Backgrounds, backgrounds, backgrounds...

That seems to be the theme for the last week so that's what I've been working on in the studio. I've been playing with some new supplies that I've never tried before like the oil paint stick by Shiva (I got mine here since they're all over Dallas). I got two - cobalt blue and white and it was a bigger investment than I normally make in a test supply (almost $10 bucks each) but I love the backgrounds on the canvas and they dry in 24 hours with no mess! In case you wanted a testimonial - I haven't attached anything via a gel medium or any glue products so I'll keep you updated on that front. Edited to add: I got my supplies at Asel after leaving work on Friday afternoon since summer hours started (yeah, summer hours!) and a quick listen to the concert at Pegasus Square downtown at lunchtime. Last Friday was a band that included a super nice guy, Ryan, that I've worked with so you should check them out.

My other finds include a big hunk of beeswax that I'm testing out all kinds of applications on (I know I'm the last one to this party but I'm such a klutz I was concerned I would set myself on fire but once I realized I solder regularly it seemed less risky). And, I've been using the tricks from my Michael de Meng workshop to make some desperately needed bookends for my bookshelves that are packed and overflowing. I've painted the previously flag blue metal bookends in washes of yellow, ochre and the quinacridone gold - I've just got to add all the pieces/parts. I'm thinking of just adding the hot wheels sans altering for fun but we'll see. Once I have more than backgrounds of anything I'll post some pics.

I've also been playing with my new Mac but that's not anywhere near the comfort area of the beeswax, bookend altering or oil painting. :) By day, I'm an Interaction Designer and live on the computer (PC) but the Mac is throwing me. . . I think it may be smarter than I am but in the nicest way possible. It's thrown me for a loop but, I did a test run on Photoshop Elements (not even the real Photoshop that I'm saving for) and I found some new tricks. I have a crush on my brainy new Mac that knows lots of things my PC seemed to be hiding from me.

Business Card Holder Cover

I bought a bunch of these books at target, I think they're called brag books, for $1.00 and they're small 61/2 x 5 photo albums and I've used one to hold ATC's and I've made one into a holder for business cards that I've collected from vendors, swaps, shows, etc. This is the cover that I've made for it using some new paper that I found at Hobby Lobby that had crowns... and was pink. The thinner secondary ribbon was found at Michael's and is from Martha Stewart's new line.

I'm a little torn since mostly she drives me crazy with all the feelings of inadequacy she tries to instill in all women who aren't canning, creating their own crafts line, running an empire and baking muffins at 3 am but I really liked the ribbon so I caved. Clearly my morals are extremely cut and dried as long as coveting of ribbon is not involved!

More Pics of the New Studio

And here are some more pics... and in case you couldn't tell the before pics are of the yellow studio space with the bowling alley of art supplies along the wall! :)

New Studio!

This is what I've been working of for the last couple of weeks and I'm thrilled to report that with only a few minor odds and ends left to squeeze in, it's finished! I'm all moved in and have been creating! I am beyond excited and Rolland has commented that he's hardly seen me since the make-over but I love it, it turned out exactly liked I imagined (with only slightly less square footage but I can live with that). I've attached the before and after pics for you to compare.

Just to be clear - the chandelier is black, crystal and unbelievably sparkly and yes, the walls are pink and it does occasionally look like the walls "have been hosed down with pepto-bismol" to quote Sally Field. Trust me, Rolland took the opportunity to quote it every 5 minutes. We ripped out the crayon (dog chewed, not artist sloppiness) stained, glue stuck and dirt filled carpet and replaced it with what appears to be antique flooring (love Ikea laminate). Painted and replaced the shelving. I also got a brand new i-mac in addition to my PC and it's been lots of fun to play on. It deserved a new home... :) Now, we can never move.

Weather Update

I have been away from the blog due to a studio re-model (there will be pics) and plenty of new art . . . the muse has not been asleep at the wheel but the studio was in sad shape but it's beautiful now and just waiting to get the final odds and ends back in and all pulled together.

I just wanted to give a quick update to let everyone know that we're all fine after the dramatic weather over the last couple of days. It was a little scary last night on the commute home. The train doors opened at one stop to the sounds of the tornado sirens but that didn't stop our little commuter train that could from chugging on northward... into even further gusts and rain. By the time I got to my car, two blocks away from the train stop, I was more soaked than I had been in my life. The drive home was terrifying and you couldn't see more than a couple feet in front of you, at one point I did just stop in the road and wait until I could see (I felt better that the truck in front of me did too). I did make it home where the husband and I huddled in with the puppies to stay warm and watch reality TV.

OH... the back fence did fall down causing Maya the Akita to sprint off into the rain, thrilled that she could finally frolic with the neighboring puppies, she was promptly wrangled and chastised and wrangled (but she was really cute). Rolland kept trying to get the fence up and but by the time he got to the neighbors to get access to their yard, the neighbor guy had proceeded to mend. We went back to reality TV and ignored the rain... until this morning, when we discovered there was no pilot light for the water heater. OY... cold shower done and a call to the plumber has been put in. I'll keep you posted.

Hope you guys are all good and stayed safe and at least fairly dry!