What's In the Studio Today

Today I'm finishing a watercolor painting, hopefully to be listed tonight on eBay. It's titled, "A Really Good Book". It's hard to see in this photo but she's reading a book. I'm in the process of putting in the final details and my signature "golding". I'm not sure why I have the tendency to outline everything in gold, but for some reason to me it doesn't look finished unless I do. I remember being very inspired in my college art history class, by the "Illuminated Manuscripts"...and that is where it comes from. I've tried in the past to get away from it, but it just comes back. I've even had customers ask why a particular painting didn't have gold. So, I guess I should just go with it.....
I'm also working on this cool necklace. I was ready to construct it when I realized that some of my supplies were still at home from when I was sick. So, I'll finish it tonight or tomorrow. In this photo is only a partial shot of the necklace, because I wanted to show you these really cool beads. The tube beads are vintage paper beads. Remember when you used to roll up magazine paper with glue and make beads? I used to love doing that! Anyway...I found these in an old vintage necklace and wanted to reuse them. The fish is a handmade ceramic bead. Cool, huh....wait until you see the finished necklace!Pin It

What Doesn't Kill You Only Makes You Stronger

Well...as most of you know I've been really sick this past week. So sick, that I had to stay in bed for days. It was horrible. About a year and a half ago, I was told that I had gallstones and needed to have my gallbladder removed. Now, I'm one of those people who thinks God gave us all our organs for a reason and we should do our best to keep them. So, I started seeing a naturopath, Dr. Melendez in Atlanta. Within a few months, of drastically changing my diet, and taking the herbs and vitamins, I was pretty much symptom free. Then after the stress of the move to our fabulous Island, I got over confident enjoying all the new restaurants and delicacies (Chez Lezan Bakery) of the Island. And it all came to a screeching halt with a huge gallbladder attack. Now gallbladder attacks are so painful, that it mimics a heart attack in a lot of ways...and is definitely as bad as childbirth. My attack lasted about 12+ hours. But the aftermath was the worst I've ever had. The pain and soreness continued for days. I finally went to the doctor. I got medication for the inflammation and possible infection for it. He, of course wanted to send me to the surgeon. I also had to stay in bed, because the more I moved around, the more I jumbled up the stones causing irritation and pain. My husband, Dan is in Atlanta for his Wine Festival this weekend, and couldn't be here. Thank goodness for my 13 year old, Luke. He helped prepare meals, and was great looking after his sister. Now...I'm getting better and stronger. I can honestly say that I have learned my lesson. Pain is a great teacher. I'll be much more careful about everything I eat....and I won't forget my vitamins and herbal treatments. And I promise to start exercising slowly. I plan to keep my gallbladder for a long, long time.

Tanseki Gall Bladder Prints available on Etsy. The image was made from a carved block and printed on watercolor paper. Aren't they great! She also has notecards made up too.
Click here to see more of her work!Pin It

What I'm working on today at home

I'm working from home today instead of the studio. I've just had a lot of home chores to do and the kids needed to do some of their own chores. But, I did finish this fabulous necklace this morning. It's shades of green with an insect pendant. The necklace has chalcedony, green garnets nuggets, freshwater pearls and jade. It's a big statement goddess piece. Although I'm really wanting to keep it for myself, I'll be listing it on eBay this evening.

I'm also still working on the painting I told you about yesterday. I've added a big more detail to the face. I'm hoping to get some time tonight after the kids go to bed to work more on her. I'm very excited with how she is coming out.
As you can see in the photo, no matter how large the space is that I work in, I always end up having everything all crammed into one tiny space when I work. I wish I could stay more organized and neat...but it just isn't happening.Pin It

In the Studio Today

I just finished this piece...and yes it's supposed to look rusty, and old. :) It's a patina on the brass that causes oxidation and color changes. As I told you yesterday, I originally started this necklace about 3 years ago, and found it unfinished in a box yesterday. Back then, I had plans to make it look more like a Sorrelli piece of Jewelry. But, today I decided to set vintage stones and an actual mini starfish in resin. I'm going for more of a Michael deMeng look. I'll photograph it better later for listing on eBay this evening.

