Recently, a mom said to me that she would like me to photograph her oldest children and then, “Make one of those.  I’m not sure what it is, but that’s what I want.”  She pointed to one of my painted portraits that hung on the wall.  I think she sums up what many people experience when seeing digital painting for the first, or perhaps the 100th, time.  Their eyes see one thing, but they can’t quite wrap their minds around the virtual creation aspect.  

Corel’s Painter program is a virtual toolbox containing all of the traditional tools artists have enjoyed for centuries.  Oils, conte, charcoal, pencil, greasy colored pencil, drippy water colors, etc.  With a click of your mouse, and no mess or smell, you can lay down a water color background, come in with pens, and then complete your painting with thick impasto oils.  Needless to say, I often go a bit crazy picking and choosing from this vast array to get just the right effect.  But I love every minute of it! 

When the painting is done, it’s like Christmas to me, waiting for the printer to send me the final product.  All of my work is professionally printed and framed.  You have chosen me to present you with a timeless beauty that will thrill you everytime you walk by.  Therefore, I chose a company that is dedicated to creating the best canvas printing and framing for the final step of the process.

This painting is quite special, as I know the family and have seen these two eldest children blossom.   The big delivery is tomorrow, and I can’t wait to see mom’s expression when presented with her framed canvas painting!

Another day of class and this is what I finished up with.  You can see why I say you really need to take the full class.  The progression is a journey that takes your artwork to a place you didn’t imagine when you started.  This piece isn’t done, but very close, with just the final touches left.  I know I need another shape of some sort in the upper left side.  I want to enhance different areas with shimmery watercolors and make sure every square inch is layered to its most beautiful.  Truly, once you see one of these collages in person, you’ll see what I mean about the luminosity and depth that hand-dyed tissues bring to a painting.

Keep working patiently, patiently…

Eventually, as you start to add layers, depth and dimension really start to appear.  The first photo is terrible, shot quickly as I prepared to leave a day of class, but you can see the progression.  I had taken it home and worked for about 4 additional hours.  The next image was taken after another day of class.  See tools and books I use to create here.

Excerpt from MidWeek publication, November 5, 2008:

For most of October, the 49th Windward Artists Guild Member Exhibition was on view in the gallery at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden - a setting that vice president Tamara Doehm says is inspirational for both creativity and sales: “It’s a beautiful location with lots of visitors and tourists.”
The opening reception Oct. 12 drew 150 people, who came to see 65 pieces created by 46 member artists.

Finally, the actual tissue collaging process begins!

Decide where you want to begin, select a part of the tissue that best suits what you want to achieve and begin the collage process.  The how-to’s of collaging are detailed and technical, so I highly recommend Susan Rogers-Arreger’s book on collaging with hand-dyed papers.  You can see her website at www.sraoahu.com.  If you ever get the chance to take her class, I also recommend it and you really need to take the entire class, not just the dyeing day, or one collage day.  It’s a process that just can’t be told, it has to be experienced one layer at a time.  It’s quite amazing. 

Here’s what I completed after the first day of collage class.  I know, doesn’t seem like much, but there’s a lot of thinking and planning going on.  Be patient.  When you put down the right tissue and then begin to layer, it almost begins to glow!  The subtle color changes and depth just can’t be captured in photo. 

Alright, so you have your inspiration, your sketch, all of your wonderful dyed tissues…now what?

First of all, you have to control yourself.  Really.  Delving into a large container with a rainbow of dyed tissue is exciting and if you’re in a room of others doing the same, oohs and ahhs will fill the air, punctuated with squeals of excitement.  Tell yourself less is more and harmonize without being too close in color.  Choose 3-5 tissues to use.  That’s it.  No more.  You’ll be able to add later for drama if needed.     

Now, go to your sketch and transfer the basic outline to a prepared canvas.  You can either go straight onto a white canvas, or add random gold and silver foil papers before you begin.  These add drama and glow when the  piece is done.  I sketched with a brush and light brown paint the outlines of my leaves.  Having the sketch be the same or nearly the same as your canvas is very helpful.

As promised, I’m here to show you what I did with some of those fabulous tissues that I dyed with Susan Rogers-Arreger at the tissue collage class. 

First, start out in an inspiring location.  We were at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens in Kane’ohe and artists and tourists alike are constantly tromping around the trails and roads to snap photos and paint.  You could go there everyday and never paint the same thing twice.  I found an intriguing variagated Ti plant, with dark purple leaves, and some leaves with orange and green stripes. 

Second, walk around your subject to see it in different lights and shapes.  The shapes are really important in collage, so make sure you “see” the positive and negatives of your subject.  Make a large rough sketch in pencil and fill with watercolor, or just sketch directly with watercolor. 

Painting sketch includes arrow for light source.

Taking the time to sketch will save hours of time and perhaps discouragement later.  Simplify, simplify.  Create bold shapes and lights and darks.  Keep in mind where the light is coming from, and make that consistent throughout the painting.

Stay tuned…tissue selection is next!  See tools and books I use to create here. 

After years of sitting around in my computer, this painting finally came to be.  The wonder of life’s seemingly simple things, like a water reflection, are captured as this sweet child holds tight to her Peony.  Painted with a soft loose oil brush, printed on canvas, and framed in a beautiful silver frame. 

See tools and books I use to create here.

Despite intentions to really get some meaty articles on here, real life happens. 

I just finished a sweet memorial painting for a family that lost their infant daughter.  It was an honor to be able to create a special memory for them that will be beautiful for years to come.  Please, parents and grandparents, don’t wait until things are “just so” to get a family portrait done.  First off, you don’t have to have a photo session done, a fun and happy snapshot is great.   It captures you and your family being themselves.  Second, a good professional photographer can gently and realistically remove any flaws that may be preventing you from having your photo done.  Third, your kids or grandkids want to know that you love them just the way they are, and would love to have your photo done with them.

So, what else?  I missed the deadline for an artshow that I really want to be a part of.  It just slipped on by me.  Luckily, the deadline is extended, so I’m getting my act together and painting the ideas that have been floating in my head the past few months.  I’ll post as soon as they’re done so you can be the first to see them. 

Christmas is right around the corner, and of course that means creating fun gifts and items for sale.  I’ll have items at the Lanikai Craft sale and will post more detailed info as that gets closer.  I’ll also be posting items that can be purchased if you live locally.  I’ve brought out the old sewing machine and am on a mission to make fabric collage postcards from my “stash” of treasures.  The poor kids have given up on eating at the dining table for the next few months.  They’ve been gently redirected to the back patio with the chicken.  Which is not all bad, since it’s mutual adoration.

Yup, that’s me, crazy lady!  Why?  Well, I tend to take pictures of goofy things, because I can’t remember it all and am too lazy to write it down.  Like this too hip food vending wagon on the sidewalks of DC.  I just had to take a photo, and the proprietor got a laugh out of me doing so.  If you are on vacation, and do a double take, then take a photo.  Quirky, down to reality, nitty-gritty photos are fun, great conversation starters when you show your friends, and a photo makes sure you don’t forget.  Small digital cameras are great for this and I absolutely love my pink (!) Canon Sureshot.  Takes movies too. 

Stay tuned for more on the fabulous things in Washington DC to inspire and re-awaken the artist in us all!