Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Remembering Leo

It's been a lazy beginning to the week, now that I'm on holidays. Oh yeah, kicking back and relaxing, arting when I want, watching a few movies and generally not doing too much, at least so far. Now if only I could work out how to get paid for doing this I'd be in heaven! So while relaxing I've been taking a few lessons from Ann Baldwin's book 'Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed Media Artists'. Great book! Did I mention it's a great book? I did, well truthfully well deserved too. I do love Ann's collage work, and rarely do I find that these type of books live up to the my hopes for them, but this one! Worth every cent if you're into paint techniques for mixed media and collage! It's a wonderful place to begin anyway. So I been playin'. Have been researching madly for a current project and have a pile of books next to the nightstand as high as the nightstand on the Reanaissance period, my fav historical era. Soo much change in soo little a time period! Have sorted out all the issues for my current work in progress and am now into that, but I'm keeping that a secret at the moment so no peeks, at least not yet, LOL! However, as always the journals a great fallback, so here's the latest journal play.





'Remembering Leo'.



Love Da Vinci, what a fabulous mind. Fancy being clever enough in his day and age to go from paint, to sculpture, to engineering, to anatomy studies and back again! What a talented and inquiring mind he must have had. This page was a direct play from Ann Baldwins book. Her colour palette and style just my subject matter, but I liked it! Pooh, it's my journal and I'll play with what I want!!! (I'm sticking out my tongue and blowing raspberries too, LOL)! Don't know that I've finished with it yet either. I'll just have to wait and see.




'Walking on the Moon'



I've been in love with everything 'spacey' for as long as I can remember. I wonder if it was a direct influence from these guys? I remember watching it all on the tv as a child and being so entranced with the idea that someone was up there walking around as I was looking!
I was a grand 6 years of age (I soo cannot believe I gave my age away! What was I thinking???) and was hooked. I so admire these men, their predecessors and those who came after. I'm probably also a wee bit jealous! I'd go up tomorrow if only NASA would phone and ask!!!
Why haven't they??? Surely they've heard of me!!! LOL! I actually have the original newspaper broadsheets, published at the time. They are yellowing and delicate but I wouldn't part with them for anything! I have copied them and resized them to include here.


Next... onto something a little different.

Some jewelry play. The wonderful Ro Bruhn sent me a pakage a wee while ago and I have slowly been incorporating various of her bits into projects. (OMG, that sounds like I'm some sort of serial killer!!! I apologise to all, believe me, Ro's still out there folks! Alive and well! Trust me, I'm an artist, LOL)

Mwahahahaha, I kill me sometimes!!!


Anyway, the result of playing with beady bits...




Loads of glare when I took the photos. Sorry to all you photography types out there. I so suck at this.
(I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy, much bowing and scrapping, LOL). Loads of glare from the mother of pearl discs, but they are sooo pretty. Every girl needs a bit of bling!




And then a little mixed media piece which I think may turn into a series.





I've been practising my portraits since last we spoke. Slow improvement. Ah well, Rome wasn't built in a day and all that!
Do you see the beatles, LOL! Couldn't help myself! John, Paul, George and Ringo in on the act! Mixed media canvas panel, acrylics, oil pastels, charcoal, ink, sheet music and all four beatles! Wow, should be worth a fortune with all four, LOL! I have been scouring the garden (much to the delight of the cat who has been pouncing about at every opportunity as I rummage amongst the bits) for the right kind of beetle but, it's winter here, a disctinct lack of buggy bits in the yard at present, especially the already departed type. Couldn't actually kill any for my art now could I! Unthinkable!!! So had to resort to making them from dried beans. Maybe I should watch out for that Jack guy, I hear he has some used beans!


Ahh, I think that's all for now. Gotta get back to my...

well nothing really, but I gotta get back to doin it anyway!!!


I so LOOOOOOVE holidays!


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17 comments:

Ro Bruhn said...

