My Blog is Moving!

Hey Friends!

Since I built my new web site more than a year ago, I've been maintaining two blogs: the one at my new site, and this one. Well folks, this takes me a lot of time and I'd much rather be creating art! So from here on, I will no longer be posting to this blog. You can find all of my future posts here.

I want to thank you so much for keeping up with me here for the past nine years and I hope you will continue to follow me at my new home!

All the best,

Christine

P.S. You can also find me elsewhere at these links. Hope to see you there!

Facebook
Etsy
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Christine Brallier Art
Christine Brallier Mosaics

Kitty Studies

 

Experimenting using Golden fluids with acrylic paints, ink pen and gel pens. Working on lights/darks (top one not so much) and being loose (bottom one was the loosest).  What are you working on with your art?

Cat and Dog Painting

 

My newest painting with acrylics. This one is on a 5x7" canvas so I painted the edges to match so it can be framed or not.  I've always loved working small, but I am gradually increasing the size of my art as I get more comfortable with working larger. This one is in my Etsy Store if you'd like to add it to your art collection.  :)

 

More Painted Cat Magnets

 

They look so fun together!  Find them in my Etsy Store.  :)

 

 

 

 

Painted Kitty Magnets

I found some little blank canvas magnets and these kitties magically appeared on them! I painted random marks of color and then looked for who or what wanted to be painted within the shapes and these guys showed up. They are 2 1/2 inches and are painted with acrylics. I rather like them and can't wait to do more!

 

Paint Lab 4

I took my inspiration from Paint Lab 4 and used some foam board (rather than a squeegee) to spread paint in a few layers. I saw a teal window (below) and so added a few more.  Once I did that, I saw almost the entire painting!  Can you see it?

 

Here were the next steps that led to the final painting.  For some reason, it took until the very end to create a face on the second person.

 

 

Framed Cat Painting

I love this wooden off-green frame I found for my new little painting! You can see from the photo below that I started with green and I didn't veer too much from my initial sketch. By the way, I just discovered how wonderful watercolor pencils are for drawing over the dried paint. So easy to just wipe away with a damp towel until you get it just right!

Sleeping Cat Painting

 

Another little painting I finished for the Goleta Valley Artist Tour last month.  Acrylics on sassafras wood, 5x5".  It was inspired by the sleeping cat I painted for Pianos on State.

Purple and Yellow Cat

 

I finished this cat in time for the artist studio tour last weekend!  It's 5" in diameter and was painted with acrylics on a sassafras wood slice.  It's interesting to me to see how it began as an unidentified creature and with a very different color scheme.

 

I never have a plan for my art.  I just start and see where it takes me.  Painting is still relatively new to me and I am trying to get a feel for painting in layers, while at the same time, trying not to stress about what feels like wasting paint!

 

 

GVAA Artist Studio Tour

Art by Christine Brallier

 

This weekend I participated for the first time in the annual Goleta Art Studio Tour where members of the Goleta Valley Art Association (GVAA) open their studio doors to the public to share and sell their art.

Art by Christine Brallier

This year more than 20 artists participated at five locations. I was grouped with three wonderful artists, Marie Arnold and Judy and Warner Nienow, at Marie's home. Marie showed her fabulous abstracts in acrylics as well as her super adorable knitted cactus pin cushions!

Art by Marie Arnold

Art by Marie Arnold

Marie Arnold and her knitted cacti

Judy brought her beautifully expressive animal paintings and still lifes in oils and Warner, his wonderful atmospheric urbanscapes, nocturnes and still lifes in oils.

Art by Judy Nienow

Art by Judy Nienow

Judy Nienow and her art

 

Art by Warner Nienow

Art by Warner Nienow

 

Warner Nienow and his art

 

My artwork included some of my stained glass mosaics, my newest paintings, and a few embroideries.

Art by Christine Brallier

Art by Christine Brallier

We had a steady stream of visitors with lively conversation about art, cacti, travel, and more art! I made many new friends and sold one of my mosaics (thanks Warner and Judy!) as well as some of my books and cards.

Sold! To the Nienows

I haven't been very active with GVAA for the past few years, but I am excited about participating much more this year and in the coming years!

Painting Animals With Brad Nack

Art by Brad Nack


For the past couple of months I have been playing with acrylic paint and not feeling like I was making much progress. I wasn't planning on taking a class, just experimenting on my own; but when I saw that one of my favorite local artists, Brad Nack, was going to be teaching his layering technique of painting animals, I was inspired to sign up.



Art by Brad Nack


I first discovered Brad's art years ago at his annual 100% Reindeer Art Show (Going 20 years now!) I was instantly drawn to his colorful, quirky reindeer with crazed expressions and began following along on his artistic journey. So I was excited when I discovered he would be teaching a two hour class at my local Art From Scrap (his artwork is currently on exhibit there so go see it while you can! 302 E. Cota, Santa Barbara, CA)

Brad was a lot of fun and I'm newly inspired to continue my exploration with paint!



Getting ideas for an animal




Was there ever any doubt I would choose a cat?


 

First and second layers of paint



Student work with Brad's art above

Student work with Brad's art above

It's not finished yet, but Raymi approves!