Mixed Media Art with Antique Postcards

Want to learn how to do this?
Art Class Scheduled on: September 14th, 2013    2:00 - 4:00 pm
30.00 per person (materials included)
Choice of 6 different postcards to choose from.
Where:  Frou Frou Galore 26420 Preston Ave, Old Town Spring, TX
Call today to reserve your spot (limited space)  281-459-0711
Artist/Teacher: Tamyra Crossley

The Sweet Life

Pearls of my Heart

No. 6031 Lady

No. 27 Lady

Mermaid

Gypsy Queen

Gypsy Girl

Farm Girl

Evette

Bird Watcher

Ballet Toes

Enchanted Wood

My newest Mixed Media works start with a vintage postcard (some I own and digital downloads can be found in my etsy shop; Ivory Coast www.etsy.com/people/ivorycoast,  others I have digitally downloaded from favorite etsy shops; French Kissed; www.etsy.com/people/FrenchKissed  , MDR Grafix Postcards; www.etsy.com/shop/MDRGrafixPostcards , just to name a few.  I use canvas, scrapbook paper, paint, stamps, ephemera and pens.  I start with a blank canvas (handboard canvas is easier to work with but you then have to frame it or glue on a ribbon and backing piece).  I mix 2-3 coordinating colors together and paint (acrylic) the entire canvas.  While it's drying, I will take my vintage postcard and start collecting coordinating scrapbook papers, stamps, bits of paper ephemera, etc. to add to the canvas.  I used just plain old Elmer's glue, clear, but you can also use a Gel Medium to adhere each layer.  After I glue the back of the sheet I use a plastic putty knife to work out any air bubbles.  I like to start with the largest piece of paper first then slowly build layers.  The last layers are the small ephemera or stamps and then I will either use a stamp and ink pad or hand write areas with a sharpie.  A fun project and great way to preserve some vintage postcards.  Originals for sale at; Frou Frou Galore, in Old Town Spring, TX http://www.froufrougalore.com/
Prints can be purchased at; Etsy, Shop Studio Quest, www.etsy.com/people/studioquest , or Fine Art America, artist: Tamyra Crossley , www.fineartamerica.com , or tamyra-crossley.artistwebsites.com

Art and Music

Mistress of Music

Just finished my painting called Mistress of Music.  Decided to use only sepia brown paint and painted directly on old sheet music.  The paper is generally a bit thicker and if you do not get too much water on it works nicely with watercolor.  Love the mixed media feel of the finished product and the historical element of using vintage music sheets.

Vintage Gypsy Collection

Survived the move!  Every time I move I am reminded how much I dislike moving.  As you fellow artists know you need lots of craft and art supplies so everything gets jumbled and of course has to be boxed and carried to the new place.  It is times like this that I re-think doing so many different things and having so many interests.  Now that the move is over it's time to get busy and have some fun.  Above is my latest creation of re-purposed clothing, lace and embellishments.  It reminds me of a gypsy which inspired the name.  It currently is for sale (each piece sold separately)  in my booth upstairs at Frou Frou Galore in Old Town Spring, Texas.

Sepia Brown Only

The Wait

Like using only one color to see what you can do with shading.  This is a classic look and something I had a lot of fun with.

Out on the Town

Out on the Town

Wanted to see what I could do with only black watercolors.  The finished result has a timeless, classic feel to it.

Lady of the Forest

Eyes of the Forest

Love the deep color and mystery of this piece.  It was done in watercolor and was happy with the intensity of the color.

Sheer Blue

Sheer Blue

Was after a sheer feel to a fabric and loved the effect of being able to somewhat see through the material.  This was done with watercolor and ink and I had to be careful not to overdo the watercolor washes at the bottom of the skirt.  Liked the light feel to this piece.

Fashion Statement

Hibiscus

I've been challenging myself with portraits   I liked the floppy hat and the idea of only putting color on the flowers.  I call it Hibiscus.

Pencil Sketch "Perrrrfect"

Perrrrfect

I am trying to draw daily, sometimes I do well and others......life just has other ideas!  I usually take some time each morning, when my household is still quite, grab my cup of coffee and get out my pencils.  I am working on people, they are the most intimidating to me, so that is the area I want to practice the most.  This image was done with pencils and a few lines of charcoal.  I had fun with the hair and her pose made me think of a cat, thus the name Perrrrfect.  

