Category Archives: paint

A Belated Happy New Year

January 17, 2023 By in art at the speed of life, art sale, artist, artwork, egg, eggs, Oil painting, original art work, paint, painting, pam carriker, still life, Still Life Painting Tags: , , , , 3 Comments

Out with the Old, In with the New’ 4×6 oil on board

Well I had good intentions to post at the first of the year but…LIFE. I have however been painting a fair bit, getting ready for an event with my Art Guild.

I purchased a dozen quail eggs and have loved doing a series of paintings off of them.

‘New Beginnings’ 5×7 oil on board

I have to admit I was totally ready to kick 2022 to the curb, much like the previous two years. As I reflect on it I am trying to see the positives more than the negatives. My middle son found out he had cancer, a completely scary time for all of us. But it was treatable, caught early and with surgery it was removed and he is well now thankfully!

‘Set Apart’ 4×6 oil on board

My youngest who is serving in the Navy, was deployed. All of you service mom’s know what it’s like to have them gone. I’m praying constantly for his safe return. This time things are much different than when my oldest was deployed. We can keep in touch easily with email and he has been able to text and even call, much better than snail mail!e

Tea for Two’ 8×10 oil on board

Going to try and ease into this new year with the hope that it brings joy, peace and better things than we’ve seen with the last couple of years. Going to go grab a cup of tea and get back to my painting for now.

xo

Pam

Timeworn and heartfelt

April 19, 2009 By in art journal, byzantine, gesso, melange, mixed media, moleskine, paint, zne 21 Comments

Gesso and paint finally made their way into my Moleskine journal. I knew it would happen one day and yesterday was it! I prepped several pages and used up some leftover paint to start a section of painted pages. The Moleskine held up beautifully. It works especially well if both the front and back of a page are coated with gesso.
I am trying to get back to posting journal pages more frequently, but just because I don’t post them daily, doesn’t mean I don’t do something in my journal almost every day.
I was told by my father in law that my work has a Byzantine feel to it, so these pages were inspired by that comment and some of the glorious work I saw at the art gallery in D.C.
I like to play ‘rough’ in my journal sometimes, creating edgier, more distressed pages. It just feels good! Playing without worrying about perfection.
Just the process of adding layer after luscious layer of whatever is on hand.
I like to just use things I already have out, whatever
is in reach. Try using old tools in new ways.
I get my fingers messy when I work like this and have
been known to ruin good clothes, so I do try to remember to wear an apron. I said, try…
I loved the posture of his hand, I need to try one like this on a canvas.
My favorite thing about this page is her halo. I love that it is imperfect, looking like it is aged and worn away.

Clean Your Plate~ GPPS Street Team Challenge

September 18, 2008 By in art, greenpepperpress, michelle ward, paint, studio, zne 15 Comments

Time for another challenge from Michelle Ward! As soon as I read this challenge, I knew that I was on the same page as Michelle, and then when I signed on and saw all of the other comments, I realized we have a whole Street Team Army, already cleaning our plates! I know people feel the need to purge and clean in the spring, but I also feel it in the fall. And now I know I am not alone!

Over the summer I get little bits of time to dash into the studio and work a bit on my art, never staying long enough to clean up after myself. As summer progresses, I keep the door closed, my little secret-lol! Then the kids go back to school and I have a few glorious hours each day to work on my art, oh, and clean the house:-) Then begins the purge. I feel this need to clean everything out before winter keeps me inside, warming my toes by the fire. This year, I did a ‘Clean Sweep’ and took everything out of my studio and put back what I wanted. It took me several days, and I had to pry some things out of my hands and say goodbye-sniff. It is necessary though, if you want a clear focus and direction. I used to be so scattered, doing this project and that project, and I feel like I am finally doing art that I love, and paring down all of the other areas is OK. I don’t need to do twenty different kinds of arts and crafts. I can focus on mixed media painting as that is what I truly love to do.

One BIG thing I am letting go of is scrap booking. When I look at the piles of pictures waiting to be cropped and arranged on decorated pages, it exhausts me. I have given myself permission to put the bulk of my pictures into pocket sleeves and do an occasional scrapbook page here and there. What a weight off my back!

Why is it that we cling to these ideals of what we ‘have’ to do? Overcommitment seems to be the standard anymore. I am going to try to give myself permission to let some things go this year. I have several exciting projects in the works this year, and I want to be able to focus on them and be able to enjoy the process, not just the end results!