Artists Thoughts – Page 6 – Faith Magdalene's Sundrip

Walking With Roses

Posted on May 14, 2016March 20, 2022 by F.Magdalene

Ever have one of those days when you were okay for five minutes butÂ torn up the next? I’ve had several of those recently. I can’t put my finger on one thing, not sure I need to. I just know my head doesn’t feel right. I’m trying to help myself, pick myself up a little bit.

I had my nightly cry, sketched a little on the painting called Twelve and then decided to brave the stairs and take out the trash. Really, I just needed to be outÂ of here andÂ breathe.

I know I just said this on a blog I first read today. I said we see people walking down the street and they seem more grounded than we are. Well, as I walkedÂ around the courtyard I couldn’t help but feel grounded. What grounded me? Choice. Having choices, not feeling backed into a wall, not feeling as if I’m at the mercy of life itself. Being outside with no nurse, no friend standing guard, just me, I felt free. The feeling of being stuck, of being in prison washed away quickly….because I let it.Â Continue reading “Walking With Roses”

Art Therapy in the Etsy Shop

Posted on May 14, 2016March 20, 2022 by F.Magdalene

I paint with my heart and all but bleed on canvas. Painting is a powerful way to release anxiety and thoughts that pound my skull. While art as a whole is therapeutic for me, there are certain pieces that were created specifically as therapy with my psychologist. As I thin out the amount of art in my home, I’d like to make available on a continued basis, some of the art pieces created during my therapyÂ sessions or at a later time.

As I said, art therapy has been one of the most powerful tools in my healing process. I can’t explain to you the relief I feel knowing that some of my abuse memories have lost their sting when I was professionally guided with the tool of art therapy.

Continue reading “Art Therapy in the Etsy Shop”

How to Remove Unwanted Embellishments and Stickers

Posted on May 14, 2016May 15, 2016 by F.Magdalene

What if you like a painting but you don’t want it mounted on the board or you wish to remove an embellishment on an art piece? Well, let me tell you how.

Let’s start with this painting as an example. This is called Blues Garden. The painting is an emotional art therapy piece created in blue, gray and rose, with a wash. I’ve drawn a young woman with her head to the side and several flowers around her. I do like this painting, especially framed, but I have mixed feelings concerning the largest sunflower at the bottom. First of all, I put it there because to hide the words “No Peace” written in white crayon.

Lets say a buyer likes the art, but too has reservations about the sunflower. Well, lets show how to remove it.

Before you begin, you must figure out if the embellishment has been given a permanent seal or is raw such as the sunflower in the painting Blues Garden. Some embellishments, dye cuts, stickers and additions look best without a seal and are on the final art piece in their raw, natural form. Other additions have an obvious finish. You should not attempt to remove these as it will tear the image.Â Continue reading “How to Remove Unwanted Embellishments and Stickers”

The Eleventh Hour

Posted on April 20, 2016 by F.Magdalene

I tried in a very nonchalant way to direct all payments of art to my PayPal account because I was losing my Etsy shop. It was going to be suspended on the 21st because I wasn’t able to pay them $8 in fees to keep that shop open. In one way I thought it would be okay because I’ve been thinking for a very long time that I need to simplify matters and bring all sales here to Sundrip through PayPal. Even though that is my goal, this very moment is not the time for that.

I sent out a quick email to several people I know on Etsy explaining that as if the 21st I’d offer originals on Sundrip only. I explained that despite it not being under my control to solely offer paintings Sundrip, that I’d grow from the suspension and subsequent closure of my shop. The suspension and closed Etsy shop would force my hand to do what I’d been saying I want to do. Well, in a 11th hour turn around, I made a sale of 3 paintings and a doll. It’s more than enough to keep the Etsy shop open and gives me time for a smoother transition to using Sundrip to a fuller degree. I’m amazed, exhausted and grateful for the 11th hour grace.

At this time you may still purchase original work from either Etsy or the Sundrip website.

With gratitude,
Faith

Just a moment

Posted on March 26, 2016March 30, 2016 by F.Magdalene

I need a minute to gather myself. I need to get some things on this website fixed and update galleries. This includes scanning new art.

No more poetry blogs for a few days. I’m going to miss out on art journal pages, dinner for one, awesome photos of insects and comics.

In addition to the site, I’ve got regular studying to do along with a half day Bible Assembly program on disk to listen to. I wasn’t able to be there in person so I get to listen to the recording.

I’ll be back as soon as I make headway over here.

