough stage of my painting.  And I usually sketch it out on the canvas before painting, but I didn't have any gesso to cover the painting underneath, so I "paint-sketched" right over the old piece!  In fact, you can still see it in places....look for the green (or don't- it's not very attractive here ;))
This was actually a very freeing way to paint- I also painted most of it without my reading glasses so I couldn't get too nit picky with anything.  There is MUCH left to be done, but for the moment, I'm just relishing having a new WIP!  A VERY good feeling indeed!
I'm linking with Paint Party Friday a little early.  Be sure to stop by the party- always so much beautiful work to see there!
See you at the party!
xx
Stephanie

29 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful work, Stephanie. You have made a reat start with your journal, and with the lady! Hugs, Valerie

Netty said...

Love the beginning of your journal and am loving your lady, terrific colours and loving her graceful form.
Happy PPF Stephanie, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Tracey FK said...

The lady is rightfully not small... from the start of it I am thinking the bigger the better... love seeing your underpaintings and getting that peek into your process....xx

An'Angelia Thompson said...

Good to see your WIPs, Stephanie! It seems like many of us have had a sluggish start to the new year. I'm looking forward to seeing where your Muse takes you this year! xoxo

Ilona Heimböckel said...

a very expressionist painting of a lady! I often like these intermediate stages of paintings.
A good color-choice for your challenge, I like the purple colour range!

Happy PPF!

carol l mckenna said...

Journal beginning is creative and colorful ~ Your portrait is divine and so well done ~ Carol

(A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Kat Sloma said...

Wonderful work! I love the colors in your page - that purple and turquoise are perfect together - and your woman is so graceful. Great idea to paint without your glasses, to keep from looking to closely! Happy PPF!

Mary C. Nasser said...

Wonderful work, Stephanie!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

WrightStuff said...

I'm busy working on my rusty journal too. It's so exciting!!

Love the sneak peek :)

Ivy said...

This is beautiful Stephanie, so soft and sensual. Happy PPF!

GlorV1 said...

Nicely done Stephanie! Love the journal pages. Very graceful lady. Happy PPF!

Linda Kunsman said...

I see such an elegance in your portrait already-beautiful!! Your RR journal is going to be a special treasure. I love going thru the the books I have from a variety of RRs I participated in.Happy PPF!

Abela said...

Great, has a great personality and hook. Saludos

whimsyville said...

Lovely Work - I am glad you were able to motivate yourself. It's tough sometimes. Happy PPF !

Kristin Dudish said...

I love this sketchy, painty start, Stephanie! (I actually think the areas that are peeking through are pretty interesting)

xo
Kristin

Alicia C said...

the lady paingint is absolutely wonderful! such a regal pose and pensive expression - I just know its oing to be a hit (sorry for the typos my finger hurts :( )

Alicia C said...

the lady paingint is absolutely wonderful! such a regal pose and pensive expression - I just know its oing to be a hit (sorry for the typos my finger hurts :( )

denthe said...

Beautiful cover you made for your project! And that new painting is coming along great. Looking forward to seeing what you'll do with it!

Unknown said...

Great cover and looking forward to more! Happy PPF!

PaintingWrite said...

great journal cover. are they dragonflies in the little squares? that's what I see and I love them against that wonderful turquoise colour.
I'm glad the lady didn't want to be small-she makes me think of the art deco period-that fabulous pose, like someone at a Great Gatsby party! It's interesting to see the old painting peeking through at that little triangle.

Lynn Cohen said...

Lovely work, both...can't wait to see this woman progress! HPPF!

Giggles said...

Wonderful start...love the flow!!I also love purple and green...I like them together too!!

Hugs Giggles

bellefrogworks said...

Wow - I love your painting. I can't wait to see where you go with it. I love that you worked without your reading glasses - sometimes that's just the way to go! Happy PPF

Elisa said...

Stephanie I adore your WIP woman painting! Love the strokes and the boldness in you. Can't wait to see the final piece! Enjoy!

Ginny said...

I love your WIP. I can't wait to see what you add next.

minnemie said...

Stephanie, I really like how loosely your lady is starting out. The under painting has already added so much depth and character that she is a winner for sure! Do keep us posted on her progress...

Jaime Haney said...

oh my goodness, I'm trying to figure out which painting you are painting over! You are a brave brave woman, lol. Your peacock lady is already looking beautiful, I can't wait to see what she becomes. I can just imagine you there, squinting without your glasses. It's working! Looks fabulous! I love love love your purples page with the dragonflies. Can't wait to see where this all goes too.

xx Jaime

Kristin said...

I LOVE that she had to be on canvas - and WIP or not, she's already gorgeous. Loving your new book project too, looks like a fun time! xoxo

Kat W said...

I'm back tracking through your posts to catch up with your adventures. I'm loving following the progress of your new journal & I'm getting excited about our new swap!
Hugs
Kat Xx