Trena's Creative Space

Splashing Water and Color

Practicing watercolor. 

#trenabrannonart #practicing #watercolor

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Another Mixed Media Face

More practicing faces....

#trenabrannonart #mixedmedia #faces

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Water-colored Ocean Scene

I made this little scene for someone special.  It's actually two greeting cards.

 

The cards are for a  leader in our organization who is retiring. I'm happy for her, sad for us...  We needed two large greeting cards to pass around the office. I painted one scene across two pieces of 5x7" hot press water-color paper.

I layered them on 8.5 x 11" cardstock folded in half, so that when the two cards are butted up together, they form the one scene. 

 

Shoutout: the tropical scene was inspired by this video from thefrugalcrafter. 

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

#trenabrannonart #watercolor #colorburst #tropical #palmtrees #ocean #drphilmartins

InLinkz.com

Red Head

 

I really like the way she turned out!

 

More fun with faces, this time using a homemade pallet of luscious colors I made after watching Jane's video.

#trenabrannonart #faces #practicing #janedavenportinspiresme #peerless #artjournaling

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

Hooked on Art Journaling

It's happened to me.... and I blame my stampin' sister Trish H.  :) 

I have found that I really enjoy creating in a journal. When I first heard of it, it did not appeal to me. I liked creating functional art - a greeting card or something to hang on the wall. I could not imagine creating something "that just sits in a closed book." Well, my perspective has changed.  I have now have different size journals - store bought and handmade.  I watch youtube videos on art journaling and I just added a blog category for it. I go from small pages to large pages, from cold press  to hot press to cardstock to mixed media papers. AND, I can use all types of coloring tools to fill the pages and practice different techniques. I find it both relaxing and energizing. I'm hooked!

You just never know where your coloring enthusiasm will take you. Be sure to embrace all the moments! :)

#trenabrannonart #faces #practicing #janedavenportinspiresme #joannesharpe #watercolor #artjournaling

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

More Homework...

from Jane and Joanne's MISS QUOTED class. 

I started with a cool technique Jane taught us, then water-colored and filled in words inspired by Joanne's artwork adds to Jane's drawings. Having fun coloring!!

#trenabrannonart #faces #practicing #janedavenportinspiresme #joannesharpe #watercolor

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

InLinkz.com

Mixed Media - Alcohol Markers and Watercolor

Today I'm playing with a variety of cardstock,  alcohol markers and watercolor paints. 

  

This is part of a homework assignment for the Miss Quoted class I'm taking with Jane and Joanne. I drew the faces with a fine point pen and filled in the skin tones with alcohol markers. I filled in the rest of the colors with watercolor paints.  I saw this organization tip of putting your liquid watercolors into these little ice cube trays. They come four in a set. I decided to just put all my watercolor paints in them. 

Over the years, I've collected a variety of watercolor paints. I organized them by color in the trays, made a swatch on watercolor paper,  and noted the type and color. I then attached it on top of each tray.  I filled all four trays with watercolors and India ink. I find I'm more likely to get use of the my supplies when I make them easily accessible. :)

 

#trenabrannonart #faces #practicing #janedavenportinspiresme #joannesharpe #watercolor

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

 

InLinkz.com

Drawing Faces

Having fun practicing drawing faces! 

#trenabrannonart #faces #practicing #janedavenportinspiresme #tombowdualbrushpens

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Creating Shape with Crayons

This little face was inspired by homework for Beautiful Faces with Jane Davenport. I am really enjoying coloring with my crayons! :)

 

#trenabrannonart #janedavenportclass #beautifulfaces #drawingfaces

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

Sketch Your Life - Sweets

I'm taking a class with Andrea Gomoll.  Sharing some sweets I drew and water-colored. This one was so much fun!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Fall Tree

I watercolored this fall tree using Bister powders.  Another brand with more selection of colors is Brusho Crystal Colors. 

I painted the tree with a brush onto cold press watercolor paper, sprinkled powders for leaves and ground, and spritzed with water.   The powders blended together and created a lovely artsy surprise. I love this simple and fun technique!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

3rd Day at CREATE Retreat

I spent today with Helen Shaffer Garcia , my stampin' sister Marge,  and a room full of lovely, fun artists!  I learned some new ways to draw, and use my watercolors & pencils together, and I had a good time with dripping.  I always enjoy Helen's classes!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

 

CREATE Retreat 2013 - Day 3

Wow! What a wonderful, colorful, inspirational three days! I'm both exhausted and energized. :o)

My third day at the retreat started with Mary Beth. I enjoyed the process of creating color.  I'm so glad I had color theory the first day, because it helped me in all my classes.  Mary Beth was interesting and fun to watch. She talked us through her process of creating and using various techniques. I got to see my DT Sister Maria McGuire  - but only briefly, cause she was working her heart out.  I had the opportunity to meet Carolyn Dube.  In person, she is just like in her videos - full of energy, creativity and fun - just a sweetheart.  I picked up "a couple" of stencils - I was excited to get all of Maria's new ones - to be released soon!

