Rustypuppy

I posted a few weeks ago about this piece, thinking I was near the end. Except it sat unfinished on my art desk for weeks… which meant something about it still bothered me. 🤔

So instead of separating the flower drawing squares, I put them edge to edge. Suddenly it was closer to the quilt concept I wanted than any of my other attempts, so I leaned into that, adding alternating greens to the flowers with Copic markers and a thin black border.

Studying the quilts the my mom has made, I still needed the “quilting” - the sewing that keeps the batting in place. Since drawing equidistant little lines was not appealing, I drew my pencil lines and then used I Micron pen to add the dots for the holes punctured through fabric (second photo🪡.) Love how it turned out!

As the May entry in my Calendar Animal series, the letters should have been laser-printed and gold-painted as on the previous 4 artworks.

But that didn’t fit this piece; I tried and the background is too dark to have the tissue paper blend in and it looked horrible and I scraped it off and was so relieved I hadn’t destroyed the underlayer. 😮‍💨

So this is when that “consistent” element changed. Still have the other elements I decided on before starting. I assumed some would fall to the side as my art developed and adapted to the monthly focal point and theme. That’s part of the fun of this project - seeing how much the last one resembles the first one. Or not. 🧑‍🎨

#2026calendarchallenge #artstr #art #artchallenge #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

Messing around with mixed media art. Finally got the background I wanted.

#mixedmedia #artstr #trytryagain

Trying various layouts until something feels right. Ended up close to my initial concept.

I had the 0and 4 stencils leftover on my desk from the April art, then found the 5 and switched it out after dinner.

This is the futzing around time artists spend iterating that is the Journey part on the way to the Destination of a finished piece.

#2026calendarchallenge #artstr #art #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart #artprocess

Now that our Week of Winter has past, I can go outside to fixative and varnish my mixed media art.

This is my February Calendar Animal: an industrious little mouse planning plans for the year. 🐭

Second photo is a close up of the spray cans if you want to see the labels better.

#mixedmedia #art #artstr #rustypuppyart

When I look at my art the next morning, and don’t want to add or change anything, then it’s truly a finished piece. ✅

Behold the Barn Swallow of April, a Travel theme!

This is the 4th mixed media artwork I’ve completed for the art challenge

ran last year.

Background is layers of old airline boarding passes, acrylic paint, tan tissue paper to create the land-looking bits, white tissue paper for the cloud-looking bits, gold ink, stencils, and various pens and pencils.

The barn swallow was generated by ChatGPT to my specs, printed on copy paper, fussy cut and colored with Copic markers.

Now …. onto May!

#2026calendarchallenge #artstr #art #artchallenge #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart #birdstr

3 layers layer, getting some nice texture. 💙 The theme is Travel, so I started with a collage of boarding passes from various flights I’ve had over the years. Then scraped on some gesso, and colored that with a mix of three acrylic paint blues. Before the paint dried completely, I scrubbed off bits with a wet wipe.

This is a work in progress shot of the background for my April art for

monthly calendar art challenge… last year. 🙃

Gradually, then even more gradually. 🎨

#2026calendarchallenge #artstr #art #artchallenge #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

Using my January mixed media calendar art, created for

art challenge, as my new Lock Screen.

Using a Copic marker sketch I did of a vase years ago as my Wallpaper.

Reminders to take it easy and that I can just sit down and sketch something with any kind of supplies and it has a chance of looking good.

#artstr #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

I finished my March Hare for

2026 Calendar Challenge… which I will be continuing on into 2026 so I can make a calendar for 2027. 😬

Went a bit simpler on this piece than January or February. The hand-written sentences in the background are the first lines from the stories in one of my microfiction collections. The iris is from a collection of vintage flower plates from Kew Gardens. And I didn’t color the hare to emphasize the engraving illustration style.

A collection of some of my creative favorites as a reminder to focus on what I love.

#2026calendarchallenge #artstr #art #artchallenge #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

Final week of this calendar art challenge… and I just finished February. 😬🎉

This field mouse is about waking up from January’s hibernation and starting to Plan. Lots of ideas going around that little head. The column, not yet realized but slowly emerging from the many designs, is a background form brought into being by Plans and, more importantly, Actions.

#2026calendarchallenge #artstr #art #artchallenge #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

Laly Mille, one of my favorite mixed media artists, has a free 20 minute lesson on creating a journal page: https://www.lalymille.com/give-back-friday

It requires an email address and is only available this week.

She has a few other short online classes in the Freebies section of her website, including an intro to art supplies. 🎨🖌️📔

#artstr #onlineclass #mixedmedia

Made some progress on my
#2026calendarchallenge art: researched vintage images that express my idea and feelings for February of starting and planning, getting back to work after hibernating in January.

After cleaning up the images, I print them on copy paper. Then I use liquid and soft acrylic paint to give them an aged book look. The darker splots are alcohol ink from my Copic marker refill.

Also reposting

note that has helpful prompts and info if you’d like to join her art challenge.

#artstr #art #artprocess #artchallenge #mixedmedia #vintage #rustypuppyart

Cleaned up my main art desk and laid out the supplies to continue working on my calendar art for

art challenge. 🎉

I’ve given up getting 11 more done in time to print a calendar, but I discovered the art boards I’m using as a substrate will fit in the card holders I have (second photo), so I’ll use these to display the art each month instead of a printed calendar hanging on my wall. 🎉

And for those of you looking for a different November art challenge, there’s #huevember 🎨🗓️

#2026calendarchallenge #artstr #artchallenge #artprocess #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

Hey look, that’s me 😊

Voting is open until the 20th.

#artstr #art #mixedmedia #calendar #contest #grownostr

Proof of Work for my CITADEL entry in

second Open Source Culture Creator Contest AKA all the fun layers that make up one of my mixed media artworks. 😁

1. Acrylic paint

2. Bitcoin Whitepaper, printed on beige tissue paper added to wooden canvas

3. Word cloud of the whitepaper printed on white tissue paper and added to citadel printout on cardstock

4. More acrylic paint and gesso

5. FINAL: Colored citadel with Faber Castell PITT artist pens and a bit more acrylic paint and gesso

I’ll share the link when you can vote for entries. 💜🧡💙

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

Working on it ….

#art #artstr #contest #opensource #mixedmedia #grownostr

Putting my 12 Calendar Animals on Pause while I jump over to create birthday art, but I’ll be back with my February mouse in a bit.

Many thanks to

for the #2026calendarchallenge - my awesome bear wouldn’t exist without her art challenge.

#artstr #artchallenge #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart #art

#2026calendarchallenge - Behold the final Bear!!! 🐻 So very happy how he turned out. 😁

Additional layers of stamping, alcohol ink, acrylic paint, penciled in constellations and theme (HIBERNATE) on the background, colored pencil on the pine branch, and a light splatter of white after everything was glued down.

Really like how painting the back of the tissue paper letters with gold calligraphy ink worked out. Used that same gold ink to add a star on the bear’s forehead.

#artstr #artchallenge #artprocess #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

#2026calendarchallenge - Bear background work …

After many variations, I decided on this placement for the stained text papers. Also put needed supplies in easy reach.

Was futzing about placement and decided to use a colored pencil to literally mark the outline of where the papers should go.

Made the outline extra scribbly and added some meaningful words - mixed media is all about the layers, so add them when you can.

Sprayed water on back of papers to help them flatten out - serious Remember This step otherwise you get lots of wrinkles.

Added matte gel medium (goopy glue) to art board.

Added matte medium (liquid glue) to back of papers.

Placed papers back on art board in correct place and front/back orientation. Use card to Gently smooth out any bumps, moving from center of paper out toward the edges.

Placed wax paper on top and used brayer with a lot of pressure over entire art board, still moving from center toward edges.

Removed wax paper and off to have dinner so everything can dry.

#artstr #artprocess #artchallenge #artprocess #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

#2026calendarchallenge - New week, same bear 🐻

1. Used Sharpie pen to darken darks and increase contrast on bear illustration and colored with Copic markers.

2. Researched vintage illustration and text. Printed and stained with Distress Inks.

I’m enjoying finding and creating the various parts for this mixed media piece, so not in a rush to finish. I may not have 12 artworks ready for a calendar at the end of the year, but I will have some art I really enjoy. ☺️

#artstr #artprocess #artchallenge #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart

When you think you know what you want to do for an art project, but by the time you finish going through your paper stash, said art project is now something else. 📜

For once, the tea is not to drink; it’s to stain paper. 🫖

#art #artstr #mixedmedia art #collage #rustypuppyart #teastr #tea

So my initial idea for the

April art challenge of Celebrating Cycles was to create a Möbius strip with art representing the seasons on both sides, then cut it in half, because that’s the cool part of a Möbius strip.

Except I really like this one side as is. I want to keep it as is, to remember what I learn while creating it. And it still fits and completes the monthly challenge for me.

So here it is, in its final form ….

This is an 18” x 2” (45.72 cm x 5.08 cm) strip of rice paper. Actually two strips of rice paper glued together, because I was going to art the other side.

Art supplies used: Distress Inks, archival ink, stamps, watercolor, 2B pencil, white Posca pen pen, metallic Sharpie pens, white acrylic paint, a failed attempt at using texture paste, Stabilo pens which are Definitely Not waterproof, a 005 Micron pen, ruler, French curves, and an MB Pigma pen which is Definitely waterproof…. and that’s why most of the art I create is called mixed media (AKA anything goes). 😁

PS. If anyone else needs permission to stop a project you’ve created for yourself because you like where you are, this is it. ✅🏁👍

#nostrartstrApril2025 #artchallenge #art #artstr #nostrartstr #rustypuppyart #cycles #mixedmedia

Love it when I can finally use that paper I bought 2 years ago.

Though that fact also encourages me to keep buying paper. 😬

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip
#twpe

16” x 20” canvas board. Started with a collage layer this time instead of acrylic paint.

Now to step away and let it dry.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ #twpe

When you don’t know which specific stamp you want to use, so you pull out all the ones that fit the theme of your artwork.

