My Legacy Journal |
Tamyra Crossley Art
Creating a Simple Art Filled Life
Thursday, May 5, 2016
My Legacy Journal
Labels:
book,
diary,
family,
genealogy,
grandparents,
heirloom,
history,
interactive,
journal,
legacy,
record,
writing
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Interactive Journal for Travelers
Just completed my latest Journal. This particular one is designed specifically with travelers in mind. The pages are filled with prompts, photos, quotes and plenty of room to record some of your travel stories and memories. It is available on both Amazon and Ebay. The perfect gift for anyone with a bit of wanderlust.
Labels:
abroad,
airplane,
book,
diary,
europe,
gift,
interactive,
international,
journal,
notebook,
pages,
photos,
quotes,
tamyra crossley,
travel,
traveler,
wanderlust,
writing
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Interactive Journal for the Young at Heart
After many hours of work my first book is published! I was inspired to create this interactive journal for my sister Rhema, who just recently retired. I wanted to give her a gift that would keep giving! Each page has a prompt, quote or activity (to keep the mind active) and is loaded with illustrated quotes. One of the things I love most about this journal is the legacy left for future generations. It is designed to help you see what it is that matters most to you and what you would still like to accomplish in life, but there are also pages that take you back in time to reflect on some special moments. At 150 pgs. most people will take about 4-5 months to work their way through the pages. I am hoping by then, to have a second edition available.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Mixing Pencil Sketch with Canvas; Face Study
Face Study |
As an artist, I think it is important to try new techniques and ideas. I made a large canvas and painted it with a tan acrylic paint. It hung on my wall for weeks as I tried to decided what to paint. I love sketching and pencil work and even like the illustrations on how to draw a face, etc. I actually like the lines left in and think it adds an interesting element to the sketch. I got out my pencil the other day, after about my third cup of coffee and started sketching. I wanted to convey raw art and really liked the tones and simplicity of the piece. Once I finished my sketch I sprayed it with an acrylic matt finish to protect the pencil lines and prevent smudging. Two of my daughters pointed out to me that the painting looked like an older version of my grand daughter. I will let you be the judge.
My sweet grand daughter |
Monday, August 24, 2015
Mermaids and Sirens
Siren's Call |
Since I was a child I have always been fascinated by mermaids. I loved when the National Geographic special came out titled "Mermaids the body found" and was glued to the TV. I have to admit, I bought it, hook, line and sinker :) and was really disappointed to learn it was not based on real evidence. Whether they really exist or not, it is a wonderful myth and mysteries always intrigue us. For centuries there have been stories and legends and since we know so little of our seas and what creatures really exist, it is easy to believe (especially for those of us that have over active imaginations). I started this canvas as an abstract work and left a layer to dry. I was teaching a Zentangle class at the time and decided it would be interesting to combine a woman's face with Zentangle inspired hair using colors you see in the sea. I left her skin pale because I imagined that she has spent her life under the water. What I love about this work is the mixture of techniques and styles.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Making my own canvas and abstract art.
Inferno |
Lost at Sea |
Found a nice round bolt of white thick fabric at a thrift store. Love when I get a deal on things I need. I bought 2 x 3 x 6 furring strips and made a simple framework. I then used a stapler to stretch the fabric and staple it to the frame. I put a coat of gesso on let it dry then began my paintings. The beauty of making your own canvas is that you can make larger frames at an affordable price. I have to admit that they are not stretched as tight as the store bought frames and hopefully with practice and time I can learn to make them tighter. As an artist it is important to keep track of trends and what sells. There is some debate on whether or not you should do this and personally I like creating what I like regardless of whether or not anyone else likes it. But..... while that is what I like to do, I have to sell art to fund my creative passions. I read somewhere that people like red and art with red tends to sell more than some other colors. I took a close look at what I generally create, the predominate colors are blues and greens. I know that stems from my love of the sea. I have had a lot of fun creating some of the abstract works and decided to try reds, oranges, yellows in the work titled "Inferno". The finished product reminded me of a lava flow and the name just popped into my head. To give my eyes a rest, the next painting I used my familiar blues and greens and the finished result looked like turbulent seas, thus the title: "Lost at Sea". Both of these works are larger than I usually paint and measure: 18 x 31. They are currently hanging at: Across the Tracks, artist market in Livingston, TX
Monday, August 10, 2015
Pointillism - Deer , Fox and Homesteading Update
Buck |
Fox Trot |
No excuses! I know it has been a little while since my last post. In the meantime, many of you know we have been working on our tiny house. We now have an ac that actually works (we have been having 100 degree days) and a cute little stained glass window in one of the sleeping lofts.
Front of the Tiny House |
Experimental Garden |
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