Flesh Color

I have found my perfect flesh tone mixture! What I have here are oil paints. 

1. White

2. Burnt Umber

3. Yellow Ocre

4. Naphthol Crimson

And then you can see the color mix under it. Of course it will change according to how much white you put into it. If you would like to make the skin tone darker then I suppose you can change the amount of burnt umber as well. 

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Thuggee! What is that?

I was watching Ancient Aliens today and I learned something new! I learned where the nick name "Thug" came from. I haven't blogged in a while so I wanted to come in and tell you what I learned. One of you might find it interesting as I did.   
It came from the word Thuggee. Back in the day (as early as the 1300s I read) there was a cult or group of men who would go around killing and robbing people. From what I understand they would do it like Robin Hood style and wait in bushes or trees and hold up people who were passing by. They wore these handkerchief type garments and would wrap them around their victim's neck and strangle them. They did not cut them or spill blood because they worshiped a Hindu goddess by the name of Kali. According to my sources (Ancient Aliens) they did not want their victims to bleed because then Kali could come and take their blood. They wanted to make sure none of it was wasted for her.  And that is why they call people who like to rob and take from others,  thugs. 


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Updated on my recent painting - Walt Whitman

Well here is an update of my latest. I am trying to go very slow and work in layers and glazes. I am learning a little bit more about the glazing process right now. It works MIRACLES! I just need to practice more so I can be smoother. I am so afraid he is going to look like a

cartoon character. That would not be too good for me. We will see.. EVEENNN if he does, I will still appreciate the time I spent on the painting. I am good for that.  I am a little curious how I am going to end up doing all his gray beard. Very curious! Till I blog again! XO 

UPDATE: I worked a bit more and now here is where I am ;) hahaha.. I Know.. Just finish it then show us.. I can't help it.. 

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Painting Walt Whitman - Poet

For the last couple of days I have been complaining to my family and a little on my Facebook Fanpage to my friends that I should be painting and I wasn't. Little did I know but that was my brain working me up for a huge painting. Yesterday I picked up a new canvas and got to work. I am painting Walt Whitman. Poet. I was thinking that if it goes right, I may paint Mark Twain! Ew Ew!! And and.. Ralph Waldo Emerson. My hunny bunny says I should paint them and then "GIVE" yes, I know, I was in shock too - GIVE them to our local library. I started to think about it and I don't know - it might actually be a good idea. No one would buy them, and I don't know if I would display them. I definitely have to think about it. So the picture here is not really all that well put together yet.. I have worked a bit more since this photo so it is coming together much better. I want it to look classic but I don't know if it will. I will need more practice. The backgrounds really frustrate me because I always want to go very dark but I see other paintings that don't and I admire them. So I am going to have to really think about this one. I want to take my time and make it look very nice! 
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Three Daisy Square (Free Crochet Pattern)

Skill level: Easy Method of working: In the round and in rows.  You will be making the square first then you will add the daisies later.  With 2 colors.  Square: With first color. ch 30.
Row 1.) 1 dc in 4th ch from hook. 1 dc in each of 26 ch. 28 dc.  Row 2.) 3 ch, sk first dc, 1 dc in each rem dc, 1 dc in 3rd of 3 ch. Row 3.) 3 ch, sk first dc, 1 dc in each of 21 dc, 2 ch, sk 2 dc, 1 dc in each of 3 dc, 1 dc in 3rd of 3 ch.  Row 4.) As row 2, working 2 into 2-ch sp. Row 5 -6) As Row 2. Row 7.) 3 ch, sk first dc, 1 dc in each of 12 dc, 2 ch, sk 2 dc,1 dc in each 12 dc, 1 dc in 3rd of 3 ch.  Row 8.) As row 2, working 2 dc into 2 ch sp. Row 9-10.) As row 2. Row 11.) 3 ch, sk first dc, 1 dc in each of 3 dc, 2 ch, sk 2 dc, 1 dc in each of 21 dc, 1 dc in 3rd of 3 ch.  Row 12.) As row 2 working 2 dc into 2-ch sp. Row 14.) As row 2  Fasten off. 
DAISIES: Work first daisy in the round around a hole.
Round 1.) With RS facing, join B to first of 2 skipped dc on row 2, 1 ch, 1 sc in next dc, 1 sc in corner, 2 sc in dc at left edge of hole, 1 sc in corner, 1 sc in base of each of 2 dc at top of hole, 1 sc in corner, 2 sc in dc at right edge of hole, 1 sc in corner, ss in first ch, 12 sts.  Round 2.) 6 ch, (ss in next sc, 6 ch) 11 times, ss in last ss of round 1.  Fasten off. Make 2 more daisies in the same way around the the remaining holes. 
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Are Artists Really Insane or Just Think They Are?

