bodner015

Mannie has a number of quilted manhole covers on the go  -with embellishments. (what would her work be without her embellishments?!)

Layer upon layer of acrylic paint is added to my pyrographic line images.  Each layer changes the look of the painting.  I have an image in my head but often as layers are added that image changes  -but, I'm getting there. I'm done for the day but the painting is not done. Suggestions for finishing?

Painting between the pyrographic lines takes a lot of time.  So I paint a little area here and then a little paint is put there.  And the process becomes one of persistence.  As I look at each new layer I make I wonder what will be the final result.

I have put down acrylic underlay that in some cases is opposite to what will eventually be the colour.

It has been some time since I have put brush to board in my Angst of Man series.  As usual I spend a great deal of time thinking about how the images should look and how the paint should accommodate the composition.  To unify the paintings a little more I have begun to mix the paints in larger quantities and then apply them to each of the images. As I add layer onto layer  the colours seen here will change.  I am looking to paint the extremes in the values and then I will work on the details.

I had tried these little paintings as oil pastels -no go.  So I used some waterbased oil paints. I do try to capture an attitude with these little birds.

And just when we have enough bird feeders I built two more with my grand children.  I had read in Bird Watch Canada that many children know many brand logos but can only name a few birds.  So, by having our grand children join in to make bird feeders they will keep a look out for those birds that come to their" feeders and thus learn the names.  When the grand children come to our place, Mannie and I work with them on projects and so leave our work behind.  This way we pass on the love and skills of our crafts/arts. Now I changed the way we were to assemble these bird feeders as the larger squirrels can hold on to the top struts of the previously built feeder and lean down to pick out the food.  These bird feeders will not allow that to happen.  The top bowl and tray were picked up at a church thrift shop and what with washers, stop/top and regular nuts, a 1/4 inch threaded rod and a wooden circle and wire we assembled the feeders. (Around $5 each -give or take.) Note the bottom t