Frida Kahlo Mixed Media Canvas

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope this post finds you all well.  Today I'm extremely proud to share my latest canvas with you.  This canvas is 20x24x1.5" and took me several days to complete.\

When I started on this canvas, I had no destination in mind.  I just wanted to enjoy the creative journey.  I focused on color and pattern to ensure that the background would be rich in depth.

I drew inspiration from a sugar skull that I'm creating.  It has beautiful zentangle flowers so I added them here in various sizes.  I used metallic paints to add to the bohemian feel of the canvas.

I chose to use a photo of Selma Hayak in her role as Frida.  I loved the intense look she has in the photo.  I usually sketch my image but the dark background really didn't allow me to do so.  Instead I painted an outline with paint.  Since this not my usual technique, I was frustrated and unsure of myself.  But I believe that in order to improve at your craft, you have to venture out of your comfort zone.  So with that in mind I resisted the urge to paint over her and do something easier for me.

I was worried about the hands and relaying the intense look she has.  Slowly I continued to add layers and make adjustments until she sprang to life.

I'm so happy that I resisted the urge to give up because I am so proud of how she turned out.

I love the detailed background too.

Now I just need take some better pics and find a suitable title.  What do you think?  What should it's title be?

Let me know your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you.  Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing a piece of your day with me!

UPDATE:  Prints are now available in my Etsy shop: LittleHoneyBeeStudio

 

Also available in a beautiful handbag

Adios!

El Mariachi - Dia De Los Muertos Mixed Media Canvas

Hi friends!  I hope this finds you all well.  Today I have a new canvas to share with you.  I'm very excited about this piece because it's a first for me. Recently I was asked to do a custom piece featuring men and you all know I've only painted women right.  This piece is very important to me because it's for a family member so I wanted to get some practice in before starting their canvas.  I set out searching for images of men that inspired me and I found some great Dia De Los Muertos and mariachi photos to help me get started.  So here is my very first canvas featuring a man:

Meet "El Mariachi", this is a 30x24" canvas and it is for sale so if you're interest message me on FB or shoot me an email (artist.normagomez@yahoo.com).

I started out by stretching my sketching muscles in my art journal.

Then I moved onto building the background.  I used all types of acrylic paints and Crafter's Workshop stencils with Dylusions spray inks to create layers.

Once I was happy with the background I transferred my sketch to the canvas.  I used a projector for this part but I think I would have better off just sketching it again.  It was kinda hard to see my projected image and I ended up having to make lots of corrections to my sketch.  So I think it might have just been easier to sketch it on.

With the sketch down, I slowly began painting my mariachi.

Here's a side by side progression of my mariachi.  It's fun see the photos next to each other.  You can really see what it took to get to the finished piece.

Can I tell, I love the way he turned out!  I think he's very handsome and mysterious all at the same time.

Here's a closer look at the detail on his sombrero.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this guys so don't shy.  Good or bad, either way I wanna know what you think so please share.

If you're interested in a print, I'll be adding them to Etsy very soon so keep an eye out for that.

Thank you for stopping by and have a beautiful day, Viva El Mariachi!!

Prints now available on Etsy!

Dia De Los Muertos Sacred Heart Shrine

Hey there, I hope you are having a fantastic day!  I wanted to share one of the nichos I recently created.  Nichos are small shadow boxes usually made of wood or tin.  They originated as a take on the Roman Catholic retablo tradition of painting saints.   So nichos are little shrines or mixed media assemblage pieces.  I really love working on these little guys and sometimes create my own out of cardboard and found objects.

So back in November during el Dia De Los Muetos, my husband and I did a little shopping in between all the festivals/celebrations downtown and I found these awesome tin nichos.

These are authentic tin shrines from Mexico.  I knew right away that they were PERFECT for my art.

I bought them all and then they sat in stash til recently.  I finally got around to working on them and I'm loving these little treasures.

The outside is painted and then I drew the flowers.  Next I added bling and the inside features a copy of my original canvas entitled Bendita Mujer.

I've created two more that I'll be sharing soon.  Thanks so much for stopping by, letting me know if you have any questions about my process or the products I used.

Take Care!!

Courage & Strength: Dia De Los Muertos Mask

Hey, hey, hey!  I hope you guys are having a fantastic weekend.  I thought I'd share another mask with you guys tonight.

This one gets it's name from the sentiments on it.

I think this one might be my favorite so far.  I'm loving the sentiments and bold color combo.

I took a couple of short cuts on this one.  I used rubons for both of the sentiments but everything else is hand drawn and painted.

If you're interested in this mask, it can be purchased HERE.

All of the masks are listed in my Etsy shop, LittleHoneyBeeStudio.

Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Bendita Mujer, Blessed Woman

Hello, hello!  I'm excited to share my latest canvas with you.  The title of this piece is "Bendita Mujer" which means blessed woman.  The inspiration for the title and sentiment was the cross on her forehead.  So let me rewind things a bit to tell you the story of how she sprang to life.

I created this background in between projects to use up left over paints.  Love the pink against the blue!  So anyway, I had no plan for it.  I was just playing around and it sat to the side waiting for inspiration.

Then during the Peddler's Show, I sketched her out in one of my journals.  I love the way she turned out and knew she NEEDED to go on a canvas, lol.

I thought this background would be perfect so I sketched her out and started painting.

I changed a few things from my original sketch like her mouth.  I wanted her to be happy since she'd lived such a wonderful life.

The words are my own.  I thought of how a women was the heart and soul of her family.  I think my mother might have subconsciously been the inspiration for this piece.  It reads:

"Bendita Mujer, Luz de la famila.

Querida Mujer,

Bendita sea su presencia par siempre.

Querida Mujer"

Translation: Blessed women, light of the family.  Beloved Women.  Blessed be your presence forever, beloved women.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you've enjoyed my "Blessed Woman".

Have a beautiful, blessed day!!

Sugar Skull Mask: Orange & Green

Hey everyone, I'm back to share another Dia De Los Muertos mask with you!  This is the second one I've completed this season.

I usually start out with the eyes.  The whole design depends on the color I use on them.  Here the main color is green with accents of orange and teal.  I also mixed in a tad bit of red.

I really like the mandal/zentagle/doodled flowers so that's what I went for on this mask.  These types of flowers are so relaxing to create.  It's just a matter of adding layer upon layers of lines.  You should give it a try the next time you're sitting around waiting for your kiddos or at an appointment.

And of course I HAVE to add my flourishes, lol.  I love the fluid motion of creating them :D.

This mask can be worn or hung as decor.  If you're interested in purchasing this mask, you can find it in my Etsy shop here: LittleHoneyBeeStudio.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Have a BEAUTIFUL day, hugs!!!!