Simply Abstract

Shades of the Sea

Here it is, abstract, simply abstract.  I have finally been very happy with just leaving it abstract and not feeling the need to add anything in.  I love the textures and colors.  Having grown up in California and spending as much time as possible on the beach I came to love anything nautical and seaside related.  The colors are calming to me and while I went on in a previous post about not seeing a common thread in my work, I do see that I use these colors quite often.  I had so much fun creating this piece and made a "huge" mess.  I had paint in my hair, on my face, on the ground and even managed somehow to get a nice blue dot on my toe (I was painting outside in my flip flops).   I am not a neat painter to say the very least and desperately need a studio!   My grandson, Zane kept coming over and trying to "help" so he was covered in blue and green too!  The biggest challenge for me was determining when to stop.  I probably re-worked this piece at least 50 times until I was finally happy with the result.  Abstract Acrylic on Canvas.  Measures : 16 x 20.  Original: Etsy/Studio Quest.  Prints: Fine Art America.

I'm Back - Thoughts on a specific artists "look".

For all of you that have been kind enough to check in on me I am finally back.  This past year has been a bit crazy to say the very least.  My garden is now planted, all 25 trees are planted and some of the construction work on our home completed.   For those of you just checking in, we have begun to homestead a piece of property and I do hope to start a separate blog to record the progress.  This however is my "ART" blog,  so I will hush about the homesteading projects.  It isn't that I have neglected my art,  I have somehow managed to create during all the craziness, have been doing demonstrations, judging contests, had exhibits and art talks and taught classes.  I have had the most fun experimenting with some new styles and ideas.  Those who know me well, know that I have had a personal hang-up about creating abstract art.  I could never just leave it alone and had to put something recognizable in each work.  While I also enjoy adding the mixture of elements I wanted to be able to move past my own mental block.  I have finally done it and have created some abstract that has nothing obviously recognizable (although each piece does remind me of something).   I often look at other artists works and usually can see a common thread or "look".  It has bothered me that I can't seem to pin down a specific "look" that I have.  I have decided that I must be a little, yes, just a little, ADD.  I get bored easily and perhaps that is why I bounce around with so many different styles.  My daughter was so sweet and said, Mom, why fight it, celebrate the fact that you have so much diversity.   The reality is, if I try to create only one "look" I will probably get bored and not create as often.   Maybe my "look" will eventually emerge on its own, if so, great.  In the meantime, I will continue to follow my own flights of fancy and just have fun experimenting with different styles.   I am going to try to be more faithful in my postings, no promises, but will give it a good go.  If any of you want to share how you found your own personal style I would love to hear from you.

Playing with Abstract Art

Monet's Garden

I have always loved Monet's Impressionistic Style and the calming effect it has.  While traveling to Napa Valley a couple of years ago, one of the vineyards (Chateau Montelena) had this wonderful pond that reminded me of Monet.  It took me several years to finally paint it but here is it.  It much more "abstract" in feel than some of my other work and I was determined to not get too detailed.  I tried to stick with a variation of greens primarily and used both brushes and pallet knifes to create the work.  Acrylic /  Measures: 16 x 20 on canvas.  Original: Studio Quest / Etsy.  Prints: Fine Art America.

Update Jan. 2015

I realize I have been behind in postings.  We have purchased a piece of property and are in the process of homesteading.  I am planning on doing a blog to keep readers up to date on our progress.  As soon as I have all the pieces together I will include the blog detail information.  I will also include some of my art projects there.  Besides all the construction work I have managed to teach art classes at Sew Fancy, in Livingston, TX on the last Tues. evening of the month, 6:00 pm and now have some of my work in the new art gallery that opened here in Livingston called Across the Tracts.  For the month of January we are planning a European Hotel Watercolor and I am thinking of an abstract acrylic class for February. 

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.