Yupo Paper

I finally got my hands on a pad of yupo paper. This paper is amazing and a lot of fun. I have used it with fluid acrylics and watercolours. Now I would love to try some alcohol inks as well on this fabulous paper. Next pay cheque I'm picking up a couple of cool colours!

I used fluid acrylics diluted with flow release all products by Golden. This piece will need a lot more work.

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

Up Island

Bryce and are taking a couple of days in Parksville.  The weather has been fantastic. Low tide today was around 9:30 am and the shoreline appeared to be o.5 km away! Wow that's a big beach! After a lovely breakfast with friends, we hiked through Rathtrevor Park and the Community Park in Parksville. Hope for warm and sunny days for hiking and strolling the beaches. We are on the hunt for the perfect beach for future vacations with wee ones!

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

Eco Printing

Ever since I was a youngster I've had a love affair with texture. The look, feel and colour of fabrics, plants, pebbles, metal, water, wood, ice and snow and so many other simple things one sees or is in contact with everyday. The lines that are formed, the colours of the lines, the length or width of these lines and on and on. As an artist I have found there are hundreds of ways to experience and use texture and one of these discoveries is with eco-printing with plant material. I also love surprises and sometimes you have to let go of control in order to see the magic happen.

After a fabulous stroll through the park, I came home with a few choice leaves. I did a little research on the Internet to find a recipe. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, however I did come away with information to experiment on my own.

Materials needed:

- 140 lb watercolour paper (I used Canson)

- assorted leaves

- 1/4 cup of vinegar

- 1 tsp alum

- 3 cups of water

- a few copper pennies

After wetting the watercolour paper, I place the plant material onto the the paper, paper, plant, paper etc. Wrapped elastic bands around the bundle. Next, boil the water, vinegar, alum and add a few copper pennies and put the wrapped bundle into the boiling water and lightly boil for 20 minutes.

Take the bundle and place in a dish or tray with a weight on top and let sit for a couple of hours. When you are tired of waiting, gently unwrap the bundle and set aside to completely dry.

Here are a few photos of my "eco printing"! I love all the gorgeous colours as well! The deep burgundy and reds worked really well.

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

The Royals Are Coming

Victoria is host to the Royal Family, Kate and William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. It's fabulous that the "whole family" is visiting and staying at Government House for a few days! The whole town is buzzing...we also have three cruise ships in! It's going to be crazy downtown and I agreed to work a full shift.

Until next time...Happy creating

Nadine

Repeat

It's a start. Yup, I applied a little paint and then doodled like crazy! I had fun too!

The first photo is the messy pour, add in a little salt and a few squirts of alcohol! The second photo is the finale!

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

Settling In

I'm still "nesting" and settling into the new apartment; our new home, with fabulous views! A friend came over yesterday and hung a floating shelf in the office/art room. I've hung all the paintings and family photos; so nothing remains on the floor. I just cannot seem to produce anything worth publishing. I do have ideas it's just the excutation of these ideas that seem to be out of my reach. However, I have made some delicious Florentines, inspired by the Great Britishing Baking Show! I'm meeting a friend later this morning, trying to get to the gym oh and get the stew on for dinner tonight! I'm working at the store all day tomorrow and Thursday is set aside for golf. A few blogs ago I thought I was ready to just dive right in and get painting and was really excited. Gosh, the weeks just seemed to escape or rather disappear into thin air! I feel slightly over scheduled even though I'm not...maybe it's how time speeds up as one gets older? Hmmm I will spend the rest of the week to ponder this theory....

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

Fall Is Here

We are well into September now and the air is crisp and clear. Although, just now a fog has literally just rolled in! So a walk in the park is in order today.

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

Oops!

I was visiting my granddaughters in Vancouver and my six year old granddaughter noticed that "Pappy spelt little Frances' name wrong"! 

Mommy fixed it!

Until next time....happy creating

Nadine

Returning

We have packed, moved and unpacked! Oh and yesterday was my birthday! Am I making excuses? Kinda of. I am really loving our new space and trying to solve all sorts of storage issues not to mention the "whole art room/guest room" and how this space will function effectively. What I am basically saying, is that all my creative energy is going into other areas around "settling in"! 

This is all I can offer today!

Until next time....happy creating

Nadine

Back To School

First day back to school for most children across Canada including my granddaughter who is entering first grade!

Maybe I should hit the books....sketchbooks, art books, art magazines, pencils, paper...loads of different papers, paints all in gorgeous shades!

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

Still Unpacking

I'm still unpacking my art room and art supplies! As a result there will be nothing creative happening today.

Until next time....happy creating

Nadine