CQJP July Block

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Inspiration Sunday June 5/11

Sorry I have been away for a bit: last weekend was our choir concert weekend, and then we had wind storms which knocked down several trees, which took out our hydro, and that meant no computer satellite connection. The power was off  during several days, and kept cutting out due to the wind and rain storms once the trees had been removed. I'm happy to be back!
My Challenge:
card 1:- coat the paper with white gouache, then, when dry, paint over with thick watercolor. After drying, lift out lights and areas using water and tissues
card 2:- select one pigment each for the mental, physical, and spiritual side of your nature. Use in a painting

I didn't have any gouache handy, so I used gesso instead.
I chose green for my spiritual pigment, since I love nature, blue for the physical, and red for the mental.
I used an unfinished painting, and added the gesso thickly with the palette knife, leaving marks in its surface for texture.
 adding the spiritual
 a second shade
 adding the physical

 Short bursts of mental
 upside down
 Once dry, the painting looked a little washed out. I like how the texture from the gesso shows through, but felt it also flattened the watercolours.
 I added more paint in the same colors, and prefer the result with its feeling of energy.








Last time, I turned the completed glue painting into cards and have sent them on their way. Here's what they looked like all cut up and on the card stock:





I was very pleased with the result.














The next challenge:

card 1:- coat your paper with a layer of irridescent paint added to gesso. Paint with transparent watercolor over the gesso.
card 2:- paint using red, black and yellow

I hope you are having a nice Sunday.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz







28 comments:

  1. I don't know all the terminology you use, but I really like the way you take us step-by-step through your challenges. It helps me have a greater appreciation for the artistic process. Your cards look fabulous!

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  2. Thanks Diane! I always looked at paintings and wondered how the artist got to the finished stage, so I'm glad you like to see the process, too. I think seeing the different stages would have helped me to learn more quickly.
    I hope all the recipients enjoy their cards. Have a lovely Sunday.
    Hugs

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  3. I always enjoy your painting experiments. And yes, gesso makes the watercolour paint dull. Sometimes I add a layer of varnish to spice it up.

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  4. Your paintings are just wonderfully creative. I just love the freedom of them. You have a real way with colour and design.

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  5. Wow! those cards turned out great. good idea. Thanks for sharing the process of painting...sometimes I think I'm done...but should really add some more!

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  6. That feeling of energy is what we all need from time to time, and you've achieved it in your painting. The cards look lovely too, as does your colourful new look to your blog!

    PS I sing in a choir too, and having a concert is great fun, but can be quite exhausting too, can't it? Hope yours went well.

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  7. You're right Annet, it would. I hadn't stopped to consider that the gesso was opaque and would affect the transparent watercolors that way.

    Shirley, what a nice thing to say! Thank you!

    Katie,I find that's one of the most difficult things to decide: when the painting is finished. Should I add more? Should I have stopped 2 steps ago? I guess it depends what I'm trying to say, and whether or not I think I've said it. Thanks for letting me know you also enjoy seeing the different stages of my painting experiments.
    Thanks for those very nice coments, Janet!
    The concert week was a busy one as we had 3 concerts, a practice, and a dress rehearsal, all in 5 days! I was tired, and didn't accomplish much during the two days that followed, I can tell you.
    Hugs everyone

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  8. My card arrived late last week and it is beautiful -thanks Suz.

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  9. I'm so glad it arrived safely, and that you like it, Doreen! Have a wonderful day.
    Hugs

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  10. Cards look wonderful and so does the blog.
    Fox : )

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  11. Love the bit by bit descriptions, I really should get off my but and join in. The cards look great, hope mine is there when I get home.

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  12. Thanks, Fox! I thought it was a little plain and needed a bit of color.

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  13. Penny, I'd love it if you joined in with the paint challenge! That would be fun. Your card should be there to welcome you home. Hope you like it!
    Hugs

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  14. thankyou soooooo much for my wonderful card!! I love it!!

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  15. I'm so pleased, Karen! Thanks for letting me know.
    Hugs

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  16. Hi Suz: Blogger has been very misbehaved of late and I have missed your blog. So glad to be catching up this morning. Your papers are wonderful and how smart your cards turned out. Stash building is so rewarding as it prepares us for our next projects. Got to have the right tools to do the job! Happy projecting...

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  17. Glad you are back and sharing what you are doing! Love your paintings as usual :) Your cards turned out fantastic!

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  18. Createology, it seems as though everyone has been having some sort of problem with blogger: I wasn't able to post comments easily on my own blog for about a week. I hope it's finally fixed.
    I think I love stash building almost as much as I like creating. Ah, the possibilities, and the options! The cards were a nice surprise.
    Hugs

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  19. Thanks Stacie! I was pleased with the result. Hugs

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  20. Suz your cards are so wonderful,I enjoyed seeing have you made them, great idea. Have a nice day.
    Anni

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  21. Mine arrived yesterday (Mon 6th) & are really fabulous, thanks so much! & thanks for showing the process, too.

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  22. Anni, thank you! It's interesting to see how a painting evolves, isn't it? When I'm doing it, I'm too into what's happening. Posting the different stages helps me to see, too, where I might have or should have done something a bit differently. Hugs

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  23. I'm so pleased, Emma, that you like them! Hugs

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  24. It was so exciting to get my card Suz. It is even better in 'the flesh' as you can appreciate the texture you have created with this technique more. Di.

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  25. Suz your cards look amazing - just gorgeous! Are you going to make another set from the new painting, or have you somehing else in mind?
    Val from Val's Musngs

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  26. I'm so glad it arrived, and you like it, Dianne!

    Val, I hadn't thought of doing it with this painting since it wasn't a special technique, but you never know. I'll think about it.
    Hugs

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  27. I love your vibrant painting,dear Suz- and the cards from last time, are all so fantastic looking- they are so allive (can I say that?)
    and in beautiful colors-
    Happy day to you-from me.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  28. Thank you, Dorthe, for saying such nice things! Hope your days are sunny. Hugs

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I love to read your comments!