Thursday, October 23, 2014

From Abstract To Folksy

  Most of the time the art I create runs the gamut, depending on the mood I'm in or what inspires me. I certainly do have my favorites but it's stimulating and refreshing to work with various art styles. How about you?

                                                             Deep in the Birches Abstract

  In last Friday's post I mentioned getting over my fear of black. It wasn't so bad and now I find myself even drawn to working from a black background:) I began this journal page by painting black acrylic paint along with some Golden Paynes Gray and Permanent Violet Dark fluid acrylics. Several flat brushes were used with diluted grey and sand acrylic paints to drip and brush lines. I then scratched into the "trunks" to resemble the marks on a birch tree. You can click on it to get a larger view.  Linking to Art Journal Every Day; Paint Party Friday; and Art Journal Journey (theme is "Deep in the Forest").

 And now for some folksy holiday cards using this week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches:






 
 I got out my lg clear folder of Christmas themed materials and quickly got three cards done. They DO actually look nicer in person-it was difficult to get the right shots on a dark rainy day.
Products used: kraft note cards (Canvas Corp); patterned card stock (Basic Gray); signature Christmas 6 x 6 paper pad (My Minds Eye); adhesive chipboard (K and Company); felt die cuts (Hobby Lobby); vellum sticker -winter botanicals (Chartwell Studio Inc); sentiment banners- digi sheet (Paper Whimsy); Vintage Photo Distress ink (Ranger); red sewing thread.

 I'm also linking this to the Simon Monday Challenge (anything goes) and the Simon Wednesday Challenge (get crafty and use kraft).

 Lastly, here is a photo of branch and flowering shrub/tree:





       The flowers have a sweet fragrance.





                       Does anyone


                              know

                    what


                               this

                                is?



  The scent immediately transports me back to Le Pouliguen, France where my aunt lived and I stayed with often. They were along the path I took from her home to the beach and I have THE most wonderful memories of being there. For the first time I caught this same scent when I was at the beach here in the US recently in Fenwick Island , DE staying with my friend Lynne. She and I were walking from her house to the walkway to get on the beach. It was a windy day. I just had to at least find out where this scent was coming from. So we walked around sticking our noses amongst various flowering shrubs along the way-and I FOUND IT!! I have not been able to find out  what kind of plant this is. I may have to go to a landscaper when I get back there if nobody here can help me. I SO want one of these for my own backyard (if it will thrive there).

  Thanks so much for your kind comments. I'll be visiting as many of you as I can over the next few days. Enjoy the weekend!

                       " There are no wrong turns, only unexpected paths."     Mark Nepo

34 comments:

  1. Beautifully done, Linda! I love the vintage pattern paper and the stitching that you incorporated into your kraft projects! Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Get Crafty” Challenge!

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  2. This abstract is fabulous Linda and such fab and beautiful xmas cards! I don't know what this is sorry ... thank you so much for joining AJJ again with such a wonderful piece. I try out as much as possible -abstract style is the most difficult to me because I don't know when to stop... lol!
    Happy weekend!
    xxx
    Susi

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  3. Beautiful work. Love the black forest! Valerie

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  4. that painting is quite atmospheric isn't it... I do like a limited palette sometimes... so effective.... and I really liked the little the canvas in the last post... you are painting well at the moment aren't you...xx

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  5. Love the journal page and those cards are nice. I guess it is time to think about getting the Christmas cards made.... it will be interesting to find out what the plant is... Curious minds and all of that...nice that it brought back pleasant memories for you.

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  6. Loving the abstract and the folksy cards. No idea about the tree, sorry. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  7. The black wood looks fabulous. Very distinctly birches. Very brave to go completely black and grey though. Well done you.

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  8. Your Birch trees are wonderful and have an air of mystery about them!
    Lovely cards and great to be getting in gear...I heard the dreaded countdown last week = nine weekends til Christmas which may now be eight = ACK!
    Not sure what your mystery plant is...I would be interested when you find out.
    Happy beginning of the weekend dear Linda ♥
    oxo

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  9. I love your birch trees--they are so mysterious. I also love your whimsical holiday creations. They are lovely.

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  10. I love the idea of the black/grey/viiolet forest and it has turned out so well.
    These are really smart Christmas cards and how well organised to be making them now. I especially like the last one.

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  11. I love the trees. I came out so well. And your final quote-that's how life feels lately, no wrong turns but unexpected paths. Together the trees and the quote make me feel calm which is fantastic.

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  12. Lovely tree picture. Black and white colours are my favourite in painting :). Well done with your Christmas cards. Have a lovely and relaxing weekend and big, big hugs to you.

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  13. Your abstract birch is fab, Linda, and the cards will delight the recipients, for sure. Not sure about your bush but it could be some sort of viburnum. I once planted a bush honeysuckle in my backyard because that's what my grandmother had under her window in her front yard. It smelled heavenly but it made one terribly ungainly shrub so I eventually whacked it down. The leaves of the bush honeysuckle look like your bush.

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  14. Wonderful work of abstract art in B & W!

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  15. Love the birch trees and the unique holiday cards.

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  16. That forest at night is really evocative, Linda. Lovely.

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  17. I like the depth in your painting...black and white is also good together.

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  18. I love your trees on black they really exuded the deep in the forest theme! Great cards too! I am curious to know what that bush is.... I have a feeling it's what Faye said...honeysuckle...because I know it smells beautiful! You can't tell because the blooms aren't full yet! Let us know what you figure out!

    Hugs Giggles

    Hugs Giggles

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  19. The holiday cards are so charming and sweet!

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  20. Linda , could it possibly be an Abelia bush? I hope you'll let us know if you find out. Love your birch trees!! Hugs!deb

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  21. Beautiful! I just love that gorgeous red tree! Thanks so much for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches.

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  22. Beautiful painting of the birches! Wonderful depth here! I like your christmas cards, too!

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  23. The birches are wonderful. I love the page. I am usually great with botany, but alas, australian botany. Sorry.

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  24. Beautiful abstract and some LOVELY cards there :)
    I am not aware of what the shrub is called :(

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  25. I believe the trees came out very well! Abstract yet you can recognize it... beautiful balance with the contrast!

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  26. Your birches look great Linda. I too love creating on a black background-:) The cards look very pretty, all ready for the season.
    Susan

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  27. I really love your take on this! I like how you've used traditional elements (trees) in such unique ways. I also adore the stitching you incorporated and how the red tree pops against the more subtle background. You've combined bold beauty with soft backgrounds and the result is stunning! Thank you so much for sharing your skills with us for this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

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  28. Hello Linda
    Please do drop by Hues n Shades...would like to share something with you :)
    Love
    Deepa
    http://deepazworld.blogspot.in/

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  29. Nice composition, I love Deep in the Birches B & W Abstract!

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  30. Your plant looks like an eleagnus ( perhaps the french name...)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!