Saturday, May 7, 2011

Learning From Jane...AND...Mystele (plus..A New Blog Event Coming Next Month)

I   Love  my  class  with  Jane  DesRosier  (Grittyjane)  Portraits  and  Papers.    I  watched  her  very  detailed  videos  on  painting  a  face  over  collaged  papers,  and  for  my  first  try--I'm  very  happy  with  my  face--


I  think  one  of  the  things  that  I'm  most  happy  with,  is  I  actually  sketched  right  on  to  the  surface (a wood cradle board,  in  this  case)---over  the  collaged  papers.   For  so  long  now,  I've  been  playing  it  safe,  and  sketching  my  face  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper and  when  I  was  happy  with  it,  I  would  adhere  it  to  my  artwork.   But  I  wanted  the  texture  of  the  papers  underneath  to  come  through.   This  is  what  I   most  love  about  Jane's  paintings.   My  second  favorite part  is  all  of  these  layers  of  paint  on  her  face--you  can  add  as  little  or  as  much  as  you  want--there's  no  mistakes--the more layers,  the  better  the depth  and  texture.

And   the  collaged  paper  part  was  fun  too--



Jane   shows  a  very  easy  way  to  get  back  some  of  the  patterns  of  your  scrapbook  paper,  or  whatever  paper  that  you  have  underneath.  I've  never  seen  it  done  this  way,  but  it  works  wonderfully.   I  think  next  time,  I'm  going  to  try  to  take  away  even  more  paint.   You  can  add  lots  of  layers  of  paint  this  way  and  still bring  up  some  of  the  color  of  the  papers....but....you'll  have  to  take  her  class  to  find  out  how.

So  as  far as  how I  finished  the  piece---well  this  is  where  my  class  with  Mystele  comes  in--Gut  Art.   I've  mentioned  this  class  before--first  one  I  ever  took.  It's  a  class  on  finding  your  own  creative  voice--in  other  words--your  own  personal  style.   When  people  tell  me  that  they  recognize  my  style--I'm  like--really???--I  have  a  style??    But  you  know  what,  we  all  do,  even  if  we  don't  think  that  we  do.   I  visit  a  lot  of  blogs  regularly,  and  I  can  now  start  to  pick  out  whose  art  is  whose  without  even  seeing  their  name.  Our  art  is  like  our  fingerprints--everyone's  is  different--even  if  we  try  to copy  a  piece  of  art  from  a  class  or  another  painting.  It  won't  be  the  same   because  it's  coming  from  us--that's  what  makes  it  one-of-a-kind.    I'm  telling  you,  I'll  never  stop  plugging  Mystele's  class.   The  only  thing  about  it--is  that  you  have  to  be  an  active  participant  before  it  can  click  with  you.   I  think  she's  having  another  class  in  the  summer,  if  you  want  to  check  it  out--it's  worth  it! 

So  my  point  about  all  of  this,  is  that  I  strayed  from  from  the  rest  of  Jane's  lesson  and  started  adding  my  own  "voice"  to  my  piece--






This  isn't  Jane's  style---it's  mine!

And  I  also  wanted  to  tell you  about  the  the  blog  event  coming  in  June.   Kristin  from  Twinkle Twinkle  has  created  a  Summer  of  Color!


It  will  last  for  10  weeks,  and  every  week  she'll  give  us  a  color  prompt  to  use  in  our  artwork.   But  it's  much  more  than  a  weekly  challenge  group---go  check  it  all  out  HERE.   I  met  Kristin  when  I  first  started  blogging  and  participated  in  the  Mixed  Media  Monday  challenges.   I  just  love  her  endless  enthusiasm  for  art  and  life  in  general.   She's  one  of  those  ladies  that  I  know   I  would  love  to  hang  out  with--so  I  want  to say--Thank  You  Kristin  for  starting  this!  and---Hey  everyone  reading  this!--spread  the  word!!

And  for  everyone  in  the  U.S.--I  hope  you  have  a  great  Mother's  Day  weekend!


54 comments:

rachel awes said...

i'm in daisy heaven.
you are truly
traveling
far & wide
w/your
gifts.
xo

Healing Woman said...

She turned out great and she definitely is "you." Is Jane's class still running? You are certainly a good advocate of it.

Unknown said...

Diane you most definitely have YOUR style and you know I love it, this piece has turned out beautifully....x

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU XXX

I will check out the ladies you mentioned, big hugs xxxx

Paula Phillips said...

She is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Much Love
Paula aka JournalArtista

Lesley Edmonds said...

Oh Diane, your lady is so lovely. It's great to see what she looked like before you added your own touches, but once you had she truly is yours.

I shall check out the summer of colour.

Happy Mothers' Day to you
x

Buffy said...

Beautiful,and yes your style always shines through! I love to see that. I think I'm still searching for mine! I'm gonna go and check out the new blog event. Thanks for sharing.

Janine said...

You did a beautiful job Diane, as always! You are so right about Mystele's classes they are really good!

Unknown said...

Seriously...you are AMAZING!!! She turned out Beautiful! I've just barely started watching Jane's videos, you've got me inspired. :)
Happy Mothers Day to you Diane!
♥jenny

Christianne Teixeira said...

Ohh, I agree with Healing Woman, your painting turned out great and it is definitely your style. It is beautiful xo

Cathy Bueti said...

Love her diane!! She turned out fabulous! I always struggle with finding my own style. Great to see your own style in this piece! Its great! :)

Sunny Carvalho said...

Wow...that's so beautiful! I do see your own style completely. I love the texture you got by painting directly over the collage. I tend to draw separately and adhere as well to get that smoothness that I like in my faces, but lately I have been loving texture and painting directly as well. Very nice painting...thanks for sharing!

Nelly said...

She is so beautiful. I love the painterly quality about her. Beautiful!

I love Mystele and took Gut Art 2, she is so wonderful. I will have to check out Jane's class.

Janet Ghio said...

She really turned out wonderfully!! I have a couple of other friends taking the class--it's so interesting to see how everyone's portraits are turning out!!

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

it IS your style & she is beautiful!! I hope to take a class from Jane. :) Thanks for sharing about Kristin's summer of color - I am joining in. Should be very fun!
Have a beautiful Mother's Day.

Becca said...

Wow! Your work is stunning Diane! I would LOVE to learn how to create a portrait like this. I am going to look at her site and hope for the summer class! You always do such lovely work anyway, and I always enjoy my visits here, always makes me want to get out all my supplies and play! Thanks!

Jane Davies said...

Love the painting over collage. I tend to resist painting Pictures, or Objects, or Portraits, and stick to my abstract work, but I really admire this approach. Maybe I'll make it this months's Sketchbook Challenge to lean into what I resist. This month's theme is "Can't Resist This", which includes things that you DO resist. http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

sharon said...

You are your work Diane, beautiful and incredible, rich textured and many layers....it is you!

Kristin said...

WOW! There are so many things I want to say!

First of all - I LOVE your portrait. I agree, all the layers are evident while at the same time subtle - they add so much to the overall piece. And YES, she is definitely you. I would recognize your work for sure - which is actually what I aspire to - it's like hearing a song on the radio and knowing exactly who sang it. That must be the greatest honor.

Secondly, I AM SO grateful and excited for your participation in the Summer of Color. What a beautiful post about it - thank you for your sweet words (right back at ya ;) and for sharing the event with all your friends. It's getting a lot of interest - which means it should be a LOT of fun. Thank you for your friendship and support. xoxoxo

Lorraine said...

I can tell your style as it always very layered with lots of colours and something different to look at. Will have a look at Kristins blog..she always comes across as a very kind soul..thanks for visiting my blog

Micki Wilde said...

I recognise your artwork instantly when I see it, your girls are so very you.

I'm with you on the always plugging Mystele, her way of teaching is just fabulous, I seriously love that woman, her class was the best I had ever taken and I feel I learnt the most about myself on that course.

Hugs

Micki x

Tammie Lee said...

This is wonderful Diane. I love that you felt brave enough to sketch on your background and that you found your own rhythm and style.

Sonja said...

I love Jane's class also, I'm learning so much from her. And I love how you've made your painting yours. Eventhough face is done according to her instructions, the whole painting shows your style, it's recognisable.
I've taken some classes with Myste already, she's so fun and inspireing.
Happy mother's day.

Tracy Verdugo said...

Diane...this is just beautiful...have a beautiful mothers day and thanks for stopping by my blog on Feelgood Friday xo

Marlynn said...

Love how your lady turned out and enjoyed your journey to get her there. Just beautiful. OK, can you believe only two more Survivor episodes left.... can Rob do it? Will Russell show up at the reunion? Will Philip take it all? This is just two exciting. LOL - oh did I tell you I love your lady!

Lynn Cohen said...

And your style is very unique and quite beautiful. I always enjoy seeing what you have done new/next!
This no exception.

Cameron said...

I am always just in awe of "your style"....it just seems to flow from you, so beautifully, so naturally....without force or forethought :D

Always stunning!

WrightStuff said...

Thanks for the heads up on the new challenge Diane - I'm in!

I know what you mean about spotting styles. I was telling someone just the same thing the other day. I saw a painting they had done of butterflies (when I'm used to seeing them paint faces and trees), but I knew it was her work straight away.

