the black walnut studio

So true

2010-05-20T15:50:00.001-05:00

If you have to live with uncertainty, you may as well pursue what you care about deeply.
-Scott Witt

polaroid love

2010-03-03T12:27:00.000-06:00

Meet the newest member of our family. The polaroid sx-70. I have been pining for one of these babies for so long. Patiently I have searched at antique malls, estate sales, even ebay. Finally I was able to snag one online.. and it works perfectly. Now all I need to do is properly modify it and begin my formal addiction to the beautiful, ethereal shots it is so famous for.

Art Journal Pages

2010-02-24T20:38:00.001-06:00

A look at the new art journal I began last month. I used hand torn watercolor pages primed in gesso as the base. This created an uneven border on all edges-which I like very much. I used acrylics, rubons and gel mediums. I also went through several of my vintage books and cut out sentences that spoke to me, really described my place in life right now. I then spread them on the table and over the course of just a few minutes picked out these four sentences to create a poem. I am not sure what technique (if any) this is, but I did a similar excersize with random words in L.K. Ludwig's class at artfest last year.

I also used part of a mailing label from my favorite artist... Misty Mawn. I had the opportunity to purchase one of her paintings and I kept everything she sent... including the address label off the box, knowing that I would use it for something special someday. I love the look on the woman's face. It seemed to express my emotion so well, so I had to incorporate it somehow. The envelope under my picture holds letters that I have written that are very private. There is more to this journal. Some pages are completed, others in stages, but I will update its progress throughout the coming weeks.

self portrait canvas

2010-01-31T11:29:00.000-06:00

A new year. It has inspired me to create in my studio at a rapid pace. I have indulged in many new paints, gels, canvases and papers. Many a day has been spent scouring the local antique stores hoping to score a fantastic find. Painting, encaustics and some interesting art journal pages have unfolded.

I am sharing a canvas that I began in December. I used gel mediums, paint, and wax to create this. I layered paynes gray over gel medium, and the contrasting color is a mixture that I can't quite remember-just an experiment of colors that I liked in contrast. I embedded the feather in wax and covered the entire piece in wax medium. I had fun using some old brushes, scrapers and various tools to mark and create a texture. The text reads "She would overcome her own anguish to realize the depths of her own strength." More art journal pages will follow soon...

Brave

2010-01-05T14:24:00.000-06:00

This is my word for the year, my mantra, if you will. Inspired by the post at Ali's blog I have decided to commit to this word. Many other choices swam in my head. Forgive, honesty, love, and growth were just a few. When I thought of the word brave a sort of calm entered me. I knew it was the right one. To be brave in love, brave in sadness and brave in change. I wish for a sense of courage in all of the future challenges of the year. To model a good approach to life for my young daughters. I found the following quote to sum it up best..

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." Nelson Mandela

Treasures from Portland

2009-10-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I received this beautiful necklace in the mail. It is from my friend, Lulu , a fellow mixed-media artist that I met earlier this year. I first saw Lulu as we both were trying to navigate our way around the grounds at Artfest, lugging our bags of art supplies. We could not find L.K. Ludwig's class, and after a few attempts, finally did. Luckily I was able to sit next to her and I knew immediately that she was a special soul.
Lulu made me feel like I was an artist (at the time I was still very timid) and took a special interest in me. She shared her supplies, her stories, and fresh perspective. I had never met someone so full of light and creativity- so talented and yet so humble.
It was if she was taking me under her wing, sensing my anxiety of my first trip away from my babies-my first trip completely alone. She always found me at mealtime, making a place for me at her table. She invited me to come participate in different outings and art groups in the evenings- all from someone that I had only met hours before.
This type of kindness and inclusion is something that I had not experienced in such a long time. So thank you, my sweet friend, for following your heart and opening your etsy store so that everyone might see what beautiful art you create. The necklace is one that I will always treasure, and be reminded of your talent and story.

Gratitude

2009-10-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

Gratitude unlocks the fullness fo life- Melody Beattie

I recently read this quote and it made me think about all of the important things that I love. I am so blessed to have been given the gift of two healthy, vibrant and sweet little girls. They make my life so full and happy that I feel like I may burst from emotion that I feel for them.
The love I feel for my bestfriend, my husband, with whom I have had the gift of spending exactly twelve years together with this month. His strength and love has always been a cornerstone for me, although he often doesn't realize that. He is tender and kind, loving and patient, and I am a better person for having known him.
These three people are my core, my loves, and if everything else fell away I know that I could survive. That is what I feel when I think of gratitude, and the fullness that comes from realizing what is important.

All that remains...

2009-09-19T19:25:00.000-05:00

of summer, that is. Where did it go? This is most likely the last cutting from one of my favorite rose bushes. Like most things that are beautiful it rarely blooms, but when it does it is wonderful! The scent is laden with musk and sweetness. Makes me wish I could grow these all year long.

SPC

2009-06-10T16:38:00.000-05:00

Trying to keep my head above water, and for various reasons feel it sinking below. Trying to get back in the game with a self portrait.
It's a start....

SPC

2009-05-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

An afternoon spent on the hammock, wearing princess crowns and reading books. My youngest daughter Sophie insisted that we wear the crowns the entire time. I happily obliged. I could think of no other place I would rather be.

