Sunday, September 12, 2021

Back to the River, mixed media


"Back to the River"

I've been revisiting some older works. This is a scene on the Kissimmee River.  I was interested in the  blue shadows on the sandy road from the morning sun.   This is a somewhat of a knife painting with beads and charms for added interest.  I did some parts with thick texture by using a palette knife and I left other parts smooth for contrast.  I love the way the beads catch the light.  Too much fun!

Mixed media 
5 x 7 inches
Unique custom frame
(Not available)

Email me for a custom painting done similar in a size you would like!  Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com



 

Monday, September 06, 2021

Mountain Air Too, colorful knife painting


 "Mountain Air, Too"
© Fawn McNeill 2020

This was originally a demonstration painting for an art lesson last year.  I was doing semi-private lessons after everything closed down from COVID.   I went back later and repainted it as a knife painting to add more texture and details.  It quickly became one of my favorites!


~ Original knife painting
~ Acrylic on stretched canvas
~ 11 x 14 inches
~ Ready to frame 
~ $670.00


Related Posts:












Heaven's Grace, Knife painting, Dove


 "Heaven's Grace"
© by Fawn McNeill, Dec. 2020

This is a demonstration painting from last year. I was using the knife to paint over a smoothly painted background (I used a brush for the background).  I wanted to exaggerate the contrast between the smooth texture and the rough texture. 
This painting is special to me because I sign my name with a dove as a thank you to God the Father.  The dove is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

Acrylic on canvas
11 x 14 inches
Not available




Friday, July 23, 2021

Relax, beach scene, sunset, coat hanger


"Relax"



I found this wood sign in a thrift store.  Went back to it several times, but I really did not want to clean it up.  It was old, grimy, and smoke stained. It also needed some wood glue to hold the letters in place as they were coming loose.  

The scene on it was cartoonish, and the shells were dull browns. I wasn't sure it would be worth the time to clean it and prime it.   

First I repaired it, then I tried to clean it.  What a mess.  It did not come clean, even with strong cleansers and rubbing alcohol.  So I sanded it down to get most of the dirt and paint off.  Then I primed it with a couple of coats of white primer.  

The shells and starfish are made from some kind of hard plastic.  I used a special primer so the acrylic paint would not peel off.  (Acrylic paint does not like slick surfaces.)

 Now I could see it would work.  I drew my seascape on it and got the first layer of color started. That's when I knew it would be worth it! I always love painting the colors of the ocean, and this was one I could really exaggerate.  I also added some pearlescent paint to my colors on the shells and some in the painting too.  When you view it at different angles it shines.  


The idea of taking something I would have thrown away and turning it into something beautiful and valuable really made me feel good.  Made me think about how God rescues us so often, and He turns our lives around for good.

Description:
Original hand crafted art
Acrylic on wood
Coat hanger (see below)
15.5 x 8.5 inches
SOLD






Thanks for looking!

 

Casper, white calf, knife painting


"Casper"

Revisited this older painting.  Corrected a few things, added flowers, and exaggerated the eyes to make it even cuter.   I also changed the name and put it in a new frame. 

Sometimes they go into storage and when I bring them out for a new frame I just have to fix the things that don't look right to me now.  

Too funny how we see things differently over time!

Description:
Original art
Acrylic palette knife painting
Image size: 5 x 7 inches 
Custom frame (see below)
$155.00 (free shipping in the USA)

Please email me for availability: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com or to have something similar created!






 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

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) 



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. 





 

Monday, July 19, 2021

Rough Shore, sand dunes, waves, mixed media




"Rough Shore"
"...in this world you will have trouble... Take heart,
 I have overcome the world!" 
 (Jesus) John 16:33



 Learned how hard it is to undo things that have been adhered to with acrylic modeling paste while I was working on this painting (off and on for the last couple of years)!  It certainly is difficult to change my mind once it has dried.  (This was one of my early experiments with mixed media.)

 I started it just before I closed my gallery and teaching center because of the pandemic.  Worked on it several times, but I struggled to resolve the texture issues that are left behind when you remove items that aren't working.

I wanted to contrast smooth areas (created with a brush) with thick areas (built up with a palette knife).  I was after the effect of waves crashing against rocks near the shore.  This proved to be quite a mess at first.  Needed to resolve texture issues and correct the size and placement of waves coming onto the shore. Finally found the effect I was after.

Then I got to have some fun! Added sea glass, beads, shells, and aquarium stones. Rearranged them several times before deciding on exactly where to place them.
I framed it in this lovely textured frame, which complements the whole effect I was trying for.  

  • Original Art
  • Mixed media on hardboard
  • Professional materials
  • 11 x 14 inches
  • Textured custom frame (see below)
  • SOLD
Email me if you are interested in something similar! Custom orders are priced by size.
fawn@fawnsartstudio.com






Thanks for looking!