Another Earth Day post? Madness!
I’d like to feature this piece from Houzz on the home and artwork of a fellow classmate/fellow creator/fellow Toledoan, Danielle Herrera. I’m happy to share this article not just out of hometown pride, but because her decor encompasses a personalized, thrifty, and one-of-a-kind style. Check out a sneak peek of it:
One key component of my living room makeover was to create a new decor scheme. I’ve always liked a mishmash of decorating styles, so I came up with a fusion of mid-century modern and Moroccan decor. When a DIY folding screen project didn’t work out, I had leftover panels of wood. I used them to create customized wall art to fit into my new theme.
There were a few things I considered in making this piece. I wanted an exotic yet subtle design. I didn’t want the decor to feel overwhelming, both in creating it and in its finished state. The piece would also have to be large enough to serve as a focal point and to help visually extend the height of the room.
Check out more info on what I used to create this decor after the jump.
I’ve been a lazy blogger lately. Part of that is due to slacking and the other part is due to working on a project: once again, I’m redecorating my living room. (Newsflash of the year, LOL). And of course, I’ve rearranged the room as I always do when the season changes.
I finally decided to make over my living room with a neutral color scheme. A neutral scheme allows me to easily update the colors with small changes like accessories whenever I decided a change was needed. I still love the turquoise & teal but they now serve as accent colors. Here’s a sneak peek into some of the changes I’ve already implemented…
Even though the wooden room divider/screen was a bust, I used the leftover pieces to paint large wall decor. I also sewed new pillow covers and am working on more. (They’ve got to be the EASIEST way to change up your decor, I swear.) Here’s a tease of the new sitting area:
“Sign for the Times”
This painting was inspired by a previous piece, “The Only Way.” In both paintings, the mosaic style symbolizes many peoples joining together. I strongly believe that for peace to exist, we all must unite. Whether that peace is needed in a particular nation or not, we as humans must all band together for the same goal. Each of the mosaic tiles in the hand/arm of “The Only Way” and in the background of “Sign for the Times” were painted in various tones of complexion.
With the exception of this weekend, I’ve been working on this piece every day. I feel no awkwardness painting now. It seems the best way to get over that creative block is to just _____ (insert craft here). Just do it.
I haven’t painted in a while… about 2 months. It’s easy for me to fall out of it at times, but when I get back into it, it’s meant to be.
The last time I painted, I started sketching a new idea. I did it in pencil first and then in watercolor, but the painting felt awkward. I worked through it though, telling myself it was just my ego and it would get easier.
This week, I started over with new, better quality watercolor paper and a refreshed outlook.
Following up to my last post, I’ve immersed myself in sketching two new paintings, one including this idea. This time, I’m taking a different approach in my preparation. Usually, I do a quick sketch of the painting in pencil and then transfer or draw it onto the watercolor paper.
This time, I did a basic sketch plus an actual watercolor sketch on a smaller scale. At first, I was not feeling it. I felt inept and inexperienced. But I persisted, realizing this was just an egotistical perception and that to get over that awkward feeling, I had to keep going. (Plus, working outside your comfort zone is a great tool!)
In the midst of painting, I realized a few things: I didn’t want to go with the recent concept I had for that piece. There are two ideas: the original idea that came to me seemingly out of nowhere and the other idea arising out of my current attention to topics of a feminist nature. The original idea should work better for aesthetic reasons plus I’m intrigued in expressing a portion of my subconscious…. even if I don’t quite understand it yet.
I also realized even though my painting was understandably rusty, I needed more practice. So, I pulled out the sketchpad again to re-sketch my subjects, focusing on values and shadows within the anatomy:
I may go old school and start sketching fashion ads like I used to as a teenager/young adult for additional practice. The next step will be another watercolor sketch to reinforce these values. And then the next step will be my favorite part: the actual painting. I’m excited.
I have a selection of mini-sketchbooks that are helpful tools with my art and with my DIY/decorating journeys as well. I’ve found the sketchpads to be very beneficial as I am prone to forgetting ideas or thoughts. There are random (or perhaps not so random) times that concepts come to me: during meditation, while lying in bed, in my dreams, whilst working, etc., so I jot the ideas down as soon as they arise. I also take notes while in the middle of a project and for brainstorming. sometimes the ideas don’t manifest into anything and sometimes I reference these ideas when considering a new project.
These sketchpads are like little journals where pieces of my soul are detailed, so I’m usually hesitant to share the contents with others. Last night, an unusual idea came to my mind while sketching for another project. I love these moments when the ideas come to me, because they seem to appear out of nowhere. I don’t believe this to be true, and actually consider these creative figments to be spiritual gifts, like intuition.
However, this idea that popped up in my mind initially scared me. It sort of involved a concept I’ve pondered before, although not in this form. I won’t get into specifics (=intellectual property), but it involved a piece that would indicate both violence and transcendence. I can appreciate violence expressed in art, especially since I’m a movie-fanatic. However, my life philosophy is to oppose violence and appreciate beauty and so this idea first (and still does, honestly) disturbed me.
I still plan on doing something with this idea, because I actually like the fact it makes me uncomfortable. I believe art has achieved something when it evokes an emotion within the spectator—regardless of if that emotion is one we consider negative. And I’ve been yearning to create something that really stands out and commands attention.
For other fellow artists/creators out there, have you ever had an idea for a project that seemed to go against your ethics or style? Have you created anything that defied this or was disturbing in some way?
I love going to the fabric store, even when I don’t need any fabric. I love perusing all the different patterns and touching the fabrics. Last week, I had a motive to go: to create new wall decor.
I’ve contemplated how to decorate the space around my television for some time now. I googled articles and found a great way to have the TV blend into the room was to create a gallery wall behind it (Houzz.com has a great article with images here). I just wasn’t entirely sold on the idea of finding many things to frame. Sure, I have lots of paintings to choose from in my inventory, but most don’t match with the room’s color scheme. So I set out to find a great pattern/print I could instead use for wall decor.
Most of the fabric in turquoise and aquas was too bright for my liking & nothing grabbed me like it should. I’ve learned it’s best to spend money on things that really wow you, be it clothing or decor.
I spotted this fabric a while ago at Joann’s & love the classic, modern pattern. The print wowed me, but I wasn’t entirely sold with it being black and white. And then I had one of the creative epiphanies I love: customize the fabric with markers.
“How did I ever stray from you?” I thought, as my brush glided across the paper.
I tackled a great deal of DIY and decorating projects in 2011, and in the process, feel I’ve neglected my true love, watercolor painting. I looked back on the previous post I made about these two paintings, and it was over 2 months ago. This may have been a subconscious decision on my part. Good thing I’ve been busy fulfilling my New Year’s resolution of painting a lot more.
I actually jumped back into these pieces a few days before the New Year, and found myself falling back in love with watercolor. I truly felt like I’d cheated on my mate… for something fulfilling and creative, but not nearly as nurturing or true to my soul. In fact, I think this has even manifested itself into my dreams lately.
I love that in selling my pieces, I can share my art with others and earn money, but I have a much grander idea in mind for my art. However, I want to complete the pieces I’ve started before I build up to this large goal. So, here’s what I have so far:
Stage 8
These pieces are sort of complementary, even though I hadn’t intended on them being part of a series, per se. Meditation has held a more significant role in my life lately, so I found myself yearning to express this. I also have a thing about hands/feet and love to create pieces featuring them. Originally, I intended on only using blue and blue-greens in the mobius piece, but decided to add some actual green in there for more contrast.
Stage 4
