painting - Mixed Martial Arts and Crafts

FO Friday: Golden Mantella Frog

Posted by Vanessa on May 17, 2013 at 1:02 pm

May 172013

I’ve been on a painting roll lately. It feel so much more easier to paint in a tiny hotel room than knit. I feel like most of my knitting, even sock knitting, needs to take up lots of space. But not so much with my small watercolors. I saw a photo of this guy on pinterest and I knew I had to paint him:

golden_mantella_frog_mixedmartialartsandcraftsdotcom

I’m really proud of how this frog came out, though the line between his mouth and where his foreleg connects got smooshed together. I’m hoping to take a painting class or something that will help me trouble shoot when I notice things like that happening. But I’m still proud of how my skills are improving. Plus, it’s such a cute frog! I made the spot of white in his eye with a white jelly roll pen. I’m planning on using this pen to make some white zentangles instead of my usual black ones. It’ll be fun to play with tones and values on a different and lighter scale.

A little more info on the Golden Mantella frog. They live in Madagascar and are a critically endangered species. They’re related to the brightly colored poison dart frog. Golden Mantellas are found in the forest and near fresh water ponds. They are social creatures who live in family groups called armies with twice as many males as females. You can learn more about them from the Bristol Zoo’s conservation page.

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FO Friday: Zengtangled Goldfish

Posted by Vanessa on May 10, 2013 at 10:57 am

May 102013

Hello hello! It’s been awfully quiet here. That’s because we’ve moved to the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. We’re currently house hunting so I haven’t had too much time to craft. I did, however, find time to paint this guy:

goldeen

I made sure that I kept my sketchbook and my travel set of water colors out along with some of my knitting. He looks more like a little whale than a goldfish but that’s alright! I think he’s super cute. I got to use my Pen & Ink sketch fountain pen over the water color washes. I use my pen mostly in my journaling but the insert said this pen is designed for sketching. It was really smooth over the washes and I enjoyed zentangling with it. However, the ink it comes with is not water proof. I tried to run a wash over one of the fins and it started to smear. That means I’m still in search for a fine tipped pen that won’t smear if I watercolor over it.

For more Finished Objects, check out Tami’s blog.

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Failure or Growth?

Posted by Vanessa on April 9, 2013 at 11:59 am

Apr 092013

I want to share with you a failure of mine. I’ve blogged about failed projects before (like my resin bracelet and two different pairs of socks) and I do my best to figure out what went wrong and what went right. Here’s another:

face

I’m taking “How to Paint Faces” class over at Kat Can Paint! and this was my first time ever painting a face. The initial drawing is part of the info packet. Once I copied that (just a simple pencil transfer), I followed Kat’s 8 steps to painting skin. Well, I should have read the whole thing before starting.

Firstly, I used my widest brush to create the outlines. That was mistake number one. I should have used my liner brush instead. Secondly, I didn’t really mix my paints well enough. Thirdly, I didn’t read the instructions for painting lips. Lastly, I didn’t wait for the paint around her eyes to dry before outlining the lids and painting in her pupils. I did do something right! Her face was a little too red and I was able to lighten it. Next time, I don’t need to add so much red.

What this really boils down to is a lack of patience. And/or not keeping my hair dryer by my side to dry the paints. I’m used to being able to dive into a knit or crochet project and understand what’s going on. Painting is a new skill for me, doubly so for painting faces. When learning a new skill, I need to read all the directions (like at school!) and make sure I have all my materials with me.

So what went right? I was able to even out her skin tone by trying something different. I’m really proud of the fact that I was able to fix it without help. The really great part was that I did dive into this with both feet and I had a lot of fun painting at home. Even though I was keenly aware that I was making mistakes, I didn’t stop and just kept painting. And at the end, when I saw how wonky her eyes came out I laughed. I laughed at my mistake, I laughed at how silly she looks. I laughed at myself which makes me proud to show off this painting. I’m not ashamed of it and laughing at it has taken away any bad feelings that could have taken root.

The next time I mess up a project, I’m going to take the time to laugh at it and laugh at my newness. I’m not an expert and that’s okay!

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FO Friday: Waterlily

Posted by Vanessa on March 15, 2013 at 11:05 am

Mar 152013

This week, I signed up for a watercolor class at the local Gilda’s Club. I’ve been trying to teach myself to watercolor with pretty good success so I took advantage of the free class.

water_lily

The instructor printed out the image onto water color paper and showed us how to fill in the waterlily. I might paint in a solid background but I’m not sure yet. Since I have my own set of paints at home, he graciously gave me an extra page for me to paint in at home. He also had a still life set up for the more advanced student there. Perhaps next month, I’ll join her if the subject is again this straight forward.

For more Finished Objects, check out Tami’s blog.

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FO Friday: Robin watercolor

Posted by Vanessa on February 15, 2013 at 10:47 am

Feb 152013

My knitting output has slowed down considerably but that’s mostly because I’ve been busy painting! I saw this guy perched near my window. A sure sign that Spring is on her way here.

Mr Robin

This little fella was done in watercolor. I was going for a more realistic and less cartoon-y look but I’m cutting myself some slack. I’m just learning how to draw and watercolor so I’m just glad it looks like a bird at all.

For more FOs, check out the list at Tami’s.

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To my true love…

Posted by Vanessa on February 14, 2013 at 10:34 am

Feb 142013

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love how every morning you’re hot and waiting for me. Your rich milky smoothness is the best way to start my day. You never judge me and always help me find the silver lining. I feel energized just by being near you.

Oh morning cup of coffee! How I adore thee!

