Spirit Paintings

In March, 2012, I started experimenting with a new style of mixed media using watercolor, colored pencil, ink, handmade stamps, & stamp ink pads and mostly an attitude of PLAY.  I had never felt this level of excitement and joy in creating my 2D work before.  I hope you enjoy the spirit of these paintings and that they help you capture that inner child who used to play at creating with no fear of "right or wrong".  Play with the possibilities and let the pure joy fill your heart and your spirit!

"Spirit of Spring", first experimental mixed media, 8"x10"

"Spirit of Shadows", 8"x10"

"Spirit of New Life", 9"x9", on black paper with gold metallic ink, colored pencil, marker.

"Spirit of Hope", 8"x10", hand made stamps, watercolor layers, colored pencil, ink. 

"Spirit of Those Who Wrap Their Love Around Your Heart", 8"x10", hand made stamps, watercolor layers, colored pencil, ink, marker.

"Spirit of Heaven", 8"x10", hand made stamps, watercolor layers, colored pencil, ink, marker.

"Spirit of Rain", 8"x10", hand made stamps, watercolor layers, colored pencil, ink, marker.

"Spirit of the Garden", 8"x10", 4 hand made stamps, watercolor layers, colored pencil, ink, marker, 3 commercial stamps.

"Spirit of the Night", 8"x10", hand made stamps, watercolor layers, colored pencil, ink, marker.

"Spirit of the Lillies", 6"x18", hand made stamps, watercolor layers, colored pencil, ink, marker.

The next several pieces are smaller and simpler.  I wanted to experiment with a smaller format and the possibility of using this style as postcards, greeting cards, or small inexpensive framed pieces.  The first two use homemade Pokeberry ink/dye that I made from local Pokeberries, which are poisonous when ingested, but makes an incredible hot pink dye and ink.  These were made in October, 2013.

"Spirit of the Cross", 6"x9", watercolor layers, colored pencil, pen & ink, cheese cloth dyed with homemade Pokeberry dye, ink.

 "Spirit of the Heart", 5"x7", homemade Pokeberry ink,  stamp pad used to paint background, marker, gel pen, handmade stamps, muslin dyed with homemade Pokeberry dye. (Sold 10-26-13)

"Spirit of Garden's Glory" , 5"x7", acrylic poured paint & gel pen (gifted 10-26-13)

"Spirit of Seeds" 5"x7", watercolor, stamp pad ink, gel pen, homemade stamps. (sold 10-26-13)

"Spirit of the Flowers" 5"x7", watercolor, stamp pad ink, gel pen, homemade stamps.  (sold 10-26-13)

"Spirit of Play", 5"x7", watercolor layers, marker, gel pen, colored pencil, stamp pad ink, homemade watercolor "confetti". (sold 10-26-13)

 "Spirit of the New Day",5"x7", watercolor layers, stamp pad ink, marker, colored pencil, handmade stamps.

"Spirit of the Sea", 5"x7", watercolor layers, stamp pad ink, marker, colored pencil, handmade stamps, gel pen.

"Spirit of the Woods", 5"x7", watercolor layers, stamp pad ink, marker, colored pencil, handmade stamps, gel pen.

"Spirit of Your Own Light", 5"x7", watercolor layers, stamp pad ink, marker, colored pencil, handmade stamps, gel pen.

These next few are my newest paintings and use acrylic, handmade stamps, colored pencil, & gel pens. Some of the acrylic is used like watercolor, some splatter and drip acrylic and then scraped, and poured fluid acrylic.

"Spirit of Secrets", 5"x7", acrylic, handmade stamps, colored pencil, gel pens, stamp pad ink.

"Spirit of Leaves", 5"x7",  acrylic, handmade stamps, colored pencil, gel pens, stamp pad ink.

"Spirit of the Warrior Heart", 8"x10", scraped acrylic, gel pens, stamp pad ink, handmade stamps, markers.

"Spirit of the Fallen", 6"x6" canvas, poured acrylic, white gel pen. (gifted 12-25-13)

Created 10-24-13--acrylic backgrounds, gel pens, stamp pad ink.

"Spirit of the Fairies", 6"x9"

"Spirit of the Petals", 5"x7"

"Spirit of Fantasies", 6"x9"

"Spirit of Windmills", 5"x7"

(10-29-13)  I am presenting Certificates of Authenticity with any sale of my work.  This week I mailed a few out and decided to decorate the envelopes.  It will be interesting to see if the one of a kind envelopes get any notice!  Here are a few examples: