Week Five: Wild n' Reckless!

"E"

8 x 8 Canvas Flag

It's week five of The Summer of Color 2: Ice Cream Inspirations and our latest challenge is to create a piece of art based upon the cool and crazy colors found within Wild n' Reckless sherbet . . . .

I loved playing with these colors, and knew early on that I wanted to bring out the varied hues in the "flavor" through the strands of her hair. If she looks familiar, it may be because she was based upon this piece I recently did for Paint Party Friday. She was created using a combination of acrylics, Caran D'ache watercolor crayons, pencil and various metallic and gel pens. 

Can you beleive it? We're now on to our last color prompt, the bold and beautiful . . . . . okay, you can just look up . . . .

Ice Cream kisses,

Kristin xo

Week Four: Strawberry Lemonade!

"M"

8 x 8 Canvas Flag

We're on to week four of The Summer of Color 2: Ice Cream Inspirations and our latest challenge is to create whatever our heart desires using the color palette found in Strawberry Lemonade . . . .

I have to admit, I was really looking forward to this one. The colors are feminine and sweet, and a nice departure from last week's more neutral tones. I wanted the "M's" to eventually face each other (Yes, it's gonna spell Summer. Well okay, you knew from the beginning ;), so I made the new girl facing the opposite direction of her "Baseball Nut" counterpart. I was inspired by a photo I saw on Pinterest to do a bathing cap sort of thing, and I love how the yellow ended up popping against the bright and pale pinks. In fact, I think I may have found my new favorite color combination!   

I can't believe how fast this is all going (only two color prompts left!) and I've had a blast so far. If you've considered joining in but have yet to do so, feel free to jump right in. We want you to come out and play too . . . .

Speaking of which, check out the next crazy color scheme. Now that's gonna be fun to see!

Ice Cream Kisses,
Kristin xo

Week Two: Mint Chocolate Chip!

"U"

8 x 8 Canvas Flag

It's week Two of The Summer of Color 2: Ice Cream Inspirations and our second prompt is to create anything we'd like using the "Flavor" of the week, Mint Chocolate Chip . . . .

This little girl was created in the same manner as the week before, with a piece of primed canvas material, watercolor and acrylic paints and this time, a sparkling bow encrusted with fine glitter and pale blue Swarovski crystals.

Hungry for more? Check out the next delicious inspiration found directly above . . . .

Ice Cream Kisses,

Kristin xo

Week One: Rainbow Sherbet!

"S"

8 x 8 Canvas Flag

It's Week One of The Summer of Color 2: Ice Cream Inspirations and our first prompt is to create something - anything really - using the colors found within Rainbow Sherbet . . . .

For my part, I've decided to paint a series of six canvas flags which will be bound together at the conclusion of the event to create a banner (or "bunting" which I recently learned from the lovely Missy K) suitable for hanging.

This little one was first sketched in pencil (on a gessoed piece of canvas fabric) before being enhanced with acrylics, Caran D'ache watercolor crayons and glittering (Sakura) gel pens. The white polka dots sparkle too, thanks to some iridescent Stickles glitter laid on top. A handmade fabric flower with a vintage button center and some white pom-pom trim complete the look.

Now on to Week Two and another delicious "flavor" to inspire us . . . .

Ice Cream Kisses,
Kristin xo

A Little Lost. . . .

"But I'm Still Here"

Altered Golden Book Cover & Canvas 

Ever been in an art funk? When your Muse not only decides to take a hike, but also seems to be giving you the Bird on the way out the door? Yep. That was Me. For what felt like an eternity . . . . So I gave it a rest. For much longer than I would like. Now, I did try to create but every time I did, well, let's just say it wasn't pretty. And yes, perfectly reasonable (and normally rational) adults can have tantrums . . . . I am living proof.

So when I read Christen Olivarez' Letter from the Editor in the latest issue of Somerset Studio, I felt as if she was talking directly to me. She discussed the idea of being paralyzed by perfection (yep) and that when we over-think things (um hum), we can stop ourselves in the process. She underlined this point with a beautiful quote from Julia Cameron: "Art is not about thinking something up. It's about getting something down." 

So I did just that. Tried to get something down. I made a little collage. And put it away. I started to scrapbook (which is another subject 'cause it's been years since I've scrapped anything for my own kid). And then threw it away. And then I eventually did what I set out to do in the first place: I played. For reals. I picked up a piece of canvas fabric ('cause it was the closest thing to me), ripped it into a small square and went to town. I didn't even seal my drawing as I normally would before painting because I couldn't be bothered . . . but in the end, I broke the curse. And my Muse is back. Although she is in trouble. Leaving me all high-and-dry like that . . . .

Okay, okay. Lesson learned. 

Have fun playing,

Kristin xo