Also in the studio, I'm working on a new painting. I showed you the background for it a few days ago. Well, the painting finally spoke to me, and now it will be about the last of summer's flowers. I sketched it in today and added the base color for the figure and flower centers.

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Revisiting...

Yesterday, I bought a few things at Lowes to try in jewelry...yes, the hardware store. I'll have more on that soon. Anyway, the new pieces required me to unpack the box that contained serious tools, and stuff for my jewelry bench. In that box, I found another box of items that I had scrapped because they weren't turning out like I wanted at the time. I found this necklace in there. It's probably been 3 years since I soldered it. What's really wonderful is it had developed the best patina from storage! So, I picked it up again and started setting stones in it with the patina just the way it is. It's coming along nicely. So, let that be a lesson to hang onto things you create, even if you hate them at the time. It's amazing as artists how hard we are on ourselves at times.

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Wow...the Mermaid is done!

I finally finished her! I've been working on her on and off for several weeks. The canvas is 36" wide by 24". This is big compared to my usual smaller (under 11"X14" canvas). I usually only do watercolor paintings close to this size. She is acrylic on canvas with glitter and iridescent accents. I usually paint the sides of the canvas black, but couldn't find my black paint on my messy desk. So, she got light purple instead. I think it made it look really nice. I'll list her on eBay tonight.Pin It

just finished

As promised, I wanted to give you a sneak peek at the new necklace that I finished. I'm really loving this one. The necklace features a cicada with a fairy hanging below it in patina vintage brass. The fairy is a collage from a vintage photo and I painted details and added color. She is set in clear resin. The necklace has lots of semi-precious stones and various brass chain. It has labradorite, chalcedony, moss agate, mother of pearl, Swarovski crystals and fluorite to name a few. It hangs 30" - 32" long, and has a lobster clasp. It could be worn shorter, because of all the chain used. I'll be putting it up on eBay or etsy later this evening. If you want to snag it before I list it...just email me at wyanne1@aol.com

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What's in the Studio now...

I just finished this cat angel painting a few minutes ago. I still have to put the final varnish and paint the sides of the canvas. We have a lot of stray cats in the downtown here around my studio. I've gotten to know most of them, but they won't let you close to them. They like to sleep under my car while I'm at the studio. There is a great rescue organization here on the Island, Cat Angels . I think they've fixed most of them. This painting is about a different kitty, not one that I had seen before or since. I saw him in the flowers one day. It was a really bright sunny day and I just glanced and saw him...then he was gone. I'm sure he was a kitty angel.

The painting is mixed media on canvas. I used acrylic, watercolor, pencil, crayons, and torn papers. His wings are from a vintage French newspaper. I'm pretty pleased with how he came out. He'll be on eBay soon.

I also have this huge Big Diva mermaid painting that I'm working on. She is acrylic on canvas. Yes, I still have boxes to unpack, as you can see in the picture. I think there are 4 left...and I just can't find the time to unpack them! I hate moving. So, I just keep fishing things out of them as I need them.

I also have 3 other smaller canvas that I started the backgrounds for. Actually, there were 4 in the beginning, but one became the cat painting. I like to start out with several smaller canvas and work on the backgrounds. One of the canvas usually starts developing faster than the rest, so I put the others to the side. I know a lot of artists work on several paintings at once, but I'm not very good at it. As a child, I always ate one thing at a time on my dinner plate...kinda the same concept.

Well, that's a sneak peak into the studio this week. I also have some awesome jewelry, but ended up taking them

home to work on. Danny left for Atlanta yesterday after a short weekend trip to see us. He'll be in Atlanta 17 days straight because of the wine festival, Wine South. So, I took the jewelry home to work on after I put the kids to bed. I think you'll really like it. Lots of insects, fairies and eclectic work...I'm very excited about them.

Back to work.Pin It

Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine

Wow, I picked up
the latest Oct./Nov. issue of Home Companion Magazine only to discover my nephew Arthur, and his mom, Claudia are featured in it. It's a really cool article about Claudia's restored 1940's duplex and her antique store Providence Antiques. Her place is really beautiful and she's done so much work to it! I'm so thrilled that they featured her...she so deserves it.





I'm not one to read the articles right away in a magazine. I dive right into the photos and artwork. I kept flipping through the magazine and noticing that the artwork looked familiar before I even noticed who it was! Silly me.... What's really cool is Arthur just went off to Pratt to study art. Claudia has displayed his pieces in her home, and they mention that Arthur is a talented artist and talk about his work. I'm so proud!Pin It

on my way to the studio this morning...

On my walk to the studio this morning around 8:15am. We had bad storms and wind last night. Today is still cloudy and windy. But, I loved the muted colors.Pin It

Bright Mornings

Yesterday, my day was certainly much better. My friend who was in the car accident is healing and still speaking to me. :) I also had the chance to spend the whole day with my husband and kids. This was a big deal because my husband, Danny, is still in Atlanta full-time until late October. Anyway, we went to some yard sales and then ended up having brunch at the most charming restaurants here on the Island. It's called "Bright Mornings". It's a little bitty place, in the historic downtown of Fernandina Beach. I highly recommend it. I've been there many of times and never grow tired of it. They have incredible French toast, omelets, and I could go on and on. For me, I wanted something lite yesterday, so I had a yogurt sundae. Doesn't that look wonderful!
Here's some more pics of everyone, Danny, Luke, Logan and myself. I promise I was having a great time...I just hate having my picture taken!

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Strange Day Yesterday

As most of you know, I was sick in bed yesterday. But overall, it was a really strange day. I was supposed to go to a salon in Jacksonville for a hair appointment. I couldn't make it, so I gave the appointment to a new friend here on the Island. I just read in her blog that she was going to the appointment, but on the way was involved in a car accident. So, she spent most of the day in the emergency room. I feel so bad. Not a good way to kick off a new friendship. :( Please send good healing thoughts her way...
I'm back at the studio today. I'm feeling better, but still not quite up to my old self. Funny, I've been feeling really tired lately, and thinking to myself how nice it would be to spend the whole day in bed! Well, I got my wish...I just didn't plan on being sick to get that chance! It's true what they say...thoughts become things.
On a good note...I got an email from an old friend who I went to elementary school with! After all these years, it will be fun to catch up with her.
I'll write more later, I have some new things that I'm working on in the studio to show you.Pin It

Home Sick

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm not posting today. I'm home sick...no, not homesick for Atlanta...home sick in bed. I'm hoping to be on my feet again tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by. Love, WyannePin It

What Number Are You?

I found this cool quiz from another site and thought I'd give it a try for fun. I didn't think it would amount to much when I was taking it...but the results were dead on. Scary.

You Are 4: The Individualist

You are sensitive and intuitive, with others and yourself. You are creative and dreamy... plus dramatic and unpredictable. You're emotionally honest, real, and easily hurt. Totally expressive, others always know exactly how you feel. At Your Best: You are inspired, artistic, and introspective. You know what you're thinking, and you can communicate it well. At Your Worst: You are melancholy, alienated, and withdrawn. Your Fixation: Envy Your Primary Fear: To have no identity Your Primary Desire: To find yourself Other Number 4's: Alanis Morisette, Johnny Depp, J.D. Salinger, Jim Morrison, and Anne Rice.

What Number Are You?

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Beauty for Today

Today I'm thankful for this beautiful plant that sits on my balcony outside my studio. Isn't it gorgeous! I have a brown thumb when it comes to plants, except for orchids and African violets which seem to tolerate my abuse. Danny bought this at our local Fernandina Farmer's Market a couple of Saturdays ago. He even painted the pot for it! Such a great guy! It adds such beauty to the balcony and courtyard. I'm going to have to move my easel out there to paint soon. But, it's still too hot here for this Atlanta gal. I encourage you to take a moment to look around your surroundings and find gratitude for something. It will lift your spirits and transform your day. More later... love, WyPin It

