I’m told that quote is from Tiffany, but I’ve never been able to prove it.
Today is a great day to learn about mixing flesh tones. Since I’m not a portrait artist, mixing flesh tones isn’t anything I do often enough to be really proficient in it. But with an easy to follow tutorial, mixing flesh tones isn’t so bad. I’ve done it many times, but I still need to refresh my memory prior to starting anything with flesh on it.
This video is only ten minutes long, but it looked good, and to someone it will post at just the time they need help most.
I ran across this video, and thought it perfect for my blog. One could say it is the beginning in an abstract course. That’s true in a way, but it’s much more than that. I think abstract painting need only be as complicated as you want it to be. Most of us over think, I know that’s my problem.
For me, if you start simple, the painting will take its own turns, and twists that are never expected. That is what Rita Siemienski claims. She lets the painting take the turns it wants, and runs with it. My favorite kind of art!
I think this is a great video because it’s simple, it allows the viewer to slip into their abstract art in a much more relaxed, and stress free way. Again, that’s my kind of art!
A gentle reminder of how easy abstract can be, and how to get out of our own way!
Gentle reminders never hurt, after all isn’t that what we artists do……share energy, ideas, and helpful advise?
I offer you my apologies for slipping the last couple of weeks. Les and I had a four-legged house guest a few weeks ago, and I didn’t realize it at the time, but having a puppy around the house really was tiring. We haven’t had a puppy in maybe twenty years…….I had forgotten how demanding they are.
Patch
The puppy and our dog Daisy had a fantastic time together, and are now quite lost by themselves. But you know how it is with a couple of young kids, they have to be watched all the time. Two dogs is exactly the same!
Daisy & Patch
The couple of weeks that have followed have thrown me, and admittedly, I have neglected my blogging obligations! I really love to blog, and sometimes my blogs are more interesting to write, sometimes I struggle. I’m sure it is probably the same for everyone. Then there are the times a few days pass, I’ve been extremely busy, and before I know it, someone asks me about my blog, and I realize I’ve forgotten to write.
This post was supposed to be a quick…
This weekend my husband has concerts, and rehearsals for the concerts, so I’m going to take this time and paint. Alone and quiet in my studio, I’ll turn on my iPod full of Artsie Fartsie Painting Music, and get out the paints and brushes, scrapers, and drippers… I’ll be rockin’ to the music, and totally in my right brain. My phone will be turned off, I’ll forget to eat anything, I won’t answer the door, and won’t stop to have coffee……and I won’t starve either.
This is my happy time, and I’m loving it. Life is good!
This is not for the faint of heart! Not even for the masses, so if you are at all squemish….do not read this post!
Not long ago, I mentioned that I had a new -Grand-snake. I know, I know…..who has Grand-snakes? Well, I do! My kids have all grown up with little creatures of all kinds. We’ve had spiders, snakes, tarantulas, skunks, all kinds of dogs, cats, frogs, you name it, and I’ll bet we’ve had at least one.
Now that everyone is grown up, and some of my kids have kids of their own, the fun continues. Even my son Chris, who isn’t married, and doesn’t have any kids…..has creatures. Mostly snakes, no more spiders, but usually snakes. Chris recently bought a Blood Python at the Reptile Show the first of August. As soon as he got it home he thought something was wrong. One day went into the next, he tried calling the breeder’s, but to no avail. Three weeks later, Chris again mentioned the snake was acting strangely, and he was certain something was wrong, and a few days later it took its last breath!
Immediately the snake went into the freezer while Chris researched what could be wrong. Without any luck, he resigned himself to the fact that he had a snake die on his watch. Something that has never happened. Many people have found snakes over the years, and brought them to Chris. He has always been able to care for them, and get them healthy again. But this time was different, and he felt terrible.
As we talked about the possible causes, and what he might have done differently, he mentioned that he’d love to save the snake-skin. After calling all around, he wasn’t able to find anyone that wanted to skin a baby snake.
This made me turn to YouTube for the information.
After watching a YouTube video on skinning and tanning snakes, I volunteered his sister, and myself for the job! I just couldn’t wait to get into the operating room!
These pictures are of the skinning, and tanning.
We started by cutting down the underbelly of the snake.
After trying to save the head and tail we decided that it wasn’t going to be possible.
Once we were able to separate the body of the snake from the skin it was smooth sailing...so to speak.
We then scraped the edges of both sides to remove any fatty tissue. This will rot and ruin the skin if not removed before the tanning process.
After everything had been removed from the skin, we stretched and rolled very carefully. It’s so amazing how tough the skin is and at the same time how delicate it is.
One might say this is a two-man job because of the care that has to be taken.
