Sunday, July 4, 2010

MMM: Something Borrowed

"The Lollipop Tree"
8 x 10 gallery-wrapped canvas
                            
Detail of sides
Detail of top

This week's Mixed Media Monday prompt, Something Borrowed, asks us to create a piece of art using something borrowed - even if that means "borrowing" someone else's ideas! I love this concept as, let's be honest, most of us do our best to avoid comparisons with others. To be challenged to do the opposite was something I couldn't wait to try . . .

You may already see it, but in "The Lollipop Tree" above, I attempted to channel two artists that I greatly admire: Pam Garrison and Amy of Paper and Gluestix. They both create bold compositions, often using bright, cheerful colors to tell a story. In this piece, I tried to emulate the doodling and gallery-wrapped sides that Pam Garrison has been painting lately in addition to the whimsical lines and positive affirmations that Amy often uses.

This piece started life as a line drawing / experiment in doodling which was then washed with several layers of watered-down acrylic. I really didn't know what it was going to turn into when I started, but it seemed to develop into a large giving tree of sorts, with candy colors dripping from the sky and a plant grand enough to produce a crop of lollipops. The affirmation on the leaves states that "Life is Sweet." Other touches include a birdcage / chandelier in the top left and a "bird" (the flying heart) on the top right. In addition to several layers of acrylic, I also used colored pencils, a white China Marker, a ton of matte gel medium and a piece of imagery (that one's for me) from vintage Mother Goose. Finally, I  smudged charcoal over the entire piece (highlighting the brush marks) in order to give it depth and tone it down.

Thank you for your time! I'm eager to see what everyone does this week . . .

Kristin xo

20 comments:

Teresa aka Tess said...

Kristen, This piece os so fun. Great job and wonderful imagery.

Crafty Mom said...

Kristin! This is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I can learn SO much from you! I love the bold colors and the adorable lollipops! Love it, love it, LOVE it!

Willy said...

What a fabulous piece, Kristin. Love your lollipop tree!

Diane said...

Oh, wow, Kristin - this is amazing - I am sure that Pam and Amy would be very proud to have helped inspire this piece!

Unknown said...

Hi Kristin!!!! this is so gorgeous!!! I love the sentiment and the colours...it really made my night!!! thank you for sharing this!!!

Hugs
Diana

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh Kristin,
I just love this!!! Beautiful colors!!! I'd say keep the paints handy because next week's challenge is "blue!" You'll be all ready!!
I hope you're having a Happy 4th of July!
HUGS,
Cindy

indybev said...

You made magic with your "borrowed" ideas, Kristin, adding your own individual personal talent. Nicely done!

Yvonne said...

Love your creation, Kristin!

DMG said...

I love the illustrative quality of this painting, the palette, the backstory, and ALL the details!

Zuzu's Blog said...

Gorgeous.. totally love it. great work

joanna said...

Kristin, love your lollipop tree! what a happy piece with all those bright colours!!
xoxo

Carin said...

Oh Kristin, this is such a fun and happy piece and absolutely gorgeous (just like everything else you make). Love it!

Martina said...

I am totally impressed by your work, Kristin! You are a great artist!

Annette Q said...

Hi Kristen!
What a beautiful piece filled with energy. I LOVE it, the colours are soooo lovely. Thanks for introducing me to those lovely blogs too
:-)

Amy said...

Melt my heart sweet girl!!!! OMG, you always surprise me and this is a huge surprise. I never think of anyone really being inspired by me..I'm always inspired by everyone else! And so I 'Thank You' for this so much!!! Of course I always adore your delightful arty pieces and this one goes to my heart I want you to know!! I really do appreciate you thinking of me. What a truelly great surprise to see this Monday. Thank you Kristin...Super hugs from me
Oh, and this art piece is very charming in everyway possible.
I love your tree and little boy with pup..you do have the most sweetest image's! I love the idea of charcoal...I have never used that, but I'll keep that mine for me..maybe that is something I will borrow from you my friend.
Hope your 4th was a blast.

NANCY LEFKO said...

How delightful !! Really beautiful piece!!

Mandy Chilvers said...

this is wonderfully whimsical.

ALTERED ARTIFACTS said...

So whimsical and fun!

Lynn Stevens said...

Its gorgeous Kristin and such wonderful colors!
Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I was so surprised!
hugs Lynn

carylsrealm said...

Beautiful piece!