New in the Studio this week

I’ve had the pleasure of being able to spend a few days in the studio this week! As of yesterday I completed five “in progress” batik pieces that I have been working on for the last few weeks and also completed painting 12 stones that will be incorporated into new mixed media art pieces for an upcoming show. Here is an image of one series of stones as they progressed throughout the day:

A different set:

If you are interested in creating some painted rocks, or just playing in the paints I’ll be having open studio play dates next week! The cost is only $10 for a 2-3 hour session and this month all the fees are going to be donated to HDSA. You can read the details in THIS POST.

Here is one of the batik pieces, almost finished:

I tried my first stop-action film while working on the finishing details on this piece but it turned out slightly blurry and a bit too fast. It was a good learning experience none the less. My second attempt was in focus but my camera battery died mid-recording. Now I’m out of works in progress to film! I’ll get it done eventually though, it’s one of those things I’ve wanted to do/learn. There are so many!

Now I’m off for a few more hours in the studio…I wonder what will be created today!

Lynne

Altered Book/Art Journal

As part of my “Creative Every Day” challenge for this year I’ve been working in an old book that was cut down and had a hole punched through the edge so it can be clasp shut with a chain.

Here are a few of the first projects I’ve done in it:

Opening Page

Pen, pencil, colored pencil

Front cover art

I also did a two-page spread of this lovely lady and her funk and funky hair:

Beginning design, ink & colored pencil

Design finished, ready for color!

Color added & complete

I have done a few other things since then but I’ll save them for another post. Have any of you been following the “Creative Every Day” challenge? What have you worked on?

Lynne

Studio Snippets

A while back I took a little time and went around the studio with my camera, just catching bits and pieces of it that make me happy. Today I thought I’d share those with you! (click images to enlarge)

Does your space have “happy spots” that keep you smiling?

Lynne

Tropical Tree

Created in late winter/early spring as I was craving the warm weather and having my toes in the sand!

“Tropical Tree” mixed media (marker, watercolor, ink) on watercolor paper, 12×12″ © Lynne Medsker

Similar in style to “Monochromatic” that was posted last week, this whimsical creation at least let me dream about being somewhere tropical! Here are some images taken during the creative process:

So, does it warm you up too? Lynne

Ceremonial

Okay…back to catching up art from last summer’s solo show of recycled/upcycled art work! The next few posts are all about artwork that was created on 33 1/3 LP’s. One of my very first gallery showings, about ten years ago, was made up of the same thing so this isn’t new for me, just re-visited as it fit the theme.

The first step for all the pieces was to fasten wood pieces to the back so the hangers could be attached and so that they would stand out from the wall a bit when hung, giving them more dimension. It was also essential because some of them were made into clocks and there needed to be space for the mechanisms to fit. 

After that step was finished I began work on the individual pieces. Some had been spray painted and others were not. For today’s piece, Ceremonial, it had been painted  bright red. The time-consuming part of this creation was rolling all the magazine pages! From a distance many people have mistaken them for pencils. 🙂

Once that had been done then I began playing with the layout of the piece. I had cut a piece of scrap foam core and covered it with aluminum to use as a vertical break in the piece so I arranged the magazine rolls to one side of it until I was pleased.

Prior to attaching all the piece I colored the aluminum piece with inks to compliment the background color of the record.  Then it was time to glue the pieces down, add a few embellishments and, ta-da, finished!

“Ceremonial” © Lynne Medsker

More record art to follow soon!

Lynne

 

April 2013 Layers & Lattes!

It’s been a while since the last Layers & Lattes workshop! Those of you that have attended one of these sessions know what a great time they are. A group of creative people with an art project and their own barrista for the evening? How great is that?! This workshop will be held on Friday, April 27th at Artistic Designs Gallery in Brownsburg, Indiana as part of the “Fourth Friday” series of events.

mixed media on wood panel (c) lynne medsker

We will be creating mixed media art on wood panels from 6:00 to 8:30(ish) (please note new time!!) that evening. The cost of the workshop is $30 per person and includes all supplies & your coffee. If  you have any items you’d like to include in your art please feel free to bring them with you! Here are some images of student work (in progress) from previous classes:

student work, Layers & Lattes at Artistic Designs Gallery

student work, Layers & Lattes at Artistic Designs Gallery

student work, Layers & Lattes at Artistic Designs Gallery

student work, Layers & Lattes at Artistic Designs Gallery

student work, Layers & Lattes at Artistic Designs Gallery

student work, Layers & Lattes at Artistic Designs Gallery

As you can see each creation is unique! Come let your muse out to play and see what happens…you know you want to! To register for this evening of fun contact Artistic Designs Gallery via email (Contact@ArtisticDesignsGallery.net) or phone (317-852-0252).

Fractals on the go!

So, I’ve taken a few small trips to nearby destinations the last couple of weeks, enjoying spring break time with my friends and family who have some time off. Although it’s not been “spring” yet, with cold temperatures and some cloudy skies, it is at least a BREAK. I’ve carried my laptop with me on my travels so I could work on some digital projects if the time and and enthusiasm showed up to do so. At least on one occasion it did! I’m still processing, combining and interpreting some of the new fractals that sprung forth but here is a small selection of new pieces to share with you today:

“A cappella” digital/fractal art © 2013, Lynne Medsker

“Adobe” digital/fractal art © 2013, Lynne Medsker

“Awash” digital/fractal art © 2013, Lynne Medsker

“Abiding” digital/fractal art © 2013, Lynne Medsker

I hope that your spring is progressing, however slowly, into a time you enjoy! As I’m going to be gone again for a few days this week I probably won’t be posting again until next.

Later gator,

Lynne

Special Announcement!

I just wanted to share with my blog followers  that my art (plus an interview) was featured in the newest edition of the IEEE Computer Graphics & Applications magazine!

Flourish

Another new piece of art today…or at least MY version of it. If you recall I had posted the line drawing of this image on the blog and Facebook page giving people permission to download it and create their own art. It’s been so much fun seeing and hearing what people wanted to do with it! I’ll post some of the images in the future. It’s still available to download if you get inspired!

Here are some of the progress images of my version of the piece:

Finished detail drawings

Close-up image to show the shading that was added

Entire piece with shading added

After the drawing process I painted the piece with watercolors and added highlights with ink. This shows the details, shine & surface of the finished piece, you really need to see it in person to appreciate it!

detail of “Flourish” © Lynne Medsker

And, finally, here is the completed piece:

“Flourish” mixed media (marker, graphite, watercolor, ink) on watercolor paper, 9×12″ $195 (unframed) © 2013, Lynne Medsker

I continue to lean toward trees, branches and organic shapes as I create, I am really enjoying them!

Lynne

 

Thrive

I guess I was so busy creating this piece I didn’t take time to snap many images of it along the way! That happens sometimes…it’s hard to remember that I have a blog when I’m in art mode. 🙂

“Thrive” work in progress, line drawing with graphite shading added © Lynne Medsker

So, for this piece it’ll be a line drawing followed by the finished piece. Short & sweet! Somewhere along the way there was also pastel, watercolor and ink added to the piece.

“Thrive” mixed media (marker, graphite, pastel, watercolor & ink) on watercolor paper, 9×12″ $195 (unframed) © 2013, Lynne Medsker

I’ve not created many mandala-inspired pieces lately so it’s always fun to go back to it and see what I’m inspired to do. I’ve got a few other ideas using mandala shapes too, we’ll see how they turn out! Hopefully I’ll at least a few more images of them than this!

Lynne