I think there are different types of insanity for artist. Me, I am in overdrive all the time.Tonight I am sitting here with a million different things I want to make. It gets to the point where I become so overwhelmed that it might even depress me? Could it possibly be depressing to have too many art projects to do at a time? Almost like when your house is so messy and you just become overwhelmed and just sit down? But then you keep thinking about the mess and looking at it and it is depressing. Well that is kinda how I feel. Lets see .. I am going to make a list...

1. Story Stones. 

2. Inspirational words rocks.

3. 4 mini paintings of flowers (called portrait of a flower)

4. Large painting of Mnt. Whitney.

5. Kitten drawing for a friend. 

6. Dog painting for a friend (need larger pictures though)

7. Plaster stenciling on my walls.

8. Drawing of Bird Tail. 

9. Sewing a bag.

10. Making my daughter a skirt.

11. Making flags for the girl's room. 

12. Making quilts for the kids. 

So these are the things that I need to do. I have started a couple of them already. They are all just kinda sitting around and so am I. I am listening to Pandora and telling my creative genius to take a break! She is in complete over drive right now. I should probably do the children's things first but I really want to paint first! Wait.. I will start with the smallest projects first... Inspirational rocks and story stones.... Maybe... 

Ever have one of these days?? 

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Lee Steen - Self Taught Artist in Roundup Montana.

So as some of you know me and my family went to Montana this summer for vacation. We had such a great time. Montana is one of the prettiest places I have seen! Well anyways, while I was there I was introduced to an artist by the name of Lee Steen. Me and my family decided to go to one of the local museums in Great Falls and that is where I found him.  This description comes straight from the Paris Gibson Museum of Art - 

"Born in 1887 in Horse Cave, Kentucky, Lee and his twin brother Dee moved to Roundup in 1894. After spending his childhood there, Lee traveled to Washington State as a young adult, and also lived in Shelby and Havre. In 1942, he moved back to Roundup, to a small home next door to Dee. Lee and Dee lived side by side until Dee passed away in 66. Lee continued to live on the property until 72. For over thirty years, it featured an assortment of odd mechanical constructions, exotic animals and an unruly crowd of Lee's expressive sculptures. Sadly the Steen homestead no longer exists in its original form. The deaths of the brothers marked the end of their unique environment. Thanks to the efforts of a small group of dedicated individuals, including John Armstrong and Jim Poor, Lee Steen's creations have been preserved for future generations..." The Paris Gibson Museum Of Art 
From the looks of his figures he found limbs from the trees that formed an almost human shape with two legs and a long upper body. 
Out of all the art that was in the museum I remember his the most. The figures actually wrapped around the entire room. They had pictures on the wall of where the figures sat in the yard when they found them. You can tell which ones were outside sitting along the trees because all of their paint has come off. The ones that still had paint on them were not exposed to the Montana weather. What I thought was really fun was that the buttons on their jackets and shirts were all made of bottle caps. You can actually read some of them and they are really old! Also there was a piece where the guy he had made was missing a leg. He chose a limb, missing a limb! 

