Art Update

[caption id="attachment_1283" align="aligncenter" width="436"] How does your garden grow?[/caption]

I'm making four of these pretty flowers and thoroughly enjoying figuring out the process.  One of my favorite parts of the mutli-dimensional and recycled art I make is the problem solving required.  When mounted and finished the overall size will be 48" x 48".

Art Update: A Christmas Present in My Inbox!

Look what I received in my inbox upon returning from my workout this morning!!

"Dear Kristal, Thank you for entering the Ninth International Art Competition.  We are pleased to inform you that your artwork has been accepted to be juried in the final round of judging.  Many of the works in this final round will be chosen for the exhibit."

In case you've forgotten which picture was submitted, it was "Return". CLICK HERE to see it.

There are thousands of individually glued pieces of sand and rock on this piece and I am SO nervous to ship it.  Maybe I should drive it up.  Sounds like a good excuse for a road trip to me!  Doubt the hubs will go for it, though...

Art Update: Return

Last night I finished and submitted my entry for the art competition (click HERE to see where I started for it)!!!

I have lots of pictures of the artwork in progress that I had intended to post and keep everyone updated as the process went along.  Unfortunately, we've not been very computer fortunate lately.  So a BIG "Thank You!" to my friend, Kathryn, for getting my pictures uploaded for me.  And while I'm doling out the gratitude let's not forget Amy for the recycled wood, Lisa for being willing to try to understand what goes on in my head and always cheering me on anyway, and Chris and the kids for putting up with me this week!

"Return"

24" x 48" Mixed Media; acrylic, paper, rocks, and sand on wood and plexiglass

Artist Statement

and

detail images

first detail submitted of "Return"

"Throughout history salmon have been symbols of man’s mortal journey. Starting life in the peaceful, clean waters of their progenitors they are sent forth to the turbulent oceans to mature and eventually return, swimming upstream. Each salmon is naturally compelled to return and as they do their appearances change. They struggle but persevere, using the undercurrents to propel themselves on.

second detail submitted of "Return"

"We are each born with the Light of Christ to guide us back to our Father. Our trials will make us stronger and our countenances will reflect that Light. We are then able to help others recognize that the joy they are naturally compelled to seek after is in the Pure and Living Water, even Jesus Christ."

Art Update - Brothers Hand in Hand Forever

Here's the finished product for the Hensley family!  Mixed media collage/assemblage on 30 x 24 inch board. 

Jen gave me a few head shots of the boys and asked for a sketch of them with the words, "Brothers Hand in Hand Forever" on it - but not big like a title, etc. - and that they be holding hands.

It evolved into a heavily textured piece with the boys sketched out onto five planks of balsa wood and tissue paper with charcoal and the words repeated in several different fonts in the background.

Unfortunately, as I always end up saying, I am NOT a photographer.  My photos never seem to show how the paintings really turned out.  This photo's colors are a bit more severe than the actual painting nor does the photo show all the cool grunge detail very well.  But I am very happy with how it turned out and am loving playing around with this new style.

Art Update

Somehow amid all the "busy, busy" of my life lately I've been able to fit in a little art.  This is my second go-around of this piece.  I over-worked the first one and scrapped it.  But this one...this one is...well, I don't want to jinx myself, but I'm very excited!  It doesn't look like much now, but I've done a lot of prep work with layers and textures and once it's all put together I think it will be pretty cool.

UPDATED March 13, 2010:  To see the finished piece CLICK HERE!