Breakthrough, water lilies, mixed media

"Breakthrough"

The young flower was coming up under a lily pad. Got some interesting photos of this area while I was out working En Plein Aire (on location).  Originally, I just wanted to capture the warm morning sunlight chasing the cool shadows away.  It made the many shades of green into a feast for the eyes!  But I got carried away with the impasto, hidden critters, and beads. I also added glitter paint here and there for a little extra shimmer in the water.

The impasto effects are made with heavy gesso and a palette knife. Some of the lily pads, lotus flowers, and the little stick that the snail is on are built up with it.

 The baby turtle is actually a metal charm that I primed with a primer that is made for use on metal (so the paint doesn't peel off).  He was just too shiny to leave unpainted!  I wanted him to blend in more.

The dragonfly is made from paper clay, which is an air-dry clay with paper fibers added to it for strength. I used a mold to make it. Paper clay is wonderful to work with for mixed media projects. It receives acrylic paint well. I added iridescent paint into hues of blue for his color.

The snail is made from a resin mold that a friend gave to me. Resin molds are harder to work with and are not easily painted over.  I used a special primer (different than the one used on metal) to get the snail to receive the acrylic paint. Again, I wanted to get him to blend in.

Gel medium (matte) and acrylic modeling paste were used for adhesives. (I use professional-grade primers, paints, mediums, and sealers for longevity.)

~ Exclusive Art

~ Original Mixed Media

~ Professional Materials

~ 8 x 10 inches

~ Elaborate Gold Frame (see below)

~ $800.00 (Free Shipping in the US)

Email me for availability: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

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Related Posts:

 Lovely Ladies

Eternal Joy

 

Busy Morning, mixed media, colorful flowers, insects, and a frog

"Busy Morning"

    What can I say? I certainly got carried away with this little piece! 

    Honestly, I wasn't happy with it at first. It started as a palette knife painting. Nothing seemed to be working out.  I added more knife work and even used paper clay to build up the flowers.  (Paper clay is an air-dry clay that has paper fibers in it.  It dries stronger and is better suited for mixed media projects than regular air-drying clay.) But I still was not liking it. 

     Carol Jones (https://www.facebook.com/CarolsTreasuresFromTheSea), a close friend of mine, sent this resin frog as a gift with my order of seahorses and starfish. It made me smile each time I looked at it.  I moved it all around to see if it would look good and where I might add it.  It cracked me up! That got things moving.  I added some charms and then purchased some molds to make insects and flowers out of paper clay.  Thought I would use resin at first, but the paper clay worked so well I just kept making more.  

    The advantage of paper-clay is that I can paint it any color I want.  Resin stays as it was created, so you have to get the colors right when you make the mold.

    Painting the molded insects and flowers was time-consuming but enjoyable.  Each piece gave me a new idea of what else I wanted to add. I had to make myself stop because it was too much fun to keep adding more! 

    This breaks so many rules on so many levels!  So I went back and added shadows to the bottom and the left side of the painting (to tone it down some) and also to keep the viewer's eye in the painting.  I also used a solid color scheme of complementary colors throughout the project to harmonize the painting. 

    To top it all off, I made a shadow box frame for it and sealed it behind glass.  This added to the whole notion of a child capturing a frog in a jar!  So far everyone that sees it starts laughing.  That makes it all worth so much more!

ENJOY!

• Original art
• Mixed media
• 8 x 10 inches
• Gold shadow box frame (see below)
• SOLD

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Spring Showers, arrowhead plant, swamp, mixed media

"Spring Showers"

Fun little knife painting that was a study of this water plant.  I found it a couple of months ago while going through some things in storage.  Thought I should finish it up and add some bling! 

I was thinking about the winter colors of oranges and reds giving way to lime greens and all the bugs coming out as the flowers start to bloom. I darkened the background and added some blues to symbolize rain, then added more texture with acrylic modeling paste to make the leaves jump out more.  I also added charms and beads to emphasize the ideas of spring. They catch the light at different angles.

  

About this Painting:

Mixed media 

6 x 6 inches

custom wood frame (see below)

$485.00 (includes shipping in the USA) 

Click here to see more

Love the classy wood frame, which added the finishing touch. 

Hint: frames can really set off a picture, or kill it.  They also protect the artwork from damage over the years.  Look for something that enhances the art or brings out the colors first, and then something that also goes with your décor. 

 

May Flowers, mixed media, bees

                

"May Flowers"

                                                     

This little painting has charms and beads added to it.  The original photos came from pictures I took on a misty morning with all the wild flowers  lit up from the sun peeking through.  The beads and bumble bees came later when I wanted to have some fun with it.

