Christmas Eagle

My grandmother loves eagles.... So the painting choice seemed obvious as a Christmas gift. (I could have finger painted it and she still would have loved it ). I'm pleased with how it turned out, and it only took about 2 hours. The feathers are my favorite part, especially where the blue shows through.

Teaching

Here's a fun photo from one of my events.

Couples Painting

Here is an idea of a couples painting that I am playing with. It is of the Harrisburg Bridge  in the fall. Black and white paintings seem to be a big hit, specially if there are limited colors in it as well.

Opa's 80th Birthday decorations

I got to use my "creative" eye in a different way this past weekend! Here are the center pieces I helped create for an 80th birthday party in my parents' barn. It's amazing what you can do with some burlap and a hot glue gun! I was also able to use my fancy Ti5 camera and take some beautiful photos of my parents' barn and the party.

Winter Paintings

Here are two new paintings I've created for Paint Nite! I'm excited about these ones even though they might look a little more difficult than previous ones I have made. 

Bedroom Mural

Here is a sneak peak of my bedroom mural so far. You can see what it will eventually turn into. About 8 hours in, so excited!

Poppy Mural Update

Bedroom mural update! I still need more flowers, flower centers, stems and grass. I'm beyond pleased so far and I'm excited to complete this project! 12 hrs so far! 

Go Fund Me

Here is something I am trying out! A new way to find freelance work and put more to my student loans! Check it out! You can always message me if you have any projects you want me to do. This could be a complete disaster but I'm always trying different ways to get my work out there!  http://www.gofundme.com/dimx3g

Mini Paintings!

While I am teaching, I'm allowed to set out a"tip" can. It is always awkward asking for money, especially when the tickets are already bought and customers have a food/drink bill. One way I have been successful at bringing attention to the tip can is by making mini paintings! I announce at the end that tips are welcome, and if they happen to tip more than $10, they can take a mini painting. 

Last night was my 50th event! I did not even announce that, and with only 15 people sign up I was completely shocked  when I counted well over $100 in my tip can. Only one person took a mini painting , yet my can had multiple 20 bills and 10 bills. I felt accomplished and proud that I gave everyone a great paint experience and I was more proud of how everyone's paintings turned out! 

Paint Nite Group Photo

When I'm teaching a Paint Nite event I try to get unique and fun photos. Here are some of my favorite group photos. It is difficult sometimes to encourage everyone to get together but this photo was a success! Only 10 people were missing but we still had a great evening! 

Paint Nite arm Painting

Silly photos from an event the other night. I thought it would be fun to paint the painting on myself! The customers seemed to enjoy it and it was certainly a good conversation starter.

Tattoo?

Sometimes I think I have to much fun at my job!

Paint Nite Super Power!

Never would have thought I would be teaching people who have never held a paint brush to paint like this after 2 hours! This has to be the best super power!! It is so amazing how different all of these came out when given the same instructions.

Paint Nite Paintings

Here are some more paintings I have created for "Paint Nite" and I'm hoping to teach them within the next few months! I'm very excited for these (maybe not the cat as much), but I am getting a better feel for what customers/beginner painters like to paint! 

Messy Painter

My nephew, Toben, paints like me! He ends up covered in paint and is proud of it!

Paint NIte Paintings

Here are two painting that I have created for Paint Nite. I will be teaching both of these in upcoming events and I am so excited! I feel like Bob Ross except my viewers are live and I can drink/eat while I'm at work!

Matching Apples

Now my Apples match! I ordered these from http://society6.com/sammyweyant. Check it out and support one of your favorite artist!

Stars

Here is an interesting photo I was working on for my sister. With some editing I was able to make her original photos of these galaxies more clear and bright. Though I am not a photographer or a photo-editor, I thought this was just a neat thing to work on.

Proud Teaching Moment

I saw the rewarding side to teaching tonight as an older woman (mid-60s) hugged me at the end of the class. After 2 hours of being frustrated with herself and doubtful, I held the canvas 10 feet away from her, and I will never forget her reaction when she looked at it the first time with "fresh" eyes. She was so proud and happy with her painting that she grabbed her face and started crying. She kept saying "Did I really do that?" And "I've never done anything like this." It was such a priceless moment and I am proud to have been a part of it. Unfortunately I do not have a photo of her painting but here is my painting that was taught. Hers was not far off, maybe even better!!

Day 3 of portraits

Here is the progress on 2 paintings of my sister-in-laws great grandparents. I'm on about my 4th hour of painting. It's been a few years since I have used oil paints so I only paint a little at a time so I don't get sick from the smell. 

Leif faces 15-18 months

Here are some photos from Leif over the summer. Probably about 15-18 months old in these. His facial expressions are so great! Not sure if I like the greyscale or the colored one better.

Arrow Head

Here are two more drawings. One had a theme of different arrows. the other was just experimenting with the pen and nibs.

Preparing a Canvas with Gesso

How to prepare an acrylic painting canvas

What You Need:

• Gesso
• Wide brush (At least an inch, wider if you have a large canvas)
• Sandpaper that is 240 grit  (if you want to sand the layers in between each other for a smooth painting)

1. Buy a tub of premixed white gesso and give it a stir. You don't want lumps on your painting. It  really comes down to personal preference. I work from a tube to put it directly on the canvas, I also don't usually paint larger than 16x20. If I am painting a large number of paintings or a very large painting, I buy a tub to save on coasts and I can control the amount of gesso on my brush for each stroke.
2. The first coat should be diluted with a touch of water. It will soak into the fabric and help to prevent cracking. This is a very thin layer.
3. Allow to dry, then apply a second coat. This layer does not need to have water added to it. If you want a more absorbent surface, add another layer.
4. Apply a final coat using the pure, undiluted gesso.

 TIPS:

1. Using a 3 inch decorators brush, apply the gesso directly to the stretched canvas in even strokes. Work from the top to the bottom of the canvas, in parallel strokes from one edge to the other.
2. When applying the gesso turn the canvas 90 degrees between coats to insure an even coverage.
3. Sand between layers to get rid of any brush stokes if you desire and smooth surface
4. Wash your brush out immediately in running water then use a brush cleaner to thoroughly remove the gesso out. It’s worth cleaning it twice even if you think it’s clean.

Why Gesso?

1. My main reason for gesso on a canvas is to save costs on oil or acrylic painting. The first layer of paint will soak a significant amount more into the fabric than onto a layer of paint.
2. Helps stiffen canvas for a more firm surface to work on.
3. If working with oil paint, it will prevent the oil from soaking through and ruining/staining anything it touches behind the painting.