Wednesday Mash-Up

There will be a brief hiatus in posts over the next few weeks as I recover from surgery.  What better way to begin the break than with a GRAND FINALE a la 4th of July fireworks style?  So here is a mash-up of many things all rolled into one wild and crazy post!

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"Enter the Hive" - mixed media on mat board, 12" x 8".  Available here and at Artfinder.

I am playing with small pieces this week in the studio, letting the surface speak and the colors play together.  I am still fascinated by what paint does on mat board, and have raced through my stack of boards in a short time while experimenting with various medium.  Watercolor, acrylics, inks, pigments and oils all do something just a bit different on mat board.  This piece (left), was inspired by the bee swarm in and around our house this week.  So many bees through such a tiny opening.  And they manage to go it without damaging their delicate little bodies and wings.

The folks at the Vatican could learn a thing or two about pushing many tourist bodies through a small opening by observing the bees.

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​"Simple Cypress" - mixed media on mat board, 12" x 12".  Available here and at Artfinder.

More on mat board.  This one using gesso, acrylics, a spray bottle, charcoal and colored pencils.  The silhouettes of cypress trees throughout Italy have me a bit enamored right now.  They manage to make every landscape look a little more elegant.  Imagine your own house with a couple of giant cement lions and a driveway lined with cypress trees...ok, unless your driveway is 4 feet long and you have a fear of lions. 

Here is some information about Italian cypress trees from a gardening center post, which describes them as "A Tall, Dark Italian."   All the single ladies, you can have all the tall, dark Italians you want, planted in your own yard.

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 And here's a little something to grin about...this happy buddha, (do click on the link - I adore this painting!) created by new artist in SoFlo.  A bit of joy to infuse your week with the potential for spontaneous giggles.  The artist is a groovy, good-energy human, too.  Thank you, Sharon, for putting this happy stuff out into the world!

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"Wash Away Your Troubles" - acrylic on aluminum panel, 6" x 4".  Available here and at Artfinder.

A piece of tiny art on my favorite substrate - aluminum panel.  This was created with the leftover bits of paint on my palette over several weeks - a little here and there, smudged and dabbed and scraped.  It's tiny, but mighty.  Drop it into a floater frame (attach with velcro) and you have instant wow for that one little spot in the house that doesn't already have art. :)

(shhhhh - floater frames and velcro are a super secret framing solution)

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This post began with the bees, so let's wrap it up with them...literally!  See sweet little bee nests made of flowers.  Now go on and have yourself a playful day. :)