Your piece is as ever lovely and of course - all you!

Robin said...

..and your style is wonderful..Love it...Happy Mothers Day to you...have a joy filled day..!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane, thanks so much for this extremely informative post! OMG, the things I would have missed out on otherwise...Your artwork is growing leeps and bounds! I am going to have to get signed up for this new class - I love your finished piece and you have the hair done perfectly! It is definitely a Diane piece :D Beautiful as always...
Hugs,
Beth

pinkglitterfae said...

Wow, you put a lovely spin on this painting! I really wanted to take Jane's class but am too behind at the moment. It really does reflect your style.
I love Mystele too, I was in her Gut art class, and unfortunately it ended before I could do all the lessons. Oh well, I guess I will have to keep plugging away.
Don't you just love all the workshops out there? so much to learn, and explore, I could do this all day if I didn't have to work for a living, lol! have a wonderful Mother's Day
xoxo

Theresa said...

Your painting turned out beautiful!
I really would like to take Mystele's Gut art, missed last times sign ups. Happy Mother's Day! Theresa

Kelly Berkey said...

happy mom's day, talented lady! i love your style, and you sure do have one!! have a wonderful day!! xo

Sunny K. Lee said...

I'm always very inspired by your paintings. I love how you carry out the blank spaces with fun and creative ideas. Love the girl and love how you used the whole canvas to be filled with your uniqueness!!!!!!!!

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Diane, I am so in LOVE with this work. I think it is my all-time favorite. She is beautiful - if I could afford to give her a good home, I would in a heartbeat. Maybe I can sign up for this class in the future. :) Hope you are having a most beautiful Mother's Day! :) Theresa

Anne said...

Wow! Love your work and yes indeed you have your very own style. Keep up the wonderful work. Warm hugs.

E Makes Art said...

She is gorgeous! I really wanted to take Jane's class, but I just can't right now, argh. But I love seeing what you are learning and creating. And you truly did make it your own. bravo!

xoE

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

This was such a great post, appreciate your sharing it. Your finished piece is just stunning, thank God for your unique voice it's beautiful!

Terri Kahrs said...

OMG! She's beautiful!!!! What a gorgeous piece, Diane! Your style is shining through - bright and beautiful! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, I LOVE this!!! I hope you had a very Happy Mother's Day!! You are such a true artist, Diane. I am always inspired when I visit your blog--it is dreamy!
XO
Cindy

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Yeey! i'm so glad you took the courage and skipped the paper drawing. :) This lady looks wonderful and yes, she is deffinetly your style. :) Thanks for the heads up on the blog event. I have to check it out.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Stunning work, love the collaged paper and love the face :-)
I know I have a style though I don't know what that is. I try to make something different many times but it always ends up looking like mine!
Anne x

Anonymous said...

Your lady is beautiful. You clever clogs! Your work is so layered and rich. I love it, as always!

J C said...

Your painting is beautiful! Did you paint those daisies or collage them. They look painted. The entire art piece is lovely.

GlorV1 said...

Yes, you are just learning and learning. I remember Mystele from way back, even before she started her classes. She is such a great speaker. Your style of work is heavenly. Thanks for sharing.

Clare said...

your painting is stunning - i love how you show the progression - the final work is just lovely

Deb Harvey said...

Great piece! I loved reading about the journey you took creating it.

I love Jane's class, too, and I will have to check out Mystele's!

Thanks!

E Makes Art said...

Hi again. Diane I just want to thank you for always taking the time to leave me kind comments. It means a lot and I'm always happy to see your name!! Just wanted to let you know! : )

xoxoEsther

Kim Mailhot said...

The face is awesome ! I love how you took the techniques from one teacher and then made sure the final piece had your own spin on it! Awesome. Loving that texture too !!!!
Off to check out Kristin's challenge...

Patti Edmon Artist said...

your face(s) on collage are amazing! I'll check back toward June to find out more about the blog event - thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane!
I am taking Janes class. So far all I have done is download some of the videos.
I need to kick start myself!
you are doing a wonderful job..
Keep on keeping on! ♥

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blue painting on my blog!

I am in love with this painting of yours! The lady in it is beautiful! And I love the texture and the colours you've chosen. Love it xx

Dorthe said...

Dear Diane- your own voice, made this painting, SOO VERY BEAUTIFUL, she is a beauty- and the background you made,and her dress- makes her fantastic.
Big hug-Dorthe

Carla Trujillo said...

Your painting came out awesome!! I've taken a class with Jane and she is a really good teacher.

Juls said...

this is just AMAZING!!!! Love every detail!!! HUgs Juls

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