Living on the Sunshine Coast is such a blessing.

I am so fortunate to get to walk my dog Cooper and enjoy all the beauty surrounding us.

Cliff Gilker in the fall is such an amazing place to spend time. The leaves, the light the trees, the waterfalls are so magical, a fairy land to play in.

Another favourite spot is Davis Bay with the sand, birds, logs and clouds.  If you are lucky you will see some whales or kite surfers gliding along the shore. Never a dull day that is for sure.

Sechelt has a variety of beauty with forest walks and ocean shores. I am never at a loss of where next to explore. The tug boats are entertainment as they carry logs or gravel or other types of materials. Our coast is a spendor with eagles over head and seals bobbing along the in the wavey shore line.

I hope you too are enjoying some beauty on our coast. There is truly some much to give thanks for.

Acrylic Pour Painting

 Acrylic Pour Painting

Last summer and this fall, I have tried a painting technique called "Acrylic Pour" I have to say this is very relaxing and freeing. It is a fun way to play with colour and not be stuck on creating something realistic.

(5 x 7)
 

 

(5 x 7) 

Supplies that you need to do Acrylic pour painting:

• something to painting on like wood, canvas or paper 
• acrylics paint
• silicone or dish soap some people try
• floetrol
• pour medium
• water
• containers or cups to put the painting in 
• plastic under area to protect where you are working
• a tray to catch the paint

I made a video of this process so here is the link.

There are many youtube videos that show the steps as well.

Step one:choose paint colours that complement each other

Step two: put paint in a cup or a few cups depending on how you want to pur the paint on the canvas

Step three: pour paint and tilt the canvas the way you want to 

Step four: you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to help the cells form or use a straw to blow the cells

 

This is a pour painting on acrylic paper.

This feather painting,  I only poured in the middle.

This one I used a feather to make the designs.

I am selling these paintings for $25.00 each except the larger feather one which is $40.00. Message or email me if you are interested.

I have cards that I made with the acrylic pur on paper.

Each card is $5 or a set of 5 for  $20.

 

 You can watch my youtube video 

https://youtu.be/NdGpQ9CHCoM

 

 

 

Water colour on wood

 Creative time with Watercolour painting on wood

Yes you can paint water colour on wood! Who knew! Well not me.

In the fall of last year, I was at Opus and saw a product that was a type of gesso you can put on wood allowing you to then water colour paint. Well that sounded intriguing to me so today I finally tried it out. Lucky for me, I have a carpenter husband who has wood around to cut for me. This made this project much easier. However it is easy to ask at the hardware store for small pieces of off cuts and use these.

Once you have your wood you need to apply a coat of the special gesso on the wood surface and let it dry for 24 to 48 hours. I used a gesso by Daniel Smith called watercolour ground. You can buy it off amazon for $21.72 4 oz size or at Opus. Opus will also deliver. 

Next, I painted with water colours.This is my portable set of watercolours, I like the selection of colours. You can get this at most art stores and opus. I take them with me when I go to the beach.

I was pleasantly surprised by the water colour paint affect on the wood. 

 

You could remove excess water and the paint was able to mix and move with the other colours.

I highly recommend trying this if you enjoy water colour painting and want to try something new.

Landscape is 10 by 4 in.

Landscape is 10 by 5.5 in.

Poppies are 11 by 9 in.

If you are interested in buying one I am selling each one for $25.00.  You can message me or email me.

Making spices and teas from herbs in the garden an easy and fun project.

 

It is a great time to get out and harvest those fresh herbs.

 

I have been harvesting Basil, Oregano and Mint to make some dry spices to use in the fall and winter.

 

First make sure they are completely dry.

 

Second you can either hand crush them or use a grinder.

 

Then voila you can add to your spice jars.

 

Easy peasy and so satisfying. Have fun harvesting and making your own dried spices and /or teas.

Creative commitment

 

I am back from a long long break....

Last year, my husband Dave renovated the studio for me. It was a big project that has changed my life. I feel like I have a serious space dedicated to being creative. It has so much storage, places to work and to display ideas and works in progress. It is also a wonderful space to share with family and friends as we can all create together.

 This is one of my first paintings of the spring cherry blossoms in our yard.

 

I started painting my pets. This one is of Belle one of our cats.

 

 I started painting nature.

Last summer was my first summer of creativity that really got me inspired. I tried Acrylic pour painting and really enjoyed that process.

First Acrylic pour.

This acrylic pour I used some paper under to create textures.

 

This is a photo of having fun teaching and playing with acrylic pour with Dave and Rola. A messy but fun time!

In the summer I had some fun with friends learning how to make Mandala Painted rocks with Renee and Bonnie.

I made a lesson on Youtube to share with students during lockdown with Covid. Take a look and subscribe as this is an new channel.

https://youtu.be/_sgc8N3a8YE8YE

 In the fall of 2019, I started taking water colour classes. This inspired me to delve deeper into painting and water colour in a way I have never done. I have painted in this medium but not really dedicated time to learn more skills and techniques. Well I simply loved it! 

 I started taking more photos while on walks to get more inspiration of landscapes to paint.

My world of nature and photography and painting were colliding. I am still loving this. In fact I take at least one photo a day that potentially will be inspiration for painting or creating.

In the winter, I took another watercolour class that incorporated ink and well that really was a blast. I was learning more skills and stretching my creative muscles.

Water colour still life.

Water colour and ink.

When Covid hit the world, I decided to join an art challenge to do something creative everyday. For two weeks, I did this while on my spring break. This challenge was through Art tutor. 

 

This was a great activity that led me to join Art tutor for continuing lessons in acrylic and watercolour painting.

 

This is from a lesson with Will Kemp online. I really love this as I learned more about value.

Today, I can say that I am still learning and playing with art as much as I can. This summer, I have dedicated myself to more lessons and time to do my own work.

I have worked on a flower series. This one is acrylic and ink. Small 5 x 7.

I have a still life series. This one is also 5 x 7. Finding small canvas as a great way to play and learn.

 

And nature series, this is a small canvas 8 x12. 

 Just this week, I just got a new book called Daily Painting and this has inspired me to start back at my blog and even to the concept of selling my creative pieces. I say creative pieces because I have a problem. I love to try many different creative mediums and don't want to limit myself to necessarily one. I even tried screen printing this summer.

So my new goal that I will endeavour to take on is to share some of my creative adventurez. If I sell some pieces that can only help me pay for my joy of creating, and yes more supplies to do so.

I have started a Youtube channel as well that I was using to share art ideas with students. I hope to work on this as well.

So hopefully through my sharing you will share your creative adventurez too as I truly believe we all are creative in some way whether through cooking, gardening, music, art, crafts, writing, story telling, photography, and much more. There really is no limit to ways one can be creative in life.

Thanks Laurie