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.    

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 

Books: Collected Art Works of Tamyra Crossley

Daughters of Eve

The Sea Beckons

Wine and Travel

Compiled three different Art softcover books.  12x12 about 20 pages each.

The Sea Beckons; a collection of original art works that have a seafaring theme.
 Daughters of Eve; a celebration of women.
 Wine and Travel; a collection of wine and travel themed art work.

S is for Sailing

S is for Sailing

S is for Sailing Word Art 

  I am always trying to think of new creative ways to sell my artwork.  Sometimes I will make a small painting into Jewelry, at others create digital downloads with word art for scrap booking or mixed media work.  I decided to add a story to the Alphabet letter S that I completed.  It reads:  He went off to sail the high seas in his little sail boat.  He had no idea how long the voyage might take, how rough the seas could become or where he might land his vessel but the lure of the sea called, beckoned to him like a long lost love.  The salt air felt good against his weathered skin as he loaded supplies to last the long voyage.  A compass,  maps, telescope, star charts, rope, fishing reel, tackle, water, food, matches, cooking utensils  blankets, rain coat, clothing, a few books, boat shoes, knife,  flair, repair kit and his pipe were the things he considered essential.  He knew once he set out it could be a                       very long time before he was able to restock supplies.  He had planned this trip for many years, writing and re-writing his list of supplies, mapping out routes to take and preparing his boat.  The day had finally arrived…..

I hope to create one painting for each letter and think they would be really fun in a nursery.

Scrimshaw Carvings





Blue Whale

Have always loved the look of scrimshaw and the history behind it.  I can just envision sailors at sea carving bits and pieces to create beautiful scenes out of bone.  The look of ivory has always appealed to me and I decided to use old ivory colored dominos as my canvas. 



Sea Horse

Whale Scrimshaw

I sketched my design then began to carve over the lines.  I first started with a dremmel tool but had trouble with my lines being too big.  I ended up using the pointy end of small metal files and dug directly into the domino.  I then blacked in the lines with ink.  I covered the back and side with solder and blacked the metal for an old world feel. 



 Some of the chains are simple ball chains (also blackened) and some are hand dyed silk ribbon or chain material with accent beads.  In time I am sure I will get better at controling my files but overall the feel is right and I like the look. The five shown here are at the Woodlands Art Gallery this month but I plan on making more to put in my Trace Fragments Etsy site soon.

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.

Morning Memories

Lemon Curd Toast and Coffee

Mom, my sister Rhema and Me at Irish Beach

Mornings are such a wonderful time.  There is a mist in the air, all is quiet, except for the song from a bird outside the window.  The aroma of fresh ground coffee beckons and my hot buttered toast spread generously with lemon curd, awaits.  I think of my sister Rhema, she was the one to introduce me to the wonderful tart sweetness of lemon curd on our trip to Irish Beach along the California coast this last year.  It was such a sweet time, looking out at the sea, the mist rolling in and having coffee and toast with my mom and sister.  I determined to cement the memory in my mind, like a mental snapshot you don’t want to loose.  Funny what will bring back a memory, maybe it is the mist,  the lemon curd or maybe it’s just me, missing them.

Sea Treasure Time Piece

Sea Turtle Dreams
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

Mermaid Jewel
www.etsy.com/people/tracefragments

Sea Turle Flight
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

Sea Glass Floats
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

Mermaid Mist Soap
www.etsy.com/people/emeraldbaysoap

Was looking for inspiration for my brand new blog site and had to use the colors of the sea, something I am passionate about.  I see not only the colors but seaside themes show up in my work on a regular basis.  I have jewelry, soap and paintings that mirror this same theme.  Maybe it is missing the romps at Santa Cruz as a girl, playing on the beach with my kiddo's or the romantic walks with Brian in Monterey Bay, Constansa, Romaina or Corfu, Greece.  Either way I can think of nothing better than beachcombing.  I have made a few treasures out of some of my finds, hope you enjoy them as much as I do.