Saturday, December 13, 2008

A Sampling Of Projects

I seem to be going in so many different directions these days.....I've been trying to finish up some things and start up others. For instance, I got this tin out weeks ago, applied gesso and then stuck it under a pile of papers and photos in my studio. I had put it aside to work on my Chickadee & Petunias Faux Window. Now that the window is finished, the tin made its way back out of the mess it was under to start being worked on.

I had to start by deciding on a design that I wanted to paint on the tin. You will be able to see the design a bit better in the below photos but the one above shows how I approach the creation of the sketch itself. It is easier and more functional for me, when painting on a tin like this, to draw the design on tracing paper first. I've actually used two pieces...one with the actual design and one with the shape of the ceiling tin outlined on it. This allows me to move the sketch around the tin shape in an attempt to dertermine the best placement. It basically lets me play around all I want without committing to a final position for the design until I'm ready.

Here you can see the outline of the tin and the basic sketch. A birdhouse and a little chickadee. The birdhouse is resting on some Lilac branches.

This photo shows the very beginning stages of painting. My birdhouse and chickadee have been positioned just the way I want them....transferred onto the tin and I've started painting the background at this point. I'll be showing the progress of this tin as I go alone.

Now on to something totally different...... I don't do mailboxes on a regular basis anymore but I was recently contacted by a long time customer of mine who wanted a very special mailbox for his mother for Christmas. He sent me a photo of an Easter cross and asked me to create my own version for this mailbox. Above and below show the finished design on both sides.


Last but not least, I started to think about what I wanted to do with this egg over a year ago. Nothing was really grabbing me and so, I put it in a box and forgot about it. Just this week I was saying to myself...."what did I do with that egg?" The time has come for this Emu egg to be painted and I know just what I will do on it. I will show the finished piece in a few weeks. It seems like there are so many projects these days......and so little time.

13 comments:

NeereAnDear said...

I love that ceiling tin.... cant wait to see the finished product.... I especially like the way you have the edges sanded to give it a shabby look...it brings out the design of the tin itself... lovely...

Really like the mailbox... the painting you did on it is lovely...

Anxious to see your egg... Orchids maybe?

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years

HUGS

JO

Donna said...

Wow, Ruth, so many projects. I know the feeling.

The ceiling tin is going to be wonderful. And I like what you did with the mailbox.

Can't wait to see what the egg looks like when it's finished!

Happy day!
Donna

Archie and Melissa said...

hi ruth!
i love seeing and hearing about all of your projects and ideas. your process is wonderful. thank you so much for sharing it with us.
xo
melissa

Catherine Holman said...

Such great projects Ruth! I have an emu egg that's been hanging in a basket for years and I still haven't done anything with it.
Hugs,
Cathie

roseroomnz.com said...

Wow, busy lady! Thanks for sharing the process with us! Rachaelxo

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Ruth,

The ceiling tin with little bird house is darling - can't wait to see all of your projects finished.

The cross mail box is lovely - what a wonderful Christmas gift for your customer to give his mother.

The back emu egg looks very interesting to paint. Looks like you have lots of projects to work on for the New Year.
Have a fun week creating.
Erin

Charm and Grace said...

Oooh ...I am looking forward to seeing what comes of the first few pictures and the emu egg. The cross with shroud is quite beautiful. Hope you are having a blessed Christmas season!

Christi

La Donna Welter said...

The mialbox will be such a wonderful gift!
Also, can't wait to see the progress of the ceiling tin, and the "birth" of the egg!

Gail McCormack said...

Hi Ruth
I always love to see how others create, I'm looking forward to your next set of photos of your work in progress
I think a bright, gay coloured flower from your garden would be perfect on the egg....... although you'll probably have a rush of inspiration very soon

keep up the good work

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Ruth you are such a star, wish I could paint even half as well as you. Now you have me wondering what you will do with that egg, the suspence is killing me, well almost. ;-)

Paula B. said...

I love it when you give us a glimpse into your creative process! Am looking forward to seeing how you transform the emu egg. The photo does not convey the scale - emu eggs are quite large, so I can imagine you have lots of room for more detail than on the smaller eggs you paint.

I drool over those ceiling tiles...we rarely see such details in modern houses anymore.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Mosaic*Queen said...

Beautiful as usual Ruth! I can't wait to see everything finished. Especially the egg :-)
Hugs!
Michelle

Suzanne said...

So many projects! I tend to do the same thing, and have to pace myself and jot down notes so I remember what I'm doing next! Love the start of the ceiling tile, it is going to be so pretty.
And the mailbox will be such a beautiful gift, your customer must be so pleased.
Can't wait to see the emu egg!

Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas.