Monday 6 September 2010

Phoenix


She's rising from the ashes of her old life, casting off the shackles. She's ready to take on the world.
Phoenix represents a part of me. I'm reaching back into missed opportunities from my youth and taking a new artistic direction. It's time to take more risks, to tread where the timid fear and grab more of life. It's time to believe in what I can achieve (note, I actually wrote 'might' there first then resolutely deleted such a negative word). When I'm painting I feel so euphoric - an emotional rising!

This piece really gives definition to the term mixed media! She began as a sketch on cartridge paper - just a face. She took form with prisma colours then was cut out and glued onto some prepared tougher acrylic paper. In the meantime, I made my collage texture sheet brayering colour onto some watercolour paper then cutting up the result into 'feathers' which formed her headdress and gown. Black pastel gave some depth, then I glazed and painted her face, added some inktense, more prisma colours and just kept playing!

She is for Mixed Media Monday - 'warm it up'. This is the textured sheet I made to cut up for feathers.

29 comments:

  1. she is glamorous!! like a superstar shining on stage!

    it seems to me a lot of people are thinking of change ... taking more risk ... doing things that they would have otherwise not dared. a bloggie fren told me that it's becos during times of tribulation , people tend to think out of the box. the world has been having some not-so-easy times of late .. perhaps it's becos of that, that there is a collective energy of rebuilding and not only rebuilding, but evolution. as artists, we are being influenced by this energy and doing it in our own small way ... don't you think?

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  2. She's fabulous. Thanks for sharing how you achieved the final product, very interesting process.

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  3. Wow..she is fabulous..the energy is powerful from this piece..and your journey also embodied here ..has such beauty and spirit..wonderful!!
    Wow!
    Love this!
    Victoria~

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  4. Love the fiery color of your phoenix. Especially love your post about identifying the phoenix self of yours. Well Done!

    Guess what ... I took your suggestion and joined the mermaid class over the weekend! THANK YOU!:D Still reading and gathering the materials for the lessons ... lots to catch up.

    See you over at "school", hahaha!

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  5. phoenix, the perfect title! just gorgeous painting!

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  6. Absolutely! Phoenix is so apt Lisa! Did you know that orange is the colour of creativity? This is beautiful and so kind of you to share your process. Bravo, girl!

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  7. What a stunning creation Lisa, GREAT!! I love the different colors orange, the texture, I love all of this fantastic piece!!

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  8. Wowza ~~ beautifully bright and fiery, with wonderful details. I love how you created her headdress and gown. Great use of some awesome moments of creativity!

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  9. I love her,I love what she represents! Gorgeous colors.

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  10. Your Phoenix is beautifully done, Lisa! Was it Prismacolor pencils or paint pens that you used? (I love my pencils, and have been thinking of getting the pain pens.) I'm impressed with your "new direction". You go girl!!

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  11. Wonderful, colorful, beautiful. You are an excellent painter. Making the feathery stuff is amazing. This is certainly an exciting work of art.

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  12. beautiful piece and very hot hot hot ....

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  13. Fantastic painting in wonderful colours.

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  14. Really gorgeous work! Love your details about how you made this. :) Nan

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  15. Lisa,
    I am a huge fan of RED so I love that right away about this piece. She is so regal and magical - You are definitely coming up with some wonderful pieces! This may be my favorite so far...

    Smiles

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  16. i love the colors and drama lisa! i just finished a red and yellow background...now if it would dry i'd finish my painting! love the red!
    hugs:-)

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  17. Love her, Lisa. She is so vibrant and warm. Being a redhead I can relate to her.

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  18. Hi Lisa! She is magical! I always enjoy reading your posts. I am just the same when it comes to the emotional connection I have while painting. Continue to be free and soar high, Phoenix! :)

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  19. Fantastic piece in warm, beautiful colors!
    Hanne

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  20. So warm and tropical the perfect image for the challenge...beautiful work.

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  21. This piece is so striking! Its wonderful:-)

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  22. I love you newest self-portrait.
    Rise, baby, rise!
    I am right behind you :)
    xox

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  23. very creative - great idea for the feathers/hair.

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  24. ~lisa your background is ethereal...simply beautiful! and phoenix...a majestic reflection of your life and yourself...l♥ve every bit about her...i do not know if you are still accepting awards but there is something over on my blog waiting for you...wishing you well and blessings always~

    http://tofallorstumbleupon.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-award-for-me-and-you.html

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  25. oh Lisa!!! wow!!! I think this may be a new favorite!!! wonderful work and so perfect with the warm colours and tones!!!

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  26. Stunning!!Love the colour and the energy she is so gorgeous! Well done!

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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