Paint Lab 2

 

Paint Lab 2 began with pouring fluid acrylics but my initial result didn’t look anything like the book’s example. I’m not sure where I went wrong, but I went with it. After I filled in the spaces with watered down paint and let it dry, I saw creatures beginning to emerge. The one on the right was initially hovering upside down, but I realized after stepping away from it for awhile that it didn’t really read that way. I made a couple of changes and then it felt done!

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!

GVAA Artist Studio Tour Coming

Save the date, locals! I'll be participating in the Goleta Valley Art Association Studio Tour, May 19, and will have my mosaics, paintings and embroideries I've done, plus notecards and my book. Enter a raffle at each location for fun prizes. Come by and see me!

 

Click to view larger

 

Hand Painted Bird Ornaments

 

It's that time of year again when I start making ornaments! Each year I make a series of ornaments using a medium I haven't used before.  In the past, I've made ornaments with  drawings, mosaics, felt, cross stitch, crochet, polymer clay, and embroidery. This year I am painting wooden ornaments with acrylics. Here is my first group of sweet little birds. I'm just finishing some Christmas trees that I will post next. You can find them all in my Etsy Store - they make great stocking stuffers!

 

Painted Cat in the Snow



 

"Snow", acrylics on wood, 4x4"

You can find it in my Etsy Store here.