Wy's Art Tip for the Day

My artist tip for today might be a bit silly...but one we often forget. Your most valuable tool is your hands. We can have the most expensive brushes, paper, canvas, mediums...but the best tool is your fingers! Get messy. The energy from inside of you flows right out those fingertips into your work. Seems obvious I know...we learned this in kindergarten. But as artists, we too often forget and think that the best work can only be made with that $$$ brush or tool. Have fun that's what it's all about!Pin It

Sharing My Studio

I do share my studio with some pretty mellow characters. I thought you'd like to meet them. This is Mrs. Butterworth and Fathead. They live in a 30 gallon tank that I got for free off Craigslist!!! They have two other friends, Mr T. and Wonka, shown in the photo below. They are all pretty large goldfish, each 2- 4 inches. We just got Fathead this past weekend. He's chasing Mrs. Butterworth around the tank. I'm hoping it's a display of affection. Wonka looks white in the photo, but he's actually a gorgeous white gold color...like the golden ticket. I also have an algae eater who doesn't have a name. He's really good about keeping the tank clean after this messy crew. Now, if he cleaned the studio too...I might actually give him a name.

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Good Morning

This is my morning walk to the studio at about 8am when no one is around. My studio is just to the left, and you can't see if in the photo. But, I wanted you to see the charm and beauty of historic downtown Fernandina Beach. By 10am it starts getting busy with lots of people.

The next photo that I took is of my front door this morning. It's in need of some serious help. I'm not officially open to the public yet, but when I get to that point, I'll have to pretty up the front entrance. Danny has some big planters that he wants to put outside on the sidewalk with flowers. I think that will help a lot. I'll eventually get a sign similar to the green Celtic Charm sign. It has to be approved and meet all the rules for colors, etc. in the historic district. I've heard it takes months to get the sign...but I still haven't applied yet. Guess...I need to stop procrastinating.

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My Studio Now with Boxes Unpacked

Well, I've managed to get most of the boxes unpacked from the move. And here's what I've done to set up the studio so far. I have 3 tables through the center of the loft for all my various workstations. One is for painting, another for jewelry, and the middle table is a combo table to embellish prints and mixed media work. Over by the right hand window, I have a precious metal clay table, a soldering station, and two other tables set up for finishing jewelry. Wow...I can't believe I finally have this much room. I have so much to be thankful for!

On the left side of the room, I've put in a big shelving system to hold all my "Stuff". I'm really terrible about saving everything. I had to buy a bunch of dollar store bins to hold it all. There are boxes for ribbon, glitter, clay, paper scraps, flowers, etc.

I wish I could come up with a new way to make the way look nicer. But for now, this will have to do.


On the wall, I also have my jewelry bench and torch set up. I still have more boxes to unpack. Grrr..... And, I still have lots of stuff in my old house back in Georgia. I think I need to have an art garage sale. But, I always come up with an excuse to keep it all.

In all in the sake of "art" anyway.....Right????Pin It

Happy Anniversary!!! a little late

Yesterday, September 9th was my 18th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary to me and Danny!!!! But, I wasn't able to spend it with Danny...which was a real bummer. He's still in Atlanta until the end of October. Hopefully, he'll get down this coming weekend to see us. His Wine South wine festival is in a few weeks, so he's stuck up there working. I didn't think it would bother me, but it brought me a little down which carried into today. I'm going to try to clean up the studio this morning and take some pictures for you. And, I think I'll start a new painting.....more later. Love, WyPin It

What a way to wake up!

