Outsider Art

I've always loved outsider art.

I should probably qualify that statement.

Some of it can be pretty dark and disturbing,

and not my cup of tea. 

I'm drawn more towards uplifting, colorful,

positive themes and images. 

What I'm most drawn to is the idea

that this is my own little world. 

If I want a flower taller than a 

high rise, I can have that. 

I guess I'm always drawn to

the freedom of expression that 

outsider art (or art in general) lends. 

Sometimes life can seem so structured

and regimented. 

It's nice to "escape" for a little

while into a land of my own. 

I also finished number 3 of 4 smaller sugar skulls. 

This guy needs some Visine. 

That's sometimes how I feel when

I wake up.

Yikes!

Hope you have a great and productive weekend! 

Terri

"Home Tweet Home" Bird House with Stand

It feels so good to have this one finished. 

I've finally freed up a little more floor

space in my art room. 

It's funny though, solving one problem can 

sometimes create another.

The newly created space in my art room

is now filling up space in our guest room.

Oh well, hopefully we'll get some of

these sold and that'll free up that room.

Dream big, right?

I wanted to take this out in the yard

to get some pictures, but we had

a much needed rain storm last

night and the ground is still wet. 

This'll have to do for now. 

We've made two stand sizes for our

bird houses. This

size is the shorter of the two. 

The flower embellishments on the sides of 

this house are raised wood cut-outs. 

I drew a couple flower patterns on

wood and my husband cut them out

and affixed them to the sides. 

The next two pictures I took from underneath

so you can see that every spot is painted. 

This was an important tip I learned

from a very wise gallery owner and art dealer. 

Don't leave any blank spaces!

Thanks for visiting!

Folk "Heart" Bird House with Stand

This cute little bird house has been sitting

on our guest bed just waiting for me 

to paint a stand for it. 

I've had 2 unfinished bird house stands sitting in my 

art room/studio FOREVER (it seems). 

They're taking up a bit of floor space

and starting to get in my way. 

It's one of those projects that I know

will take some time, so I put it off. 

One day rolls into the next and

well, you know. . . 

Last weekend, I felt the need to check 

it off my list and "get 'er done"!

I set a goal for myself of one day

to accomplish it. 

It was such a good feeling to have 

finished it in the time I allotted myself. 

Today's goal: 

*Paint the 2nd stand. 

The only problem is that today's goal

is in competition with 5 loads

of laundry AND changing the bed linens. 

We'll see, I'm going to push myself. 

I'm all about striking while the iron is hot!

Folk Art Bird House 5

This bird house gave me a little

trouble at first. 

My initial idea for it (which I was

really excited about) bombed when 

I told my husband what I wanted to do. 

He told me how hard he worked

on certain features and I was going to cover

them up with my idea. I could see his point 

(after a long discussion) and I decided 

to move on to a plan B. 

By the way, after this incident, we made

the decision that he'll do his thing when it

comes to building, and I'll do my thing when

it comes to painting. Our team projects have been

harmonious ever since.

Back to plan B. .  . I had to come up with

a new idea, and instead I just sat and sat in

front of this thing, starting at it and 

wondering where to start. 

Ever been there yourself?

After a grueling amount of time passed I 

decided enough was enough. 

I set a timer for 20 minutes and started painting

a base design without thinking about it. 

"Just paint!" I told myself. 

After all was said and done,

I really liked the way it turned out. 

Sorry my pictures aren't the best.

I keep this bird house in my daughters

old room and the lighting isn't the best. 

I think the gist of it comes across though. 

Hope you have a fabulous day!

Happy Creating. 

Terri

Bird Love Drawing

I drew this lady when I was first 

experimenting with colored pencils. 

Obviously I used markers and pens as

well, but her face is colored pencil. 

I'm thinking of remaking it now that I've

learned a little more about blending

and using colored pencils. 

I say remake it, because I don't have 

the actual piece anymore.

Another mistake I mistake I made was using

more of a textured watercolor paper instead

of a smooth Bristol Paper.

There're a lot of elements to the 

design that I do like, and some I'll leave out. 

Just talking about it is stirring up  

motivation to get started.

That said, I can't get sidelined!

I have to finish my current project first.

(More on that later). 

The one thing I don't want is a room full 

of partially finished pieces.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you have a wonderful day. 

Terri

Pink Castle Bird House

I'd love to share some pictures

of our pink castle bird house. 

I say "our" because my husband and I

collaborate on our bird houses. 

He builds, and I paint.

We work well together because

I let him do his thing, and 

he let's me do my thing.

Originally my intention was to have a 

pink stand for the castle. 

When it was time to place it 

on the stand, I happened to have

this brown based stand ready at the

same time. 

The brown based stand ended up being the right fit. 

I made a beaded chain with thin gage wire for the draw bridge. 

Inside on the back wall is a surprise not visible in the pictures.

There's a mini cow skull with a halo of colorful 

cold pressed clay flowers. 

Every surface is decorated so you

can see the folk art design from all angles.

Please excuse the "background noise" in my pictures.

The stand and birdhouse are affixed 

to one another and it's not the easiest piece to move. 

I did use all exterior house paint and

finished it with a marine spar varnish.

It'll be safe in the elements, but for now I keep

it in our spare bedroom until it sells. 

 Thanks for stopping by! 

Terri