Word Art

Was in a shop a week or so back and saw these painting black with white lettering that had all kinds of funny quotes, inspirational saying and just fun stuff.  Decided to try my hand at it using my own artwork for the back drop.  This is just a few but I think the final product is fun.  You can find some on my etsy shop: Ivory Coast and some on: Fine Art America.  Of course I do have just the art or photography on Fine Art America too.

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.

Blue Elephant

Blue Elephant

The third in what I hope will be a series of zoo animal prints for kids.  Fun.

Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo

Loved pink as a girl, like lots of other girls and the brighter the better.  One of my favorite zoo animals was the pink flamingo because of its grace and of course, pink feathers.  One of my group of zoo animals, through the eyes of a child.

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.

Two Birds Postcard

Two Birds

Two Birds Postcard

This sweet watercolor was perfect for some mixed media work. Once the postcard is printed on cardstock paper then the edges rounded it is ready to ship.

Texas Wine

Texas Wine

Fairly new to Texas and was thrilled to hear that there are so many local wineries.  Wanted to do a tribute to a few in this watercolor painting.  Still had to give it a bit of a European feel but like the overall effect.  Glasses are always difficult to do and you really have to be careful not to paint the white highlights.  Only used two brushes on this one just to see if I could.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.....

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

I've heard this saying my whole life and have come to see it is very true.  You see this in fashion, landscaping, your choice of a mate, your favorite vacation spots and even art.  Each month I work one weekend day at Woodland Art League and love watching people as they walk through the gallery.  Rarely does anyone pause in the same spot.  What appeals to one may not the next and it all boils down to personal taste and what each of us considers beautiful.  These thoughts led to this fun creation.  Hope it brings a smile.  

Mini Mixed Media Jewelry

She was different

Decided to put some jewelry pieces in Woodlands Art League Gallery this month.  I have added some Scrimshaw (see previous post) and these little mini works of art.  I love using vintage ephemera in my mixed media work and words cut out of novels to convey a message. 

New Beginnings



Meditate and find your inner peace

On some of the pieces I included original drawings or tiny watercolor paintings.  All have paper ephemera, stamping and words that fit the image.  The canvas I used is hard plastic dominos with soldered backs and edges.  Chaining was hand picked to compliment the piece.  Some have hand dyed silk ribbon and others have complimentary beads.


Authurian Fantasy



All the pieces are at Woodland Art League Gallery this month but I plan to create some new pieces and put them on my Trace Fragments Etsy site soon.





The Raven

The Raven

Decided to try my hand at a watercolor with elements of ink.  The Raven started out with an inspirational image in Artists' Cafe Magazine by Stampington and Co. Vol 5.  After sketching the initial Raven I then began to play with color and add elements of my own.  I like the final result and think it would look great with a black mat and frame.  If you have not had the chance to look at all the Stampington Magazines pick up a copy and take a look.  They can be found at Michaels or ordered on-line.  My favorites are: Artists' Cafe, Artful Blogging, Where Women Create and Somerset Life.  They are a constant source of inspiration.

Bird, Egg, Nest, Feather

Bird, Egg, Nest, Feather 

As promised, I finished my 1x1 mini watercolor collage and had so much fun I am sure I will do this again.  The nice thing about creating such small pieces is that you don't have to commit to hours on a piece.  A bit here and a bit there and before you know it you have enough to put it together like a quilt.  My grandmother would be proud, as she made many handmade quilts out of the smallest bits of fabric, wanting nothing to go to waste.   Birds seem to be the theme this week and I have already been working on the next bird watercolor.  Try your hand at these little works, they really free you up to just play. 

Two Birds

Decided to try my hand at a 1" square theme with birds, eggs and nest but got a bit side-tracked.  I did get some of the squares done (future blog) but had fun painting these two birds.  Tried to stick with just a few colors and like the combination.

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!   

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.

Latest activites in Tamyra's Art Room

Wine a bit

Dragonfly flight (Mini)

Macq (Mini)

My poor art room looks like a bit of an explosion has happened as I have been busy painting, creating and experiementing with all my fun art supplies.  There is something about this time of year that makes me want to make  personal gifts for those I love.  My girls and I have been busy creatng ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) to give to family and experiement with new techniques.  I have also had to create three minitures for the Woodlands Art Leaque in Texas that I am a part of, plus a Christmas themed work of art and display two originals in the gallery.  On top of all this ......like that is not enough, I did an art show and have been busy putting new works on my Etsy site (Studio Quest). Here is the link www.etsy.com/people/studioquest for those of you who want to check it out.  My newest endeavor is making some of my work available for digital download so that those other creative minds out there can use a piece of my work to create something of their own and hopefully share with me!  That way I can be a part of what they do.  Fun!