After it is rolled onto a stick, we put it into a 50/50 solution of Alcohol and Glycerin. It will stay in a sealed jar from one to two weeks while it cures or tans. Shaking it gently so the solution doesn’t separate.
I’ll be back to let you know how it turned out, but so far everything looks great and it all went as planned!
Thanks for putting up with my strange sense of humor, dark at it might be. I told you artists were a little crazy!
After finishing Molly Moo last week, I’m going to start another abstract painting.
Even though Molly was more realistic, the next painting I’m planning with any luck at all will be more abstract! I just can’t seem to help myself..
The next canvas is long and narrow, so I’m thinking it will help me create a little more extreme art. We’ll see! It’s also got at least four paintings underneath, maybe that’s the key!
First the sides, I hate doing the sides. I always start shaking and can never get them straight, so they go first.
Inspiration comes from everywhere. I’d like to suggest checking out a couple of sites that might help with creative energy and inspiration, Zebra Designs & Destinations, and On the Easel.
Today is my sixteenth birthday, and I know something good is going to happen, after all I’m sixteen now!!! There is definitely a hush over the entire household because no one is saying a word.
I’m starting to get excited, could Mom be planning a party for me? If she is, and doesn’t tell me, I could be caught totally off guard! And yet, a surprise party would be fun….are there really any surprises…of course she’s would be planning a party for me…I’m Sixteen Today!
Don’t they know I’m old enough to know what’s going on… better get ready, well you know…anything could happen…after all I’m sixteen now….
Late morning …
It’s been really stressful so far, just hanging around, listening to some of my favorite records. Mother is starting to clean up the patio, and set the table for four people. Strange, why only four? … I think I need to do my hair, and get dressed…I need to look my best!
I am at my dressing table making myself gorgeous…just in case
When I pranced out of my room dressed, with my hair done to perfection…….the patio had been decorated with pink, and white crate paper all around the gables, and down the pillars. The table was set with all pink and white flowers, with Mom’s best china, and paper cups. Paper cups…what’s with that? Aren’t I worth putting the crystal out for? How could she treat me like this? Another time she just clearly doesn’t care about me!
Soon…three of my best friends are at the front door. Check it out…there is Charlene, Sandy, and Bonny..but they aren’t dressed up. They should have dressed as if this were the special occasion that it is! After all this is my birthday party.. and I am sixteen now! Also, the presents weren’t very big…what’s with that? Aren’t I good enough for bigger presents?
Meanwhile…
I feeling kind of , well…..sick! My stomach is starting to churn, and I feel dizzy. This isn’t good! Not good at all!!! I’m trying not to show how I feel, but I think I’m getting pale, might just really… throw up! CRAP…CRAP CRAP CRAP! What did I do to deserve this? The girls are changing into their bathing suits, and I’m stuck here on the patio. I don’t dare move around or I will hurl.
My friends are splashing around, swimming, laughing, and playing tag in our pool without me, and I’m stuck here, on the patio, on the chaise….sick…ready to splat Cheerios and milk all over everything!
Mother is starting to put food on the table, it looks so yummy. How fair is this? The chips and dip are already out – which I love, but now..finger sandwiches, potato salad, and Petit fours….OhMyGod! I love potato salad…. I love chips and dip too, actually I love food! All food, any food you can think of, I love it all. Except maybe lima beans, I don’t love lima beans. I really hate lima beans! Mother always tries to serve lima bean casserole during lent, and I always gag. Once I told her they tasted like SHIT, wow that went over well!I really thought I would lose my life over that comment, but I’m still here! After all I was being honest, and they always told me honesty is the best policy! I guess…not when it comes to lima beans though. Anyway, I’m now realizing that even though all this food looks really good, if I take even one bite, I’ll lose it!
The party went on without me because I was so excited I had made myself sick. I never sat at the table, I don’t even remember opening my presents although I know I must have. The food never hit my mouth, and my entire party was horrible. I spent the whole day on the chaise lounge watching everyone else have fun, while I gaged down vomit. After everyone left, the table was cleared, the decorations disappeared, and everyone went about their normal routine….. miraculously….. I recovered.
And that my friends, is the story of my perfectly wonderful, devastatingly horrible Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party!
PS: As I sat to do research looking for the tunes of the late fifties that all of us listened to, at least where I lived in the suburbs of Los Angeles, they brought a smile to my face just remembering those early days. I use to tell everyone I was an original Valley Girl until I realized that made me older than dirt! So now, I’m just a Valley Girl, and that made me somewhat as old as dirt! Don’t you just love YouTube, there isn’t anything, you can’t find on YouTube, and I thank them for all the wonderful stuff. I hope you enjoy.
Karen's Stone Soup... 
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