Also I wanted to share this picture that was sent to me. The painting in the middle is the one that I painted. The owners framed it and hung it on their living room wall. It looks very nice. I am glad they liked it. 

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Crochet Pattern - Tulip Square

Tulip Square Skill level: Hard Work in rows.  Use three Colors Chg = Change Using color A, make 26 ch.  Row 1. 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook., 1 sc in each of 24 ch, 25 sc. (Turning ch does not count as a st in
this pattern).  Row 2. Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each sc to end. 25 sc. On rows 23, enclose (carry yarn) color not in use by working over it until it is required. For more information please click here - How to carry yarn Row 3. Read chart row 3 from right to left. In A, 1 ch, 1 sc in each of 11 sc. chg to B, 1 sc in each of 3 sc, chg to A, 1 sc in each of 11 sc.  Row 4. Reach chart row 4 from left to right this time. In A, 1 ch, 1 sc in each of 9 sc, chg to B, 1 sc in each of the 7 sc, chg to A, 1 sc in each of 9 sc. Continue reading from chart rows 5-23 in this way, changing colors from A,B and C as indicated. 

Rows 24 - 25. In A. as row 2. Fasten off A. Join B to last sc of row 25.  Edging Round. 1 ch, 1 sc in each of 24 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc, in side edge of each of 25 rows, 2 ch. 1 sc in base of each of 25 sts, 2 ch, 1 sc in side edge of each of 25 rows, 2 ch, ss in first ch. 25 sc on each side. Fasten off B.  Please let me know if you have any questions or if you have found an error in the pattern. This pattern is free and not to be sold in anyway. I did not write this pattern. It was take from 75 Floral blocks to Crochet by Betty Barnden. 
Be sure to check out my free Baby Doll Dress pattern on CRAFTSY! Baby Doll Dress! Free Crochet Pattern!

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Crochet Pattern - Large Flower Hexagon

LARGE FLOWER HEXAGON Skill Level - Intermediate. Working in the round.  Two colors. (if you want) Using color A - Ch. 8 and join into a ring with ss in first ch.  ROUND 1. 3 ch. 1 tr into ring. (2 ch, 2 tr tog into ring) 11 times, 2 ch, ss in first tr of round.  ROUND 2. Ss into 2 ch sp, 1 ch, (5 ch, 1 sc, in next 2-ch sp) 11 times, 5 ch, ss in first ch of round.  ROUND 3. Ss into each of 2 ch, 1 ch, *1 sc in same 5-ch sp, (5 ch, 1 sc in next 5-ch sp) # 2 twice, * rep from * to * 4 more times, then once again from * to #, 2 ch, 1 dc in first ch of round.  ROUND 4. *(5 dc, 3 ch, 5 dc) in 10-ch loop, 1 sc in next 5-ch sp, (2 dc, 1ch, 2 dc) in next sc, 1 sc in next 5-ch sp, *rep from * to * 5 more times omitting last sc of final rep, ss in first dc of round. Fasten off. Join color B to 3-ch sp at tip of any petal.  ROUND 5. 1 ch, * 5 ch, (1 tr, 3 ch, 1 tr) in next 1-ch sp, 5 ch, 1 sc in next 3-ch sp* rep from * to * 5 more times omitting last sc of final rep, ss in first ch of round.  ROUND 6. Ss into 5-ch sp, 1 ch, 4 sc in same sp. * 1 sc in tr; 5 sc in 5-ch sp, 2 ch, sk 1 sc, # 5 sc in 5-ch sp * rep from * to * 4 more times then once again from * to #, ss in first ch of round. 15 sts on each side. Fasten off.  If you find a mistake please let me know! :) 
Be sure to check out my free Baby Doll Dress pattern on CRAFTSY! Baby Doll Dress! Free Crochet Pattern! First Time Orders FREE SHIPPING WITH CODE - FIRSTREP at checkout! Frankie's Avon Page
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