Sunday, March 17, 2013

SUNDAY SKETCHES & PAY IT FORWARD ART

Last year I participated in a pay it forward project.  You sent something that had to be home-made... didn't matter if it was art, or food, or clothing.  I received a beautiful package and I had sent out a hand-knitted headband with felted flower to my recipient.  Soooooooooo, when my artist friend Mark Doepker posted a pay it forward art project I immediately signed up!

I posted on my FB page as instructed and a friend signed up.  Chrissy (my now recipient) and her husband Tony took a long awaited honeymoon this past December.  They went to my favorite place, Key West.  I knew right away that whatever I did would have some Key West in it.  My muse took over and the perfect image came to mind.  I have hundreds of rooster pics from our trips to Key West.  The symbol of the island. I had a special rooster I photographed from this last trip and wanted to use him.  The painting had to be bright as that is how the island is!

I drew my picture and then set to work.  I used watersoluble Caran D'Ache wax pastels ( love how these feel - like you are spreading butter) for the blue background - mixing blue turquoise with cobalt blue.  Outlined the KW with black acrylic paint - sharpied in my writing within the KW.  Everything I put in there is symbolic of the island - had to include Captain Tony's for obvious reasons - and then included honeymoon Dec. 2012.  I used watercolors -  orange and yellow to fill in the letters and wow everything was popping - just like I had it in my head.  I was afraid to complete the rooster for fear of wrecking the whole painting. (things don't usually come out like they are in my head)
used dark brown for matting instead of black, it really made a difference

After a couple days of staring at it...I sucked it up and put the brush to paper.  I completed the rooster using watercolors and then sharpie for some definition and a little white gel pen for some pop.  I hope Chrissy and Tony love this as much as I do.
a raw rough frame captures the island flavor

Thanks to Alexandra for hosting Sunday Sketches - now to finish my labels for the postcard swap!

cheers, dana
May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm sure they are going love him. Great rooster and love the vibrant colours you've used... :)

Robin Panzer Art said...

Dana it turned out wonderful, he is going to love it!

ann @ studiohyde said...

I knew this would look good from the pencil sketch in your previous post..and indeed it is wonderful.

Zue said...

He is wonderful, has such a cheeky glint in his eye!
xx

Anne Manda said...

Great, vibrant and wonderful and looks so great framed! :)

GalleryJuana said...

Wonderful design and the rooster is perfection!

Alexandra MacVean said...

Dana, this is wonderful. I LOVE the bright colors in it. It turned out amazing. :)

lissa said...

it's wonderful. I like the idea of giving art and paying it forward.

thanks for dropping by blog, have a great day.

Unknown said...

It turned out so well! Love the colors, so bright and cheery, perfect for key west!!

Unknown said...

It's so lovely! And the blue background makes everything really pop! Lovely work!

Morph Waffle said...

That sounds really cool, what a neat idea! Love your piece!

manomij said...

What a wonderful thing to get! I adore the colours. Manon x

Tracey FK said...

the rooster turned out beautifully and this is going to be treasured... love it...xx

Unknown said...

I love this one! Great work!

Jez said...

A gorgeous gift for your friends, bound to be a treasured painting on their wall. It all fits together to look just right, and the framing is perfect. Great.

Joanne Osband said...

What a lovely gift! The frame compliments the painting........nice finish. I like the colors in the rooster and the way he comes forward.