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #stamping #rustypuppyart #TWPE

Mostly I’ve only written stories or only created art. This project, TWPE, will be a combo of both: writing the copy for the book and creating mixed media (and digital) art for the cover and illustrations.

And new art needs new art supplies. 😬

#fiction #writestr #writer #writing #art #artstr #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart #TWPE

First (and temporarily last) layer on my wooden panel with acrylic paint.

I had an idea for the

Open Source Culture Creator Contest last night that NEEDS my attention and time today. 😎

Going to leave this on the standing easel as it’s fulfilling its purpose even in this early state.

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart #everydayflower https://i.nostr.build/3W4YKZ8PaOTxfaFR.jpg

Figuring out spacing for the first layer of my Every Day A Flower mixed media art project. I’ll pencil these in once I know where I want them, then use acrylic paint.

I have to do it one line at a time because only have 2 As and need 3 for the whole phrase.

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart #everydayflower https://i.nostr.build/KCA97WLfYHRor5hR.jpg https://i.nostr.build/7Z1n7IeNCr71yp6J.jpg

Priming a wood panel for my next Big Art project- Big because I usually work on pieces 8” x 10” (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) or smaller, and this panel is 16” x 20” (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm).

Using clear gesso. It will be a mixed media piece with lots of layers, but I’m curious how letting the wood show through will affect it compared to prepping with white gesso, which I’ve done before.

Gesso adds a bit of tooth so the paint/ink/etc. has a little more grip. Clear gesso goes on white then dries clear. I need to give it 24 hrs to dry, then I’ll stay playing. 😍

I’m using the hashtag #everydayflower for this piece if you want to follow the process. Goal is to finish by the end of the month. 🤞

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart https://i.nostr.build/FAAgCNtnKerJJ0ew.jpg https://i.nostr.build/7l94muarhqUH30H4.jpg

2 of 24 - GM to the UTC+5 time zone of the Maldives!

This is a mixed media piece I created using a stencil, Tim Holz Distress Ink, archival stamp ink, metallic acrylic paint, and liquid glitter.

The "GM" text is from the PDF available to my Creatr subscribers (one-time payment of 1,000 sats), who also get access to process photos of all of the GM art I'm making this month for the @nostrartsrt art challenge of A Month of Good Mornings: https://creatr.nostr.wine/profile/npub1jdtdqz9tyf4tdvy2k0rnjqz5dv5rd3yvw5nlpefn9syjqx37dhyqxwh0c8

#nostrartstrJan2025 #artchallenge #art #artstr #mixedmedia #rustypuppyart #gm #nostronly https://i.nostr.build/IRuAkJwk1JVTtMi6.jpg

Mixed media on 8” x 8” canvas board. Includes paper collage and acrylic paint.

I have enough paper left over to do more …. just need to decid if I’m going to stop with this or go for a triple. 🤔

#artstr #🖼️ #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #art #christmas https://i.nostr.build/OwRSyAaQ13E4NRJO.jpg

#artstr retail therapy: 50% off Christmas paper and a pack of 8” x 8” canvas boards.

I was too late to make Christmas cards this year, but still wanted to create something holiday, so going with collage and mixed media on small boards.

No plans, just playing with paper and paint and other stuff.

#wip #artprocess #artsupplies #collage #mixedmedia #xmasartplay https://i.nostr.build/voC0WXd3rVnOacee.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: FINISHED!!!!!!

Used metallic copper acrylic paint for scales. Added 22 birds. Signed the bottom and back.

My DRIFTING DRAGON mixed media art is complete!!!!! ⛰️🐉⛰️

I don’t have a place to hang it with the right lighting, so 2 photos: one to show the overall art and the second to show the metallic scales.

Thank you to all who have followed along on this adventure. If you want to see how it went along the way, check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

I look back at how it started and am a bit stunned. But I could not have gotten here, if I didn’t go through there, and I am so very happy with how it turned out. 😍🎉

Not sure I want to work this large again, but I do have an idea for a personal piece I want to make next year that’s at least 18”-20” across. 😬

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/MF8XzAsnPhI3uc2S.jpg https://i.nostr.build/7P5CMZAtG989K4Md.jpg

When it’s time to break out the Itty Bitty Brush #art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess https://i.nostr.build/HGuinkmamObnAHb3.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: dragon back ridges

Did some experiments last night to figure out the right size, shape, textures, and colors.

Now to replicate all that 40+ times because Handmade Art means you make it all by hand. 🖖

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/ymKlYJw6beeRFhwD.jpg https://i.nostr.build/wUUYuHfyb2C4NGuH.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: tiny touch ups

Added greenery to the tops on the mountains so they are more obviously in front of some of the clouds.

Used little flat brush to smoothen out the top of the dragon body segments and added a wash of dark purple. Think they’re ready for scales now.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/8fz8Jdy4mAoiIiFN.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: clouds’ end

“Finished” adding the clouds to the top half of the canvas. Leaving it in quotes as I may change my mind tomorrow. But I don’t think so. Probably.

And, if you’re curious what a near-sighted artist sees when they work over a large painting without wearing their glasses, swipe to photo 2. 🤓

PS. the multi-photo upload in the new

is really awesome! 👏

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/yE5LHItmdTe8Rz2r.jpg https://i.nostr.build/PWXvuaHdN8jHVdM0.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: much closer to final

Spent most of the day working on this in batches on the lower half of the canvas.

Added white tissue paper to the cloud areas. Added painted green strips of tissue paper to the mountain areas.

Sponged white + parchment acrylic paint into the cloud areas, then used my finger to create smoother/rounder tops, as the sponge tip marks looked too ragged.

Light wash of black over the dragon body to darken.

Very happy with how the lower half ended up. Now just need to repeat all of that for the top half.

And decide what to do about the sky … if anything.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/CIdufvaS8VZrnfa1.jpg

So those chipboard tags I bought so many years ago are ideal for the art project I want to do that I no longer need the envelopes I was originally searching for when I found the chipboard tags.

Never Throwing Out Stuff FTW! 😬

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ #DIYadventcalenar https://i.nostr.build/OYbFCgbReAAjLAdq.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: all about the values

Been ignoring this one for too long. Got tired of trying different ways to keep white white (would turn yellow near the mountains.)

1. In an effort to not start from scratch, I used gel matte medium to glue a layer of beige tissue paper over the canvas, maybe create a barrier. The tissue paper tore … so I tore it some more … and really liked the results. This piece was fun to work on again.

2. And I noticed how bad my values were; the range of dark to light, if viewed in only black and white.

Limited values make a piece less easy to “read” - see distinct objects.

Taking photos of your art and turning them monochrome is a great way to measure the values because you’re not distracted by the colors.

3. So now I’m working on increasing the lightness of the mountains and the darkness of the dragon.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/I1uY9MPsHwbTkRAd.jpg https://i.nostr.build/Cqe0BxU1iWgqBX9f.jpg https://i.nostr.build/nlC7EWwMskO6A264.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: mountain time

Starting to layer texture on the mountains. Cut this sponge in half to better control the area that gets paint.

Dark colors first. This is a mix of liquid acrylic and acrypaint to get the color I wanted.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/unMvOZZ8dn6TogHr.jpg https://i.nostr.build/dtx6eCoCKbwabzj3.jpg https://i.nostr.build/i8mV6eL89R8bh4IT.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: more clouds

Cloud cover over a whole mountain on the back right. Sponge edges, which I really like and will likely use with green to get rid of the smooth edges layer.

White still not as white as I want, but we’ll see how this layer dries.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/B3PYV0sui0ulm099.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: cloud sessions 1 of ???

Added a mix of white and parchment color as the clouds base.

Surprised how much the green is showing through, given that the white is heavy body acrylic. But I kinda like the textures it’s adding.

Still a ways to go, but getting there. 👍

Next will be moar clouds ☁️

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/88D3SRxfa6yiJUFJ.jpg

When working on an art project that uses acrylic paint, I always end up with extra. Thought you might like to see where it goes ….

These are 5” x 7” art boards and a similar sized mixed media art journal that I’ve been adding extra paint from my mountain road canvas.

Sometimes I end up with a scene. Sometimes it’s just another layer. All of these will have a lot more work done to them before I consider them final.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/LUCDN6IzSQuE8FL1.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: rocks and trees

Looked more closely at my reference photo, and vintage Chinese paintings, and added some rock faces to the mountains.

Added a lot of trees. Then changed the color on the trees.

And made the sky a bit more blue.

I “think” I should work on the trees more, but I “feel” I should put in the clouds … therefore going to work on clouds next. 👍

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/EKUvSa4Cvidl5uHN.jpg https://i.nostr.build/fZpoqM94Twl41QLC.jpg https://i.nostr.build/JFN1pF5LIH3JKV6T.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: all scales done!

Finished up all the scales on the dragon’s body last night.

Found a new color of green when I bought some heavy body white acrylic today, so going to experiment with that for the trees on the mountains.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/FCV7Lo68nIU04Aga.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: laying it on thick tonight

Used the palette knife to lay down a layer of black-purple-silver acrylic paint on the rest of the dragon body. Carved scales using the back end of a pottery tool.

Lighter colors are we get further into the distance. Also slightly smaller scales.

Needs to dry over night, then I’ll go in with the gold paint pen to highlight the scales.

White paper on the left is a diagram to make sure I drew the scales in the correct direction on each segment.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/fSdBAH7lLGE5mEiv.jpg https://i.nostr.build/KayVXscCgWNS2lNe.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: dragon body art

So here’s how I got to the look I was happy with for the dragon body ….

1. Use palette knife to cover red with thick layer of black-purple

2. Use back end of pottery tool to carve through black-purple to red to create scales

3. Use orange for belly scales

4. Use lighter orange for highlight on belly scales

5. Use gold paint marker to highlight body scales

… and now do the same process for the other 4 areas. 🖌️

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/eUIMOYDCciizAGUw.jpg https://i.nostr.build/kKxEP7i1dWUKweRT.jpg https://i.nostr.build/JmTRlUudUCFKyt3k.jpg https://i.nostr.build/UXaG9SA2f1jEaiC3.jpg https://i.nostr.build/8Krxpx8Nih48IzTQ.jpg https://i.nostr.build/gDgvgcZqKocYFqIW.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: what didn’t work over the past few days

Tried a bunch of things on the dragon body. Not happy with any of them. Did finally achieve something I liked, which I’ll share tomorrow after it dries and I touch it up a bit.

1. The pencil stencil. Also, scale direction is wrong.

2. Getting rid of the collage paper. Messy messy messy.

3. Black purple

4. Red streaks

5. Red wannabe scales

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/11cuY1ExCM0oaQBz.jpg https://i.nostr.build/RUE4vU1LWOzH6Huc.jpg https://i.nostr.build/8a84OM5ukuieN3Qj.jpg https://i.nostr.build/wKVCGtO5QrHjPcaR.jpg https://i.nostr.build/5rwFpffSGEX3YtWw.jpg

New art supplies to play with: sea sponges!!!! Great for creating texture, either using the sponge as the stamp and putting ink on it, or dabbing the sponge into wet ink or paint already on the substrate.

#artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia https://i.nostr.build/Ct9R7nUy6FoKFzWk.jpg

Sharing Past Art…

What would you do with your time if you didn’t need money or attention?

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #randomthoughts https://i.nostr.build/3u60W82DxtmR5PfE.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: now happy with sky (again)

Had a really good art session last night, where I reworked the sky to a state I’m happy with (again).

1. Was going to add stars, now going to do butterflies instead, so wanted a more daylight than nighttime sky. Also been looking at lots of vintage Asian ink landscape paintings and want more of that look for this piece now. So, tried a Neocolor II to lighten the sky. Did not work.

2. Tried a layer of thinned acrylic paint using the sponge I originally got to try image transfers but don’t use in that process because I can’t stand the noise it makes. Worked a little bit.

3. & 4. Brought out the good ol’ Liquitex Parchment acrylic ink. Solves most mixed media issues, or at least gets you close enough to a base state so you can start over again. Worked-ish.

4. Because I didn’t water down the parchment paint, it was too solid of a paint layer, so before it dried completely, I took a paper towel to it, because I’m picky like that.

5. Lovely textured sky (finally). Starting to lighten the bases of the mountains. Discovered how much I love the jaggy mountain edges, especially the top right.

Next will be road work. And maybe another round (or two) on the sky.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/ZBC84x9awvbTbbz8.jpg https://i.nostr.build/sTGS86mm9TLa3CJx.jpg https://i.nostr.build/DUfyiNJMQrfM2khg.jpg https://i.nostr.build/e3kXGnj2hpVjantV.jpg https://i.nostr.build/sW6pK4LOrVbkyXTz.jpg https://i.nostr.build/H0dVeiSNitDrWaGh.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: image transfer tests

Day 4 & 5 of the #The21dayProject

I watched a video by Laly Mille, my favorite mixed media artist, on how she uses matte gel medium to do image transfers.

And tried out the process with some papers I have as a test for possible layers on the big canvas.

1. Test supplies

2. Test canvas board with acrylic paint as first layer

3. Papers glued face down then heat gunned to dry because I’m impatient like that.

4. Images transfers successful. Took a few tries to get all the paper off (used an old plastic gift card because I couldn’t stand the squishy screechy noise the sponge made) but I like what I see and am going to try both the origami paper and the printed copy paper on the big canvas.

Next will be image transfer on the big canvas and “road” work.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/1Y2w14AUqwyUZnf1.jpg https://i.nostr.build/4mrgfQUhWYQb3ajj.jpg https://i.nostr.build/5beYZWes4HoGIqh7.jpg https://i.nostr.build/hBGxy9HeHCqXIOd3.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: spray fixative

Day 3 of the #The21dayProject

My canvas on my little easel* and the can of fixative. It doesn’t say “workable fixative” but I have been assured by multiple articles and videos that it is.

This is my first time using a fixative of any kind on my art so we’ll see how it goes.

Sprayed 3 coats with drying time in between each one. Currently let it sit in the garage with the side door open for a cross breeze because that aerosol is stinky stuff.

Next will be moar layers!!!!

• if I attempt another large canvas I’m definitely buying a standing easel because this little tabletop guy is precarious with a substrate this large.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/k7vIcQfs9cz0Tv48.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: stop messing with it and let it dry overnight

End of Day 2 of #The21dayProject

1. How this evening ‘s session ended

2. How this evening’s session started - Distress Ink on all mountains

3. Splatter, your mixed media frenemy: adds awesome texture, goes where you don’t want it to, turns all clothing into paint clothing

4. The color you decided to use when swatching …. that looks too pink on the actual canvas surrounded by the other colors

5. The color you didn’t pick when swatching because it was too orange that now is the one that looks good on the canvas

6. Happy with dragon road

7. Don’t like the sky

8. Happyish with the sky

Next will be applying spray workable fixative because 80% of this thing is now covered in water-reactive material, so if I try and do anything with liquid, it will move and change and yeah, don’t want that to happen.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/fmAPPHguWEjdamGw.jpg https://i.nostr.build/aBGj17HOhlPgpYAQ.jpg https://i.nostr.build/jii0NYw64BSDnERF.jpg https://i.nostr.build/51K5r2ATVHBV5fiW.jpg https://i.nostr.build/aHlcUY6mKlvhJbaL.jpg https://i.nostr.build/GHi4zpEFJQRCKqwF.jpg https://i.nostr.build/6zKW1lOY4IkcED1k.jpg https://i.nostr.build/pAbg7WrWdpsNcFtR.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: more black edges and ink …. Which takes FOREVER to dry 🤣

Also …. when you keep breaking the regular All Black pencil so you bring out the big gun.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️
#The21dayProject https://i.nostr.build/ixnBJTHgNCWnSEJe.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: Distress Ink

Day 1 of #The21dayProject to finish this canvas.

Started experimenting on the hills.

1. Outline edge with a Stabilo All Black. Love this pencil. It lays down a rich black that activates with water.

2. Add drops of Distress Ink.

3. Spritz with water to dilute

4. Tap/move ink around with paper towel. Stop Messing with It Even Though It Looks Like A Mess So It Can Dry.

5. Come back an hour later to admire this awesome layer of color you created.

Next will be applying this same process to the rest of the hills, and on the closer hills, more than once since foreground objects are darker than background objects because of atmospheric perspective - not that this is in any way a realistic landscape, but applying concepts like that will help create the illusion of depth.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/WlPFcG2TpokhxzzV.jpg https://i.nostr.build/3UmWaiICECzFUyps.jpg https://i.nostr.build/UI3od7ia0YIN8pvO.jpg https://i.nostr.build/pQkc8LhxghwLCRoM.jpg https://i.nostr.build/4Wcn3tGsqGVYlkD9.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: base colors on canvas and beginning layers

Painted in the main color blocks with the acrylic paint. A lot of this will get covered up, but it helps me to see what’s what while I am covering it up. 😬

Then some stamping and stencils. And remembering why I’m not found of canvases because they are difficult to stamp on (have to hold my hand on the back or the canvas bows with the pressure).

Mark making on the mountains. RIP my Sharpie marker. 🪦

Next will be more layers. Not sure what, because this is the “whatever I think will look cool” stage.

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia#artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/2b8788iEG5K8o1bI.jpg https://i.nostr.build/iVuyL2ZpBGLEwnw3.jpg https://i.nostr.build/FiyMKUnrVbsUTXUT.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update: selecting colors

In the reference photo, it’s day. I want to put in stars, so my art will be a version of night. That means dark colors: blue and purple.

Going to keep the mountains a version of green, more blue than yellow, likely mixing what I have with the colors used in the sky.

A triad color scheme makes for red-orange as the pop color, which will work well for the dragon, though most of it will be black mixed with the greens, blues, and purple.

I pulled the paints I thought would work, swatched them, then kept the ones I want to work with - purple underlined names on the paper.

As you can tell from the size of the paint tubes, I’m used to working small, so a trip for art supplies is likely in my immediate future. 😁

Next will be trying laser image transfers with my gelli plate!

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia#artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/3w2Xk9jutFcBcm1n.jpg

24” x 30” Mixed Media Canvas Update:

I took the colored sketch I drew in Procreate and divided it into a grid of 6. Printed these out and used them with carbon paper to trace out the design onto the canvas.

Once that was done, I spent an awhile futzing with it, working with the shapes and layout and getting it close to how I want the final art to look, because seeing it there before me on this HUGE canvas made me want to simplify some of the shapes. This is the part of my art process where it doesn’t matter if I started with a reference or traced an outline because I don’t look at that any more; from now on, it’s about what I see on the canvas. Later I sometimes go back to my main reference and even look up others, depending what I need help with: lighting, texture, shape, etc.

Next up will be choosing colors!

If you want to follow just this art project, you can check out the #mountainroadartwork hashtag.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #artprocess #wip #🖼️ https://i.nostr.build/3eehr6ChQkbR0Him.jpg https://i.nostr.build/auiHFTERTfdreSW6.jpg https://i.nostr.build/JW0ZKjODTcvpVQX9.jpg https://i.nostr.build/sLX4HXlfdQc3ULmd.jpg https://i.nostr.build/w4lmEkUGwK54MjKn.jpg

Opened up my gelli plate box and am reviewing current supplies and tools AKA cleaning up causes a mess. 😬

#gelliplate #mixedmedia #artstr https://i.nostr.build/BCpe2ZT7XBwfGbkF.jpg

Sharing Past Art …

A 12” x 12” mixed media on canvas board. This was the one piece I finished in 2023 for the Undying Tales art challenge I mentioned yesterday.