Sounds like you're having a fabulous art holiday Kim. What a great variety of work you've completed. I love Ann Baldwin's work I didn't know she had a book out, I know she has a dvd.
Love your necklace too, my bits are still intact so you don't have to worry, you gave me quite a chuckle.
Love it all, enjoy the rest of your time off.

MrCachet said...

Kim - Not that the others don't appeal to my eye, but I really like your Space entry - or re-entry. LOL.

Caterina Giglio said...

Jewelry too??? LOL! hmmmm somebody's AADD is showing! not to worry, I have been working on a bracelet myself!!! of course! great job on all the pieces and of course I am partial to the leo piece, but all are really good and looks like you had fun, even better!xo cat

The Weaver of Grass said...

This is such inspirational stuff Kim - I wish you would take us through the construction of one of those collages - would that be possible, so that we could see each stage?

rivergardenstudio said...

I am enjoying all of your blog, the red collage especially but your journal pages and jewelry too. I will be back! Roxanne

Unknown said...

Love Ann Baldwin's work and book and you've nailed it with your Da Vinci piece! Beautiful.

Debrina said...

Hello Kim, how are ya? Thanks for stopping on by and taking a wee sup of mail art! I love the Renaissance Era too - studied the literature at Uni and of course learned all about the "Renaissance Man" at that time...ahh those were the years. Well, I was born during the moon landings, so no memories there of it happening (nor of the birth, lol!). So now you know my age, we aren't that far apart.

Love your journal entries here, esp. the first you posted there. Beautiful paint work, I'll have to track down this book you're raving about.

Ok, toodle for now!
So glad we've met (Yeah Seth!).
Debs

Anonymous said...

i must admit, you amaze me every time i stop by. you're quite the artist! i love leo too, and you did such an amazing job on that piece. and i want a lazy week! mine has been insane: crazy six year old boy stuff, work junk, blah, blah, mayhem and the stupid post office telling me that sending a crab claw out of the country is a federal postal offense because it's considered to be a taxidermy item!? can you imagine!? i must now get creative and find a new and secret way to mail it. and then i must respond to the unanswered 98789 emails in my inbox. happy wednesday/thursday!!

Caterina Giglio said...

Hi Kim! I just had to stop by and take another look at all the goodies you had posted! I do love the "bugs" so glad to know they are not real! I do love the moon landing piece, but Leo is just so visually chewy! mmmm..good! xo cat

Kim Mailhot said...

Wow, wow, wow, Kim ! So many juicy projects going on during your holiday ! And you call this doing nothing ? ;)
So loving your Leo inspired piece - and loving that you call him "Leo" ! And the jewelry...like it a lot.
Wanted to let you know that Coldplay was a great night for the hubby and I. Chris and the guys were in great form as they wind up their North American tour. My favorite band in concert, I think ! They really know how to "play" with the audience.
I hope they get down your way again soon. It was worth the hefty ticket price !
Cheers !

Anonymous said...

Love Ann Baldwin's book too! She is a fabulous teacher, and I had a workshop in her home. To see her own art work up close and personal was a dream come true! Your ode to daVinci piece is WONDERFUL! Very cool!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Your "Leo" spread is simply divine. The colors are just perfect, and I bet the "Universal Man" would approve of what you've done with his images.

I'm sooooooo jealous that you know Ro Bruhn. I've been in awe of her work since I saw it on Art UK e-zine. I didn't know she had a blog until now. Your necklace has also paid homage to her parts (grin).

notmassproduced said...

fabulous art

Lisa said...

what a wonderful array of fabulous art.. you are truly inspired! I love your space piece...gorgeous!

.Trudi Sissons said...

How appropriate - the 'beetles' and the 'beatles' - brought back the song immediately.

femminismo said...

Wonderful! Leo is one of my fav artists of all time, too. Thanks for your comments. Best to you - Jeanne

~*~Patty S said...

So much eye candy, thank you for inspiring me on many levels!