Pushing Myself

After taking the Paint Your Story class (as mentioned in my previous post) I finally felt the need to break out of my box and learn to paint over backgrounds. I have always been afraid of doing that. Maybe you can relate? I'll collage and paint a background that I love, then I stop for a minute and decide what to do next. Usually, for me at least, I'll add some sort of 3D element, be it grungeboard text or shapes or even a vintage photo tape transfer. Either way I am always against painting over that background that I just created.

Since taking the PYS class and seeing the work of other artists that I admire, I decided to make the leap last week and paint over a couple of collaged backgrounds.

Let me tell you it was scary!

Panic set in, anxiety welled up in me and my first thought was "What if I mess up this great background?"

I've yet to learn that "let go, let the painting lead you" thing that more experienced artists embody.

Much to my surprise once the paint brush started moving I was okay with the process and quickly realized all the great shapes and forms that could come out of this.

Now, mind you these aren't great works of art or anything, but for me they examples of my willingness to learn something new. I know as a new artist my desire to learn and explore new techniques is with me everytime I am in my studio.

What new things are you learning in your process of becoming an artist?

What areas, not previously explored, are you utilizing in your art?

Paint Your Story

Last month I signed up for Mindy Lacefields' Paint Your Story class. I completely adore Mindys' work and it's organic quality. Throughout the class Mindy asked us to "channel our inner 7 year old" in order to paint our own individual stories.

I am new to painting faces and figures so some parts were a bit of a stretch for me. I enjoyed all the techniques that she taught us in order to create the faces. She employs simple things like finger tapping color onto the face. Who doesn't love finger painting right?

Mindy also suggested that we start out sketching and making maps of our favorite words, scribbles and marks. These lessons were a great way to get those creative juices flowing and to channel that 7 yr old me who used to love my crayons and typing paper.

I highly recommend this class! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am eagerly anticipating the start (this Sunday!) of her new journaling class called Neat Stuff.

Mindy also created a Facebook group for those of us who are in her class. It has been great to be able to share with others, get feedback on my work and see what the other ladies are creating also.

Thanks to Mindy for so much fun!

First Post Coming Up!

I'm prepping photos for my first blog post here at

Artsy Abandon!
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Stay tuned!