by Lucy
on October 2, 2024
I am adding a few more photos of art projects and new things at my house.
I hope you enjoy these “bits and bobs”.
The Vintage Sea Shell Box
This is a vintage box decorated with sea shells. It belonged to Lucy Fagan (the real one). I got it from my granny. I was told that the box came from Indianola.
For years it was in a plastic bag. When I did the hallway remodel (see pictures down the page) and created a nice area for collectibles, I decided to restore the box. I had the perfect shells to replace missing ones!
The center image has been missing forever, so I decided to replace it with one of Marie de la Mer. It is a box with sea shells, after all. I put a coat of matte acrylic over it all. It’s really lovely now.
Inside has always been the two garters from granny’s wedding, and a long length of black silk that was used for making mourning bands on sleeves. I put those things back inside.
Shawn’s House
A watercolor of Shawn’s new home in Milwaukee. Watercolor, rubber stamp, Posca pens, and collage. She bought this vintage cottage last year.
For Rosann
I painted one of my little canvas covered boxes for Rosann at Christmas. I love how it turned out — the colors were spectacular. They are almost electric, right?
Yet Another Library
I decided to remove carpet from the upstairs hallway, chunk the old flat files, and have bookshelves built. I love the way it turned out. This is my history library, nicely organized with Civil War, American Revolution, various states (except Texana which is still in the foyer), and more. Even put permanent (nice) shelves in the laundry room. Click to open full size.
by Lucy
on October 2, 2024
I found an artist who had a great mixed-media class online, and I signed up for it. It was one of the best things I have done for my art ever. While her work is very contemporary and abstract (not my usual style), I learned significantly from her class. Laura Horn Art. She’s from Australia and just listening to her talk is delightful.
We used acrylic inks, watercolors, acrylic paints, paper bits, Posca pens, mark making tools, and more. I learned a significant lesson on mixing colors (which I thought I already knew how to do). And ways to loosen up my work. (Think Lucy Goosey.) But best of all, I learned how to really use an art journal.
Sidenote: I am now hooked on Daniel Smith Watercolors. They are the Rolls Royce of pigments, and with a hefty price tag also. My collection now is right at the same amount that I paid for a used Fiat 850 back in 1972. They are worth it, however!
She suggested ring bound journals with 100% cotton papers. How did I know that 100% cotton paper was best for watercolor? And the thought is that if you work studies on journal pages, you can experiment on a small scale without the pressure of working on a painting that is going to be a “finished work”. It’s amazingly liberating and I have been filling journals like crazy!
I have a photo collection of my work. Keep in mind, these are all really work studies.
Maybe you will find some inspiration here — to start a working journal and/or play with some of your mediums in a new way. Adding texture with found objects. Laura Horn has some free class modules also. You might enjoy one of those.