My day ended with Joanne Sharpe.  Just as I have experienced with Joanne before, the workshop was full of encouragement and her sharing cool techniques. Joanne coached us to draw free-flowing designs and also to imagine ourselves being in second grade. :o)  It was full of vibrant colors, tips and techniques on how to have fun with color and try not be so structured.  Joanne always has the best goodie bags - filled with colors and cool pens!  I was happy to be in class with my two stamping and ATC sisters Marge and Shelly. I do have some homework to finish from class. Just could not get all that coloring in.

One thing I have found helps me when I get a lot of new information is to take some time to reflect on what I learned. I look at all my pieces and just think about the process.  Sometimes I recopy my notes. For me the action of writing things down helps me to remember.

Whew!! I'm going to take a nap now.....

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

CREATE Retreat 2013 - Day 1

Had a fabulous, colorful day! I took a watercolor class with Jacqueline Newbold. I finally learned how to use my color wheel. :o)   

Looking forward to tomorrow -  Beyond Inkalicious!  I'll share photos!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

{Heart} U

Even though we should be showing love all year long, today is the day that is identified as 'the day' to show it. I'm thinking it was greeting card, flower and candy companies that started it. :o)  Today people are giving & receiving red and pink cards, cards that say I love you or {Heart} U. 

This design was inspired by a post that Donna Downey did.   It's a project I saw and thought I have all supplies to do that! I don't have to buy one thing.  How often does that happen? :o)

I decided to watercolor on two surfaces - gesso'd, as Donna did, and watercolor paper.   I drew my outline with a black pearl pen and allowed it to dry completely.

 

Next, I filled in color with the H2Os.  I just kept adding color until I got the results I wanted.  As you can see from the side by side photos, the gesso'd paper (left) has a lot of texture, where as the watercolor paper is smoother.  I found I had to tap in color for the second coat of color on the gesso'd paper. When I brushed the color on, I picked up color. I also used a mini mister to keep the colors wet while I moved them around.

When the color was completely dry, I edged all the sides with a black ink pad  and added a 'u' inside the heart with the pearl pen. Lastly, I dropped in some acrylic ink spots and used a paper towel corner and spread the ink a little.

    

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

Country Music, A Snowman, and a Rainbow

Sharing a couple designs I did over at my Stampin' Headquarters.  Please click on the photo to see the details of how I made them. 

    

   

   

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Create Mixed Media Retreat 2012

Had a wonderful time at the Retreat! I learned so much from each class - all my instructors were talented, sharing and fun! My experience was consistent with last year - Create always gets the best instructors!!  

My first class was Ink a licious (doncha just love that name?!) with Cathy Taylor. Our world of knowledge and ideas was expanded on how to use alcohol inks!! I love it when I learn new ways to use supplies I already have - although I do need to add a few colors. :o)  In addition to all the creativity, I sat with four lovely women - Brenda [Encaustic Artist], Diane, Skyler and Mary.  To show it's such a small world we live in, Mary and I are from the same home town, and went to the same middle and high schools.  We had such a lovely time chatting about places we both know.

Next I attended Magic-Markers with Joanne Sharpe. We were in marker Utopia - so many markers in one place! :o)  We created (started, as we could not finish the whole thing in class) a journal of the various markers, highlighting the marker brand/type qualities. Joanne made a journal for us with different types of paper and some of her own artwork for us to color. Joanne and I talked about Spectrum Noir Markers and the ways you can use them. So many markers, so many possibilities!!  I got to sit with Skyler again, as well as Debbie (Brenda's bud), Aimee (also from Naperville) and her sister Megan who was visiting from California.  Way at the end of the table was a mother and daughter, creating art together - how wonderful.

My third class was called Paintings on the Go with Jacqueline Newbold. We had a great time with water, brushes and paint! I was excited to finally squeeze out the new tubes of paint and new pallet I bought months ago that were just waiting for me to get my confidence up. :o)  I sat next to Becky, who helped me know when to stop. :o)  The piece at the top of this post is from this class. I also completed the ones below.