Wow, this is our sunrise this morning. I took this photo with my cell phone camera because my "big girl camera" was at the studio. The colors were actually more stunning than this! It was so glorious, I forgot to turn the coffee pot on. I love this Island!Pin It

My Ebay Store

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Christmas in July Special Promotion

Happy Christmas in July! I have had such a wonderful month creating in my new studio (thanks to all of you!) that I wanted to do something special. So I'm having a special Christmas in July sale! I'm giving away free...(yes...you read that right) Giclee prints for the next 5 days! I finished the commissioned custom painting for the contest winner, Joyce from Baja California, Mexico. I'm still waiting to hear from her to see if she likes it. She wanted a version of the "Sun Goddess", so I created the "Sun Diva". What do you think? Click to see larger I think she's really fabulous and I wanted to make a giclee of the "Sun Diva" available for all my customers. So here's the scoop on my Christmas in July promotion: *Spend $50 and receive a free 8"x10" "Sun Diva" giclee print *Spend $100 and receive a free 11" x 14" "Sun Diva" and another print of your choice *Spend $150 and receive a free 11" x 14" "Sun Diva" and another print of your choice *Spend $200 and receive an 11" x 14 "Sun Diva" and two other prints of your choice and so on, and so on..... Purchases can be made in the eBay store or at auction. All purchases must be paid through PayPal by July 31st. I have lots of new work available! There are several new original paintings, two altered art paintings, a fairy dream box, and tons of jewelry. I have two drop dead gorgeous neckl aces. One is a pale blue shell and pearl necklace, and the other is a longer 25" garnet, chalcedony vintage patina brass necklace. These are two stunning necklaces. I also added 16 pairs of fabulous earrings to the store! In case you didn't know, you can click any of the thumbnails above to go the item directly. Or you can use the link below: Click Here to go to the Store and see the New work! I hope that you find lots of gifts for yourself and others! Thank you for all your kind emails of praise and encouragement. You don't know how much it makes my day! It is such a pleasure to create for you everyday. Much love, Wyanne PS. I forgot to tell you that I marked down several areas of the store up to 60% off! Have fun and Happy Christmas!

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3 Weeks and Counting

I can't believe I'm officially moving in 3 weeks! I also can't believe the amount of stuff that I've accumulated over the years! Packing is not fun. But, every time that I get down over all the work, I just take a look at the view from my new house! 250 feet from the ocean!!! This is the view from my balcony. That fixes everything. Back to work now.

Love,
Wy

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Dreams Do Come True

Well...it's finally official! I'm moving to Fernandina Beach, FL. It wasn't quite a year ago when my brother took me there on vacation. I fell in love with the area. I couldn't figure out how my husband would be able to leave Atlanta, so I just mentioned to him that it would be a nice place for us to look at when we retire. A few months later, my husband visited Fernandina, and fell in love also. We decided that we needed a slower pace from Atlanta, and it was just right for us. This past week, we went to look at homes there. We didn't find the perfect house yet, but I did find the studio of my dreams.Now, a few months ago, I practiced the manifestation techniques from "The Secret", also known as The Laws of Attraction. I knew that I needed a studio space as large as the entire downstairs of my home currently. I wanted it to be open with hardwood floors and huge windows. I wanted it on the main street of the historic district of Fernandina. Not only did that dream come true this past week, but everything else that I had always desired in a studio space was also there! It is a dream come true. Here are some pictures of it.

The inside as you walk up the stairs. One hundred year old heart of pine floors!!!



This is a dining room/office that has been built out.











The kitchen, with dishwasher. I see wine tasting art shows in the near future!

And, even though it doesn't look like much now, this is my courtyard garden looking out over my balcony in the back. It's going to be magical!

The best part of all is my landlord. Now, I know folks don't usually rave about landlords. But this one is different. It turns out that she also used the techniques from "The Secret" to find the perfect tenant. She's also an artist, who was originally from Atlanta and moved to Fernandina with her husband and two children. Her artwork is incredible. I am in awe of it. But, best of all, she is a kindred spirit who I have become fast friends with. Check her work out at www.candacefasano.com. Pin It

I got featured in Spirito Di ZNE Today!

I received a sweet little email today (that I almost deleted as spam...so glad I didn't) letting me know that I was featured in Spirito Di ZNE today. Spirito Di ZNE is a daily ZNE feature that celebrates a different ZNE Member, every day. Click here to go to the site to read all the nice things that they said about me.

If you don't know what ZNE is... It's an online group that I belong to that is for makers of all things collaged, mixed up in mediums, and altered! If you'd like to find out more about the really cool fun group, click here. Pin It