Seagull panel

 I have been busy working on more wooden panels. I love working on wood. It means I can add loads of heavy texture and then sand the surface with a lovely new hand held sander I have. My seagull started off like this a couple of days ago.

I used shades of citrasolv paper for the seagull body.

Then stencilled modelling paste over the surface to create texture, which I then sprayed with iridescent inks.

I sanded the surface, and drew some detail in ink.

Four seasons

You may remember a few weeks back I spent the day making citrasolv papers, to take a look at the process click HERE

Well,  the ink on the pages of the national geographic dissolves leaving wonderful patterns and it makes fabulous collage papers.

However sometimes you find a special piece.

A page much too special to tear up. The photo below is a special page.

 Although the colour was washed away, I loved the almost seascape feel to the page. 

I stuck it carefully to a wooden panel and began to paint over it using acrylic paints, intensifying areas I liked.

I love using metallic paints, so added lots of interference metallic colours.

it reminds me of a view out to sea on one of those days where it is sunny and raining all at once,

 Four seasons in one day....

Linking up to paint party friday

One tree

Wednesdays post showed a bench load of citrasolv papers made by dissolving the ink of old copies of the national geographic.
To answer an earlier question by ' fuzzy'  I believe new copies don't dissolve as well, although I can't vouch for that as I have only tried it on old copies bought from charity shops or Ebay.

A dissolved page.

  Soon became this!

I began to see a tree emerging from the at first abstract shapes. I used acrylics and gold leaf to build up textures, adding modelling paste to add a dimensional element.

Although starting off as an abstract it has now become a landscape. I see water, heather, sea and distant hills and a single lone tree. standing tall.

One tree, wood panel, cirtasolve collage with acrylics and textured elements

Linking up to paint party friday

For those arriving from Paint party here is a little catch up of my abstract poppy incase you missed it. Created in the color theme of Coral/teal/white

I am loving the challenge so far.... :)

WOYWW citrasolv papers

A little late in the day but here is my link up to WOYWW
My workbench ready for action....
I thought it only fair to wait and photo my results with pages of the national geographic and citrasolv cleaner.

After brushing the pages with the lemon cleaner the ink starts to dissolve making wonderful patterns.

 Some look sea-like. Filled with swirling patterns and bubbles.

Lovely papers to use for collage or as backgrounds for paintings.

As you can see I have been busy. ;)

Linking to woyww click Here to take a peep at some other exciting workspaces around the world this Wednesday.

red grouse

There is something very Scottish about the Red grouse. I don't know if it is the colours which blend so well into the heather. Or perhaps it's sturdy stance as it surveys the landscape. Maybe it is it's strong association to a famous whisky brand!

Whatever it is the glorious 12th of August always makes me sad. As a vegetarian for more then 30years I don't believe I have ever eaten Grouse, although I know many people who do. Grouse are seem as Game birds and are shot in large numbers, the 12th being the first day of the shooting season.I thought it would be nice to celebrate the beauty of this little bird and recognise how good it looks away from the dinner table.

My collages always begin life looking very messy and this one was no different! At this stage I know what I want to do, but I think many people would have no idea what all the torn paper and glue was going to look like!

I collaged the paper pieces onto an old reclaimed floorboard. I did change the background as I felt the scenery was too fussy. I wanted the grouse to be the main subject.

The male Grouse have the shock of red on their heads so this fellow is most definitely a male. I think he looks rather festive in his red bonnet.

There is lots of texture, I used some Citrasolv paper for the rocks .Citrasolv paper for those who haven't come across the term before is wonderful coloured paper created from pages of the national geographic!
I sprinkled the Citrasolv natural cleaner onto the pages. The product partially dissolves the ink leaving wonderful patterns. I did a post earlier in the year with a LINK to a great youtube tutorial for those who are interested. I often incorporate pieces of this torn paper in my collages.

I love this photo of the sunlight dappling the surface, it also gives you an idea of the scale.

I have a couple of large pieces to finish before Christmas so will be working on them madly for the next couple of weeks and may not have time to post a great deal before Christmas.

Red Grouse

Linking up to Paint Party Friday; a place to VISIT loads of fantastic artists and see what they have been up to this week.

Starry night over Gairloch

looking for inspiration

 There are many Artists whom I love and have influenced me over the years. My little' Starry Night over Gairloch' collage is a little bit of fun in celebration of Van Goghs famous painting.

Starry Night, Van Gogh

 Van Gogh was a master of colour, I just love the swirling sky!

My collage used citrasolve paper for the sea and gelli printed paper for the sky. I use Golden Gel medium to stick the citrasolve paper down as it creates less wrinkles than pva glue types.

I have so many favourite paintings this weeks Artists Playroom challenge to choose one seemed a bit tough!
I visited Aberdeen over last weeks long holiday weekend and spent Sunday afternoon in the city Art gallery, I LOve Art Galleries! They are such peaceful contemplative spaces. Aberdeen although the third largest city in Scotland is not particularly large and the gallery is not full of Van Goghs, but it does have some interesting works.

Aberdeen Art Gallery

 The beautiful weekend weather meant Union Terrace gardens finally looked quite springlike!

Union Terrace gardens

 My trip to the gallery reminded me that much of my inspiration comes from less famous artists; the gallery has a beautiful watercolour by contemporary Scottish artist Elizabeth Blackadder. I have admired her deceptively simple still life watercolours since I was a student in Edinburgh ( many years ago :)! )

Elizabeth Blackadder Flowers on an Indian cloth

                                                           
So I did a little watercolour still life tribute to her fantastic work.

Still life with Goss china and little shoes