What a wonderful two days of art therapy, learning, and meeting lovely people with the same passion as me!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Batik Silhouette Fan

This card features a Batik water coloring technique I learned at the Create Retreat with Helen and Michael Strong's new Silhouette Fan image.

1. Ink up images with brown ink pad and stamp onto masa paper. For this this technique, the idea here is not to get a crisp image, but more of a worn look.
2. Wad up paper into a ball and soak in water for about 1 minute.
3. Gently unfold and dry flat. You can use a hair dryer to speed up drying time.
4. Use a paint brush and acrylic ink to outline the image. No need to be super straight - part of the charm of this technique - no straight lines!  Allow it to dry.
5. Use a water brush to add color with the H2O pots. I drop some clear water into the little pots and let them set for a few minutes to get to a runny toothpaste consistency. Allow a color to dry on the paper before painting a new color next to it.  The results should be imperfect - a bit rustic. Leave some white.
6. When all the sections are dry, cut around outline.
7. Use a paint brush and acrylic ink to paint in between the sections. Again, don't worry about being straight - just have fun with it. Set aside to dry.
8. Ink up frame image with gold ink and stamp onto A2 size piece of Cryogen Gold card stock.  Re-ink and stamp again to cover piece completely. Trim 1/4' off top and one side.  Adhere layers to base card. 
9. For the inside of the card, ink up smallest fan silhouette image and stamp on the bottom. Repeat to form a little fan row.

Stamps: Michael Strong silhouette fan & frame
Inks/Paints:  FW Acrylic Artist Ink sepia (I won this bottle in Helen's class!),  StazOn timber brown, Encore Gold Metallic, LuminArte Twinkling H2O's cinnamon stick, bougainvillea, sky blue, solar gold, persimmon, key lime, plumeria, spiced pumpkin
Paper:   Masa Paper  - a Japanese Rice Paper, Cryogen white gold, Club Scrap
Accessories: paint brush, water brush,

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Monotypes, Pastels, and Paint

Attended my first Create Mixed Media Retreat last week. I'm definitely signing up next year.  Sharing one of the pieces I did in a Monotypes, Pastels and Paint class with Helen Shafer Garcia.  I also attended her Batik Bits class.  I learned so much in both!!  

This piece features the Monotype Printing technique. This was my first experience with it and I had so much fun!! At the retreat I saw my ATC sisters Sandy, Cindy and Harriet. I sat next to Harriet in this class.  I also met some other lovely artists during the two days I attended, including Kelli Perkins. I have her book! She has photos of her beautiful art work on her blog.

For this piece, I used watercolor paints, watercolor crayons, and pastels.  I'm going to use pencils to give it some more detail.  If you ever get a chance to take a class with Helen, go for it! She's a wonderful teacher and a lovely person!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Watercolored Vase

 



I used Distress Inks to paint the vase and create a colorful background. This card size  is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

1.  Ink up large pot image with VersaMark ink and stamp onto water color paper. Sprinkle embossing power and heat set.
2. For your color pallet, lay down color direct from Distress ink  pads onto a non stick surface, being careful not to overlap.
3. Use your paint brush to pick up color and spread into areas of embossed image.
4. When finished painting pot, spritz remaining ink with water.
5. Pick up color onto white card stock by lightly swirling it around in the ink.
6. Heat set.
7. Trim background layer size.
8. Adhere layers to base card.
9. Use shape die cut to create plants for inside of vase.
10. Lay pot onto card for placement. Mark width top of vase to use as a guide to adhere plants.
11. Adhere plants so that they stay inside your marks.
12. Use a gray marker to give a grounding for your pot and the few leaves that have fallen out.
13. Adhere pot and fallen leaves.
14. On the inside stamp a mini pot and adhere a trimmed piece of background paper for nice surprise.

Variations:  Rather than using a die cut, paint leaves with acylic paint. 

1. Use #1 flat paint brush, 671 metallic perido and wicker white. 
2. To add demension, use Outdoor dementional wicker white to trace around each leaf.

     

Stamps: Michael Strong Cloisonné Pot MS318EZ, Mini Cloisonné Containers MS334EZ
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress ink pads scattered straw, forest moss, spiced marmalade,aged mahogany, chipped sapphire, worn lipstick, VersaMark watermark ink pad
Paper: Strathmore watercolor cold press 140lb,  Stampin' Up! old olive, always artichoke,  Neenah Classic Solar White
Accessories: Tombow Markers N53,  Stampin' Up! clear embossing powder,  paint brush, Coggage Cutz shape die - sea weed forest

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena