My Art Studio Update

All my references and mixes for current artwork in progress. #watercolorpaint #watercolorinprogress #christysheelerartist

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Nov 2, 2016 at 10:46am PDT

This place is a zoo!

Hey there!  I am stopping by really quick like to let you know, I'm still plugging along in my little art world.  With quite a few "irons in the fire" at this point, I'm making the most of every minute this month.

In two days, my booth will be set up and selling at the Holiday Bazaar in Cut Bank, Montana.  It's being held at the Cut Bank High School building in the gymnasium from 10 am to 4 pm.  This event has been well promoted and has a large selection of vendors as well!

I've been working with great purpose to complete two watercolor painting of the Cherry Blossoms.  These two watercolor paintings will be framed and on display!  The three watercolor paintings are 5" x 7" dimensions and I will not be making Giclee Art Prints from them for that reason.  The paintings with mat and frame are available for purchase now at $210.00 each.  The third artwork, The Delicate Unfolding, (also 5 x 7) is offered with mat and clear protective sleeve for $170.00.

My artist's booth will offer original watercolor artwork, both with mats and frames, fine art prints, my handmade note cards, my own handmade lip balms, and rustic wood candle holders in sets of three or four (my husband's handiwork).

Abundance of Spring, 5 x 7, original watercolor painting now available - $210, will have mat and frame. #cutbankholidaybazaar #christysheelerartist #newartwork #originalwatercolorart

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Nov 3, 2016 at 8:14am PDT

Along the Way, original watercolor painting 5 x 7 with mat and frame $210. No art prints made due to size. #christysheelerartist #newartwork #originalwatercolorart #cutbankholidaybazaar

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Nov 3, 2016 at 8:25am PDT

The Delicate Unfolding, original watercolor artwork, 5 x 7, with mat and clear protective sleeve $170. No art prints made due to size. #christysheelerartist #shemustmakeart #newartwork #watercolorartwork #thecreativelife

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Nov 3, 2016 at 8:29am PDT

Fall touches are popping up in my art studio! Pumpkin scents are keeping my creative energy alive. #artstudiotoday #fallaccentdecor #christysheelerartist #rusticwoodcandleholders

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Oct 26, 2016 at 12:08pm PDT

In addition to all this, I've accepted a private art commission to be delivered by Christmas!  It's a large artwork of 22" x 30" and I'm already enjoying the process beyond explanation.  I'm so honored and blessed at the same time!  As I've drawn, reworked the perspective, transferred the drawing to watercolor paper, planned the color mixes, and studied the reference photos...I've considered how the past 17 months prepared me for this opportunity.  Each technique I've practiced and every challenging detail has given me this full tool resource for a new challenge.  I feel the weight of providing my best work now, as always.  Each of the more than twenty paintings that were created in those months strengthened my confidence and ability.

Thumbnail sketch for an upcoming project; a quick little study shows my vision for this place. #preparingforartwork.#watercolorsketch #gettingitonpaper

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Oct 18, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT

Art room activity with watercolor in progress! Large piece this one!

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Nov 2, 2016 at 10:49am PDT

I just need to say that God's timing is impeccable!  Many times along this artistic journey, I worried that maybe I'd be given a surprise challenge I would fail at miserably.  I feel like that was a silly concern now.  As I work here in the art studio, my mind is hard at work but my spirit is busy in prayer.  Many friends and family have commented on the atmosphere of this room; they observe the peaceful and relaxing way it affects them.  That is something I wanted from the start.  That is what I strive for and how I prepare to be creative.

My mind is also busy working on a plan for offering watercolor classes in the spring.  The space here limits me to 5 or 6 people per class.  I could choose another location but this room, my art room, has its own special draw for others and I'd like to host classes here.  So, if you should see me at an event, or around town, let me know if you'd like to take a watercolor class in 2017!  I've considered offering a make-and-take stamping and card making class, too!  If either of those sound like a great idea to you, let me know!  The space will be limited and I may need to offer more than one class.  This would be a full day workshop, 9 am to 4 pm...bring a lunch.  Coffee, tea and water would be available.  Bring your art supplies!  If you don't have any, I can provide a list of supplies needed and you can get them yourself before class.  I can provide student-grade watercolor supplies for an added supply fee.

