My First Original Art Jewelry-Necklace

Original gelli print monoprint, domed glass cabochon, copper colored metal frame/plate and chain-1 inch circle pendent...

I saw these pendent kits on Etsy, and they included the chain, plate, and cabochon. I looked for a disc the size of the paper punch that I already have, 1 3/8", but couldn't find one, so I ordered the one inch.

I chose some of my favorite photos of original paintings and gelli prints that I have done and printed them on watercolor paper in miniature (thumbnails), picked this one, hand cut it into a one inch circle, added some detail, such as eye highlights and darker hair, and assembled the necklace with diamond glaze adhesive that came with the kit.

This monoprint is of our beloved little Pekingese, Kibbles Marie, who left us in 1997. We have never for one day forgotten  her. The original print still needs touching up with highlights and accents.

I ordered several kits of necklaces and key rings, both round and square (because I have a lot of inchies painted) in different colors. I'm thinking they may become Christmas or "just because" gifts. I've ordered a one inch circle punch so the circles will be smoother and more accurate than this one.

This necklace was the prototype, if you will, and now I get to try it out. The kits are inexpensive, and I know that they aren't waterproof, but I'm wondering if the metal changes color when I start wearing it. Wouldn't want to sell or gift them and the color change the first time it's worn!

Anyway, this was fun, and I will be making more! They could also be used for ornaments, bookmarks, book charms, purse charms, etc...

I am inspired by so many wonderful artists in various media who generously share their art and techniques online, and I thank every one of them so much for the interest and joy they bring into my life every day! I hope to, one day, do the same! :)

New Square Gelli Plate Prints

6" x 6" gelli art plate prints, speedball printmaking paper, Golden open media acrylics,

I just got this plate a few days ago, plus I ordered some new paint colors to experiment with ( cad red lt, pthalo blue red shade, thalo blue green shade, Anthroquidone blue, Quinocrodone burnt orange, Nickel Azo gold,)! I may have left out one or two, and I'm sure I misspelled the names, but I love the plate and the new colors!

Sometimes I get the paint on the plate a little thicker than I should and sometimes it makes unexpected texture! Multiple layers of paint rolled and pulled...

Second pull (ghost print)…

I used a bristle brush to put layers of paint on the plate for this one. It also picked up some leftover paint off the plate.

Second pull, ghost print, off the plate. That beautiful pinkish color in the last two prints is the Quin burnt orange. I LOVE it!

I really like the square format, and suspect that I will be using this plate a lot. :)

This is sooooooo addictive! But it's a good addiction to have!

Bigger Gelli Plate Prints WIP

8" x10" gelli art plate prints on Speedball printmaking paper and vintage music sheets, using stencils, masks, gold iridescent paint, Golden open media acrylics-Not finished-Some are backgrounds, some may be used in collages or journals, and some will be finished paintings

A morning's play...

Multiple layered landscape...

Multiple layers using star and circle masks...

Multiple layers of blue: notice the animal in the middle. It could be a dog sitting with his back to me, looking back over his shoulder, or a horse standing with his back to me, looking back? I plan to bring it out more at some point. The blues don't really look this splotchy in reality. I didn't plan the animal. It just came forth, and that's when I stopped adding layers! :)

The first print I pulled, using a mask photo of the goat we used to have (and that I painted and shared a few posts back in the PYH&S 2018 course); I will fill the goat part in with paint.

Second print using the goat mask while adding more layers of blue and paynes gray; some of the paint seeped under the mask. I like it!

Third print, ghost print, with the goat mask; not sure how I will finish this one, but it won't go to waste! :)

First print using a crow feather and the corner off a paper lace doily with two layers of paint...

Second print, ghost print with feather and lace...

Vintage music sheet with layers of paint and stenciled angel heads and wings; the faces didn't pick up, so they will be added later...

Ghost print on music sheet with stenciled angels...

Paint layers with gesso on music sheet and stenciled iridescent gold angels...

Two layers of paint, picked up paint with a cd before pulling the second print...

Vintage music with one layer paint and stenciled grapes...

Ghost print of paint left on plate with grape stencil...

I think I really like doing the smaller prints better. They are easier to work with, especially in a tight space, such as I have, but these were fun, for a change, and I will make some more eventually. :)

I really want to try doing a collage using torn up gelli prints soon. I have seen some awesome ones online, especially the ones of pets. Currently working up the nerve to tear up my gellies to get started!

My 6" x 6" square gelli art plate came in several days ago, but didn't have a chance to play with it until this week, and only for a short time, but I LOVE it! Stay tuned and keep doing what you love! :)

Field Trip Fall 2018

A few weeks ago, Jim and I rode in the side by side down to the big pond and back. It was a very cloudy day, plus it had been extremely dry for a while, so the colors aren't bright, but I photographed a few of my favorite places anyway.

I am the fourth generation to own this old homeplace and farm. My great grandpa built the house and barn around the 1900s, and raised his family, which included my grandpa. Papa gave mama a house lot down by the main road and we moved there in 1951 when I was two, into a house that my dad built. In 1970, I married, and we lived in a trailer in my parents garden spot until we bought an acre. next to my parents, from my grandpa, and we built our home, a family project, which we have lived in for almost forty-five years now. I inherited the little farm from my parents recently.

Many happy memories playing with my cousins and living within walking distance of my grandparents growing up! This old place is rooted in my soul, and I will always love it!

The old barn

Old barn stable

Big hay field

Daddy's buggy/wagon shed

Dry branch bed (no rain for months)

Dry vegetation in field

Dry vegetation in field

Dry vegetation in field

Rock bed behind old house

Rock bed behind old house

Granny's wash house behind house

Back of barn from field

Road between our house and the old homeplace with the big oak tree

The old Stricklin home place

Portrait of daddy (shop and backhoe) and Papa (shoe shop bus)

Papa's pond

Papa's pond

Papa's tractor shed

Tree Trio down by the pond

Dry weeds higher than the side by side

Tuesday's Gelli Print Therapy

Gelli plate prints, 5"x 7", on Speedball printmaking paper...

An awful print that I added a layer of manganese blue stamped with the bottom of a votive candle  

and got this. Love it!

Monoprint using a crow feather, first pull;

Monoprint with crow feather, ghost print.

I wasn't really in a printing mood today, but played a bit anyway. I do like a couple of them though, and the others may, or may not, be added to or cut up. We'll see! :)

I have ordered the 6"x 6" Gelli plate and some more Golden Open Media acrylic paint from Dick Blick. Looking forward to adding square prints to my stash!

Monday's Gelli Prints

Golden open media acrylics on Speedball printmaking paper, with no details or enhancements yet...

This was supposed to be a Christmas ball in red and metallic gold, but it totally bombed. I tried a ghost print of an angel over it, but that didn't work either. 

The same print after I applied a couple more layers of paint and painted an angel on it. Still not happy with it. It may become part of a collage or something!

Monoprint, one paint layer, first pull...

Ghost print of one above...

Monoprint, one layer paint, first pull...

Ghost print of print above...

Blues, sprayed with a little water, and metallic gold looks kind of like a waterfall to me...

Ghost print of print above, but turned upside down, because it looked more like trees to me...

Second ghost print from one above...

Monoprint, one layer paint, first pull on cardstock; Pekingese 

First ghost pull from above print on printmaking paper...

Second ghost pull from above print...

At some point, I will go back and add marks and enhance most of these prints that are so addictive to make. Some I will keep for prints, and others may become part of collages. I am planning to try making a collage from torn bits of less successful gelli prints, as soon as I figure it out.

Keep learning, experimenting, and create fearlessly!