Posted by Suzie on Jan 8, 2010 in
Diary 
Angel Face
Happy New Year friends! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful festive season and break. We’ve had lots of fun both home and away, spending time with family & friends and enjoying the snow! I just wanted to share with you Angel Face. I know this is my first blog post in a while but she was actually created for Christmas, but with the general hustle and bustle it has taken me until now to publish her here! I’ve used a combination of media starting on a heavy water-colour paper which is fixed to board. On the paper I used heavy clear gesso which I stamped into whilst wet, and layered up acrylic paint and pencil. I’ve also colour washed and wiped back to reveal background detail and mute some of the tones.
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Tags: acrylic, angel, embellished, face, mixed media, original, paint, Suzie Rhodes
Posted by Suzie on Nov 20, 2009 in
Diary 
Green Goddess
Going gently but deeply within is the only space to create a truly authentic piece from, and this is exactly what happened when I made this one. I took the time to make my workspace feel special with subdued lighting and the tunes I like to listen to, scented candles burning away in the background and as few distractions as possible. When I can achieve this environment I enter into an indulgent but uplifting time-warp where I really get into a piece with my whole self. The process here was cathartic and the Goddess within flowed out through a series of strokes and tweaks with minimum fuss. I felt really ‘present’ with this girl and had the feeling that she just IS! And isn’t she rather lovely? If I may say so myself. 
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Tags: authentic, gesso, Goddess, layers, mixed media
Posted by Suzie on Nov 17, 2009 in
Diary 
Girl with Golden Hair
I’m really getting in to painting girls again – I just love painting girls, and I love experimenting with mixed media. Here I started out with some left-over pink acrylic paint which I had previously spread about as a background on to paper. Then I applied some antique decorative paper from the inner leaves of an old book as the border around the face. Then I layered up using stamps, acrylic paint, modelling paste in the hair and pencil crayons. I ‘m pleased with this portrait. Autumnal shades yet a glowing warmth are right for this time in the year!
Tags: acrylic, antique, face, girl, mixed media, painting, Portrait, pretty
Posted by Suzie on Jul 17, 2009 in
Diary 
Daffodils in Vase. Tissue, acrylic and gutta. 30cm x 40cm on MDF board.
Oh My! Nearly 2 months since my last post. So much has happened. I have purposely been trying to take life a little more slowly so made a conscious decision not to worry about my blog but to adjust gently to the move with a ‘come what may’ attitude. And so……. we came, and so did life and lots has occured. We got here in Derbyshire at the end of May, and it is a pretty place. I do love it here. The children are settling well into the Steiner school (with a few bumps along the way, but I think that is expected), and we too are adjusting as parents to the changes. I don’t for a minute have any doubts that we have done the right thing. Our kids seem to have become ‘fuller’ and so much more of themselves already. They’re growing well with their new challenges. Read more…
Tags: acrylic, Derbyshire, mixed media, Mother, painting, Steiner school
Posted by Suzie on Mar 20, 2009 in
Diary 
Tulips with Blue Glass.
Okay, just finished up on my most recent piece! I’ve experimented with crinkled tissue paper, glue, translucent and opaque layers, dimantes and even toilet paper (for the frame!!). I drew the lines on first with the black gutta and tissued over and started by blacking the whole thing (see below). Then it has been a series of acrylic layers, trials and adjustments to bring the whole piece together. I’ve learned a lot about technique through this painting – a lot about layers, about adding then taking away and just leaving a residue. I love how well the stencil turned out on the table cloth. Read more…
Tags: acrylic, authentic, Earth Hour, environment, gutta, inspiration, lights out, mixed media, painting, planet, tissue paper, tulips, zoning in
Posted by Suzie on Feb 12, 2009 in
Diary 
My Dear Friend Peggy. Mixed Media. 30 x 40cm.
There are so many Social Networking sites about these days, it’s really hard to know which ones to join. It’s hard to guess which ones will be of value without frittering hours away gassing (not that I don’t like a good natter!!). Like life isn’t hectic enough already juggling work and family life. So of course, I joined another group today on Ning.com (thanks to Lou!) with Gary Reef, another mixed media artist! I’m still familiarising myself with it but it does look inspiring and he teaches techniques too which I am always eager to learn as I am still finding my feet. But I really must stop joining any more!! Stop it Sue – Now!! But I do intend to join Facebook, and maybe e-cademy!! Noooo – Stop!! Read more…
Tags: Gary Reef, girl, horse, mixed media, Pegasus, social networking, tree
Posted by Suzie on Feb 11, 2009 in
Diary 
Sunshine Girl by my 10 Year Old Daughter.
It’s been so cold for too long now (brr rr rr rr!), and although the snow has been lovely I’m starting to look forward to the warmer weather and brighter evenings. To help set us on our merry way I have added this very optimistic looking painting made by my 10 year old daughter. It’s been a really enjoyable experience to watch her create this. Read more…
Tags: collage, daughter, layers, mixed media, office, snow, stencil, Studio, summer