I'd love to stay here and share more but my list of today's tasks is waiting for me!  I'm excitedly working away to provide the most beautifully handmade items, each one crafted with great attention to detail.

I look forward to meeting and visiting with many on Saturday in Cut Bank...

and then again on November 11th, Ladies' Night Out at the Golf Course in Conrad, Montana!

Stop on over and check out my facebook page for more current updates!  

Have a great weekend everyone!

-Christy

African Violets in Bloom

Little African violet blossoms prepare to open soon. #freshflowersinmyartroom. #artstudiotoday #forloveofflowers #christysheelerartist

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Oct 26, 2016 at 11:58am PDT

There's too much on my to-do list so this week, I'm checking in and saying a quick hello!

I've got an African violet on my desk, near the computer monitor.  There's just the right amount of filtered sunlight there.  With a bit of patience, water, and fertilizer, it will soon be blooming.  Fall is here now.  The days are shorter and the temperatures are cooler.  As I anticipate many months of busy activity here in my art room, I look forward to having houseplants nearby.

I've got a large project that's now officially underway.  It's a private art commission and it's large.  The details have been discussed and agreed upon with the collector.  The sketch is complete and now today, the first washes of color have been applied to paper.  More details to come soon!

-Christy

5 Tips for Technique: Lifting Watercolor Pigment

Lifting Color From Select Areas

A trio of precious lambs, one of my works in progress, is the inspiration for tips shared today.  It makes perfect sense that watercolor painting is about laying down pigments on paper.  There's another technique that's also very crucial for bringing the piece to life.  

Lifting back color.  

This isn't possible with oils or acrylics once they've dried on the canvas.  Watercolor pigment, once dry on paper, can still be lifted to see more of the paper surface.  Lifting back to completely white is possible by scraping with a razor blade.  Some pigments are more staining than others.  The results will vary depending on which pigment is being lifted.  It's easy to do a search and learn more about your pigments; you should do this before choosing your pigments for a project.  If you think you might like to lift back color further into the project, plan for it.

The technique of lifting color has become key in my methods for creating depth in my artwork.  The highlights and the shadow are key components for developing form on a flat surface.  Would you like your subject to pop off the paper?  Are there areas you'd like to highlight?  Get ready, here we go!

Christy Sheeler Artist at the Holiday Bazaar

Upcoming Event November 5th, 2016

In three weeks, I'll be hosting a booth with my artwork displayed at the Holiday Bazaar in Cut Bank, Montana!  Do you live in my neck of the Montana prairie?  If so, mark your calendar and come say hello!  I'll have original watercolor artwork, fine art prints, lovely little handmade note cards with watercolor tidbits added, rustic wood candle holder sets, and natural lip balms for sale.  This is a great time to visit and purchase one-of-a-kind handmade gifts.  Newly finished artwork will be available!  There will be a preview of a current in-progress watercolor painting.  I've begun taking art commissions; if that peaks your interest, be sure to let me know.  I'll be happy to answer your questions, too.  

Can't make it?  If you've seen an artwork or art print you're interested in purchasing, be sure to let me know.  If you contact me, we can arrange an appointment for time here in my art room for your artwork buying enjoyment!  

Email me your information and I'll contact you soon.

I'm considering some small group art lessons to be offered in the spring.  I'm gathering notes and building a list of those interested in taking a watercolor class here in my art room.  At this point, the vision is for a full-day workshop, most likely a weekday.  I'll post more information when it's all planned but now, if you are interested, be sure to contact me.  I'll have this list compiled and make contact with interested artists in January or February!  

Email me your information and let me know if you would love to be a part of a full-day watercolor workshop!

-Christy

Cherry Blossoms For My Sister

I've never had an artwork take so long to complete!  There are thousands of photos in my art reference folders on my computer. Photos don't always get chosen for subjects of paintings.  I choose the subject based on how inspired I feel to do it well.  The focus of today's post, the cherry blossom, has been on the list for eight years or more!  While the photo reference for this painting was taken just a few months ago, the plans to paint cherry blossoms have been upended many times.  I've taken photos of this painting's progress, so join me today and I'll do a bit of storytelling at the same time.

The watercolor mixing chart used for these artworks.

My sister's husband is in the Navy and their family travels a lot, as many military families know well.  I've had a desire to paint something for her for many years.  Her request was for a painting of cherry blossoms.  They've been stationed in Japan twice.  The first time was about eight or nine years ago.  She emailed me a photo of a branch with cherry blossoms.  I loved the photo and began to think through the process of capturing the scene.

The first photo sent by my sister from Japan.

Watercolor Paint on Fabric: 10 Tips To Share

painting my fabric banner

I love Pinterest for the convenience of collecting and organizing ideas.  I usually have several project going on at once.  For all the projects actually going on at a work station in my art room, there are several more projects going on in my head.

While working on a design for my event booth, I've pulled together colors and textures that represent me as an artist.  Because I love nature so much, it seems appropriate that nature should be reflected in how I represent myself and my artwork.  I went on my search through Pinterest to find beautiful booths from other artists and creatives.  I'm definitely a visual learner (no surprise there, right?) so all the photos help me streamline what I'd like for my own event booth.

While I worked on the banner, I shared photos on Instagram and someone asked me to share more.  I try to take a lot of photos as I work on a project and I enjoy sharing about the processes involved!  So, here's another project that you might enjoy trying!






It began with me wondering how it could be possible to paint with watercolors on fabric.  This kind of project is venturing into the unknown.  It's always my preference to find some great how-to's to get me started!  I came across a great tutorial and wondered how I could use it to make my own watercolor painted banner.  Cami at Tidbits shares Inspiration for Do-It-Yourself Living and she gives a great tutorial on How to Watercolor Paint on Fabric.  She leads the reader through an easy-to-follow project using white pillow covers.  They turn out lovely with the varying colors and textures!  She gave me the tips I needed to begin this project!

While rummaging through my fabric stash, I came across the leftovers from a curtain I had shortened; it's ecru color would be a perfect base.  It had enough weight to it that it ought to hold up nicely.  Once it was trimmed and had a new hem all around, it was ready to become a banner.

Supplies list:

Fabric

Watercolor paints (tubes or cakes)

Fabric Medium (I bought 2 bottles (2 fl. oz. for $3.75 each)

Black acrylic paint

Drying Time Extender Medium (2 fl. oz. for $2.35)

Permanent marker, black

Inexpensive brushes

Disposable plates or bowls

Freezer paper

Masking Tape

Before diving in on the actual banner, I wanted to test out the techniques on a scrap of fabric.  I am a bit of a control freak and I like knowing what to expect.  There always seem to be surprises but I feel better prepared this way.  I pulled out student grade watercolors from when I've taught watercolor classes in previous years.  I found I also had some paint still leftover in plastic palette duos.

There's a loose and fresh watercolor painting I painted in Glacier National Park years ago; it's become the background for much of my promotional signs.  I love the colors and the textures and so this was my inspiration for the banner painting.

The fabric medium instructions recommend mixing paint 2:1 with medium.  That means 2 parts paint to one part fabric medium.  I kept this in mind but tried Cami's method first.

Many of the paints were already in plastic palette cups.  With this trial painting session, I painted on the fabric with the watercolor paints and then went back over with the fabric medium.  It went very well and I loved the effects that were achieved.  I had hoped to use India ink for my lettering but that would not be as durable. Instead, I mixed a small amount of black acrylic, fabric medium and drying extender in a small plastic cup.  (Both the fabric medium and the drying extender can be found in a craft store with the bottles of acrylic paint.)  Please remember, the fabric medium is meant to make the paint permanent, even washable, so it will prevent you from being able to remove it from the paint cups, brushes, and so forth.  (I tossed the palettes when done.)

In order to transfer the lettering to fabric, I first made a template on the computer.  With my name in the font and size I wanted, I printed off a copy on my printer.  I used the tracing-at-the-window trick by taping the sheet of paper with the printed lettering to the glass.  I taped the fabric over that so the light would shine through and the black lettering could be traced on the fabric with a black permanent marker.

Once the lettering had been traced on the fabric, I brought it back to the work table to paint in the lettering with a mix of black acrylic paint, fabric medium and drying extender.  In the example below, I created a bit of great texture by not filling in the letters completely.  It really gives the effect of brushed letters.  I liked this effect but did not use it in the final banner.

My trial run worked so well, I felt confident to begin the fabric banner.  I spread freezer paper (plastic shiny side up) over my work surface.  Then, with the fabric spread across the freezer paper, I used masking tape to map out my borders.  The paint did bleed under the tape because I worked very wet.  Be aware that the tape, unlike watercolor paper, will not prevent paint from traveling past those borders.

I really enjoyed painting with the watercolor paints on the fabric!  Using the spray bottle filled with water, I could make great effects but I didn't realize it would result in more muted colors when finished.  That was my mistake.  Oops!  When I went back over the finished painting with fabric medium, the colors became so muted, I knew I'd have to try again.

My second attempt worked better for me.  This time, I mixed the fabric medium with my watercolors prior to painting on the fabric.  You'll see the difference in the photos toward the end of this post.

  NOTE:  The brushes and mixing palettes/surfaces should be disposable for doing it this way.  I found that my brush and palettes could not be cleaned completely.  I took this risk knowing they might all have to be tossed in the end.  I'll share a list of 10 tips at the end of this post.

The paint, once mixed with the fabric medium, becomes similar to an acrylic craft paint and will dry quickly.  I used the drying extender, which I already had from another project, to give me a bit more time while painting.  At this point, I was figuring out that by mixing in the fabric medium, it would be wise to use a disposable mixing surface.  I don't have a photo to show, but I used Styrofoam bowls and plates the second time around.  When done, the bowls could just be tossed in the garbage.  Fortunately, as I tried out all this, I did not pull out my best palettes or brushes!  So keep in mind, use only what you are willing to throw away when finished with this project.

I repeated the steps for transferring the lettering to the banner.  I began by designing the words on the computer and printing them off on paper.  Once the banner and sheets with lettering were laid out, I could judge how well the words would fit.

At this point, I needed to tape these to the glass window for tracing the lettering.  My daughter helped me out here and a second set of hands made this step easier!  I repeated the steps of tracing the lettering with a permanent marker.

I took some extra precautions to protect the banner from dripping paint.  I tore off a sheet of freezer paper and taped it to the banner.  It would be impossible to clean up any drips at this point.  The paint from the background had dried and been tossed in the garbage.  I didn't want to mix up more paint to cover any smudges or drips of black paint.  I used cheaper brushes and kept them wrapped in plastic while not being used.

The finished banner hanging as a part of my booth display.

I am so pleased with the finished banner!  In the end, I did trim more fabric and re-hem it to hide the soft bleed of color that moved under the tape.  That was my own personal preference.  I sewed the top hem so a curtain rod could be used to hang the banner.

10 Tips for Painting with Watercolor on Fabric:

 1.  Use freezer paper to protect your work surface.  Freezer paper makes clean up a breeze!

 2.  Practice on a scrap of fabric first.  Less stress and more fun!

 3.  Mix the fabric medium with paint in disposable bowls/plates.

 4.  Use brushes you are willing to toss when done.

 5.  Mix one part fabric medium to 2 parts watercolor paint.

 6.  Type out and print off text on paper as a guide.

 7.  Hang the text and fabric on glass to trace lettering on fabric with a permanent marker.

 8.  Wrap brushes in plastic wrap to prevent drying out if switching between different sizes of brushes.

 9.  Try Drying Extender (just 3 or 4 drops) to extend your painting time.

10.  Heat set 30 seconds with iron.  I laid a clean white cloth (flour sack towel) over

      the banner and used my iron on a cotton setting, moving the iron to a new section every 30 seconds.

If you'd like to see the tutorial that helped me get started with this project, be sure to visit TidBits!

Thank you, Cami at TidBits for the fantastic tutorial; I'll link her post again here!

Please comment below if you try this type of project and how it goes!  It's a great way to explore a new way of painting with watercolor.  Who would imagine that watercolor could go on fabric in a durable way?  

