Mixed Media Folk Art

Unstuck after 6 months!!!

2011-06-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

I finally was able to finish a painting after 6 months of trying. I painted but nothing seemed to be going well. I went back to Chaos and Calm -a online class I had joined earlier this year, all the videos were available,I went through the videos very quickly looking for the beautiful colorful paintings they showed in the introduction to the class. The paintings in the background.
I didn`t find the video that taught how to make those exact painting. After throwing a tantrum (privately in my own resistant head) , I saw someone had written the question where are the videos that show how to make those paintings and the answer was , they taught the techniques of how they did them, but not using those paintings. Crap!
It finally dawned on me that the one I really wanted to try was Julie`s drip technique she shows in class 12, and continues in the next 2 videos. Her paintings looked so different from the paintings in the original video, I didn`t even realize that is what it was.
I played the videos over and over until I got somewhat like Chris`s beautiful painting, my version of it. I need to work at the blending some more, but I`m happy with the results. Now after going through the frustration and resistance , I realize the value of having to figure it out myself. Good teachers don`t just give you the answers , they stir up the pot that is our minds, dreg up some of the sediment at the bottom and get things moving and flowing.
I do recommend the Chris Cozen/Julie Prichard online classes. Even though I wish Julie would let us hear what Chris says when she`s painting.I love watching Chris paint. Thank you Chris & Julie for all the work you put in the classes.

A Blue Version of the Forgiveness Is Painting.....

2010-11-22T15:34:00.000-08:00

12" x 12" layers and layers of acrylic mediums.

Abstract Dragonfly Collage

2010-10-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I`d share my latest collage/painting. 20" x 20". Collaged pics and papers and an antique frame on the surface. Inspired by dragonflies at the lake this summer. Love this color of blue too. Thanks for looking.

Layers and Layers and Forgiveness Is.....12" x 12"

2010-09-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

This is my latest painting. I was playing with the idea of depth. Trying to make the dots look deep inside the painting. I did some dots and then I would add some gel, dots, gel, dots, gel. I thought one day ,I`m going to be making dots forever on that painting if I don`t think of something. While meditating in the pool one afternoon I saw the answer. The black lines to cut into the design. That was the answer. The saying reads... Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that crushed it." Radical way of thinking of forgiveness. This piece is sold.

2010-06-08T09:58:00.001-07:00

I joined a really interesting online class called" Complex Collage" . I had taken the Color -Beyond the Basics class and got a lot from that, I thought I`d try this one too. This is my work after taking the 2 classes and applying some of what I learned. If you join either or both classes, tell them Melanee Herrera recommended them.
I found wonderful collage papers at Brushstrokes in Lewisburg,Pa., so I started with the beautiful blue that`s in the background. I had an antique needlebook nearby and I looked at the paper and thought I`d like to use that, so the black areas and the actual needles are in this .This guided how the piece was going to move forward. I added other colors and circles, etc..

I added the groups of circles as an idea of the honeycomb, and the green running down is a resembles honey, but is green. With the needles I wanted an image that had to do with sewing, so in the class they showed how to add this bee to a collage,(or whatever image you prefer. I thought "Sewing Bee", but in a more modern way. Instead of the antique version with women sitting around a quilt sewing, I would make a version of the words. I thought of thread for the needles ,and added thread in a way to remind us of the dances the bees do to communicate to each other. I`m very pleased with how it came out. 20" x 20" copyright 2010 Melanee Herrera All rights reserved.

Attempt at Faux Encaustic

2010-06-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

I was trying to mix mediums to have a faux encaustic look , making it look like it has a film of wax over it. But when I had it all covered it just didn`t do much for me, so I decided to leave some of it covered and some bold. I painted over some areas. I`m pleased with the outcome and I`ll try again with the faux encaustic idea on another piece. 12" x 12" acrylic. copyright Melanee Herrera 2010.

Harvest Gallery Williamsport ,Pa. March 2010

2010-03-06T01:20:00.000-08:00

I moved to another wall at Harvest Gallery. Lots more room to spread out. First Friday was very busy , lots of people stopped by to see the latest art of the featured artist Alex Callenberger, artist and musician. 46.5 W. 4th St. Williamsport,Pa.

