A Painting For Michael

This is Sidney, our Australian Shepherd. I know every dog owner thinks that their dog is the best, the smartest, the most wonderful dog that every lived, but Sidney really was. We lost him a few years ago and we all still miss him terribly. But no one more than his best friend, my son Michael. So I decided that the first portrait I painted would be of Sidney. When Michael opened his gift on Christmas day we all smiled and Rebecca and I cried just a little.

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

A Painting For Rebecca

This is a painting I did for my daughter Rebecca for Christmas. Rebecca, in her teens, was an avid horsewoman. She has a real gift. It's been her dream to return to riding some day. I thought this painting might help her keep focused on that dream!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

"Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget."

With this thought, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, all the Happiest Holidays and all the luck the New Year could possibly bring to you.

May peace, love and prosperity follow you always

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year.

Hugs,

Kathy

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Ornaments On The Studio Table

This ornament has great potential. I was looking for something more dramatic than glitter when I found crystal vase fill for floral arrangements. I was amazed that it stuck to the gallery glass...but it did! It's been a week now and, once the loose ones were knocked off, the "crystal" has hardened beautifully.

I'm not sure what I'll do next, whether a photo or painting inside or a painting on the window. Any ideas?

The second ornament made it to the tree. Sarah and I worked on it together. She wanted to paint it like a wrapped present. I swirled paint inside the ornament first. On the outside I painted a ribbon shape with gold paint. That didn't stand out so we used FA Gems paint to edge the ribbon. Still not dramatic enough. I found some Liquid Beadz and tried those. Success!

Today I'm off to work for a while and then I need to find a frame for a painting that I finished yesterday. I'll share it with you after the recipient finds it under the tree on Christmas morning!

I'll check in with you tomorrow with my Christmas Card for you all!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Oh Christmas Tree!

Every year, after the tree is trimmed and the lights are turned on for the first time, we all insist that surely this is the prettiest tree we've EVER had! It happens without fail. It's that eternal optimism that warms my heart!

This year is no exception. The tree glows with tiny white lights, newer shiny ornaments and old handmade ones. Two of my favorites were made by my children Michael (now 28) and Rebecca (now 25) when they were in grade school.

Michael's is a wooden tree laced with glitter and sporting his school picture, while Rebecca's is an angel crafted from an oyster shell.

Tomorrow I'll have a few more in the series of glass ornaments. I took the glitter idea to a new level...I need your opinion!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Ya Better Watch Out!

"He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake!"

This jolly fellow stands in the corner opposite our Christmas tree. I painted him about 6 years ago and am embarrassed to say that I still have not finished him! There are some unfinished details on the right side . . . tactfully tucked behind the silk tree. . . that haunt me! Every year I tell myself that he won't take his postion again until he's complete, and then, well you know the rest! He is designed by Ronnie Bringle. We painted him in a class and Tami, my teacher at the time, had the wood cutter enlarge the pattern to make him about 4 feet tall.

Santa quietly watches everyone from this spot. My granddaughter Sarah loves to go stand next to him and compare her height to that of the little girl. It wasn't that long ago that they were the same size!

Christmas traditions evolve...they can't be forced. Many years ago, when my children were small, I asked them to tell me what our tradition were. Their list wasn't the same as mine. That's when I realized that traditions are very personal and that it's up to each of us to keep our traditions alive.

Tomorrow I'll have pictures of our tree and some of my favorite ornaments made by my children when they were in grade school!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

This Year's Special Ornament

First, I have to apologize for the quality of the second photo. I took this with my cell phone and you can see the glare from the store window. I had good intentions of photographing it at home before I sent the two ornaments to my mom and sister....but you know what they say about good intentions! They were packed and in the mail when I realized that I had skipped that step!

I have to thank my sister, Patty, for helping me pull this one off. I couldn't find my copy of this picture of the three of us. Patty mailed me hers after delicately removing it from its frame. I scanned it into the computer and repaired a few creases and cracks.

The ornament itself is a larger 4 inch ornament. I really enjoyed working with it and hope to do more.

If you're interested in having me make you a Memories Under Glass Ornament please e-mail me. They make wonderful gifts for just about any occassion. I have a couple of options for displaying your ornament as well. After the first of the year I'll be formally introducing this new product, but I wanted to share it with you first!

Tomorrow I'll show you our tree and some of the handmade ornaments!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Another Family Treasure

This little tray is 10 years old. It's seen a lot of Christmas Cookies and its fair share of egg nog! I think this is a Jo Sonja design, but I can't be entirely sure. My apologies if I'm crediting the wrong artist!

Well, it's the home stretch now! Eddie and I, believe it or not, decorated the tree at 6:30 this morning! Now we're off for some last minute shopping and then I'll be working the rest of the day.

I'm looking forward to Cookie Day on Sunday. I'll tell you all about it later!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Family Holiday Treasures

This little fellow is one of the first pieces I ever painted . . . twenty years ago! My children enjoyed candy canes he holds and now our grandchildren find joy in the same treats. When he makes his appearance every year it signals the beginning of holiday fun!

Over the next few posts I'll share more of our family holiday traditions and treasures.

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

School Spirit Ornaments

Here in South Carolina when it comes to college football if you're not a University of South Carolina Fighting Gamecock, then you must be a Clemson Tiger! At least that's what I was told when I moved here 30 years ago. College football, and the inevitable rivalries, is HUGE here!!

I made these ornaments to display on a tree in our cellular phone store. They were such a big hit and people wanted to buy them so I let them!

Which is more popular? So far it's a tie!

They sell for $15 each or two for $25. They come boxed and ready to wrap.

For more information or to order yours contact Kathy:

kathysweeney@gmail.com

Ready for Hanging!

Almost done now . . . Here's a shot of the transparency after I painted it, and before I cut it to insert in the ornaments.

This time I cut the circles free hand leaving a tab where the neck of the ornament will be. I'd seen that tip on Carol Duvall and forgot about it until my painting buddy Lena mentioned it on one of our painting yahoo groups. It works great and is very forgiving if you've cut the circle a little too small!

Here is the finished ornament...a grove of trees following a winter snow . . . the nice fluffy kind. "Christmas Snow" as my sister Patty calls it. Please excuse the glare . . . I need to get better at photographing glass!

Patty called the other night from Vermont to tell me that she was looking out at the first "Christmas Snow" of the season. And here I was cranking up the AC with 80 degree weather!

I get soooo homesick this time of year!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Ornament: Step Two

It was a busy day with oil class and work. The eighty degree unseasonably warm temps make it hard to believe that Christmas is two weeks away! Here I am in a Polo shirt feeling more like early Summer!

I finished stage two of these ribbon window ornaments today. Notice that I left the loops of the Gallery Glass ribbon clear for a different look and feel. Tomorrow I'll paint the transparency with a winter scene and insert it. Stay tuned!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Ornaments In Progress

These little ornaments are heading to my Mom in Massachusetts and from there on to some of her friends for Christmas. These particular ones have the flat space on the front meant for a photo. I've outlined the edges of this flat section with gold Gallery Glass and added a bow shape at the top. In the center of the bow knot I place a half "pearl".

Tomorrow I'll glitter them and then after that I'll insert a transparency circle with a snowy winter scene. Stay tuned for step 2!


Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Playing Dress Up!

I finished Sarah Mae's painting on Tuesday. Here she is playing dress up with those over sized long gloves and that straw hat that I painted. The photo isn't the best quality partly because the paint is still wet and I picked up some glare.

If you look back at the In Progress version earlier in the Blog you'll see a change that Joyce had me make to the bottom of her dress. I had it fairly straight across the bottom because that's what I saw in the photo. Joyce had me visualize her as a cylinder and encouraged me to round off the edges of her dress so that she wouldn't look so flat. Neat, huh?!.

This class is the best thing I've done for ME in a long time! Do something special for just YOU today!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

A Bit of Whimsy!

I'm a Crafter at heart....and proud of it! My new adventure in oil painting hasn't changed that. I love to make stuff....I look at everything before I toss it and ask myself that burning question, "What could I do with THIS?"! Have you been there?

This little piece of whimsy pays homage to a broken plate. I just couldn't throw it away! So now it sits in my studio enjoying new life in this teapot mosaic.


Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

In Praise of the Scruffy Brush!

This piece is an oldie but goodie, and remains one of my favorites because it was so simple!

Sometimes, although we want to redo a piece of furniture that's seen better days, we get overwhelmed at the "where do I begin" phase. My solution here was to begin with a plan and a very large Scruffy Brush. That's it!

I removed the hardware and set it aside. It was pounced with FA Sunflower and White, as was the trim. The base was pounced with FA Bayberry and White; the top with FA Night Sky and white. The hardest part was the occasional cramping in my wrist!

I did clean the piece in advance, and, if I had it do do over again I might give it a quick coat of spray Kilz. But, the after piece was finished and varnished no one knew it wasn't primed....and, when all is said and done, it has passed the test of time!

So grab that Scruffy and start pouncing! My sister Patty did the walls of the flower shop with a large Scruffy. It's clearly the "duct tape" of the decorative painter!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Rose Spray on Journal

This is a journal painted for an on line painting group exchange. It went to my painting buddy Keni in Virginia. The design is by Australian artist, Jan Fox. Jan is so very talented. I just love her style!

Hand made gifts are so special...for both the recipient and the giver. Whether it's something hand crafted or a special recipe made with love. The time, thought and effort expended are priceless.

At this time of year it's so easy to get caught up in the rush to the mall, or shopping on line or frantically leafing through the mountain of catalogues. Take a deep breath and step back for a minute. Consider something hand made instead!

"Success is the quality of the journey"

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Decoupaging Your Artwork

You might recall the Carolina Moon Santa that I painted on wood. He was designed by Jill "Winna" Mordasky and we had the best time painting him in a workshop. Winna gave us permission, and instructions, to reproduce him by decoupaging a good color copy to a piece of wood. Her conditions were that we credit her on the reverse side.

So I decided to try something different by incorporating a copy of the painted Santa with some text using MS Publisher. Michael photographed the Santa for me using a black background. I pulled it into a document in Publisher and zoomed in to crop the photo to focus on his head and torso. I then added a circle of text which reads, "Nothing Could Be Finer Than Christmas In Carolina".

I printed the image on heavy paper, decoupaged to a piece of slate painted black and then added gold trim with a paint pen. On the back I wrote "Design By Jill "Winna" Mordasky on one side and my name and date on the other. Creativity and Technology.... ain't it grand!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Coral Rose

My son Michael is a professional photographer. I gave him a light box for Christmas a few years ago when he was just starting out. On a cruise through the floral department of my grocery store I found the most beautiful coral rose and asked him to photograph it for me as a reference.

This is my attempt to capture it in oils. It's no where near as beautiful as the original but it means alot to me. Below you'll see his original photograph. It reminds me of his excitement at receiving the gift that was part of his development as a photographer. I grin every time I see it!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Old Enamel Pitcher

I have this thing about old enamelware. I love the history it represents. The more dings and chips the better I like them! They remind me of my grandmother's kitchen where Patty and I watched her make bread, rolls and pies....and waited not so patiently for her wonderful fried dough treats!

This painting is a small 5x7 oil on canvas board. I painted it in a class with Tami Cardnella. I was checking the nooks and crannies of the studio and found lots of old enamelware that was destined to be painted with fruit designs and sold at craft shows. I may try to set up some still lifes for oil paintings before I do that!


Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Recycling Cookie Tins

For many years I worked in a church office. At this time of year parishioners would bring the office staff lots of fabulous treats packed in tins. When the tinsel settled I would gather up all the tins and pack them away.

Recycled tins make a great gift packed with baked goods, or hand painted soaps and towels, to name a few ideas. Clean them out well with hot soapy water. I let mine air dry to be sure that the inside remains rust free. I give each one a light...and I mean light...coat of spray primer in white. I do the tops and bottoms separately. I love the snowy scenes, like the one above, that remind me of New England. This one was inspired by a design I saw in a magazine years ago.

Snowy scenes obviously lend themselves nicely to the white base. If you want more of a year round design after you have the white base give the base a coat of Linen or light green paint mixed with glaze. While still wet apply a piece of plastic wrap...push it around slightly...and then pull off to reveal a marbled look. Let it dry well and paint a suitable design. Sometimes you need only paint the design on the lid itself.

When your design is dry give it several light coats of a sealer. Pack with goodies and watch the smiles!!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Pair Of Lemons

This pair of lemons was painted in my first oil class with local artist Tami Cardnella. Tami taught a group of us decorative painting one night a week for several years. She had to drag us to oil painting screaming and kicking!

I was sceptical at first and returned to the comfort of decorative painting until I decided to give it a try again this Summer. I'm so glad I did!

Now I enjoy the best of both worlds!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Sarah's Portrait: In Progress

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I have so much to be thankful for! I started the day with calls from my mom and aunt in Massachusetts, and my sister in Vermont. I miss them so much, but even more on these special days. I spent the balance of the day surrounded by Eddie, the kids and grands. Couldn't ask for much more!

I missed a post or two getting ready for today. I wanted to catch up by showing you the progress I'm making on Sarah's portrait. Joyce, my teacher, really helped me to correct the feet. The shadows on her skin are not as red as they are in this photo. Next week I'll finish her up. She needs to be grounded more connecting her to the background better. I need to add some more highlights to her oversized gloves and hat.

I just love my oil classes!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Large Basket with Reversible Insert!

This basket is my favorite. It's a pretty big one at nearly 19 inches at the widest spot. The "arrangement" can be removed and flipped over to reveal another painted arrangement on the reverse side.

The removal insert has turnbuttons to keep it in place. There are two keyholes for secure hanging.

The unpainted surface and insert are available for $19.95 which includes a free book with painting instructions while supplies last.

Wednesday I'll post the reverse side painted with geraniums! I'm off to oil class Tuesday morning and look forward to finishing my portrait of Sarah! Watch for it in tomorrow's post!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com for more information.

Another Style Window Ornament

As you may have guessed by now I love to make very special ornaments! I display this one year round. The photo inside the ornament is of the Morris Island Light House off Folly Beach, South Carolina. Learn more about this national treasure at: http://www.savethelight.org/

The ornament itself is covered in glitter and has a window with swag draperies and candle. You can paint it yourself by using some tape or a 2"x3" post-it note to cover the proposed window while you pounce the ornament with a pearl metallic enamel paint. When dry paint your window and candle. For a finishing touch paint all but the actually window with Mod Podge and roll in glitter.

Finally, insert your picture...ahhhh, the tricky part! I print out my photos on a sheet of transparency paper. I then give the reverse side of the transparency paper a coat of spray-on white primer. This allows the bright color of the photo to stay crisp, but you still have the properties of the transparency when it comes to cutting, rolling it on a pencil, and inserting it in the ornament. It will pop open. Be sure to cut the photo circle to the same diameter as the ornament. This one is 3.25". After your photo is inside you can use the pencil to position it properly.

For another style, paint the ornament with shutters instead of curtains and have the photo be of family inside the house. These make a very special gift!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com for more information.

Door Baskets With Reversible Inserts

Here is one of my pet projects. I call it a Door Basket. The inserts are reversible allowing you to have as many seasonal arrangements for your door as suits your fancy.

The baskets (unpainted) with an extra insert (so that's 2 inserts total) are on sale for $19.95 per set. The basket is approximately 14.75 inches tall, 10 inches wide and an half inch deep. The inserts are roughly 9 inches by 8 inches. Turnbuttons are included. The basket has a key hole for hanging.

Buy one now and I'll include a free book with the 4 season designs shown here while supplies last.