Happy Valentine’s Day! What do you love most in this world?

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FO Friday: Join Us! Art Journal Page

Posted by Vanessa on January 25, 2013 at 10:35 am

Jan 252013

I am insanely proud of this journal page.

Join us.jpg

All of the images are from the latest KnitPicks catalogue. After looking through it the words all came together in my mind. It’s also a message that I need to remember and remind myself about. I joined Tara Swiger’s Starship which has been insanely helpful in organizing my dreams and figuring out what it is I want to do with my life.

The text reads: “Discover your passion/for you/have options/Join Us!/Stick with us–we like you/and we’ll be here for you” The background and yellow patterns are done in acrylic paints. I’m thinking of outlining the yellow parts with an ink pen but I don’t want the focus to shift to them. I may just leave it as is.

I can’t wait to get the next KP catalogue to see what else I can make out of it.

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FO Friday: Look Ahead Together art journal page

Posted by Vanessa on January 18, 2013 at 9:58 am

Jan 182013

Yes, I’m still keeping up with art journaling! It’s been a great way to try new things and really explore a different style of creativity. Plus, I’ve been recycling catalogues to use in my collage pages so there’s another win.

Here’s one I made two weeks ago that I’m insanely proud of:
look_ahead

The quote is by Antoine Saint-Exupery, “Love does not consist of gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.” The couple is clipped from the front cover of the Victorian Trading Company’s (one of my favorite shops!) latest catalogue.

I really like the juxtaposition between the couple and what the quote says. The only thing that bugs me is that I didn’t really measure out how big to cut out the card stock before lettering it. And that I used a brown pen instead of a black one. In person, the brown does fit into the color scheme but it doesn’t scan well. And the roses overpower it as well.

What are some of your favorite quotes?

For more FOs, check out Tami’s blog.

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FO Friday: Recalled to Life Journal Page

Posted by Vanessa on January 4, 2013 at 11:46 am

Jan 042013

I’ve always kept a journal/diary and last month I finished the diary I started when I graduated from college in 2007. In it I wrote about my first job, losing that job then temping around until the economy really collapsed and jobs dried up. During that journal’s time frame, the SGT and I moved in together (2008), my dad passed away (March 2009), I got married (May 2009), and then got cancer (2010). I finished chemo (2011), started this blog (2011) and moved away (2012). I’ve had a really, ah, exciting life in those five years and it felt good finishing that book.

This year, I’ve decided to try a different form of journaling. I’ve always been intrigued by art journals but scared off because I’m not confident in my art skills. Well, this is the year that I’m doing something scary. I’m going to keep an art journal. I’ll have my paper journal for more freedom to be introspective but the art journal is going to help sharpen my visual art skills.

Here’s the story behind the page: I’ve been listening to A Tale of Two Cities from the CraftLit archives. I’ve never been a fan of Charles Dickens and I tried reading this on my own but I gave up halfway through. It’s usually the first half of book 3 in his works that I tend to lose interest. I realize he was getting paid by the word practically and the middle half of his books tend to be less plot and more…filler? I’m hoping that hearing it read will remedy my problem.

The phrase “recalled to life” is from the story. It is the message that Mr Lorry sends when he finds that his former client, Monsieur Mannette is still alive, he’s just been locked up in the Bastille for 18 years. The phrase has struck a chord with me. It’s been two years this month (on the 15th) that I finished chemotherapy. It’s now that I feel like I’m really alive; that I’ve been “recalled to life”. My life has more direction and honesty in it than it did before.

Cancer gave me this wonderful gift of making me think long and hard about who I am and what I want from life. Now that I’ve got my life back from the brink of death, I feel like I’m finally the Vanessa I’ve always wanted to be. So this year’s motto is “Recalled to Life”. It seems really fitting for the first page in my art journal, too.

Do you have a motto for this year? Is there a word you can use to describe 2012?

For more FOs, check out Tami’s blog.

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Letting Go of Perfection, the Bob Ross Way

Posted by Vanessa on October 29, 2012 at 3:59 pm

Oct 292012

Today, according to the Google Doodle, is Bob Ross’ 70th Birthday. I’ve blogged about the painting classes I’ve taken before over here, here, here, here and here so I’m no stranger to a paintbrush. I have no real art background, though I’ve always wanted to paint especially since I loved watching his series “The Joy of Painting”. I thought his voice was so soothing and who can’t smile at the idea of a happy little tree? But perfection kept me from attempting to paint.

I’ve noticed that the fear of making mistakes keeps people from trying. I’ve read many posts on Ravelry asking if a project is too difficult for a beginner or someone writing that they could “never get my x to look as nice as y’s.” And that thought (anything I do will never be as nice as her’s) means that anything we attempt we look at with a critical eye.

Bob Ross

We have to stop thinking that way! Bob Ross would often say on his show, “We don’t make mistakes, we make happy accidents.” And that is a sentiment that I try to live by, especially in my crafting. Letting go of perfection is easier said than done. And it is very difficult not to compare ourselves with others. We can see our own flaws so clearly but not in others or in ones that we admire and strive to emulate. Especially as a newbie. It’s easy to think you’ll never get to where they are because it’s easy to forget your heroes started out in the same place you are right now.

When I’ve spoken about my journey with cancer, people sometimes remark that I handled it with grace. “I could never have handled cancer as well as you did,” they say. Which makes me pause and say to them, “I’m sure you could have.” How I am so sure about that is because YOU are awesome. YOU make good work. YOU are full of grace.

So I challenge you to let go of control, just a tiny little bit. Send out your work as is because it’s good enough.

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