Photo of my new art wall at Harvest.

Monochromatic Red Abstract Painting

2010-02-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

After doing some very colorful paintings ,I wanted to try to just explore one color. I felt comfortable using a wide range of colors and wanted to see if I could reign it in to just one. But with white & black added too. It was fun, and a challenge. Thanks for looking!

Vintage Collages for February

2010-02-17T13:36:00.001-08:00

3 Vintage Ladies.
The top half of the ladies are made from old magazine ads from 1897 ,and a photo of very old doll slips,collaged together. Many layers added of glazes of paint and ink. I added zen doodles around the edges to mix the old and the new in an interesting way.

The Power of Love.
The 2nd collage, I used a photo copy of a 17thC. painting and collaged it over some paper with writing on it. The bottom half as shown in the 2nd image down, I grain painted blue over red .Then I painted the sides out to form a skirt. I don`t have a plan when I make my work , I just saw a shirt continuing down from the woman`s waist. I added collage pieces from old books , zen doodles,and many layers and the 3rd image is the finished piece. Again, a mix of old and new,in what I hope is an original look. Both of these collages are for sale at the Harvest Gallery in downtown Williamsport.

My Sister Wrote About She & I on her Blog

2009-12-24T00:29:00.000-08:00

Voices in My Big Head
Click on the Voices in my Head link above to see the blog post.

She put into words some of the amazing story she and I have been through in this last wonderful year of our lives. It`s been like nothing I`ve ever experienced. Both of us finding many of our answers to life`s mysteries, and then putting them into practice. It`s been great to have someone to share our experiences with , who understand`s this new way of being.
And art is a major part of the experience. It`s such a great teacher. It`s teaches, self worth, patience, courage, expression, creativity, integrity. It`s a place to be,(in the zone) is what I like to call it. It brings joy and happiness. The colors have just made me so happy, after using mostly historical colors for so many years, which I still like, but I was limiting myself to them. And when Nina came to visit, I was totally open to whatever she had to offer, as she was open to trying to paint in the 1st place, when I asked her about trying art again.I had no resistance, except one point when I thought I couldn`t do it and I wanted to go to bed and quit, and she wouldn`t let me. So many artists work alone, and that`s just been an accepted story, but the movement that seems to be spreading is to make art with others, whether it be in groups, classes, or online groups , friends getting together.
The teachers who teach techniques and share their knowledge are really doing so much more than they will ever know. It`s not a small thing you all are doing when you teach. Planting seeds all over the place that grow into beautiful things and experiences. You have helped my sister and I connect on a level that we might not have gone to if you hadn`t made available the classes you did . I thank you for that. Thank you Nina . I love you.

I made the News ! Thank you Williamsport Sun Gazette !

2009-12-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

Right hand corner of the front of the art section and a small write up with my name in big letters.

Article reads.....
Melanee Herrera`s artwork is on display at Harvest Artisan Cooperative 46.5 W.Fourth St.To see more of Herrera`s art , visit http://melaneeherrerafolkart.blogspot.com/.

Texture Painting -Self Portrait?

2009-12-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

I was painting this painting with the idea of the flow coming down from the circle in the upper left hand corner. I had painted it and worked way too many hours on it. But it still wasn`t right. My husband said , just make the next one the way you want it and let it be as is. I hung it and looked at it, and knew for sure it wasn`t right. So I took it back, reworked it and was so pleased with how it came out. I got a thought it should be called Self portrait......I thought how can it be self portrait, what I`m colorful? Nothing like arguing with your source...:-).
I hung it up again but decided I would try the circle in the bottom right corner instead, thinking the drips are falling from the top instead of dripping down. So I`m looking laying down, and my husband is looking too and says, it looks like there`s a person with their arms out,when you tilt your head to the left.
I saw too as he said it. I was so happy , a figure I hadn`t even tried for was there. Then I got the memory of self portrait.....it was me? yes, I recognized it at 1st because I`ve been working out at the gym and looking at the progress of my arms every so often holding my arms out at the sides like the painting. It even flows down to a wide body ,like I have, then goes on to the beautiful circle which I see as my source/God energy which I am connected to .
I saw it as a message of how my source sees me, beautiful , soaring, flying , free, yet connected to it. I was overwhelmed by the experience. What a gift, what an experience . Art =communication.