Layouts

2009-05-14T21:01:00.000-05:00

Some new layouts I finished up last night. Felt good to get back in the studio and do something creative. I finally got my desk cleaned up a bit, and in the process prioritized some goals for myself. I want to keep the spark I felt from Artfest going, I will keep it going.

SPC

2009-05-13T12:08:00.001-05:00

It's been a while...
Hope to post some new projects in the next few days.

SPC

2009-04-22T09:25:00.001-05:00

I am calling this one "my extroadinary hands". In truth, a more appropriate title is "bad hair day".

More Artfest

2009-04-17T13:19:00.001-05:00

As if you couldn't get enough... here are my class projects!

These three pieces were made using a wax encaustic technique in Judy Wise's class. I also used photo transfer, stamping and a transparency. I really felt like the last one came into place, since the transparency of the top trees was provided by Judy. The bottom picture is one I brought of my view from my bedroom. I then applied the wax and scratched the surface with a wire brush. After this I transferred the words in the warm wax. I then applied two colors of oil paint and mixed with my fingers, and removed the excess. My friend Lulu pointed out how the colors of the paint remind her of the inside of a tree. Serendipity somehow at work!

This piece was made in Misty Mawn's class. I used collage with tissue, old paper and sheet music, ribbon (found in my kit- thanks Misty!). After playing with the background I applied adirondak inks with my fingers, mixing and adding/removing as I went. Then I used a head picture from an art book, and painted over it with acrylics. I used Misty's method of outlining general features, and tried to figure out shading by thinking of my light source. I added titanium white and mixed to create flesh tones. I cut back her hair and neck, modifying different features until it looked right to me. I added more ink, paint while layering and ended by sanding the entire piece to bring up the underlayer.

Overall I was pleased with my completed pieces, but felt that the techniques that I learned were the most important part. I can apply them in so many ways to my art journaling, canvas etc. This was such a fantastic learning experience and fulfilling for the soul- who could ask for more?

Self Portrait Challenge

2009-04-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, it is blurry. Very blurry. But that is really how I feel right now. Funny how out of the twenty pictures I took this one really spoke to me. Life has been working that way for me lately! Go join in at Misty's self portrait challenge.

I will post my class projects from artfest soon... I promise!

Artfest

2009-04-10T12:21:00.000-05:00

I went to Artfest for the first time last week. I have been wanting to go for two years now. I never mustered the courage, partly because of having to leave my two sweet girls, and partly because of having to travel alone without knowing anyone. But this was my year. I did it. And it was fantastic.

Here are the photos of some of my teachers.

My first class with L.K. Ludwig in the "The Poetic Eye".

Judy Wise was all smiles as she taught an encaustic painting class.

Misty Mawn working her magic, in her quiet and inspiring way.

I have to say that I have learned of many of the teachers either through their books or blogs, each one graciously connected and inspiring the others. That is something that I find so interesting in the mixed media arts. They all are so kind and encouraging, both on the internet and in real life. I was able to quietly observe some of them greet eachother and visit. I could really see that their emotion and words were real. It was inspiring....

The first evening we were greeted by the genius behind the Artfest, Tracy and Teesha Moore. They explained how this event would be life transforming, and for me, they were right. It was so comforting being surrounded by people who understood this creative life that we all find so important. Whether it be mixed media, painting, jewelry, clay, metal working or photography- we are all essentially the same. We have this need to get these visions from our mind expressed. To look at the endpiece and feel validated to ourselves. Whether we show others or not, or if other people like or accept it is really irrelevant. Half of the battle is to just listen and trust ourselves.

I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. Lulu was the most creative and kind person I met. So friendly, we actually were able to sit together for two of the three classes. She is definitely one to follow.

I also met, on vendor night, one of the fantastic set of teachers, Marilyn and Tracie Huskamp. I learned that they were flying into Kansas City on the same flight as me. I actually had picked one of their classes as one of my choices and was very fond of their work. So after visiting with Tracie she promised to save a seat on the plane for me. She did. And we talked the entire flight. I really felt such a connection with her, and I can honestly say that it was the best flight I have ever taken. I felt very blessed that I was able to meet her and become her friend. Plus she is within driving distance. Yeah!!!

A picture from the encaustic painting class. The light in this room was fantastic. High ceilings and tall old glass windows were perfection.

This was perhaps the strangest site of all. Deer. Tame deer. Many of them just wandering around the fort (and all of Port Townsend) simply grazing and enjoying themselves. Mind you I am used to deer. I live in the country in the woods flanked by corn fields and cattle. But these deer behaved more like my elderly dogs-calm and sweet. A very unusual and unexpected treat.

And finally my view from the plane. I left on Seattle on a clear, sunny day and my last image of the land was of Mt. Rainier, how fitting.

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And so it begins....

2009-04-08T13:44:00.000-05:00

My first post.

I suppose I'll just begin by introducing myself. I am Tina, a stay at home mom whom lives rurally with her husband and two little girls.

I love to create, and I am branching out into different mediums, exploring and learning. Isn't that what we all do in some way?
I call my blog "The Black Walnut Studio" because I live in the middle of a small forest of trees- mainly oak, hickory and black walnut. This picture is of the view on one of my trails.

So if you love mixed media art, photography, scrapbooking and old vintage treasures stop by and see what I find. Maybe we can inspire eachother.