Hee Haw!

(This girl looks like a Hee-Haw Honey to me)

I was born in Illinois and we moved to Kentucky when I was eight. My mom and dad never listened to country music and I still don't although my dad and younger son have moseyed over that direction a few times.  One television staple though was watching Hee Haw!  Yesterday, an ad came on for a Time Life collection of Hee Haw episodes and I found myself singing along to the goofy skits.  I hadn't thought of that show in decades but I remembered the silly songs from my childhood with no problem.  Now if only I could remember the important things. . .

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day

The Huns have taken over. . .

Have you used gouache much?  I see amazing work done with it but my limited exposure hadn't impressed me much.  However, a great deal on a Turner Acryl Gouache Set (V17678) from Jerry's Artarama caught my eye so I took a chance. 

In all reality it was the set of 120 mixing cards that intrigued me the most - loved the idea of having an easy reference for color mixing.  I'm so happy with this purchase - love the creamy consistency of the paint and how matte and opaque the paint is - completely covers pencil marks like a charm! 

The fabulous blue hair is courtesy of Ultramarine Blue Color Burst by Ken Oliver.  There are more colors coming soon - can't wait to play with them!

Linking to Paint Party Friday, 

Art It Friday - Show Your Face and

Art Journal Every Day

Abstract flowers with Color Burst

During a recent jaunt around the Internet I discovered the gorgeous art of Sandrine Pelissier and in particular her abstract flowers.

Take a few minutes and look around her site and you will not be disappointed!  She has an amazing grasp of color and composition and the way she adds texture with inked patterns makes me so happy!!

For her flower pictures Sandrine has been using YUPO paper - I had some in my hands at Blick one day but then ended up putting it back on the shelf - guess I'll need to drive back to the store and pick some  up to play!  I ended up using regular cold press watercolor paper that I taped to my board before sprinkling with Color Burst by Ken Oliver and then liberal amounts of water to make the background.

I drew a design and then started to paint the background white but had problems with the Color Burst soaking through so I took a few minutes to spray a fixative on the background and then added a thin layer of Liquitex Matte Medium to seal everything in place.

Used a variety of spray inks to paint more intense colors and to differentiate the flowers, leaves and pot.  Finished up with my favorite part - the ink work with gel pens and black markers.  Doesn't look anything like Sandrine's flowers but I am still tickled with this piece!!  The bright cheerful colors are a great way to welcome spring on Saturday!
Linking to Paint Party Friday and
Art Journal Every Day

Any hints on how I can straighten up my warped paper??

ETA:  Had so much fun with these flowers that I made some more - check them out here.