With so many new opportunities opening up for me lately, I'm having more difficulty being consistent in my blog posts.  I really do enjoy sharing more lengthy posts like this one.  I have participated in two events and I have one (possibly two) coming up in November.  Three original watercolor paintings and several art prints have been sold recently.  I've been contacted about two artwork commissions and am excited about those opportunities!  I'm in the process of making more small improvements in my art room.  September was one of the busiest months I've had in over a year!  It's not easy for me to share shorter blog posts.  I'll work on that and try to find my voice for a short art studio update.  I'm still loving the creative life and being able to share it here with all of you!

-Christy

She must make art.

Preparing to Show My Art: A Nature Inspired Booth

There is so much going on in my art room right now... 

It's a chaotic mess to anyone looking in.  It's kind of a chaotic mess to me!  Somehow, I'm preparing for my first time selling art in public.  Okay, I must say, it's not really my first time.  It just my first time in over ten years!  Now, I'm ready to jump back in and present my artwork in public again!





In June of 2015, I felt this strong desire to begin exploring my artistic skills again.  I've got my list of goals written down but over time, I've discovered these goals take longer than I'd first imagined.  My family has patiently and lovingly tolerated (and supported) me as I take on the project of preparing to show my artwork in public again.  On top of the framed original watercolor paintings and the packaged Giclee art prints, I've added some other items to my merchandise.  I know I've got to play this out right in order to be successful.  High ticket items are a tough sell next to other items sold at the arts & craft fairs.  I need to have a strategy for more affordable price points for selling to a wider range of people and pocket books.  You'll see that I've been thinking through this thoroughly!  This place has been a madhouse with so many projects going at once.

Gathering items to build my booth displays.

My furry companions are worn out!  They napped for me.

Lucy takes a comfy spot nearby.

Behind the Scenes in My Art Room

Catching Up After Vacation

After a week of family time away in Washington state, I'm home and busy again.  It's time to prepare for my two teens to return to school!  The summer has flown by and now we're buying clothes, shoes, and supplies.  It seems like forever since there was a paintbrush in my hand!  I was certainly in my groove with the cherry blossoms in early August.  Then, while my parents came to visit, they went to work with improvements on my art room.  It's located at the back of our home.  I've been longing for a door to close off the art room from the rest of the house.  My husband and I have been looking for many months; we found the door of my dreams.  My dad worked on finishing the door casing around the sliding glass door and adding trim around the new door.  My mom worked on staining and milk painting the new door and a new back door as well.  My art room was the hub of activity with plenty of dust and house paint supplies.

The new view from the kitchen to my art room...two new doors!

I'm sure there's very little work left remaining for the first cherry blossom watercolor painting to be completed.  I was disappointed that I could not deliver it to my sister while we visited them in Washington.  Soon, I'll pick up where I left off and then I can ship it off to her.  She showed me where it will hang once finished and framed so soon it will have a home there.

I've been thinking on back-to-school this past few weeks.  I remember some of the school supplies that I used in elementary school, like the Big Chief writing tablets and the cardboard pencil boxes.  I can remember many teachers giving the report that I daydreamed too much and I was often doodling when I should be listening or doing classwork.  That seems like it fits an artist, doesn't it?  I remember one junior high teacher humiliating me when he found I was drawing during class.  It wasn't art class...history, I think.  He sarcastically dealt with me and then hung my drawing on the wall.  He lost all of my respect but I didn't let that happen again.  Other teachers were happy to encourage my creativity and it meant a lot to me.  Now, I see myself as someone who loves learning, thinking of new ways to do things, and it makes creativity so much more fulfilling.

During our time away, we were able to get some school shopping done!  This year, we'll have two in high school.  They need new shoes for every day and another pair for gym class.  We were shopping with my son and my daughter was with my sister.  While checking out shoes selection, I took photos and sent them to my daughter's phone.  Shoe selection is a really big deal!  After sending her 4 or 5 photos, she replied, "Can you please come get me?"  How did we do the school shopping before?  It was so much simpler then.

My art room is full of crazy energy and busy activity preparing for my first public display of art in a long time.  I've been getting ideas from Pinterest and local Farmer's Market so I can design my own table and booth for arts and craft fairs.  It's a difficult thing to imagine what my own image and brand should be and yet it is coming along.  I have so much chaos and clutter happening in my creative space!  I'm hesitant to share because I like it neat and tidy best of all.  There's a little voice in my head that reminds me that creativity can't always be contained.  Sometimes the mess is necessary in order for things to get done.

