Friday, October 19, 2012

Inspirations -- part 1



I was asked where I get my inspiration, and these days, much of it comes from looking at Pinterest.  If you haven’t checked it out, take a look at my various boards: http://pinterest.com/drcre8ive/.  

Clouds, Lake Superior by Lawren Harris
I also thought more about my long-standing inspirations.  I grew up in an artist’s household (my mom) and remember as a child leafing through huge art history books.  From an early age, I began to love the impressionists, especially Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and Cassatt.  As an adult I came to know the Canadian impressionists known as the Group of Seven including Emily Carr, Arthur Lismer and Lawren Harris.  While the European impressionists inspire through their color and form, the Canadian impressions show North America, and the kind of landscape I know and love.  There is a muted quality to the colors they use which I see in my own work.

Metchosin by Emily Carr
Kitwancool by Emily Carr









Sheeps Nose by Arthur Lismer

In my next post, I’ll discuss more influences including Art Nouveau, and the Arts and Crafts movement.

Friday, March 16, 2012

New Harbor Freight to check out

There's a new Harbor Freight in Seattle. It's in the industrial area south of downtown. The sun is out, I've got a list of errands, and HF is on the list. Hoo boy! More notes later after I've checked it out. I know that I at least will go home with a selection pack of their wet-dry sandpaper. (Gee now, don't I live an exciting life?)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Polymer craft supplies

As I'm pinching every penny, I've had my eyes peeled (ouch!) for low-cost supplies for making polymer creations. I've had some recent successes. Target has a house brand of stick pens (20 for 99 cents). I tried them out, and they do work to cover with polymer. BUT, you MUST be careful with the temperature. My oven has a hot spot, which caused one of the pens to burn a very little, with the tube shape getting a little wonky. Not so bad it wouldn't take the nib, but I've changed how I bake so the temperature will be more steady. As Meredith Arnold suggests, I bake "low and slow" at 250 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

The second find was at the Dollar Tree Store. They currently have wooden craft boxes for a buck a piece. The ones I got were 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 x 2. The hinging is sometimes a bit off, but they have the clever magnet close. They'll require some sanding and other finishing techniques, but I think they will be very worth-while.

I'll let you know if I find other deals!