Cicada

As a child growing up in the Midwest, the droning buzz of the cicada brought anticipation of summers to be and memories of summers past to mind. So this composition came together as tribute to those hot and humid summers, catching tadpoles in the creek, swimming in the lake, riding in the car with the window down for air conditioning, dreaming on the lawn in the evening and the flight of the fireflies at night. I used Golden Liquid acrylics, mixed with their new line, Open Acrylics (they stay wet much longer, allowing more painterly affects). The design was free-handed based on a textbook photo of a cicada and memories from my childhood. Enjoy.

Art and image copyrighted 2008 by Jan Harris

Crab

I loved the theme this month!

I couldn't stop with just one and actually have also created a bee, beetle, lobster, and another owl in the same format. Those can be viewed soon at www.sixthstreetgallery.com.

To answer a few questions on my work-I begin each piece with a sketch on graph paper, I then transfer that image onto board and add all of the details with pencil. I use a gouache/acrylic paint because it is very opaque and solid in color. And to complete the piece I outline everything with a technical pen.

Thank you for all of the positive comments on my owl! I was very nervous to show the piece since it was so different from the other entered pieces.

Art and image copyrighted 2008 by Traci Donahue

Dearest

I have always been enamored with butterflies. When the entomology theme was introduced, it was an easy choice for the subject.

The work is painted on fabric using acrylic washes, along with stitching, beading, and additional washes applied of an iridescent paint and liquid gold leafing. There is only a small bit of collage incorporated into the piece.

The exploration of pattern continues with a play on the idea of a garden through the interpretation of an antique Victorian floral wallpaper design.

Again, I pose the question to the viewer of whether the butterfly is real or part of the wallpaper. He casts a patterned shadow of stars to aid in this transition from tabletop to wall.

An additional note, the butterfly is actually 3 dimensional. Although difficult to see in the posted image, the body is sewn to the background allowing the wings to lift just like in real life.

Art and image copyrighted 2008 by Tracie Huskamp

Forest Spider

Hello Everybody!
I just had to get arting up lately, so here is my August canvas. I used a transparency for the background for my spider. (I wonder of this is going to be a trend for me throughout this challenge.) It is a picture of a vine maple on my property. Then I found a small branch, cut to size and attached with two wires. Threaded the "spider web" and added my spider. Somewhat simple, but quite effective I think. I hope it doesn't scare the spider-phobes too much.

Since I only get to this blog about once a week it makes it difficult to comment on each separate piece put up. I would like to say now, that all the artwork to date is FABULOUS! I'm very honored to be in the company of such wonderful artists!

Art and image copyrighted 2008 by Z'Anne Bakke

Nest with a View

Birds have never been a theme in my work, probably because I can't draw them correctly. When the theme of birds was chosen for the challlenge I wonderedif it was possible to use the theme without using an actual bird. That is where the idea for "Nest with a View" came from.

It is painted with acrylic with several layers of under painting. If I were to do it again, I would raise the postition of the nest, so that it felt more "up in the air." This compostiton makes it look as if it is a ground nest which was not my intention. I meant to capture the view the bird would see from her nest in the tree. Oh, well, on to the next piece.

Art and image copyrighted 2008 by Judi Stack

Bird at Home

Lets hear a cheer! My very first challenge is completed! And believe me, it WAS a challenge. Thank you Tracie and Jan for putting this together. I need this to get me in my studio doing something other than Art & Soul!

Art and image copyrighted 2008 by Glenny Moir

Fly Away

I am normally a 3-D artist: metal, gourds, fiber, paper mache....I love the feel of the medium I am using in my hands as I craft a new piece. But lately I have found myself wanting to dabble again in paints, lured by the color and versatility of new materials that beckon to me from the art store shelves.

My piece was done in acrylic - free-handed and not meant to be realistic - but more an extension of my yearning to change my life and follow my heart to new challenges as represented by the woman flying away with her heart in her hand, carried by the bird, to explore the unknown.

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune--without the words,

And never stops at all.

Emily Dickinson

Art and image copyrighted 2008 by Jan Harris