Peacock Lady

Peacock Lady Word Art

Always looking for new ways to market my art. Took my original Peacock Lady Pen and Ink, scanned it and created some digital word art.  It is a fun way to add a little something to an existing piece.  I thought this would be good for a mixed media piece or for scrap booking.

Lady in Pink

Lady in Pink

I have always loved the pale pinks of ballet dresses and the look of that with olive green.  She is adjusting the straps of her dress as she disappears behind the theatrical curtain.

Peacock Lady

Peacock Lady

Loved working with Pen and Ink and decided to use two of my favorite colors; blue and green.  Again, I find myself putting blue (and green) hair on my lady.  I started with a pencil sketch and went over the main design with ink.  Much of the background work was freehand.  While this can be tedious it is relaxing and fun to do.  The original is available on my Studio Quest Etsy Site.

Atlantic Alure

Atlantic Alure

Time for the February Gallery Hanging at the Woodland Art League.  I choose Atlantic Alure my first very large mixed media work.  It is a bit of a mix between a travel poster and collage.  I used acrylic paint, pen and ink, stamps, paper ephemera and a wonderful large gallery wrap hardboard canvas my husband made for me. I love these as they are ridgid and will not give as you are applying your paper ephemera.  It measures 40x30 and will probably have to be put up on the top shelf at the gallery due to it's size.  It was  a lot of fun but honestly hard to fill up "all" that space.  Love the overall feel, makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Mermaid Dreams

Mermaid Dreams

Blues and Greens.....I seem to be drawn to these colors.  Perhaps it is my love for the sea and all things near the ocean.  I see these colors pop up time and again in my work and love them together.  My latest collage is made with vintage photo ephemera, acrylic paint, stamps, paper, ink and watercolors.  It is adhered to a stiff canvas board.  The quote reads:  she lived in the deep under the sea where the seahorses swim and the seaweed flows...... Makes me think of my times snorkling in the deep.

I dreamed of a girl.....

I dreamed of a girl

It is quiet this morning so I started to sketch.  Pretty soon the watercolors came out, then the ink and next thing I know paper scraps, stamps and glue.  As I added a bit of this, then a bit of that the woman became a bit clearer in my minds eye.  It isn't everyday I paint a woman with blue hair but I think it works.  I looked through my word cut outs and found "I dreamed of a girl", perfect!  Overall, I am happy with the result.  Hope you like it too.

Contemplation

Contemplation

Found this wonderful brown thick paperbag like paper at Home Depot on a large roll.  I've been looking for a nice brown paper for awhile now and this really fit the bill.  I decided to try my hand at a combination watercolor and pencil piece.  After a few tries, I finally got the combination right.  It turns out you cannot get the paper too wet and do not work it too much.  My lady is called Contemplation because she is simply looking ahead in deep thought.  I really like the simplicity and timelessness of this type of work and look forward to future projects.  I certainly have enough paper to last for a long time.

Woodland Art League January Gallery Hanging

European Cafe

It’s that time again to swap out the gallery hanging at the Woodland Art League.   I have decided on a watercolor and a pencil drawing.  

 

European Café was inspired by my love of finding quaint little cafés where I could sit, enjoy a cappuccino and watch the world through the eyes of a tourist.  I love weaving stories about the people who pass by my table.  The ladies with the baskets were surely headed for the open air market to purchase the evenings veggies. 

Old Friends



Old ladies, arms linked together, heads bent toward each other,  still telling secrets that only the many years of friendship allow and lovers walking slowing, content to simply enjoy each other’s company on their way to a romantic picnic on some grassy knoll.  Wandering about the different paths each of us takes to create the stories of our own individual life.  





Lady of the Forest



 My pencil drawing “The lady of the Forest” was inspired by a favorite book of mine as a young girl.  The girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter describes the woods so beautifully and I have tried to capture some of that beauty through my photography. 







Awakening



Moss Bed

The forest floor is filled with treasures, just waiting to be discovered.    Acorn caps (the hats of baby elves), baby ferns unfolding (the symbol of new life) and the softest moss beds (for fairies that have tired from their flight).   

It is easy to let you imagination run wild in the forest (or for some of us, anytime).  Happy imagining everyone!