Enjoy!

Mixed media on hardboard

5 x 7 inches

Custom frame (see below)

SOLD

Click here to see more

 

Hand-crated original art, professional materials, and sealed with a clear acrylic sealer.

Time Out, boxer dog and butterfly

 "Time Out"

Started this as a portrait of a friend's boxer.  It didn't turn out too well at first, so I scrapped it.  I changed the colors and then added a butterfly.  (It is always better to start over if things aren't working out, then I can play around with the one I wasn't happy with).    I like it much better now. It will make nice greeting cards. 

Acrylic on canvas

12 x 16 inches

Ready to frame

$575.00 (Free shipping in the US)

Click here to purchase

Click here to see more 

email me for information about having a custom painting of your pet!

Fawn@fawnsartsudio.com

Related Posts:

 Maggie Mae

Black Jack

Lavender Flight, mixed media, knife painting

"Lavender Flight"

This is fun little abstract painting is part of my newest series of mixed media art.  I added some charms and beads for that extra sparkle. For some reason these mixed media paintings tickle me. I love the way the beads show up at different angles of viewing which makes it grab your attention.  (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Original Art, 

6 x 6  inches

Mixed Media on Hardboard

$180.00 free shipping in the US
Framed in a unique custom frame (see below).


Click here to see more

Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or information about having your own custom painting created! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, inspirational art, etc... )  Price list by size.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Eternal Joy, angel, butterflies, mixed media painting

"Eternal Joy"

        This is inspired by a small painting I did years ago called "Endless Song".  This one is less abstract, and the colors are lighter.  I used thick gesso to build up the hair, wings, and plants for an impasto feel.  

I added beads to the headband, belt, and gown.  The 3 metal butterflies were the most fun because they fit so well with the colors I had already painted.  It's like a nice surprise. Adding a little iridescent paint to the wings, gown, and above the head gave it a nice shimmer. When the painting is viewed from different angles, it really catches your eye.

      I can't explain how tickled I was when I added the extra bling, I felt like a kid.  I played with many combinations until I was satisfied with this layout.  The butterflies actually made me laugh! 

Original Art, 

11 x 14 inches

Mixed Media on Hardboard

$1,000.00 (plus shipping)

Elaborate custom gold frame, see below

Click here to see more 

Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or information about having something similar created.  Price list by size.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year!

Butterfly Garden, plein air painting

"Butterfly Garden"

8 x 10 inches

Acrylic on hardboard
Sold

Got to do the last plein air (outdoors on location) paint-out with Lori McNamara until fall.  It was muggy and hot and very hard to get inspired at first. But once I got going I really enjoyed it.  This is at the Oxbow Eco-center in Fort Pierce. Had a little girl watch off and on, and then she got so close I wanted to give her the brush!  She loved it and told me what a good job I was doing.  Too cute!

Added the cardinal (which I saw flying around), and the butterflies (which were not flying around) after I got home. I couldn't paint the butterfly garden and not add butterflies! 

Email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for information about having your own custom painting created.

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Enjoy!

Flutter By, landscape with butterfly

"Flutter By" 

Created as a class demonstration from one of my student's photos. I left out some of the flowers, and exaggerated the hills. I also placed the butterfly at a different angle.  This  is one of the few demos that turned out nice right off the bat.  Didn't have to add very much to it to finish it up.

Thanks for looking!

Acrylic on hardboard

11 x 14 inches

$350.00 (includes shipping in the US)

Ready to frame

Click here for cards and prints of this painting.

Click here to see more original art and my gallery pages.

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and/or information about having your own custom painting created.

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Lavender and Butterflies

"Butterflies and Lavender"

From a demo. Part of a series of lavender paintings I have done. Added the butterflies for contrast and movement. Very fun to create.

Enjoy!

Acrylic on hardboard
8 x 10 inches
This painting is Now available in prints and cards

(Sorry the original is sold.)

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Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for information about having a custom painting created. Prices are by size.

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Thank you for stopping by!

Butterfly Wishes, abstract palette knife painting

"Butterfly Wishes"

© Fawn McNeill 2009

About This Painting:
This is the first of a series of 4 palette knife butterflies I did a few years ago.

I wanted to make it look like it was moving quickly, so I used a painting knife for a more abstract effect. 

The symbolism is in the colors: green is for growth and wealth, orange is for warmth and open arms, and yellow is for joy.

This little painting is loaded with thick paint and bold colors. 

Enjoy!

Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)
Sold

Email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for information about having a custom painting created. Prices are by size.

