Canvas Art

I think I mentioned a couple posts ago that one of the online workshops I'm taking is called the She Art Workshop, by Christy Tomlinson.  I just have to tell you - I cannot, cannot, cannot speak highly enough of Christy or of this workshop!!!!  Seriously.

When my friend signed the two of us up for the workshop, I was more than a little intimidated.  I thought it was a bit above my skill level.  I thought 3 weeks was not nearly long enough (even though we have access to the material for 3 months, it's still only 3 weeks of new lessons.)  I saw her art before taking this workshop, thinking to myself, "There is just NO WAY that in 3 short weeks, she is going to be able to teach ME how to do THAT."

I was wrong.

I am amazed at what an awesome teacher Christy is - the workshop is WELL worth the money.  It is very well put together, I have learned SO much, and did I mention that I'm having a total blast?

So I never showed you my first canvas.  That's because it's a birthday gift for my sister.  Whose birthday was in April.  And I still haven't mailed it.  Yeah.  I'm kind of bad about that.  Mailing stuff.  (Hides head under a bag.)  Sigh.

But.  I get to show you my SECOND canvas!!  I am SO happy with how this sweet girl turned out, and with my first attempt at a "scene."  I used a lot of products from Fancy Pants (more on this in my review of Fancy Pants on Craft Test Dummies on June 17).

This is an 8" x 10" flat canvas.

Don't you love the glittered words from Fancy Pants?

I die cut the flowers from corrugated cardboard using a Sizzix flowers die and doodled the stems/leaves.

The grass is a combination of layers of paper and paint, along with stamping and rub-ons.  Isn't it fun?!

These two little birds are rub-ons and they just crack me up...they are SO stinkin' cute!!

Can you get a load of the texture in her skirt?!  Is that awesome, or what?!  And check out those shiny red boots she's sportin'!!  Seriously cute!  (And don't get me started on the polka dots!!)

Her hair is the one thing I really need to work on.  My first canvas, the hair was better...this one, I feel like the braid needs some work.  But still, I think, not bad for my first go.  I also want to try some different styles of clothes, and try making a girl with arms showing (instead of behind her back, like this one - you thought she had no arms, didn't you!).

So...what do you think?  Worth the $45 for the workshop, yes?  I promise you, there is NO WAY I could ever have created anything like this before I took this workshop!  And so much of what makes these canvases adorable is in the details...details I never would have realized were there (or been able to figure out how to create) had I not taken this workshop.  The best part is that once you learn how to create them, they really are not that difficult, and truly are LOTS of fun to create!!  I can't wait to make more!!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming...

I'm so sorry I've been absent lately.  I just wanted to pop in and let you all know that I'm still alive!  I am in the midst of taking not one, but TWO online classes right now - both of which are COMPLETELY AWESOME - but which are consuming ALL of my time...leaving me little time for blogging!!

However, you can catch me on Fridays (sometimes it's Thursday) over at Craft Test Dummies, and every so often over at Crafts Unleashed, in the meantime.  Here's a preview of what I'll be posting this Friday on Craft Test Dummies...

And I *highly* encourage you to check out both of the classes I am taking right now!!  The first is one by Melody Ross and Brave Girls Club, called Soul Restoration I.  It is already in Week 4, of the 8 week class, but they are keeping registration open through May 1, and are keeping the classroom open for an extra 4 weeks after the 8 weeks are over to give late starters a chance to finish the class material.  It is truly a wonderful class and I cannot say enough positive things about it!  Watch Melody's video intro HERE.

The second class is the She Art Workshop by Christy Tomlinson, and I just started it a couple days ago...but I am already LOVING it!!  I was only introduced to Christy's work in the last couple months, but have admired her from the beginning and had hoped to one day be able to take her workshops.  When the opportunity presented itself, I couldn't pass it up!!  I am learning so much!

I am definitely being bombarded with art, art, art right now...but it's been so good for me.  It's been refreshing and rejuvenating...challenging and stretching...faith-building and growing.  I've been reminded of things that I'd forgotten, urged to let go of things I'd been holding on to that I needed to let go of, and have had my eyes opened to new things altogether.  (And I'm talking both literally and spiritually.)  I needed this break right now, just me and God and some art.  (If only I didn't have all these other responsibilities...right?)

So...I'll be back soon, I promise!  With all kinds of new and fun ideas to share!  In the meantime...maybe I'll see you over at Brave Girls Club or in the She Art workshop!!