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Alcohol Inks on Canvas

For over a year, I've been doing alcohol ink paintings. I've painted on Yupo, ceramic tiles, plastic dominos, and glass. They are a fun and vibrant medium.

Yesterday, I went to my studio with the intent of doing some cherry blossom paintings on Yupo (synthetic paper). For some reason, I decided that I wanted to try painting with them on a blank and pre-gessoed canvas I had sitting around. It wasn't the absolute first time I have touched the inks to canvas, but it was the first time that I have done so as more than a mere experiment to see how the inks take to the canvas surface.

I took a few photos as I went along:

Inspiration photo, taken by me Spring 2013

Canvas with whites masked with Miskit. Usually the orange doesn't show up so much, but the bottle is getting close to empty and the coloration has settled to the bottom.

Squirts of ink! I'm now putting on my gloves!

Background now has it's initial coat of ink.

Masking fluid has been removed! Wow!

Now, I am painting in paler shades and detail. I love the white ink over the background!

Detail of Blossoms

I'm not finished with the painting. My plan is to come back in with acrylic paints and add some dimension. All in all, I am pleased with the start.

Under the Fir Tree - Alcohol Ink Series

"Under the Fir"

11" X 14"

$295

The alcohol ink paintings keep coming. This was a painting derived from this photo:

I wish I had taken photos during every step of the process, but I neglected to. It is the process that I used in this blog post except I now use translucent Yupo paper which is much easier to see through. I also used a LOT of masking fluid in the making of it, but only in one layer. The background was somewhat of an afterthought, and I'm not sure why I put in a pink background, but I like it.

I've been having so much fun with these paintings this month that I'm now about to go find more images to continue the series. I hope you are enjoying them too.

Two More AI Gems!

I decided not to include these two alcohol ink paintings in yesterday's post because the photos were not recent. The one of the leaves is from last year. I loved the graphic nature of the branch on the road.

"Fallen Branch," 8" X 10" $175

In fact, this same branch is part of a paper litho print that I did last year,

("Whispers of Fall," 10" X 10," mounted on cradleboard is currently available at Stifel & Capra for $95.)

"Hollyhock Dreams," 11" X 14" $295

This painting is the second one that I have done using the inspiration photo of grain stalks (sorghum?) in Clovis, NM. The first one that I did sold very quickly and was in a different palette. I love how different days reveal different inspirations.

Do you see the resemblance? Which do you prefer?

If you want to know more about the method I use to paint these, I wrote about it here.

Winter Inspirations

Something about the bleak winter days makes alcohol inks more appealing. The bright colors cheer me.

I also got a FitBit for Christmas, so I've done a little walking (not enough, mind you). When I walk outdoors, I am compelled to photograph everything. Well, not everything, but a lot. This time of year, the photos are interesting in shape, but not color. I thought it would be fun to do colorful interpretations of them. I'll show each with its corresponding photo:

Summer Legacy, 11" X 14" $295

Winged Seeds, 11" X 14" $295

Token Color, 11" X 14" $295

Bristled, 11" X 14" $295

Meadow Wildflower, 11" X 14" $295

Are you surprised? Inspiration can be found everywhere. I remember watercolorist Sue Archer showing a painting of a dumpster. It was beautiful. She told us that it isn't what you paint, but how you paint it.

Pretty, Pretty Pendant

Double Blossom

Ink on Shell

1" X 1"

$20

Click here to purchase it on Etsy

I just love this pendant. It is an example of alcohol ink doing what it does best. I love the pinks, reds and oranges with the contrasting lime green. I set it onto a silver square and added a red bead and a cut crystal bead to finish it off.

For the Love of Fringe!

Pendant: Pink Flower With Fringe

$20 + tax and shipping

Pendant: Yellow Flower with Wishbone Fringe

$20 + tax and shipping

These painted shell tiles (1" square) were painted a while ago, but the metal squares that I was going to attach them to were missing something. I decided to hammer some wire into swinging metal tassel fringe. The pink one has seven pieces of straight fringe and the yellow one has three pieces of wishbone shaped fringe. I added a large bail at the top.

Each comes with an 18" silver-colored chain. I think they look fun and fresh!

Announcing...Wander Tram Jewelry Designs

So...I've been making and selling several different kinds of jewelry since about February, but in a rather "unofficial" capacity. I've been handling the sales as part of my nmdART business, but sending or giving my artwork business card with the items is awkward because it directs customers to my art website, which doesn't have my jewelry designs on it and the card doesn't have my Etsy shop on it either. Obviously, it is time to get new cards.

I didn't want my cards to say Nancy Murphree Davis Jewelry, so I sat pondering what to call it. My son suggested that I make an anagram of something, which I found an intriguing idea. Wander Tram is a fun name that encompasses all letters of nmdART(wear)! Do you think it is completely random? Here is why I don't think so...One of my favorite quotes is:

"All who wander, are not lost."

                        J.R.R. Tolkien

That is what my jewelry is about...creative wandering. I love making the fused glass pendants. I love painting the domino pendants and the domed glass pieces. It is fun. I hope they make people as happy to wear as they make me while I create them.

I also love the idea of a tram! When do you ride on a tram? 

1. The airport? That says travel and new places to see and explore! 
2. From a stadium or amusement park parking lot? That is always exciting!
3. Downtown? Playing tourist at home or while traveling is one of my favorite pastimes!

I'm currently ramping up for a craft show on Nov. 8th. After that, I will be putting all of my remaining items in my Etsy Shop or taking them to Local Colour Old Town. Here is a sneak peak of some of the items.