Wisdom Made Visible Group Exhibition

Colouring Within the Lines

My markers are here, my markers are here - finally!!!

I have tested my new Tim Holtz Distress markers and well, where to start…

From Ranger’s review, my set includes:

• complete 37 water base dual tip colors; 36 translucent with brush tip and fine detail tip made with a plastic nib great for journaling, and 1 Picket Fence opaque pigment ink marker with a felt tip instead of plastic nib. The Picket Fence is perfect for dark backgrounds or highlighting. Goes on clear, but dries white!
• designed to coordinate with Tim Holtz‘ Distress Ink Pads and/or Stains
• reactive to water
• work on a variety of surfaces, including manilla tags, variety of paper including glossy and specialty stamping paper
• used for watercoloring and/or stamping
• blend without worry of contamination of markers! 
• markers are NOT refillable like ink pads.

I tried to use the markers and stamping inks on Bee Paper Company 110lb Artist Marker Pad. The first issue I faced was most of the stamp inks (all except Staz-On) didn’t seem to dry properly on this paper. Even now 6 hours later the stamp ink still smudges.

Then I tried using the markers to fill in the stamps and the colour didn’t move easily to blend and fill the space. In many instances the markers still made the smudging stamp ink run.

Next, I tried Strathmore 300’series 140lb cold press watercolor paper with the same stamp inks. Only a few inks worked well - Ranger Archival, Versa-Magic and Staz-On.  However, without water blending the marker was again difficult.

I did find that when I pre-wet the area before applying the colour, it was easy and the markers worked well. It isn’t always easy to get the colour nicely blended as they leave hard to get rid of stroke marks and harsh straight lines. When I worked too long, the paper started to pill.

The samples I tried are shown here:

The way I found that works best for me is to “colour” with the markers on a non-stick craft sheet or an acrylic block. Then pick up the colour with a water filled brush (as if I were painting) and color in the image with the brush.

In my bird samples I started with Tumbled Glass in the head, then added Stormy Sky and ended with Faded Jeans. The beak is just Spiced Marmalade and his body was coloured using Scattered Straw and Worn Lipstick which gave me a nice orange colour. All this was done with the water filled brush, not just the markers on their own.

I was really excited when I got the markers, and I love most of Tim Holtz' products. However the jury is still out as to whether I will like using them in the long term. I was watching his video again and it appears that maybe I have to use both his archival ink and specialty paper for it all to work?
 ~ Sharka

Bessie

Do you recall at the beginning of the year I said I had two goals for 2012? One of them was to paint four 36” x 48” canvases.  Well, I just finished the second of the four. The more I’m thinking about it, and after completing two I think three may be good! I started this second painting on February 28^th and it has taken me a long time to finish.

I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning and headed into the studio early and was determined that today, Friday, was the day! My hubby came by with a bubble tea - I love those black tapioca bubbles. He gave me a few critiques while sipping his bubble tea, I made some changes, put my signature on, and voila, she is finished!

I have to tell you that I found the photo to paint from on the internet. It belongs to Johan Peijnenburg, from NiO Photography.  I emailed Johan to ask if he was ok with me using his photo for a painting, he thought about it, gave me the ok, and the end result is finally here…Bessie!

Johan has some gorgeous photos on his website. I recommend going to check them out. His photos will inspire you!

~ Sharka ~

Hoppy Easter!!!

Here we are, Easter time, once again...

I made some Easter cards to give away. They were lots of fun and it was a great way to use up some 'scraps', if that's what you want to call it. 

The bunnies were made using paper punches and my Cricut machine. Border punches were used for the fancy edges and the noses were cut by hand! 

When you open the card, what has the bunny found down the rabbit hole?... an individual tea bag (Chocolate Mint) and a Ghirardelli chocolate square.

The tiny bunny is working all day long

Decorating Easter eggs while humming a song

He is having so much fun making eggs for you and me

And small chocolate bunnies that he gives away free

But when he is finished he'll bring them your way

In a big coloured basket upon Easter day!

I hope you all have a basketful of Easter and Springtime Smiles!

~ Sharka

What is Tole Painting?

 Eighteen years ago I used to walk by a shop on 4th Avenue (in Vancouver) and stop and stare in the window. On one of those stops I decided to try my hand at Tole Painting and found something I loved!

'What is Tole'? That's the first question most people ask… The word Tole comes from French meaning lacquered or enameled metal-ware. It also means a table or board.

As years went by Tole Painting was referred to as Decorative Painting… “a diverse art form utilizing a variety of techniques and media to decorate functional and non-functional surfaces”. Tole painting is the general term historically used to describe decorative painting on tin surfaces, but today we paint on any surface including wood, glass, fabric and canvas”.

Tole or Decorative Painting is by no means a “new” thing”.

Tole painting tends to work with 3-dimensional objects rather than canvas. Objects can be made of different materials but the most common today is wood (pine) and MDF (medium density fibre board).

Tole painters tend to paint traditional folk art styles from various parts of the world and in a stylized manner. Flowers are a favourite, while birds, animals, whimsical and themed subjects are also common.

 

You may ask… “Is Tole Painting a craft or art?” It is often called a craft simply because of the way it is taught and/or learned – technique-oriented. Anyone can learn and it doesn’t require previous training, artistic experience or special talent. Those who attend classes/workshops will paint projects the teacher has created and different projects are created for different skill levels.

When teaching, students are instructed step-by-step as they learn the different skills related with the project. Most of the time, students copy the teacher’s creations.

As skills and techniques are learned and advanced, tole painters become more confident and the creative process develops. Playing with colours, modifying the designs, attempting freehand drawing, designing simple projects on their own, letting go of using patterns, tracings and instructions and get into teaching… like me! At this point it becomes art.

I taught Tole Painting for about 13 years – five years for a retail shop, then through my home-studio for eight years. I also volunteered one day a week at a senior centre for 4-5 years. I decided to stop teaching until this January when one of my ‘students’ asked if I would think about teaching again?

To make a long story short - I’m back teaching Tole Painting and the passion is still there. Not only am I teaching my student of 13 years, her 15 year-old son is also learning as well!!!! ~ Sharka

For Tea Lovers!

When I saw Kathryn’s Ustream show this past Thursday… it was about making a booklet tea bag holder… I knew I wanted to make one. Following Kathryn’s excellent instructions, below is my completed project.

 

I think these would be wonderful for a hostess gift, thank you gift, Easter surprises or something for our wonderful mom’s on Mother’s Day!

When I made my first one I made a few mistakes as it was a little complicated. I think with the next ones will be easier. There are different templates on the internet to make smaller holders, but I really love Kathryn’s design!

Good night… I’m going to make my favourite cup of tea! ~ Sharka

Opening Reception

The Opening Reception was "Bold and Beautiful"!!! If you missed it you can go and see the exhibition at CityScape Community Art Space which runs until April, 7, 2012.

Here are some photos of the evening...

  

 

Thanks for stopping by today! ~ Sharka