I was able to purchase some shutters for displaying framed art!  I've been hunting for a great way to display my artwork.  I have looked at louvered closet doors but they usually have a solid panel for half the door.  At a yard sale, I located the perfect shutters and then thought I'd lost that opportunity.  I was struggling to come up with a Plan B when I came across the same yard sale again.  Five of the eight shutters where still there and I bought them on the spot!  They need some work but a good cleaning and some paint will make a big difference.  Once hinged together, I'll add some S-hooks and my artwork will have a great display!

I was feeling overwhelmed with all the preparation I'd like to make happen!  I can allow some chaos as long as I can keep it all straight.  There are orders for supplies that won't arrive for several more days so I'm strategically planning my to do list.  Early in the week, I made myself a visual for keeping it all straight and it has helped me so much!

I've been experimenting with fabric medium!  A cloth banner for my table/booth seems so appropriate.  What would instantly communicate who I am and what I do more than a banner that is hand painted with watercolors?  Admittedly, I work very wet in general when painting with watercolors.  This was my downfall with the banner.  I'll share more in a future post...because I have a lot of photos to share and advice to give on this subject.  I had to paint over my first attempt to brighten it up.  It's not quite finished but I'll share a few snapshots for now.  The lettering will be painted today and tomorrow.  While the background is watercolor, the lettering will be acrylic craft paint mixed with fabric medium and extender medium.

My practice run on a scrap of fabric before the real thing.

The first attempt, which faded too much when the fabric medium was applied over it.

Tracing the lettering with permanent marker at the sliding glass door.

My fabric banner, painted with watercolors and fabric medium, ready for black lettering.

With the help of my family, I have Giclee art prints packaged and ready to go!  They'll be displayed in a rustic basket.  My daughter helped me shop for some key display items and I'm so thrilled with what we've got so far!

I've got frames on order so there will be one or two days spent framing originals.  Yesterday and today, I'm also focusing on handmade note cards, which have been my gift with purchase.  These cards will also be offered for sale at my booth.  There's a new item I'm adding to my offering at my booth is a natural lip balm.  I've been making my own for about two years now.  It's got all natural ingredients and I like adding peppermint and grapefruit essential oils.  I've demonstrated making it for a ladies gathering and given the lip balms as gifts in the past.  Now, by request, it will be available at my table, too.

The label design will change after the great suggestions of a friend to include some of my artwork.  With basic ingredients like coconut oil and beeswax, I have come up with my own recipe that I love better than any in stores.  It will be a nice little item to offer for more varied price points at my booth.  

I know I've been away for longer than usual for my blog.  It's been hard to stay away and I really wanted to be here, so much I want to share with all of you!

I know there are so many other creatives, hungry for new ideas and tips.  There's a driving energy to try something unconventional, find a way to achieving another what-if, figure out something no one's tried yet, and make something amazing with your own stamp on it!

With a great commitment to getting back on a regular writing schedule, I will try to inspire you to go try out your creative wings!  If a week passes without a new post, I reassure you, I'm still here, creating something.  I keep saying it and I'll say it again...check out my Instagram and Facebook because it's easier for me to post quick updates to those than here.

While writing a blog post with the best intentions to keep it brief, I fail more times than I succeed.  This is like a fantastic version of show & tell in school.  I have a background in elementary teaching and I love sharing visuals and telling how step-by-step.  That in itself could take up all my creative time!  So if you find yourself wondering, "I wonder what crazy creative idea she's working on today," then hop on over to Facebook or Instagram.  You'll find more connections with other creative people and find some incredible inspiration!

So now, it's time I get back to the note cards!  I need to finish up so I can clean up and then set up for the next project.  My kitchen will at some point become a framing station for a day or two!  As much as I enjoy all this, I'll be ecstatic to be working on the cherry blossoms once more.  The watercolors still rate higher though they wait for my personal attention.

Have a creative and beautiful week!  Challenge yourself with a new adventure in creativity this week.  Buy some fresh flowers for the kitchen table!  Go for a walk and observe the gardens in bloom.  Take a break and fix a cup of tea for sipping in your favorite spot.  Listen to the birds!

For this week,
-Christy

She must make art.