A Desert at Sunset

By Leave a Comment

This article is written by Gloria Malouf-Marsh

I started this painting from scratch.  I imagined a desert scene, I introduced working with sand textures, texture paste, warm colors sprang to my mind. The gold/yellows/oranges, different shades of hues, spindly plants that thrive in the desert climate, rock techniques, cactuses and the like. I also worked with dark and light – shadow and brightness.

canvas mixed media textures

I started at first to gesso the canvas. From 2/3 of the canvas up, I applied a paste and sand composition and let dry. This raised the texture and added an atmosphere to the base of the picture, which I would like to call a desert composition.   I had no idea where I was going; I just allowed my creativity to lead me.  I knew there was a road leading me somewhere. This road, I could see far in the distance. So I sketched mountains, rocks, cactuses, and started to build the tones and the painting started to come alive.  The rock face at the bottom and foreground was built up with texture paste composition.  I used a palette knife to apply knife shapes and irregular shapes to create the jagged rocks.   I wanted to maintain the warm shades and not to introduce any cool shades.

The different shades of the sunset were very effective.  I painted the area from the mountains upwards with vermilion red and used graduated shades of yellow/gold/ orange to create the sunset-scape.

As the painting was taking shape, I was transported into an earthy desert and the connection to the earth was of paramount importance to me. It’s also a form of meditation for me.  The warmth of the earth beckoned me deeper to the roots of the soil. I felt very close to the earth and very grounded. The symbolic meaning evoked a sense of humility and a deep sense of  gratitude. This desert time  brings on a change of heart, a transformation and a time to reflect.

The desert represents the hardships and challenges one has to overcome in one’s life. And through this challenge, one comes out so much better for it.

Keep creating! Enjoy!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *  ~

My name is Gloria Malouf-Marsh. I live in Brisbane, Australia, with my husband Greg and my daughter Salwa .  Springtime is glorious in Brisbane. I rise early and go for brisk walks, do my yoga practice and I’m inspired to face the day with inspiration and confidence. I get creative ideas for painting when I’m in nature. I love listening to nature’s sounds and watching and hearing the birds.

I am developing discipline in creating and making time for myself to daily paint. I seem curious to want to further my techniques.  I’m working with the building texture  mediums.  A sense of confidence and enjoyment has developed with me regarding honing my skills and techniques in the art medium, and I do enjoy this website so much.  Hearing peoples’ ideas and seeing their talents, just simply amaze me.  It is a special global family.   If I can create, so can you! Enjoy!

Emails are welcome at Gloria@radiantpathways.com.au

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Painting Tagged With: , ,

Liturgical Representation: A Series of Mixed Media Pieces

By 1 Comment

This article is written by Julie Anna Johnson

I’m a grandma who can’t knit, can’t measure, and can’t draw a straight line with a pencil between two rulers. I heard early and often that I was uncoordinated and untalented in the arts and was kicked out of band in third grade because I was “..’or-e-bley.”

After years of wanting to be an artist I came to understand that we are all called to be artists and found freedom in mixed media work. It is in the genre that I learned rules can be set aside and I can play in glue, paint, glitter, mod podge, clay, chalk, ribbon, stuff from the backyard, and magazines and get as dirty as I want.

Many of my pieces combine my love of art with my love of my perfect parent. The liturgical series is my representation of the liturgical year in the Episcopal tradition.

This series has allowed me to live each church season in a new and child like way after getting my hands dirty with it. It has impacted my preaching and teaching and my ongoing identity as both an artist and a priest.

Materials:

  • 2X2 MDF
  • Acrylic paints
  • Pastels
  • Embellishments
  • Gesso
  • Mod podge
  • Acrylic inks
  • Chalk

Process:

  • MDF was prepared with gesso. On some pieces words were embedded in the gesso.

Using Gesso

  • Once completely dry each piece was painted in one or more colors symbolizing the season.

Designing the piece  Julie Anna Johnson

  • Various embellishments were added symbolizing the season.
Adding embellishments
Finishing touches of color added to each piece with inks, pastels, or chalks.

Design for Christmas season  Design for Epiphany

Design for Lent  Design for Easter

Design for Pentecost Design for Season after Pentecost

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Rev. Julie Anna Johnson attended seminary at The University of the South School of Theology and received her Master of Divinity in May 2008. While in seminary, she also completed course work in pastoral care, community outreach, and leadership development. She also spent two years reading Greek and was selected to attend the Excellence in Preaching Conference. Mother Julie attained her undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Child Development at Humboldt State University in Northern California. She worked with the developmentally disabled for over twenty years before serving in parishes as a youth pastor in California and Indiana. She is currently the rector of a small church in a small town in Tennessee.

Mother Julie is married to Thomas, a conservation worker for the State of Tennessee Parks Department. They have three children and one grandchild and enjoy spending time camping, four wheeling, fishing, and kayaking. Mother Julie spends her free time gardening, reading, creating art, and gourmet cooking.

Her passion for ministry can be summed up in this prayer by St. Teresa of Avila:
“Christ has no body now but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which
Christ’s compassion must look out on the world.
Yours are the feet with which
He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which
He is to bless us now.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Art Techniques Tagged With: , , , ,

Gesso Resistance Background

By 3 Comments

This stunning background was created using the gesso resistance technique, as introduced to me by Michelle Ward, over with her Green Pepper Press Street Team.

Background using gesso resistance technique

Background using gesso resistance technique

Start by gesso’ing a layout. I use a criss-cross pattern, which gives the layout some texture to start with, as the brushstrokes will show up as the piece progresses. Allow to completely dry.

Gesso Layer

Next, splozzle some acrylic paints around. While it’s still a little damp, drag a dry credit card across the surface to remove some of the colour. The gesso allows the paint to be easily removed.

Paint SplozzlingPaint removal

Also spritz some water onto the page and let sit for a minute. Then use paper towl to blot off the water and remove some of the paint. A nice splattering effect is created.

Water Spritz

Now you’ve got a background, ready for your next mixed media art project.

Finished background

Happy creating!

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Painting Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page