Click here to read what customers say about my work.

Lavender and Butterflies, field of flowers

"Lavender and Butterflies"

From a demonstration for one of my kids classes. Some of my girls had added butterflies to theirs, so I wanted to add a few too! It was a fun class.

Ready to frame.
Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
Price: $170 USD   SOLD

Click here to see my gallery pages!

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and purchasing information or about having a custom painting created. Prices are by size.

Click here to read what customers say about my work.

Butterfly Wishes 4, palette knife butterfly

"Butterfly Wishes 4"

This is the fourth palette knife butterfly I have done. I like the way the knife abstracts and distorts it, so it looks like it moves!

Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)

This painting is SOLD

Click here to see my gallery pages!

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for information about having a similar or custom painting created. Prices are by size.

Click here to read what customers say about my work.

Thanks for looking!

Florida Sunshine, viceroy butterfly

"Florida Sunshine"

About This Painting:
Painted this from some photos I took down at the lake. The fruit was actually a load of grapefruits that a truck had lost on the side of the road. This butterfly was drinking nectar from one of the grapefruits that was busted open. It would flutter around and then come back for another taste. I was truly taken by the strong sunlight and all the bright warm colors!

Happy Easter!

Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)

SOLD

Butterfly Wishes 3

"Butterfly Wishes 3"

About This Painting:
Here is another little palette knife painting. I like the way it makes the butterfly look like it is moving....

Purple is for spiritual awareness, red is for love, and orange is for warmth and invitation....To me this symbolizes God's inviting love and the spiritual awareness he gives us.

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)

SOLD

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and/or information about having your own custom painting created. I can do something similar in a size you would like.

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Enjoy!

Butterfly Wishes Too

"Butterfly Wishes Too"

Wishes for love and prosperity are symbolized by the red and green in this palette knife painting. I like the way the butterfly looks like it is part of the flower.

I started with a fairly thin lay-in, with large brush strokes, but it just didn't have the same effect. So I let it dry and went over the top with thick layers of paint on the palette knife. That is when it came alive! The colors began to mix together on the painting as I added more paint and pulled the colors across each other. I enjoy this wet-in-wet application, it gets messy, but it is fun to do. Many people are amazed that I use acrylics for this, but when you use the paint thickly, it takes longer to dry and is not a problem at all.

Media: acrylic on hardboard
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)

Ready to frame

Sold

Click here for more original art and to see my gallery pages!

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and/or information about having your own custom painting created. 

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Green Sulphers, Butterflies

"Green Sulphurs"

8 x 10 inches

Acrylic on hardboard

ready to frame

This is a split compliment. I used yellow-green and blue-green and their split compliment of red. Black and white are used for highlights and shadows too. The white and red made lovely pinks.

This is #7 in my green tribute to our beautiful earth. I think I am done using a limited palette of green. I am ready to move on! We'll see.

Thanks for looking!

Click here for more original art and to see my gallery pages!

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Schoolroom Mural

"Schoolroom Mural"

Acrylic

The orbs of light are in different locations on each photo I took, sometimes large and sometimes small. I have seen this before, in photos I have taken at church, so it thrills me to think the angels have been with us while we worked on this mural!


This is the mural that my students have been working on the past month or two. (Rebekah is 13 and Rachel is 8.) Luke, who is 3 years old, painted the little yellow flower off to the right of the tree while I guided his hand. This mural is in the home school room/ play room. While I have been painting murals on their bedroom walls, the kids have been coming out for a couple of hours once or twice a week. I have enjoyed this project tremendously.

They came up with the ideas, and the colors! Some of the apples have family member's names on them-- creating a very unique family tree. I have been helping them when things get a little too far off, and to clean up any mistakes. Don't you think they have done a great job making this room so colorful?

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Mural, completed

The right side of the mural is finished. Here are some views of it. I blocked off the window and got some better photos this time.

The top photo is the left side. Added some more flowers and brightened up the lighting. Scroll down to see more.

I have run into problems with the priming of the next two murals. The paint is not adhering to the wall. I have to sand and re-prime the walls--very disheartening! I had already started major fill-ins!

Thanks for looking!

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Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and/or information about having your own custom painting created. 

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Maple Moth, Fall Leaf, Daily Painting

"Maple Moth"

8 x 10 inches

Watercolor

This moth matched the maple leaf so well that I had to exaggerate it some to get it to show up! The shadows were fun to paint, and the wood grain too. I love the effects of the watercolor paint on this rag paper - acid free, 25% rag.

Email me at: fmcneillbarr@gmail.com for availability and/or information about having your own custom painting created.