Horse Feathers

DRAWING CHALLENGE: hosted this week by: Patrice. Each week a new theme is posted, hosted by someone new, and everyone is welcome to join in! This is my first entry with the theme: E-A-R-T-H-L-Y.

Yesterday I discovered a random tree growing in the boulevard in a forgotten and neglected section of the roadway near where I live. It would have been mowed right down with those huge lawnmower machines the City landscaping crew use so I tugged at it and it released easily into my hand. Attached to the lowest part of the stem (will become a trunk) was the split chestnut that had developed into the tree. I took it home and plunked it in a small jar of water for now. Then today I decided to draw a quick sketch of the tree on used tea bag paper so I propped the tree against the nearest object in front of the window where there is good light. I did a quick sketch and then added some colour with pencil crayons and watercolor. Here is the drawing.

When I went on line to find out the name of the tree, I discovered that it was called a 'Horse Chestnut' tree and that was kind of neat because I'd propped it up against the horse figure not knowing the name of the tree. Then when I drew a leaf up close, the sections reminded me of the way feathers fall so the idea of horse feathers came to me. The leaf looks like a group of feathers that may be used as a decorative element for a horse.

So I am calling this post horse feathers even though the meaning is not so nice. See you soon I hope, *smiles* Norma

Sweet peas, Lupin pods and my first heart rock

On my way home from the thrift store I popped in to the community garden which I often do. I chose a few stems of sweet pea and a couple of lupin seed pods (they are so furry on the outside) and planned to do another botanical sketch on tea bag paper with these as the subject. As I walked through the garden I saw in front of me on the path as clear as a bell a heart shaped rock. My own heart stopped for a second. This is my very first find of a heart shaped rock and I've been looking for years! So the rock will be in the sketch as well. I am planning to do another giveaway if the sketch goes okay. *smiles* Norma

Idyllic Dreaming

Today I began working on the first composition for the ten week long "Summer of Color" challenge hosted by Kristin at Twinkle Twinkle Like a Star. Each week we will be given a color and this first week it is BLUE.
I'd been wanting to work on the size of my new MOLESKINE and when I started mixing up some blue gouache I spotted out of the corner of my eye, a stash of prepared (dried and ironed flat) used tea bag paper. So I'll be using that as a ground. My subject is a blue bird from my imagination, who is dreaming. So the picture is called 'Idyllic Dreamer.' I've used india ink, acrylic paint, gouache, pencil crayon and rubber stamped lettering thus far, for this mixed media piece. I'm thinking very much of the fragility of things (and of life) as I am working because the paper is gradually tearing as I handle it. Everything is temporary. I love the metaphor.
Well you can see that the tea bag picture is hung from a clothing hanger (skirt) and at the end of the ten weeks it will be full. I have an idea to make a book but the muse will tell me what to do as time goes on. The hanger may be an installation piece.
Well nice chatting, and hope to see you soon. *smiles* Norma

Thanks for dropping in!

A bit of magic...

Well you know how the muse works! Surprises everywhere...today is another mystery. I am supposed to be working on a paper artdoll. I have started to paint the face and I've got the dress designed in my head so it's off to a good start. The dress (skirt at this point) is made from used tea bags (paper) and I've sewn the outline of a plum blossom on it using music paper as a base. Lately I've been noticing the use of tea bag paper and let me say I'm speechless with excitement about using it, and often I am thinking. The first experiment was the skirt of my paper doll and as I said I'm off to a good start. Except that I looked at something on line (a blog I follow) that talks about using Pine Sol cleaner as a transfer technique. Somehow I got off on a different path altogether (this is the surprise part). The transfer technique didn't work at all (this will be another blog post), but here is what designed itself. Where it came from is a COMPLETE MYSTERY to me. My muse is at work here.
This is a wee bird pretty much the same size and shape as my paper inspirational bird (small size), but is made of used tea bag paper that was doubled over for strength. Encased inside are some fennel seeds which are believed in some folklore to ward off evil persons but I am using them to ward off evil thoughts. Sequins decorate it and chicken feathers (oh I am feeling the voodoo vibe here) feature in the tail. There's a small bell for the idea of sound and the bird hangs on a gold cord.
I am calling this a paper bird talisman to ward off evil thoughts. It is a complete prototype and I've used sequins and cord that were readily available so have given no thought as to color. It is stamped with the rubber stamp which says 'aspire to BE' and this talisman will hang by my computer screen to remind me that I would like to be a person who has more positive thoughts going on.
Now it is back to the paper doll. Have fun everyone! *smiles* Norma