Silk Painting with my Artistic Chicks club

There are four artists in a club I started years ago where we meet monthly to try different artistic endeavors, teach each other art techniques and share ideas. Lisa Woodruff is a clay artist, Peg Paschal is an artist who transforms used items into sculptures and art, Deb McKinney is an illustrator, graphic designer and painter and I am a painter.

We have done mosaics, woodcuts, linoleum block prints, paintings, glass sculptures, tie dye clothes and other mediums. Deb was in charge of this meeting which took two days. She generously bought the supplies and did the tutorials.

First we had to build the frames to stretch the silk before we started to actually paint. Then we used a resist to paint in areas that we wanted to have no fabric dye. Then…paint away. I loved how everyone tackled the project differently and the final scarves so unique. We loved this so much that we will do another session in a couple months. Also we will be able to use all the dyes and the racks that we built. SO fun!!!

Creating a club of artists educates and enhances creativity

Years ago I started a club for my artist friends called “ARTISTIC CHICKS”. AT first it was a larger group and I found that many artists cannot commit to even 6 meetings a year. The rules are: Each artist hosts in turn at their studio or house and plans what art medium to do, procures supplies or each member brings appropriate supplies. It has been amazing working with other artists and learning different skills.
I have found that keeping your group small is best. The last two years have been just 4 of us. Deb Mckinney is an excellent illustrator, painter and porcelain sculptor. Lisa Woodruff is an amazing clay artist. Peggy Paschal is an actress, dancer and her art form is primarily working with recycled things and making fun and interesting decor. I am primarily a painter.

I love the days we spend in Lisa’s clay studio. She is such a great instructor and usually our projects take several meetings to complete because of two firings, painting glazes and drinking tequila.

Some of the other meetings have included fish signs and linoleum block carving. We did one second meeting to print but not all of the members could attend so we will finish another time with the printing.

Mosaics!!!

Our last meeting was in my studio and we had fun beading and making windchimes and mobiles. As you can see, each artist brought materials to do unique pieces. Peggy did a lampshade for the yard that will hold a solar light. Deb used old keys, feathers and beads on driftwood. Lisa, being a clay artist of course had made beads and clay rings that she had formed, fired,painted with glazes and fired again before the meeting so was happy to create something beautiful with her handmade clay beads. I made mine from a wooden fish that I had painted, drilled screw eyes into the wood and used precious jewelry form my childhood along with beads and wire.
It also inspired me to do a little jewelry on my own.

My advice to all artists is to form a small group and have monthly gatherings. It will really bring out the inspiration and also allow you to learn new forms of art. You cannot use “Artistic Chicks” as a name because we copyrighted the website name.
The best part is the friendships that get tighter and the fun. Artists generally work in solitary conditions. Its what we like and need to really create and allow ourselves to explore. Having 30 years in corporate advertising and art direction helped prepare me for having my own business and understanding the value of advertising. This part of my life (in my mid sixties) is so wonderful and I fell so blessed to be a professional artist. Thank you all for checking into my blog.

Hand Painted Glassware make great gifts for the holidays

My painted glassware is always a hit around the holidays when folks are looking for unique hand made gifts. I used paints especially made for glass and porcelain. (Porcelaine and Vitrea) It is harder than it looks since the paints drip and bubble and have to be babied. I usually make around 2 dozen at a time because they are little paintings and to do a set to match an older set is nearly impossible.
Three ladies came by my studio a couple weeks ago and bought up most of my wave wine glasses so I figured I better make more before the holidays.
First you have to wash the glass well and sometimes even use rubbing alcohol to really clean any grease. Then I do one color at a time and let each layer dry for several hours before doing the next layer. It usually takes a week. Next step is to fire them in my regular oven at 245 degrees for 30-40 minutes, turning off the oven and letting them cool in the oven.
Putting custom tags on and washing them is the last step.
I sell them for 16.00-20.00 each and can ship.

And then….I painted my garage refrigerator

The refrigerator in the garage is old but still works but living in Florida with all the humidity, it started rusting badly on the sides. So I sanded it and put a metal primer on it. This had to dry a day before I could paint. I actually used the same exterior paints that I had purchased for painting the patio. There was some dripping and I needed to continue to brush over the heavier paints to keep them from sliding. AFter that dried, I used an oil based varnish to finalize. The smell of the varnish lasted over a week but now, I am loving this fresh look.
Several people have inquired about painting their refrigerators but I say no thanks. A lot of work.

Painting my patio cement

Years ago I painted my patio cement and even though it gets a protective varnish when completed, the elements seem to fade and chip off some of the paint. SO ….every few years, I clean and retouch all of the colors and even add additional colors. I used exterior enamel paints from the hardware store and have the guy mix custom colors in those 4.99 sample jars. Living in Florida its very humid and it took me two days to retouch all the colors. Then I let it dry for a couple days before putting a cement top coat.

Pillows with artwork printed on them

Check out my site for prints at
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/octopus-play-linda-olsen.html

Busy with Halloween Decor

I look forward to our annual Halloween Party and have been creating new props for a while. I created the banner by designing triangular flags with lace and vintage illustrations. Then, sewed the paper flags together with double fold seam binding and tied ribbons between each flag. The heads were painted on cheap styrophone heads and then I am adding wigs. They will hang on black poles in the back yard so they look like severed heads floating. The one tall zombie is not done but he will be about 7 feet tall. Cathy Andorfer helped create the white skeleton with cheesecloth and glue and I added the crows. I had some girlfriends come over last Saturday for a Halloween craft party where the skeleton candle holders and awards for best costumes were done. More fun to come

Painting on useful decor items

I have been painting on electrical switchplates for several years and found that I needed to do more doubles and triples. Sometimes I paint little scenes but this new batch displayed more design elements. It took 2 weeks to do a dozen or so because of the drying time of the small thick dots of paint. The singles sell for 15.00, doubles for 17.00 and the triples 19.00.
Contact me if you are interested. I can ship anywhere. Its a bit like having a mini original painting.

Hand made art gifts are special

As an artist, I do more than paint large paintings and create photographic illustrations for galleries. For years I have painted and fired glassware, painted electrical outlet covers, created magnets with artistic images and also create mini original paintings. These all make excellent gifts which are more meaningful to the person you are giving to. FOr the next week, I have reduced prices on all of these items and can ship anywhere. We take all major credit cards for your convenience. Just give me a call at 904-241-8233 or email at lindaolsenart@gmail.com if interested in more information. Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Hand painted Glassware a great gift

I have been painting glass for the last ten years for shows and galleries. Recently I did several commissions and since it takes a week to complete usually, I made extras that are for sale directly. Contact me if interested. They make a great gift and are affordable.