The mountains are maps for the region the Sierra Nevada Red Fox lives, and the trees are native to that area. I wanted to show the fox’s environment as well as the fox.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #undyingtales #artchallenge https://i.nostr.build/wvmaiGLoGFJqQaK6.jpg https://i.nostr.build/65npzyW4LZGjckIq.jpg https://i.nostr.build/Ukc75G9hqSDH7Vff.jpg https://i.nostr.build/AaA80PTLQv3J8bxd.jpg

Sharing Past Art…

This is another fabric art on an 8” x 10” art board. Acrylic background, Mom’s quilt scraps for fabric. I love the patterns and colors of fabric, I just don’t want to sew. 😬

His name is Alfie. He likes hot cocoa, reading by the fireplace, and Christmas.

Closeup of the fabric in the second photo.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #fabricart #bear #polarbear #christmas https://i.nostr.build/uYuCNbyBUhdPsWch.jpg https://i.nostr.build/dD30SWosfkJ1U8C8.jpg

I drew the concept sketch for my mixed media art in Procreate today. This concept is what I’ll grid out and transfer to the 24” x 30” canvas (future notes).

For this note, I wanted to share my process…

1. The inspiration photo from my friend

2. My final concept sketch … eventually there will be a dragon head in the sky, but still thinking of how I want that to look, so it’s not there yet

3. The 20 second video of the 45 minutes process of drawing the concept sketch.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #mountainroadartwork #procreate #artprocess #wip https://i.nostr.build/R0cQjlCHJGyY0iZi.jpg https://i.nostr.build/Em3EvRlrq9nY2cJX.jpg https://v.nostr.build/GXNHFOzUHjdxPiiI.mp4

Sharing Past Art…

This is 5” x 7” piece I did in 2020. The background is acrylic paint on art board. The cactus is from scrap fabric from my mom’s quilts. This is 1 of 2; my mom has the other, different cactus art in her kitchen.

Closeup of the fabric in the second photo.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #fabricart #plantstr #cactus https://i.nostr.build/roWcdzZvo6R4Owky.jpg https://i.nostr.build/bHjMOk3woEZ2TRmK.jpg

Have in mind a mixed media piece I want to create based on a photo a friend sent me. Went to the art store and looked wood panels and canvases.

Apparently my years of working in small formats (8” x 10” or, usually, much less) created some kind of void that needs to be filled now, because I …

Bought this one, which, in the art store wasn’t THAT big but taking up most of the back seat of the car suddenly became THAT big and when taken into my Studio was really THAT big and required I find my tabletop easel. 😅

24” x 30” - it’s going to look so awesome! 🤩

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #mountainroadartwork https://i.nostr.build/C8hAEvlCaw1fkkLd.jpg

Sharing Past Art…

One of the mixed media 1920s French Fashion nostriches I created for last year’s Nostrich November art challenge.

I drew the nostrich based on a vintage fashion catalog. Printed and colored her with Copic markers. Then added her to an 8” x 10” art board, with a background of collage and acrylic paint, with Art Deco patterns.

The text is a French translation of the copy on the Nostrich November website, printed on tissue paper.

I’ll be updating the website next month with details about this year’s art challenge.

#art #artstr #rustypuppyart #mixedmedia #nostrich #nostrichnovember #vintage #frenchfashion #fashionstr https://i.nostr.build/X112YpFoi3XiiDwx.jpg

YAMA (mountain) - the first final collage 4” x 4” 🎉

Tried so many ways to use that white wave washi tape as an obi and none of them felt right. Turns out it was meant to be a ribbon, not a band.

#art #artstr #artprocess #onlineclass #mixedmedia #mxedmedia #rustypuppyart https://i.nostr.build/7binCJBlW5ZpKp0H.jpg

Pulling out “limited” supplies for collage onto my 4” x 4” painted squares. 😬

#art #artstr #artprocess #onlineclass #mixedmedia #mxedmedia #collage #rustypuppyart https://i.nostr.build/4srqyl3FazikO11i.jpg

TLDR: This is my fabric mixed media art interpretation of End Piece, from the comic

by

https://breadandtoast.com

ARTIST THOUGHTS 3/3: This is the little guy that really started it.

Looking at the character designs and personalities, I tended toward Toast. Flipping through my fabric stash, however, brought out this fabric and it immediately identified as End Piece to me. I was even able to cut it so the horizontal beige line became his brow.

One googly eye was standard and easy. For the oval lazy eye, I had to peel away the backing without destroying the front curved plastic (attempt #1 failed on that point), then add Gorilla glue to the correct place on the inside of the peeled backing to fix the pupil in place (attempt #2 was successful on that point).

Because the eyes make the piece of Bread.

#breadandtoast #comic #grownostr #art #artstr #mixedmedia #artcommission #rustypuppyart https://i.nostr.build/nW2VM.jpg

TLDR: This is my fabric mixed media art interpretation of Toast, from the comic

by

https://breadandtoast.com

ARTIST THOUGHTS 2/3: I like vintage and tend to incorporate some aspect of it into my art.

For these pieces, I found The Story of Bread by Edwin Lincoln Barker which was published in 1911. I printed various pages, torn them up, and used liquid matte gel medium to adhere the pieces of paper to the art board.

