Potion Thyme Witch

This is a new pattern on my website called Potion Thyme Witch, it is painted on a star shape which is available from Creative Arts Lifestyle www.creativeartslifestyle.com.  You can find the pattern on my website www.chartmandesigns.com.

Sculpting with Paper Clay Part 2

Spent a little time today working on painting this little guy and I'm so thrilled with the progress.  He is really beginning to take on a personality with the addition of paint.  I'm beginning to think about what my next sculpture will be, I'm thinking about something to accompany this guy, maybe a snowman? Maybe a pet for him?  Hmmm.......

I need to finish up the scarf, gloves, hair, and the crook.

Sculpting with Paper Clay

Every year I spend a week at my Dad's sculpting studio where he is teaching me how to sculpt.  We've done this now for many years and every year is a new adventure.  Last year we decided that I was ready to begin sculpting one of my own designs.  I used a sketch that I had worked up of a winter elf.  We used a wire armature and began developing the character using Paper Clay.  In the past we have used the oil based clay but I wanted something that did not need to be bronzed to make it permanent.  Paper Clay is a self-hardening clay which did not need to be baked.  There was a bit of a learning curve to deal with the clay as it is slightly different from the oil based clay I had always used.  This is how far we got the first year.

 This year my goal was to finish the "gremlin" as I had fondly called him.  I wanted to add boots, hair, a base, and something for him to hold in his hand.

We added a shepherds crook for him to hold onto and attached him to a wood base where I added snow to the ground.  Now it was time to begin the painting process.

So far so good.  Check back later to see how he develops personality as I finish painting him.  

70 Days Art Challenge with Kelly Hoernig

I began an art challenge with the talented Kelly Hoernig 18 days ago and it will last for 70 days.  She was inspired to begin this challenge after traveling to France and becoming inspired by Van Gogh.  I may have been drawn to this challenge because Van Gogh has always been one of my favorite artists, maybe it is because he lived such a tortured life but I prefer to think that I am inspired by his genius.  Needless to say I joined the challenge knowing that I struggle to be consistent during an art challenge, at some point in time during the challenge I lose interest and only do those daily challenge pieces which interest me.  I am determined to finish this challenge completely and am finding it to be an inspirational activity.  For one thing I've had the opportunity to use both my acrylics and my watercolors.  I tend to let my watercolors sit instead of using them as often as I'd like but decided to pull them out and to use them this time.  I'm finding that even though I may not like a daily challenge piece the opportunity to stretch myself as an artist is really appealing.  Hopefully I will not lose interest and will continue to be consistent with this challenge as it may help me grow as an artist.

Kelly has given us a series of words as prompts and then we take those words and use the word to develop an artistic interpretation of the word.  She also films a series of videos each week showing a variety of techniques.  I've learned new techniques as well as being inspired by the talented artists who are participating.  They are all amazing.    

These are just a few of my daily challenge pieces:

You can read all about the challenge and join us on her website at www.kellyhoernig.com.    

This new pattern is called Reindeer Crossing and is available on my website www.chartmandesigns.com.  This is a part of a series of picket patterns.

Gell Print Papers to be Used in Design Work

These two projects are called Celebration Santa and Celebration Snowman.  For both of these projects I printed the papers which were used in Santa's coat and hat and the Snowman's coat and hat on my Gelli Plate.  I think it is genius and makes short work of painting the coat, simply print the papers using the paint colors that you want to use for the coats, once dry cut the coats out of the paper and decoupage to your canvas or surface.  Both of these projects are available on my website as online classes and as patterns.  How cool is that to use the Gelli Plate to complete a section of your project.

If you are interested in purchasing a Gelli Plate to begin printing your own papers to use in design work look at them through my Amazon Affiliate program.  If you click through from this link and purchase I will get credit and you will get a great tool.  This is a tool that I use regularly and recommend highly.

Upcycled Glass Doodling

I am a published artist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I must say that I am very excited and thrilled that Viking Woodcrafts felt that my glass doodling techniques were book worthy!  This book is currently available and is jam packed with tips, techniques, step by step photos and instructions for 12 bottle designs.  We will use the Deco Art Glass Paint markers to shade and highlight each bottle to add depth and interest.  Want to purchase the book?  Come on over to C. Hartman Designs

 to reserve your copy today.  If you purchase the book from my website you will also receive access to 6 Glass Doodling Technique Videos.  For those of you who are visual learners these videos will enhance the book experience.  Come join me on my glass painting journey.