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com with questions. To order with Priorty shipping click on the Buy Now Button to the right!

Heirloom Ornaments

These ornaments are so much fun to make and always get lots of "oooo's" and "aahhhh's"! In the photo to the left the two front ornaments have painted inserts to view through the window, while the back ornament has the rose painted on the glass itself.

The base ornament is clear glass. First use Gallery Glass gold leading squiggled in a circle to create the viewing area. Let dry over night. Then use the clear glass Gallery Glass applied roughly around the outside of the circle and sprinkled with cheap glitter while wet. Let dry.

Now you have the option of filling in the small circle and painting in that area, or leave the circle clear, like a window, and paint your design on transparency paper to insert in the ornament.

In the first photo I used a pale pink Gallery Glass to fill in the window. Let dry. Finally, paint your rose or design on the dry smooth center. This one is a rose in the Marjorie Harris Clark style.

To insert a painted design, paint your design on a piece of transparency paper (from office supply store). The circle should be the same diameter as the ornament. When your painting is dry roll the transparency around a pencil and insert in the ornament!

Contact Kathy at kathysweeney@gmail.com

A Work In Progress

I've started this portrait in class of my granddaughter, Sarah Mae. Sarah, now six, was three at the time and very much into dress up. She was sporting an oversized straw hat of mine along with a pair of long gloves that were much to big for her tiny hands.

I've roughed in the painting and will complete it in class next week. She needs a lot of work to add dimension and bring her forward more. It's a labor of love as well as a skill challenge, but I'm having so much fun!

Tomorrow, a tutorial on painting ornaments!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Orange You Glad it's a Florida Orange!

Remember that old Knock Knock joke? Sorry, I couldn't help myself! A word about Florida Oranges though. My painting pal, Vicki Alley works for Florida's Natural who produce 100% Florida orange juice....no foreign oranges allowed.

Here's a link to a site with some creative ideas for what should be done with foreign oranges: http://www.orangediaries.com/ .

Mine is a nice juicy Florida Orange....oil on 5x7 canvas board!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Carolina Moon Santa

This is one of my very favorite santas. He's designed by Jill "Winna" Mordasky. I painted the original in a workshop with her about 6 years ago...at least!

Jill gave us permission to reproduce Carolina Moon Santa on a limited basis. This high quality reproduction is decoupaged on medium density fiberboard. He is free standing with the aid of a small foot inserted in the back of the Santa. He stands approximately 17 inches high and is 9 inches wide at the base.

To order your Carolina Moon Santa for $35.00 plus shipping please email kathy at kathysweeney@gmail.com

The Onion Painting

The Onion Painting is a right of passage at The Studio. The Studio, owned and operated by artists Joyce Hall and her husband Martin Ahrens, is an amazing place. I was so fortunate to find such wonderful teachers and generous individuals.

Each new student begins their journey by painting this particular piece. It's an opportunity for Joyce and Martin to gauge the students experience.

Joyce tells me that she spots this painting all over town. The Studio walls are dotted with them in various stages of completion.

I love mine. I love it because it represents a big step for me; the first step in my painters journey!

Juggling Act

I'm really enjoying my classes! Often it's a juggling act just to get there but when I do the rest of the world fades away and time stands still.

This little Fall veggie vignette reminded me of what it had taken me to just get to class that day! Joyce had me paint the background with a variety of colors but all in the same value. There's red blue and yellow there but it's subtle because the values are similar.

10x10 Oil on stretched canvas.

Waiting For The Party

These guys are waiting for their opportunity to serve. Most of the time they wait patiently on the shelf, but today is special and it's their time to shine.

I've felt that way myself from time to time! How about you?

This painting is a 10x10 oil on canvas.

The Old Dock

In June I found Joyce Hall and started my journey with oil painting. Those two and a half hours a week transport me to a special place. I so look forward to my classes.

This is a 7x14 oil on canvas board. The dock is old and rickety but I just know that this senior citizen has some great stories to tell!