Then I brushed over several layers of watered down Parchment (color) Liquitex acrylic paint. This softens the printed text.

Once the paint was dry (with a little help from a heat gun), I used archival ink and a stencil to add another layer. I used the ink lightly and intentionally broke up the pattern because all of this is background and meant to provide texture, not attract the eye. More layers of paint and the background was done.

Toast has wide, expressive eyes so those are googly eyes right out of the box. The crust fabric is the same as Bread. The center fabric is different, more “toast” like in color. Eyebrows, mouth, arms and legs are done with a Prismacolor pencil (black).

Final Artist Thoughts to come on Friday when I’ll post the last artwork: End Piece.

#breadandtoast #comic #grownostr #art #artstr #mixedmedia #artcommission #rustypuppyart https://i.nostr.build/M5K6E.jpg

TLDR: This is my fabric mixed media art interpretation of Bread, from the comic

by

https://breadandtoast.com

ARTIST THOUGHTS 1/3: Being asked to do an art commission is an honor, exciting, and a bit intimidating, especially if they leave you free to use any style and medium.

I’d just been to a quilt store stash sale, so I had a pile of fabric to play with. Or there was Procreate. Or ink drawings. Or mixed media (which is anything and everything you want to put on a substrate). Or collage.

I reviewed the references and went about my days, thinking of the characters on and off, imagining portraying them in different ways, studying what made each character different.

Then, the inspiration that started pulling things together: googly eyes! Each character’s personality resonated in how the eyes were portrayed.

That decision made the others easy: fabric, 8” x 10” art board, mixed media background.

Bread has large, solid eyes so I used the same size googly eyes as Toast. With a Posca pen, I covered the plastic dome and brushed over a layer of matte gel medium so the black wouldn’t flake off (plastic can be a pain to paint because of its smooth, slick surface).

More Artist Thoughts to come on Wednesday when I’ll post the second artwork: Toast.

#breadandtoast #comic #grownostr #art #artstr #mixedmedia #artcommission #rustypuppyart https://i.nostr.build/POljr.jpg

It’s here!!! Puzzle I mage is lighter and less saturated than the original artwork, but all the lovely layers of mixed media detail can still be seen. 😍

I choose the “garden” template, so the whimsy pieces on the left are all garden-related things.

I definitely recommend Wentworth if you want a high-end custom wooden puzzle. 👍👍

Happy Friday!

—— This is a series of notes for my art project of using a reference photo of Mom’s flowers as the basis for a mixed media artwork that was used to create a wooden jigsaw puzzle with garden whimsy pieces as a gift for my mother. 💐🧩

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #flowers #gift #artproject #jigsawpuzzle #wentworth #fridaynightplans https://i.nostr.build/EnlRx.jpg

Done!!!! I’m soooo happy how this mixed media piece turned out. 😍

Lots of person stuff in the layers related to my mom:

• her garden notes on the siding
• crossword puzzle in the black area of the door
• blueprints of her house in the door frame
• quilt pattern on the table
• a copy of her gecko sketch with my colors
• based on a photo I took of her flowers on her patio

Now to tweak the colors a bit in Photoshop and send it off to Wentworth to have custom jigsaw puzzle made.

—— This is a series of notes for my art project of using a reference photo of Mom’s flowers as the basis for a mixed media artwork that will be used to create a wooden jigsaw puzzle with garden whimsy pieces as a gift for my mother. 💐🧩

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #flowers #gift #artproject #jigsawpuzzle #project #finished #acrylics #stabilo #prismacolorpencils https://i.nostr.build/O4lg5.jpg

Current state of the art board. Once this layer dries, I’ll work on the door frame and glass, which will just be a darkish gray to provide contrast with the flowers.

Second image is a close up to show the texture the Faber-Castell gelatos can provide if you don’t brush water over them. —— This is a series of notes for my art project of using a reference photo of Mom’s flowers as the basis for a mixed media artwork that will be used to create a wooden jigsaw puzzle with garden whimsy pieces. Ideally in time for Mother’s Day. 🤞💐

#art #artstr #mixedmedia #flowers #mothersday #gift #artproject https://i.nostr.build/jYxQM.jpg https://i.nostr.build/8GoYB.jpg

Day 4* of the #inchiechallenge

The great thing about mixed media art is you can keep adding layers until you get something you like.

The less than great part is my phone doesn’t recognize any interactions when my fingers have a layer of gel medium on them.

• yesterday’s note was actually Day 2 & 3, not 3 & 4.

#artstr #art #mixedmedia #artchallenge #inchies #grownostr https://cdn.zbd.gg/ugc-uploads/d046e752-1691695552427.jpeg

Day 3 & 4/12 of the #inchiechallenge

I used online kanji look-ups, and I think the characters are Breath and Heart, which made for a great 2 page spread.

Each page is 3” x 3” of watercolor paper.

Materials include origami paper, sewing pattern paper, wrapping paper, textured cardboard, tea, matte gel medium, gesso, and watercolor pencils.

#art #artstr #artchallenge #mixedmedia #smallart #inchies