Nothing Says "Spring" Like Tulips!

This is a copy of a post I just put on the VAST blog.

This beautiful little leaded glass panel will brighten up not just a window, but your entire room - maybe the whole house! When the sun shines through it is simply gorgeous! A camera can't capture the beauty of sunshine through stained glass.

Opalescent and cathedral glasses were used. This piece is put together with lead and soldered joints - not copper foil. The edge is zinc. There are hooks for hanging it in a sunny window. All you need is a tiny bit of chain from your favorite discount store. It is approximately 10" x 14"

See it in my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=613378

Here is a closeup of the leaves so you can see the beautiful glass and the solder joints.

See my other art in my Etsy shop http://www.bearhollowcreations.etsy.com/ or read about art on my blog http://www.bearhollowcreations.blogspot.com/

The Family Art Project - March 21

You know I can't help myself. I'm always looking for something new and creative and either musical or artsy to do. So I've come up with something that I know will be a lot of fun.

I'm calling it "The Family Art Project."

If you live in Clarksville, TN (or near by) this is the perfect opportunity for your family. I'm offering this fun time together as a family at Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville.

Now before you start thinking how cute it would be for the families with 6 year olds in them to paint something together, this project is perfect for families with youth, empty-nesters, and Sr. Adult couples as well as families with elementary aged children - basically any family.

Click on the picture for a larger version of this poster. (Makes it easier to read!)

We'll begin with some fun activities that will show each family a little bit about their family personality. Then we'll talk just a little about color and form and some of those kinds of artistic things. Then we'll break out the paints and brushes!

I'll have some step-by-step instructions that will guide each family in making a beautiful piece of art that will be a cooperative effort by everyone. Each family will be proud to hang this one-of-a-kind painting over their sofa or in the family room or - well, just about any place where there is room for a 30 x 40 painting.

I do have to charge for this - to buy canvases and paint. The cost will be only $40 - cheaper than a night at the movies and a whole lot more fun and you'll end up with something that will last forever. It's also my hope that you'll learn a little bit about each member of your family and make some great memories.

Call the church office if you need more information.

Take the Quiz

Here's a little art quiz for you. How are these two paintings alike? There are ten points possible. You get points for each correct guess, so think of several ways that they are alike.

Treble Clef

Untitled (so far) Suggestions?

Here are some of the answers I thought of and how many points you get for each.

Someone said, "What do you get if you win?"

Glory. That's always worth something.

If you said:

They are both by Lyndel Littleton you get 1 pt for guessing something probably obvious (since it is my art blog).

They are both beautiful - 2 pts for brown nosing and also being correct. :)

They are both abstract - only 1 pt for guessing something reallly obvious.

They are both painted with acrylic paint - 2 pts since the top one looks like it could be water color.

They are both painted with brushes - you lose 2 pts. The bottom one was painted with a pallete knife.

They are both in Lyndel's Etsy shop www.bearhollowcreations.etsy.com - zero points. They aren't there now but will probably end up there.

They were painted with the same paints - 4 pts! Good call. Here are the paints I used for both paintings. Go back and look again. Cool, huh? You can spend a ton of money buying all kinds of tubes of paint to get lots of different colors, or you can just get the basic primary colors plus white and mix your own!

Basics by Liquitex - Cadmium Red Deep Hue, Cobalt Blue Hue, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Hooker's Green Hue Permanent, and Titanium White. I really like this paint. It's nice and thick and creamy and mixes beautifully.

Now go to the poll over there on the side and enter how many points you got. You can leave a comment if you want to share your opinion about the quiz or the answers and points. You may have thought of something else and want to get credit.

What to Do with and ACEO

I originally posted this on the VAST blog www.vastgallery.blogspot.com but thought more of you who follow my blog would see it here.

I often have people ask, "What is an ACEO and what do you do with them?

ACEOs (Artist Cards Editions and Originals) are collectable art 2.5" x 3.5" - that's the short answer. You can get a long answer later. Here's a link to a previous post about ACEOs witha little longer explanation. http://bearhollowcreations.blogspot.com/2008/09/aceos.html

So what do you do with them?

Some people put them in albums like baseball cards and try to collect them either with a certain theme or from their favorite artists or they try to get them from artists in every state in the USA or from as many different countries as possible.

Other people use them as accent art on a table or hanging on the wall.

The VAST team has many wonderful artist creating wonderful ACEOs.

Here are some examples. (sorry, these are clickable) You can also scroll down through our VAST blog and fin lots of great ACEOs.

Here are some ideas of how you can display them. Pick up a frame for a 2.5 x 3.5 picture and set them out.

Visit VAST Etsy shops and begin your collection of beautiful affordable art to brighten your home or workspace - today!

A New Set of Musical ACEOs

YEAH! I've finally had some time to do some painting.

Here's something fun I just completed - a set of matching (sorta) ACEOs.

Here's how I made them.

I began by painting an abstract painting. I've just purchased a book about painting abstracts. You can read about it here. Painting Abstracts

Then I painted some long curved piano keyboards. My wife thought it looked really cool, but I had other plans for it.

I then mounted playing cards (which I do for all of my ACEOs) on the back of the painting not being too concerned about where exactly they ended up.

After that, I cut them all out.

I think they ended up looking really great! I think they would make a perfect gift for a musician in your life.

You'll be able to find these in my Etsy shop http://www.bearhollowcreations.etsy.com/

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20765533

Painting Abstracts

I'm trying something new!

I bought a book called "Painting Abstracts - ideas, projects and techniques" by Rolina van Vliet (C) Search Press 2008. I really like it. I'm sure I will mostly paint "realistic" paintings, but I think the concepts and the freedom of expression found in abstract painting will enhance my other paintings as I incorporate them into new works.

I called my lovely wife and said, "I'm reading my new book and trying out the suggested exercises. The book said not to worry about making art - that we are practicing, not producing art yet."

To which my wife replied, "how will you know when you've made art?"

"I don't know!" was my answer.

Here's my first exercise. It is acrylic paint on Canva-paper put on with a palette knife rather than brushes.

Is it art? Hmmmm, maybe. Feel free to leave a comment and give me your thoughts.

Oh, here's what the back cover of the book says,

"Clear, challenging and inspiring, this book contains instructions for 65 abstract painting that you can get to wok on straightaway, with no previous experience. All the basic information relating to picture elements, composition, theme and design is provided at the start of the book, together with an exploration of the meaning of abstract painting, and its importance as a means of self-expression and creativity.

Rather than providing step-by-step instructions, each of the exercises consists of information on method, materials, technique, composition, imagery and structure, which will direct you to the finished piece while at the same time encouraging your creativity."

That's a lot ot promise, but it looks like it will deliver.