I entered a new challenge this month, the Monthly Painters’ Challenge over on Facebook. I was honoured to have been accepted into it in April and I spent most of the month pondering exactly what I was going to do for it.
The challenge was ‘Opposite Colours’, and my initial thought involved a few creatures emerging from a colour wheel and fighting it out. It was a good idea and I could have drawn it, but I felt it was too cartoony and if I did colour it, it would have been in watercolour and my current bunch of art is in acrylics, so I pondered some more.
I then decided I wanted to see if I could use opposite colours in my butterfly painting mosaics (B is for Butterfly and Paper mosaics). The difficulty in this is if you add two opposite colors together, you tend to get mud.
Another challenge – Artist’s Playroom – was doing Darkness and Light that particular week and I made an attempt for that, but failed to create in time. But what I did do was do some butterfly paintings in black and white, and I quite liked how they turned out. The reason why I didn’t make the challange was because the idea I had in my head didn’t work as well as it could have and I didn’t have time to rework it. I’m thinking a specific challenge per week is probably too much for my crazy schedule.
I almost used the black and white mosaic for this challenge, but I wasn’t happy with it and it is still sitting on the side of my art desk quite neglected.
So then I threw together a couple of butterfly paintings specifically for this challenge – yellow and purple in one and orange and gold green in the other (the second one was just because they were new colours to my palette and I liked them, but they aren’t true opposite colours). I figured that if the purple and yellow made mud, it might be salvageable mud. And it mostly was.
By this time it was the last weekend before the challenge and I hadn’t even really started. I didn’t have a cohesive design in my head, but I did have Mother’s Day weekend with Hubby sponsored time to paint, so I made a go of it.
I came up with a concept and went for it. Unfortunately half my Saturday was mangled by a migraine (happy Mother’s Day, ugh), so I lost some of my time. Sunday was a good day and I got some done, but Monday and Tuesday were bust, so on Tuesday I meekly handed up my unfinished work.
But I quite like it and intend to finish it after I complete my daughter’s mermaid painting.
Here are a few in-progress shots and I’ll also celebrate Paint Party Friday with this as well – don’t forget to visit all those fantastic artists over there, and drop in on the Monthly Painter’s Challenge Facebook page to see all those who did finish this challenge.
I’m really happy with the mosaic part of this. The yarn is 100% acrylic yarn and I’m still working on exactly what kind of texture I want to get out of it. I’ve done some test examples where I’ve coated it thoroughly in self-leveling gel and I might do that. In any case, interesting experiments lie ahead. Oh, and I have since ripped off the white wool as it was bleaching out the design.
Best wishes,
Liz
I love how you’ve incorporated the yarn in the piece. Colors are beautiful. Nicely done! Happy PPF!
I love this! The flow and colors are fabulous. I can’t wait to see how you finish it out. Happy PPF!
Helen Campbell recently posted..Movement
It is great to see some of the process.. don’t forget to link up this post on the FB page… others will want to see how you did it as well… the mosaic section was very exciting and I am so happy you are part of the challenge and hope you don’t hate me for next month’s topic…xx
Tracey Fletcher King recently posted..The Mighty Haul…
::grin:: I don’t hate you. I already have an idea. Now to find the time to implement it …:D
I tried to link it up in the album, but it wouldn’t do it (probably because I already had a link to my blog in the thread). I might try to just post it to the wall…I hope that would be okay.
Thank you for your wonderful support and encouragement.
Best wishes,
Liz
(who is enjoying herself)
Liz Powley recently posted..Y is for Yarn and a Yelp for help
As soon as I saw paper strips and yarn I got excited. I love fabric art and this is a very fun piece. HPPF
lynn recently posted..Mixing It Up On Friday: My Neighbor’s Shiny Red Truck and Flowers
Thankyou! This is a new experiment for me and I’m really enjoying it
the paper mosaics have so many possibilities and the yarn has some interesting directions I could take it 
Thanks for dropping by.
Best wishes,
Liz
Liz Powley recently posted..Sunday Sketches from Mother’s Day Weekend
Sorry about the migraine, but you have been doing a nice job there!
Ayala Art recently posted..Face 17 Donna’s sketch
wow…how totally creative,,,this is brilliant and reminds me a bit of tim burton stuff…love…xxx
mandy snow recently posted..Starlight Starbright…PPF
Wow, this is wonderful! Love it.
yvonne recently posted..Hope
Oh my goodness, this is amazing! Absolutely love the fractures look created by the strips of paper.
Love the purple and green color combination, it’s one of my favorites. The mosaic is fabulous. I admire anyone who can work with all those tiny bits of paper. I’d have it scattered high wide and handsome all over the house.
carlarey recently posted..PPF 10.2 – An Underrated Joy of Motherhood
Very creative piece ~ love the colors and texture with the yarn ~thanks, namaste, ^_^
This is amazing!
Wishing you a great PPF!
Sheri Cook
Happy Horse Studio
This is incredible- such texture- such patience with all the mosaic pieces- wonderfully fun swirls-thanks for showing the process! Happy PPF!
Carolyn Dube recently posted..All Together Now
Great mosaic, very well integrated all the elements I like it.
Saludos
I love seeing the process. The mosiac part is really beautiful and creates such motion in this. The yarn adds another texture and dimension. Lovely work. Happy PPF
Wow! That looks fantastic! And a lot of work.
I love the way you have incorporated so many different things together to make a picture, fiber, fabric, paint. . .it is truly beautiful. Blessings, Janet PPF
JKW recently posted..The Little Chef
OMG! I love this! It’s gorgeous! You are a very creative artist. The colors are fabulous also. Thanks for sharing! Happy PPF!
Kristin recently posted..Day 19: Fashion Heel Watercolor
Oh, I love complementary color schemes!
And your painting has so much rhythm and movement!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
Mary C. Nasser recently posted..Friday Favorite: Claire Brewster
This is TOTALLY awesome! Wow. Nicely done. Thank you for sharing with us.
Alexandra recently posted..A little inspiration today
I like the way you have incorporated the mixed media of yarn,paper and acrylics. You’ve given me inspiration to use yarn in a different way other than knitting and crochet and just love the swirling pattern. Just lovely!
Oh, you are one patient (and creative!) woman!! This is lovely… i love the mosaic and the colored yarn! Just beautiful. xoxo
Pauline Leger recently posted..Picasso
Fabulous.. I love mosaics and can really appreciate the wonderful texture on this piece…just beautiful!!! Love the purple and yellow together too…so attracted to it lately!! Can’t wait to see the finished piece!
Hugs Giggles
This is really interesting! Can’t wait to see how it finishes up!
Melisa recently posted..Happy Paint Party Friday!
I really like the mosaic look, it almost looks like shards of a mirror… So shiny. Great colors!
Molly recently posted..Relaxing in the peaceful jungle of linkland
Now this is a true mixed media project! I just love the colors, it’s a eye-popping piece and looks great!
[...] I blogged about the development and work-in-progress of this piece here. [...]