Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Boxed In

So  last  week  I  was  bottled  up,  and  this  week  I'm  boxed  in--but  in  a  good  way   : )








And  in  Joyce's  Fresco  Workshop,  our  last  lesson  was  learning  to  work  on  plaster  of  paris.   Joyce  wanted  us  to  apply  the  plaster  on  wood  but  on  only  on  part  of  it--for  a  real  mixed  media  piece--


....my  girl  is  on  the  plaster--


Plaster  of  paris  is  a  lot  different  to  work  on  then  modeling  or  molding  paste,  or  even  the  pre-mixed  filler  plaster.   It's  almost  chalk-like--I developed  a  love/hate  relationship  with  it.   You  really  can't  use  watercolor  pencils  on  it  because  it  chips  the  plaster  away,  but  when  you  use  regular  watercolors--Oh!!--Love  it!   The  color  just  seeps  into  the  plaster  wonderfully.   I've   been  learning  a  lot  about  watercolors  too--I'm  really  liking  them!

And  my  peacock  was  on  the  bare  wood--


I've  never  painted  a  peacock  before,  so  I  had  no  idea  what  I  was  doing,  but  that's  what  is   so  nice  about  this  type  of  art.   Nothing  has  to  be  or  should  be  perfect.   And  the  peacock  and  background  were  done  in  true  mixed  media  style--acrylics,  graphite,  and  those  wonderful  Prismacolor  nupastels.    If  you've  never  worked  with  chalk  pastels  before,  I  recommend  these.  I  like  them  better  than  the  pan  pastels  or  even  the  conte  crayons--so  easy  to  work  with--and  the  way  the  colors  go  down--WONDERFUL!!

This  is  what  I  love  about  mixed  media--it's  impossible  to  get  bored--sooooo  many  possibilities.

But  I'm  going  to  take  a  little  time  off  today  and  enjoy  this  most  excellent weather  we've  been  having.   I  don't  remember  the  last  time  we've  had  a  full  week  of  sun  and  70  degree  weather  in  March!!   And  I  know  that  in  a  week  there  could  be  snow  on  the  ground.   So  Lenny  (my  turtle)  and  I  are  going  to  go  outside  today  and  enjoy  this  wonderful  sunshine!




26 comments:

Janet Ghio said...

Diane-this piece with the peacock is just fabulous--I love the way the flowers in the background look!!

Anonymous said...

You are so talented no matter what medium you use. I love everything you do!!!

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Oh my you painted a fabulous peacock and a lovely lady. And I always always love your boxes.

Netty said...

Oh wow these are all wonderful projects. Inspiring as ever. Annette x

Holly Loves Art said...

Gorgeous works of Art Diane! The mixed media pieces are gorgeous and I love how you incorporated the glass. I LOVE your lady with the peacock. I am a HUGE adorer of the peacock and have a little collection of various peacock items. They are such a mysterious and beautiful bird. You made yours lovely!

Cameron said...

I think you deserve a day to enjoy the sunshine....you've been working so hard!!
That peacock is gorgeous...and I just love the floral background, too!
The way you blend colors and elements together is just amzing :)

You are going to have a nice full booth (and hopefully full pockets, too) for your show...heehee :D

Kathy said...

Beauiful blue on the peacock and I like the clear glass knobs, too. I'm not sure I have seen you use clear before and it looks really pretty.
You and Leny have fun today and soak up some vitamin D after the long grey winter!!

sharon said...

You excel at every medium Diane! Your box is wonderful, the lady and the peacock are awesome!

Kim Mailhot said...

It has been so beautiful here though the allergy crap kind of started today along with the lilac leave bursting their buds a little.
Love the bottle and the box, especially that it is all in a good way ! But that peacock is my favorite. Such rich color !
Take good care of you !

Jen Beaudet said...

I love the peacock! It looks beautiful! Have a great day enjoying your nice weather:)
Jennifer

Margo said...

OH! I LOVE this girl! I think she's my new favorite....her face is just fabulous!!! Wonderful!

Connie said...

Diane, Your work astounds me. The peacock and the lady . . . and "Oh my" . . .on plaster. What next? Your boxes are so unique . . . your mind must be so full of ideas, that it never rests. You certainly have a double portion of talent. Thank you for sharing, Connie

Emelie said...

Did you get that sun fix? It has been so warm and now some much needed rain.

The face has a new beautifu look, such good expression and carefree hair. I envy that hair painting.

YOu will be so excited to sell those boxes they will be gone quickly. People can't refuse a pretty box.

Deb Harvey said...

Painting on plaster...sounds like a lot of fun! Beautiful piece! Love the box, too! Have fun in the sun...we've still got snow! Crazy weather this spring.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

How beautiful! Can't believe you never painted a peacock before this. It looks fabulous.
Glad I was able to stop by for a visit
Maggie

GlorV1 said...

Wow Diane!! Your work gets better and better. Beautiful, just beautiful. Thx for stopping by my PPF and the nice comment. How come you don't give workshops. You'd be really good at it. Make some bucks. tee hee. take care.

Gaby Bee said...

Wow, you have been busy! Gorgeous projects, Diane. The peacock and the lady are awesome! Love your boxes.

Happy Spring!
Gaby

Serena Lewis said...

WOW!!! You never cease to amaze me with your spectacular creations, Diane. Beautiful work!

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

such beautiful boxes you create and just love the peacock piece, such interesting mix of textures and techniques. Vibrant

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

You did a great job on the peacock. :) It's my favorite bird. And I agree with you about the perfection. It's what's stops the creative flow so you need to let it go and this art style is perfect for it. :) Great box, too!

Martha Lever said...

I am waiting to see your BIG canvas because you could SO do it and it would be awesome!

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful to see and hear about your piece. I was so curious about this course. Looks like you are having a grand time.

Rosie said...

I really love the boxes you make - and your painting is beautiful.

Isabel said...

Love the peacock!!! Ive never worked on plaster but Im dying to try, painting turned out wonderful!!!! Have a great week:O)

Kristin said...

Another brilliant source of inspiration! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your peacock - and have never tried those pastels. Thank you for sharing as I will get them and give them a go, xoxo

Joyce van der Lely said...

Diane, she turned out BEAUTIFULLY !!!!!!!!! I also LOOOOVE the peacock, your work turned out amazing ! I am so glad you do love the plaster of Paris somehow, but of course you can always use the other plaster kind in future. Have you done a journal page yet ? Curious xoxoxoxoxo ♥♥♥

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