Handmade Ornaments

These are the ornaments I made for the holiday this year.  They are not really Christmasy, so I can hang them around the house anywhere and anytime.  I got the idea from items created by Alisa Burke.

I used leftover pieces of painted muslin that I had lying around, as well as stamps and ribbons.  These were very "instant gratification" which is a good thing.
-christina

Mural 2012

For Christmas 2011 my sister gave me a giant canvas and told me to paint on it over and over again.  I hung it on my living room wall for a whole year progressively painting it, turning it upside down, and painting some more.  I invited my guests to paint on it as well, although very few took me up on the offer except my BFF (she rocks).  I think it was too much pressure to be creative.

Here is a montage of the stages throughout the year.

In the beginning . . . .

My daughter added the red dots.

My son added the alien spacecraft in the center.

Hugs and kisses (XO) were added to encourage my friends to paint big.
They added tiny stars and the tree of life.

I added my favorite quotes in Sharpie.
My BFF left her mark too - "love",  "Paris" and more.

Going upside down and having a circle frenzy.

The final version of "Mural 2012."

The mural is rolled up and put away now.  I have another piece of canvas and am contemplating another mural.  Perhaps it will be "Mural 2014."
-christina

New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve, my friend and I went to a painting party at Bottle & Bottega.  This is a franchise that holds private and open painting parties where the participants copy a piece of art under the direction of an art instructor.  I don't really like the idea of recreating an existing painting, but it seemed like an interesting thing to try and we could bring our own champagne to the event.

Here is the picture that we were painting.

My photocopy

And here is my painting.  I had to change something so I used a different color scheme.

My version of the painting

I apparently have trouble with straight lines since the stem of my glass is crooked.  I must remember that in the future.

It was a fun evening, mostly because I enjoyed being with my friend.  Happy 2013, everyone!
-christina