Later

How I Price My Art

Posted on February 20, 2016March 20, 2022 by F.Magdalene

I’d like to discuss how I come up with the prices for dolls, original acrylics, original oil paintings, large art, small art, etc.

I had no clue what to charge when I first started offering art on Etsy or right here, however online guides have been helpful. One can google how much to charge when a person asks to put their art on the front of a book, inside a book, used on a webpage, on and on. There are artist’s guides to pricing. What I found most helpful was to think of how much I want out of the painting, add in several factors which I’ll list, then I come up with a general listingÂ price. I look around on Etsy for art of that style and size thenÂ finalize my listingÂ price. I try and tag / use keywords by looking at other art because it can be difficult to know what to say so people find my art.Â Continue reading “How I Price My Art”

Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 1

Posted on January 5, 2016January 6, 2016 by F.Magdalene

I am having the hardest time finishing this entry. The objective is simple, write a bit about who I am from several different angles.

Before anything at all I am human. That puts me on equal ground with everyone. The second thing I am is a Christian in training. I want very much to know my Creator and his personality.
I’m a woman. That’s important to me. When I was young my nature was mocked. At 44, I celebrate it.

My first love is cooking. I knew I needed to be a chef at age eight. I’m grateful I was able to do it.

By nature I’m a deep thinker. I’ve got artists blood coursing through these veins which means I’m emotional. I live to create. I create well presented meals and I create with paint, wood, paper, canvas, clay, fabric, pixels and just about anything else I can find that will hold the image in my head.

I’m a lover of tea and breaks during the day where a hot drink will allow me to regroup, recoup. Antique books excite me. The feel of art paper excites me as does running my hands over wood and stones. I am visceral.

Continue reading “Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 1”

Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 2

Posted on January 5, 2016January 5, 2016 by F.Magdalene

Sunset Dancer by SUNDRIP - 2010 — Sunset Dancer by SUNDRIP – 2010

As some know, this body of mine dictates if I will move or lie still. Due to a permanent nerve injury to my right arm, I can be limited in action, including holding a tea cup, a cane, paintbrush and pen. In addition, my eyes are growing dim. Strength in several areas of my upper and lower body have deteriorated. Even so, I have one other activity to discuss in which I participate.

I’ve mentioned my love for yoga but in private settings I’ve spoken more. I love contemporary and lyrical dance. I am my own dancer. I have set music that I do yoga stretches to. From there I began to move free-form. Once I realized I’d tapped into something deep in my bones I began to wear a free flowing skirt. I removed the toe from medical compression stocking and moved about joyfully. What do I enjoy? The feminine movements, turning yoga into a dance and doing so not in sweatpants and workout clothes, but in a flowing skirt with “dancers feet” (black compression hose). Sometimes my hair is down but other times the dreadlocks are in a headdress.

In this video, followed by a comment to the choreographer, you can see this style of contemporary dance and lyrical dance. Continue reading “Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 2”

Priscilla Doll and Sunflower

Posted on December 8, 2015December 8, 2015 by F.Magdalene

I’ve had the itch to sew for a good month. I’ve finally gathered the dolls I’d like to complete and started adding their final touches.

This young lady is a handmade African American rag doll with a hand painted face and handmade clothes. She’s a lovely girl, a shelf sitter girl to be added to your collection. Although she is sturdy, she is not meant to be a toy. The Indian doll is not for sale, the pendant she’s wearing is in the Etsy shop. .

Soon Priscilla will have her shoes and will sit in my Etsy shop along with this dried artichoke presented as an ornamental sunflower. Expect her to have a light scent of lavender. If you’ll notice, she’s sitting against a wall of lavender.

Continue reading “Priscilla Doll and Sunflower”

Dry Brush. Dry Bones

Posted on November 25, 2015December 2, 2015 by F.Magdalene

There’s only one way to return to art and that is to jump in head first. Grab a brush, choose 3 colors, start the clock, stop thinking and dive in. I’ll scratch, smudge, layer and move paint until the bell sounds. I can’t see any other way to start painting again.

I’m accustomed to creative dry spells and the affects depression has on my work. This is no different than other times which means the same measures can pull me out of the mud.

I’d usually tell myself to allow the down time and don’t push it, but I need my art right now. I’m going to push a little harder to get through this spell. I’m going to accept as a completed project whatever is on the paper when the buzzer sounds.

The longer I go without painting the more I lose touch with the stronger parts of me. I need to feel strong. I need to help myself. I need to toss paint on paper.

Faith

November 25, 2015 12:59 am EST