Inspiration from the GREATS! - Henri Rousseau

Welcome to Inspiration from the GREATS!

This month we are being inspired by Henri Rousseau (May 21, 1844 – September 2, 1910) a French post-impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive manner. He was a toll collector.  He was self-taught and his work influenced several generations of avant garde artists.

I wasn't quite sure how I was going to do this piece.  I, finally, settled on Prismacolor pencils.  So, here we go..................





Supplies

11" X 15" Canson Watercolor paper
Watercolors
Prismacolor pencils
Graphite pencil for sketching

I would love to see your pieces inspired by Henri.  You can share them on our Inspiration from the GREATS Facebook Group.

Next month our great artist will be Frida Kahlo.

Also, please check out my CeeCeeART Patreon page.  I am doing step-by-step, real time, avideo lessons on projects that are, exclusively, for Patreon.

PEACE!

Cyndi

Creative Heart Monday - Catch The Wind

Happy Creative Heart Monday!!

I've been making a lot of prints on my Gel Press plate, so this is a very colorful piece.  I've also seen quite a few wings, birds, and butterflies, recently....so, I figured I would get in on this.

List of Supplies

8" X 8" wooden panel

Scrap pieces of Gel Press prints

White Liquitex Gesso

Master's Touch Acrylic - Olive Green, Light Purple (I labeled these paints incorrectly on video, oops)
Liquitex Matte Gel (for attaching the butterfly)
Decou-Page
Pigma Micron Pen - Black
Sakura Gellyroll Pen - White
Tim Holtz Rub-Ons

Black Charcoal pencil

Book pages

Ranger Archival Ink - Black

Alphabet Stamps

Note:  In case it wasn't clear in the video.  To make the butterfly, I printed a picture from the computer onto a piece of cardstock.  I covered the back of the cardstock with the prints, then cut it out from the other side.

I was, originally, going to use the words "Fly Away" on this piece.  Then, while I was making it I heard, Donovan's song "Catch the Wind" playing during the credits of a TV show.  I thought "how perfect!"  It just goes to show that you never know where inspiration will pop up.

Have a great Monday and a wonderful week!

PEACE!!

Cyndi

Love that Paris Grey

I was busy today with Annie Sloan's chalk paint again.  Since the only color that I have right now is Paris Gray, I've have a lot of grey sitting in my art room right now.  I just placed an order for some Louis Blue, Old White, and Versailles from Robyn Storey Designs.  I hope that I get it tomorrow.

Here are a couple of my projects.

I started out with an old wooden jewelry box.  I did some taping to protect the felt and mirror.

Then, I put two coats of chalk paint on the exterior and as much of the interior that I could reach.

Using a sanding block, I sanded all of the edges, corners, and drawer pulls.  I used the wax brush to apply Annie Sloan Clear Wax over the entire piece, then wiped it off with a clean, soft cloth.

I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  I just listed it in my Etsy shop..

Next piece -

This shelf with paper towel holder was originally pink (actually, it was probably stained wood, then some other crafter painted it pink), then I added a couple coats of Paris Grey chalk paint.

I printed out this typography from The Graphics Fairy.  I put a piece of transfer paper under it and traced the letters onto the wood.  Using tiny brushes and black,acrylic paint, I filled in the letters.

I found these chickens on The Graphics Fairy site too.  I printed them, using my inkjet printer, cut them out with a razor knife, then glued them to the shelf with mat medium.  

I distressed the edges with sandpaper.   I still need to add a layer of clear wax.

Let's see, what else did I do today?

I've had a little train case for quite a while.  I painted it with chalk paint a couple months ago, bit wasn't quite sur what to do with it.  Since I was busy printing things from The Graphics Fairy, I found some other cute graphics, so I did a little decorating.

Obviously, I have a ways to with this little case.

I also painted a basket.  I plan to stencil a number on the top.

That about does it for today.  If I get my Annie Sloan paint in the mail tomorrow, I'll start some of the furniture pieces that I got last week.  I can't wait!

Peace,

Cyndi

Wood Burning - Who Knew!

I was at Michael's a few weeks ago and saw the wood burning tools right across from the Martha Stewart stencils.  I picked up the one for $5.99, figuring that if I'm totally bad at it, it wouldn't be a major, financial, loss.  Last night I decided to mess around with it.  I tried a little wooden tag.  

That went okay, so I moved on to a picture frame.  I have to say that I was pretty impressed with myself.

Tonight I worked on a little wood box, using the same pattern that I used on the frame.  All I did, was draw some curvy lines with a pencil, them started burning little abstract shapes inside the lines.  It's kind of tedious, but I love repetition and tedium.

I need to get some wood stain to finish the box and frame.  I added color to the tag by coloring with a watercolor pencil, brushed water on it to blend, then finished with a coat of glossy Mod Podge.  I stamped the letters for JOY on the tag, then traced around them with the wood burning tool.

The next thing I want to try is a piece of jewelry.  I'd like to find a large wooden pendant or a bangle to burn.

Today was a very exciting day for me.  I've been selling some things on Etsy - vintage items, some of my art, and things that I've up-cycled.  Today I sold the coffee table that I distressed and painted with Annie Sloan chalk paint.  I was so happy.  This was my first furniture sale!  I want to immediately start looking for another piece of furniture to re-do.  Here's the link to my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/ceeceestudio

Peace,

Cyndi

Miscellaneous Art on a Gorgeous Day

It's finally here!  Temperatures below 85 in north, Florida.  I've never made a secret of how much I hate hot weather.  It's actually in the low 70's right now and I'm loving it.  I just hope that the temperatures keep dropping.

I'm sitting on my porch enjoying the crisp day and figured that I would put up some miscellaneous things that I doodled.

 

 

 This is actually, a rubbing from a rubbing plate.  Then I doodled around with a marker.

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple things that I made and listed on Etsy.

 

 

 

I painted the, originally gold, frames pink.  I think these would look really cute in a little girl's bedroom.

 

 

 

 

 

These were also, originally gold.  I repainted them with the 2013 Pantone Color of the Year - Emerald Green.

 

I've had quite a few sales on Etsy recently, so I need to get to work on some new things to put in my store.

 

Peace,

Cyndi

 

Etsy Store Sale

I started putting some of my art and re-finished creations up for sale on Etsy a few months ago.  I'm slowly, but surely, building a little online store.  I've only sold a couple things so far, but I figured that it would take some time for people to find me.  As everyone knows, Etsy is huge.

I've decided to have a sale.  I'm calling it the Beautiful October Sunset Sale.  In this part of the country, the sunsets are really exquisite in October.  The deck off my bedroom faces west, so I have quite a show every evening.

Check out my Etsy store.  It would be the perfect time to pick up something that you just can't live without.

Peace,
Cyndi