My ArtWork is in a Gallery! Harvest Gallery Williamsport ,Pa.

2009-12-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

Here is my one of my newest collages, inspired by Teesha Moore. 12" x 12" on canvas. It`s at a gallery in downtown Williamsport called Harvest. I`ll have my work there for 3 months. 40 West 4th St.570-321-9900

This is a needle punch rug I designed and made to be framed. All wonderful shades of blues and greens.

A brick wall of some of my work, a set of 4 paintings that I showed on an earlier post here on this blog. And some of the collages.

Inside the Harvest Gallery , getting ready for the show that evening for 1st Friday.This is one of the store owners who makes her own glass beads.

This is another one of the owners who has Williamsport Frame Shop in this gallery.

Latest Textured Painting -October 09

2009-10-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

I`m feeling very good painting with these vibrant colors. 12" x 16" Second photo is a close up of an area on the painting.

My Princess Collage-Angelina

2009-10-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

I took some watercolor paper and folded it in half and creased it with a bone folder. Took a happy photo of my Granddaughter Angelina and changed it to sepia tone in my photoshop type program. Then copied it with a copier that has permanent dye, like at Staples, etc. I ended up with this little painting of my Granddaughter, collaged and painted and stamped, and bejeweled. It was great fun!

Blue Angel Painting

2009-09-25T00:09:00.000-07:00

This is what came out as I painted , I didn`t start with an idea. It evolved into this. I love painting in these blues and greens. 12" x 16".

New Textured Abstract Paintings

2009-09-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

I made these four 9" x 12" canvas paintings ,to go together on a wall, in any configuration. Bright colors playing off of each other, in an abstract yet balanced way.

This is a section close up. It`s hard to get an exact picture . I made lots of texture first,( very fun!), and then painted for days, about a week and a half I`ve been working on these ......until I got what I was happy with.

Thank you for looking. These are For Sale. Email me if you are interested.

2 Texture Paintings I Made this Past Week

2009-08-31T21:17:00.000-07:00

These were 2 more paintings I did in the same week, with my sister. Making texture with molding paste. Very fun and very colorful , using Golden brand paints. These 2 paintings have great energy in them from the time we spent together making them. I will always treasure them.

Making Creatures with Nina 09

2009-08-31T20:38:00.000-07:00

I have a renewed interest in mixed media . My sister came from California and she and I painted for a week together. Our 1st paintings being these Mythical Creatures. New species made up of parts of animals and plants collaged together.
I`ve been stuck artistically lately and she was able to give me a hand , so to speak, at getting back to it. As with writers getting writer`s block, artist`s get artist`s block and I`ve had it for awhile. Not the end of the world as I`m always looking to see if I`m to evolve.
I made the Red Lion Man and the Swan Boy. She made the Monkey Princess. I`m in the brown shirt she is in the black shirt.
It was great to make art with someone else, and I hope to do it again as soon as possible. We layered paint, collage pics,stamping. Added the creature on top. Most reactions are no reaction to these creatures. Like if you have nothing good to say , say nothing at all. But they were great in opening me up , like opening a window and clearing out the stuffiness in my brain.And they are FUN to make. Made me giggle at the many variations that can be put together and some look goofier than others.

Monkey Princess _ Nina

Swan Boy_Melanee

Red Lion Man

Folk art Dollmaking in Progress

2008-10-18T11:56:00.001-07:00

Every once in awhile I get a desire to work on my unidentified art pile. This is a box of things I stopped working on , considered it a failure at the time , or just thought someday it will come to me what I`m suppose to make out of this object. This doll was one of those. It was a beginning prototype of a small waisted doll that was not what I was looking for at the time.

I started with the idea to make an undercoat out of a different color than what I usually do. I used blue.

I drew on the eye placement with pencil.

And decided I didn`t like the face and changed it. I knew layers of paint will eventually cover the old placement.

I painted the features in outline like a coloring book.

I add face paint working to make those lines disappear, yet still be there .

I added striped stockings and shoes, hands, etc.

