Day 19/30: Morocco

Hello friends! 
My muse is back! I'm so happy to be working in the studio like I want and need to. Even though I've had a little dry-spell these past two days, I've used it to my advantage.

Sometimes, it's best to get up and do something totally different than what you're doing in order for the inspiration/motivation to flow again. So that's what I did...

I've always been mesmerized by geometric patterns. The undulating shapes, bold and vibrant colors, rich and ancient history, all packed into the overall designs. What a visual feast! 

The inspiration for today's project is from Moroccan culture.  I decided to create my own wall-art decor from a couple of small canvases and some luscious paint I picked up from my local hardware store. (Acrylic paint would definitely work, as well! Just trying something different, here.)

Day 19/30

First, I created my own designs, based off Moroccan home, interior decor and architecture. (Simple and large shapes seem to work best for me. No need to over-complicate it!)
Then, I painted the canvases in bright colors, and finally, I transferred each design to my canvases and added more paint. 

I started out making stencils of each design but, later on, I decided not to use them. I wanted these paintings to reflect movement and the aesthetic of the handmade to be obvious. I'm OK with imperfections- it's the imperfections that make this project uniquely mine.

See ya later ;)

Day 18/30 Slow progression...

Day 18/30

Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a great Monday. As for me, it's 'just one of dem days'. You know, the time when you see yourself running around and around with that never ending to-do list. Cross one thing off, two more things take its place! Good grief -_- .

I'm writing to you to let you know that this 30 day art challenge has been going great and YES, some days are more difficult for me to get in the studio. Today's a perfect example...

I'm still working on the illustrations for DAY 17 & today (DAY 18). What a slow progression but I think it'll be well worth the time I'm putting into finishing them. Well, I'm gonna take a friend of mines advise and tell myself 'All is well; just keep doing one step at a time and before I know it, I'll be finished!'

Here's a sneak peek of what I have, so far: 3 painted canvases and a few sketches, inspired by geometric shapes and patterns. 

Keep wishing me well! ;-) Thanks and I'll meet you back here, tomorrow for the reveal!

Day 17/30: Brazil

Day 17/30

Today's mini-excursion will be in BRAZIL!! I'm so excited because I've been studying Brazilian Portuguese for nearly 2 years now and I really wish to practice with a native speaker. I have met another artist who has been helping me along the way. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be taking an actual trip there, in the future!

I've always been in awe of Brazil's eclectic mix of culture and friendly personality.  Oh, I would love to witness the annual, 5 day Rio de Janeiro Carnival ('Carnaval' in Portuguese) that will be held next year on February 28th, watch the 2014 Olympic games, walk the Ipanema beach, visit the 'Christ the Redeemer' statue- which is considered the world's largest Art Deco statue IN THE WORLD, standing at a tremendous height of 130 feet!! The list could, easily, go on and on...

So, let's move on to today's project. Today, I was intuitively working- painting, tearing paper left and right, gluing and stitching images together, when a message started to emerge and manifest its reason for being. I will tell you what it was, but see if you can figure it out first.

Title: "Be alive, prosper!"

Media: decorative scrapbook papers, fabric scraps, colored tissue paper, embroidery floss, thread, stencils, hand-written text, rhinestones, modeling paste, acrylic paints and tracing paper on wood panel. 

Size: 5 inches by 4 1/2 inches

© 2013 by Martice Smith II. 

Ahhhh....paper ephemera heaven...LOVE IT! This is my stash of decorative and scrapbook paper. Gotta find the 'right' papers to express the exuberance of Brazil!  

 New color combinations, patterns, and imagery all mixed up in unexpected ways to create sparks of imagination on my wood panel. I like to be messy at time, like with this project. I believe in following my impulse...it has never led me wrong!

Instead of trying to fit each inch of paper on the rectangular shape of wooden panel, I just let them spill over freely and carefully ran a sharp craft knife to trim each side edge.

See how nice the edges turned out?! Trimming makes a very neat edge that brings contrast to the free-form collage. This pic shows you a step where I used sandpaper to round off the corners...to have more control over the sandpaper, I created my own hand-held sandpaper tool by gluing a piece to a spray can top! Clever, clever, yeah I know!

Here's a close up- there are many layers on this panel. Cut-outs, stencils, hand-torn papers, tissue and acrylic paints.

It wasn't until after I finished this project that a message revealed itself to me. It read 'Be alive, PROSPER'. Wow, such profound words for me, right now!!
It will serve as a reminder to keep looking forward, be totally in the moment of creating and boldly make artwork that's authentic to me.


I hope you enjoyed inspiration from Brazil in all its rich, luscious colors and magical culture!

Até amanhã (ah-TAY a-MUN-yah),

"See you tomorrow",

Day 16/30 {WEEK 3/THEME: Travel}

Day 16/30

Welcome to WEEK 3 of my 30 day art challenge!

If there was any place in the world you'd want to travel to, where would you go?

I have a very loooong list of places I want to explore. Just because I may not have the money to go right now, why would that stop me?! I believe that God will make a way for me to travel around the world, someday. Wouldn't it be great if my art took me there? HECK YEAH! Let's go now...come along with me!

Today, I've packed my imagination and I'm heading out. Here's a quick, little illustration I did today:

This illustration is packed with contour line drawings, to give a sense of dynamic movement. Photography (the cityscape in the background) has also been incorporated. I experimented with the value scale and decided to have the majority of the work in values of gray and the burst of colors from the personality of the figure. I really like how you can see the city through her tank top and through the windows of the bus!

Title: "Are We There Yet?!"
Media: graphite, colored pencils, cut paper collage, vellum, photography, watercolors and ink pen on watercolor paper and digital collage.
Size: 4 inches by 6 inches
© 2013 by Martice Smith II.


I L♥VE traveling- and I especially love road trips. When I was growing up, my mother, twin brother and I would travel often, just for our "family fun time" (as we call it). Although I've never been outside of the USA, it has been a dream of mine's to do so. I know, without a doubt, that I get my "traveling bug" from my Mama!

During WEEK 3, we'll be taking our very own, mini excursions via internet! This means, we're simply going, WHEREVER we want to go on a ticket from the world wide web! Oh, and the best part? IT'S TOTALLY FREE!

"If you see it {your dreams} in your mind, the hardest part has already been done. The second hardest, for most people, is to say 'I'm going'." ~ Martice Smith II


What about you, my friend? Where do you see yourself going? When you get there, what things will you do? (Don't tell me any negative stuff- 'cause I'm not having it!)

Peace,

Day 15/30 - I'm HALFWAY there!

Hey, y'all! It's DAY 15 and you know what that means, right?! Today is **officially** the "half-way-done mark" of my 30 day art challenge! Man, oh, man...where has the time gone? Now, I shall reflect on this challenge...

I had an idea of what I was getting myself into when I launched this challenge, however, I did not expect for it to take so much intense energy and commitment to push out an artwork EVERY SINGLE DAY! Wow! I had that much crazy motivation in me to do it...but this challenge is not as scary as you might think!


Today, I'm taking a time-out to thank you for your comments, suggestions, critiques, motivation, support, "likes" and shares (via this blog and my Facebook art page). You have helped me get to this point!

For those who really didn't think I could pull this off, I thank you, too! It just proves that if someone has this kind of great faith within themselves, it's very unlikely you could shake that!

As I've been working each day, I really haven't had the time to analyze my creations. It kind of feels odd for me not to do so but I'm enjoying the process of making art and getting it out there to you. Breaking it down into a week-by-week schedule, has really lifted the pressure of overwhelm. (Just look at it as 7 days at a time and in no time, 7 art pieces will be born!)

I am so glad I decided to tackle this 30 day art challenge and humbled to know that you're on this journey- right along with me.
Now, I shall reflect more on this challenge..."See" you tomorrow. Have a great weekend ;-)

 

Did you miss any of my posts from {WEEK 2} or would you like to revisit a post and leave a comment for me? If so, click on any of the daily posts, below, to get started!

• DAYS 8 & 9: textural, abstract backgrounds
• DAY 10: more abstract backgrounds, inspired by architecture
• DAY 11: an inspirational prayer triptych with symbolic charms
• DAY 12: a continuation of DAY 11...view final project
• DAYS 13 & 14: keepin' things simple with bold colors, spray paint and embroidery techniques

 * * * The theme for WEEK 3 is: {Travel} * * *

Creatively yours,

Days 13 & 14/30

Days 13 & 14/30

Today, I had to play a little catch-up for DAY 13 and I also had to finish today's piece (DAY 14) as well. I decided to keep them both simple. Go on and take a peek! 

Title: "Purple Passion"
Media: spray paints, gesso, red and black ink pens, star sticker, organza fabric and machine stitching on phone book pages.
Size: 6 1/2 inches by 7 inches, 
© 2013 by Martice Smith II.

Title: "Tropical Breeze"
Media: gesso, black ink pen, graphite, acrylic paint, hand-cut stencils on phone book pages.
Size: 7 inches by 9 inches© 2013 by Martice Smith II.


I MADE ANOTHER ONE! For today's illustration, I couldn't stop at creating just one! So, I kept going and made an extra- just a li'l somethin' to pay you back for being late with DAY 13 :)

Title: "Light to my Soul"
Media: gesso, black and red ink pens, graphite, acrylic paint, white out, sewing pattern tissue paper, hand-cut stencils, vintage sewing pin, thread and embroidery floss on phone book pages.
Size: 6 1/2 inches by 7 inches
© 2013 by Martice Smith II.

There you go: DAYS 13 and 14/30 are now complete...and so is WEEK 2!!

I hope you've enjoyed the pieces I've created this week!