I added an antique dress off of an old broken composition doll I had sitting around. She lives on my shelf with some other dolls.

Update on my Altered art Piece Marriage to Divorce by Melanee Herrera

2008-06-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

I know everyone is having a wonderful Summer and aren`t on the computer, but I`ll keep posting in case someone is still around. I just got my groove back and I want to play!

Here`s the update of my marriage/ house piece. I have a friend who is going through a divorce, and this is what I made from listening to them.
I didn`t know if I should stop where I had it yesterday, I didn`t think it looked that bad the way it was, but it didn`t have the message I had in my head. Since I`m not making it for anyone, I don`t have to have it have a certain look, it will just become what it will become.

I white washed the front so I could still see that it was a house, I wanted it to be a faded out image of a house, a faded likeness. I added this saying, because this is what this person ,who is getting a divorce, needs to understand but is so caught up in their misery and anger right now. I washed out the things inside too, a life no longer a reality. I printed the saying and I used a product called Mod Podge Matte, it`s thicker than the regular and not shiny. I white washed the clock face and painted a break down the heart. The butterfly is clip art colored with pencils and I adhered it to card stock and sealed with Mod Podge on both sides to give it some stiffness.

I feel like it needs some more, the front is so white, but I don`t want to cover up the windows and door. I tried stamping some designs but they didn`t work right on that bumpy surface. Might change that C in the corner too. Melanee

Altered Art House-Wedding Couple Folk art Melanee Herrera

2008-06-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

I am trying my 1st altered art piece in hopes of opening up creatively. I started with stuff I found at my local junkie flea market on Sunday.

I thought furniture....wedding.....house... so I took an old paper cigar box that had it`s lid already off. Made the lid into the roof. 2nd photo.

Painted the house, added the collage of furniture, because that`s part of marriage, the wedding, the furniture, the house , time, and a heart representing love. It has no statement except what you see in it.

Not sure what I think of it, or if it`s finished, it doesn`t feel finished.Should I leave it be or mess with and possibly ruin it? .....

Folk Art Abstract Needle Punch Piece by Melanee Herrera

2008-06-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

This is a large needlepunch piece I did , more modern/folk art. I found the frame first and made the piece to fit. I haveanother frame just like it and hope to make a matching set. The second being matching but different, it hasn`t come to me how that will look.

Folk Art Cat Needle Punch by Melanee Herrera

2008-06-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

I collect old picture frames, not sure why, am so drawn to them. I can get them cheap around here but lately I`ve had to pay a little more so maybe it`s coming to an end, my buying cheap that is. Someone else catches on to their value and then they go too high for me. But I have enough to last the rest of my life . Here is one of the old frames with old paint, I needle punched this folk art cat to fit into it. My own design. Anyone else have a thing for old frames out there?

Folk Art Needle Punch Piece by Melanee Herrera

2008-06-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a piece I did in needlepunch , a version of an old hooked rug. I`m very attracted to circles, maybe from the years of going around and around in the same place, familiar to me. **smile** This took me 3 weeks of many hours a day, punching each little loop. It lays on my old lift top desk, and my cats are very attracted to needlepunch pieces, love to lay on them. (But I move them off, I love them dearly but they can lay somewhere else just as easily. )

That`s one thing I noticed about many women artists, they have cats.

Folk Art Angel Painting by Melanee Herrera

2008-06-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I`d share my 1st finished painting. I have been reading many self help books trying to get free from the negative voice in my mind who tells me nothing I make is any good. Because I wanted it so badly, I kept at it until I found what helps me. That was reading and studying "A New Earth" and "The Power of Now" both by Eckhart Tolle. These books are the answers I was searching so long for. To realize I am not my persona/ego, but something greater than that, we all are.

These truths helped me find my way out of the dark place I was at and into the light of life! This is what came out as my 1st creation after reading the books. I used paper , acrylic paints, and stamped ink. It was very enjoyable to be in the moment and not think about where it will go or what anyone will think or say about it and to turn off the negative inner critic.

I share it with you in hopes it will inspire you and you will step through your fear or excuses, or negative thoughts , whatever is holding you back a try whatever it is you`ve always wanted to try.