Friday, 3 April 2015

Finished painting and ACEO's

I finished the smaller painting that I showed you last week. Added a lot of small details, that you might not even see very well, but now I consider it done.


The colours still make me happy, which is good since I can't even see a hint of blue skies around here yet.... Oh well, at least we don't have snow ;-)


I called it "Someday we'll stand in the sun", for two reasons: first of all because I consider it a sunny painting, but also because the world is such a big mess at the moment, with so much hate between religions, that I sometimes lose courage and look at the future with dread.


And then I have to remind myself that things will get better, that people will come to their senses, that someday all people will indeed stand in the sun and embrace and accept each other's differences. So in a way this painting represents hope for me.


"Someday we'll stand in the sun"- mixed media on canvas - 40x30cm (15,7x11,8 inches)

I still didn't work on my bigger painting, because I discovered a new love: ACEO's. I have done some ATC's in the past, but didn't like the small size so I stopped doing it. But lately when I'm listening to the radio I so often hear song lyrics that speak to me, and I was thinking of ways how to incorporate that in a daily art practice. Because I really want to make art every day, but it needs to be something small that I can easily do even when I don't have much time. I wanted to do something with collage, using my own art. And tadaa! Since I got some questions on Etsy already whether I sell ATC's, the idea of making ACEO's was born. And I had so much fun with it, I guess I'll be making lots more of these in the future :-)


People that have been following me might recognize some of these faces. They're al from paintings and sketches in the past, and I love re-using them and making something new out of it. And best of all: I can use all those lyrics that I love so much.


I have re-opened my Etsyshop but only listed a few items, since I'm still not sure whether I want to keep my shop open or not. I have been looking into selling art on this blog via Paypal-buttons, so I might start with these ACEO's. This weekend might be a good time to try it out :-)




Anyway, that's it for this week. Here in Belgium, the Easter holidays are starting tonight, and I'm looking forward to having a bit more time on my hands. I'll be linking this to Paint Party Friday, my favorite bloghop :-)  Thanks for visiting, I wish you a very happy sunny day, and a loving Easter weekend ♥ ♥ ♥




32 comments:

  1. If only.....we could all stand in the sun as one! Such a sad state when what the masses actually want is peace! So sad...I'd hoped I'd never see it this bad!! Your art touches the heart....including your aceo...which are wonderful with reused faces.!! Love them all!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  2. Wonderful work Denthe, and I, too, hope that people will one day come to their senses and stop hating and murdering each other. Valerie

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  3. A lovely painting and a great title. I have been toying with the idea of selling my art on my blog. I would be interested to hear how you obtain a Paypal button.

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  4. That tori amos quote gives me goosebumps. Song lyrics make wonderful art! I love your pieces! The title if your first piece is made even more poignant at this Easter holiday time. I agree wholeheartedly with you and likewise am hopeful one day the worlds differences will be celebrated.

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  5. happy PPF! i love the spirit of your "someday we'll stand in the sun" ... we can only hope! that's a wonderful idea to work smaller sometimes. a sense of accomplishment to make art every day :)

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  6. Gaaf!! Zowel je nieuwe schilderij als de ACEO's. Is dat groter dan een ATC? Wat ben je lekker bezig zeg... en wat een prachtige kleuren. Jullie ook fijne Paasdagen!
    Groetjes,
    Marianne

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  7. Well i think the paypal button is a great idea!! But i have to ask ... whats the difference between ATC's and ACEO's??? I love all the color on your blog. So refreshing and uplifting to see in the morning with my coffee.... So many bloggers have gone to simpler blog headers and backgrounds and i can understand the need to simplify but the colorful artist in me says NOOooooo.. lol Hugs! deb

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    1. Thanks Deb! The only difference between ATC and ACEO (as far as I understand) is that ATC's are for trading, and ACEO's are for selling. The size is the same, and is also the only "rule" :-)

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  8. Hi there. Wow! Your work is alway eye catching. I just love it and the title about standing in the sun just moved me. It's a very scary world we live in right now and I so hope that peace comes soon. Great work! Your PayPal button sounds like a great idea, go for it!

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  9. It's been a long time since I visit your blog Denise and it is wonderful to be back and contemplate your gorgeous art, my friend. Love the ACEOs and the lyrrics are perfect.I am a big fan of The Cure and that song by Gotye is pure perfection, You know all your paintings are sunny, full of positive vibrations. Thanks for brightening my day!

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  10. Beautiful, beautiful art work, Denise. My favorite is the I'm much stronger than you know. As for the warring minority of this world, I agree with Giggles. I believe the majority of people really want peace. I can't understand generalized hate.

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  11. Wonderful artwork as always ! ADORABLE!
    Happy PPF Denis - Happy Easter!

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  12. I love the finished paintings. I think you can see the details- and they give some depth and texture to each piece. Have a great weekend.

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  13. So true of what you said about the hatred that is around people now. Your painting is so bright and colorful. Wonderful ACEO's

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  14. Love the painting and it's wonderful title ♥ Your art always touches me and I love the beginning of the month when I get to turn the page on your calendar and look at another new art piece for the month :) Your ACEO's are great and a great way to recycle your art and your favorite words.

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  15. The same grey sky here, boring! Even the nature is grey, the green sleeps yet.

    Luckily I could enjoy colors in your paintings, needed that!

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  16. Denise, your painting is brilliant! Brilliant in color,design and title with the meaning behind it! I feel the same and also hope for a better future if not for us,then at least for the generations ahead.
    Have a wonderful,and blessed Easter time with your family!xoxo

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  17. Beautiful and colorful pieces. Thank you for sharing and happy Easter!

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  18. Beautiful pieces. Love particularly your first one, gives me hope too. Beautiful colors and details on your work. Gorgeous!!

    Have a great day!
    Nora

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  19. I always enjoy seeing your use of colours and the way your creatures and people are painted with such complex interlinking patterns.
    Making smaller art pieces is fun, I do like your ACEO ladies with the matching words.

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  20. LOve your art with the lyrics included. Such fun. Wishing sunshine days next week.

    Kate

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  21. Wow Denise, love the colourful art piece and the ACEO's are absolutley adorable - i can see that you will see many of them - good idea to have paypal on this blog to buy them - how much would you estimate shipping would be her to Australia - thanks for sharing your wonderful art- always enjoy reading and looking at your blog

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    1. Thanks so much Joyce! Still have to look into the shipping costs... Might sell them with shipping included :-)

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  22. Denthe, your painting is gorgeous, such wonderful colors and i love the meaning you have imbued it with!

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  23. I'm really loving the girls and song lyrics. Definitely a great way to incorporate art in your everyday life because of the size. I'm curious as to why you're thinking of closing your Etsy shop. I know a lot of people are leaving or have left because of the recent changes. :/ I think your art would sell anywhere you offer it, so Paypal buttons would work well. I'll be checking back to see. I love the little drawing I bought of yours. It's hanging right here next to my desk, so I see it often. :)

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    1. Thanks so much Katherine! I just think it's very hard to get found on Etsy, and the sales I get there are mostly from people that follow me already or have a subscription for my newsletter. So I might as well leave the listing and Etsy fees and use my own blog I guess..... I will decide in 4 months when the current listings end....

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  24. Happy Easter to you too :D I really live your ACEO's and it just makes me want to start making some as well :) May I ask how you have made the background for them? It looks gorgeous :)

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    1. Thanks! I used an A3-sized watercolour paper and just painted the background with paletknifes and spray bottles. And then I cut it all up to the right size. I think it's easier doing it this way than painting every single card, and it's nice to have a whole bunch of them and choosing which one fits best with the face I want to use...

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  25. ACEOs! I've been hooked on them for a couple years myself. After working at my regular job, it's great to have a project than can be started and finished in a few hours.

    Such a terrific idea to use your own work in a collage! These look really great. (Now you have to post some ACEOs in your shop! I think Etsy is easy for now until I figure out something better.) :)

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  26. I love your colorful paintings. This is just what I need as the weather in germany is cold as well including a mix of snow and rain. And I also love your idea of creating these beautiful ACEOs along with the songs you are listening to in the radio.

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  27. I always enjoy reading about how concerned your are about the world. I can't believe that in this day and age people are still fighting over religion. Haven't they learned anything from history or from being religious? My son comment today about how messed up things seem to be especially here in Canada in politics. People misusing funds, telling lies. I find it amazing that my seventeen year old son knows the difference between right and wrong and grown adults don't.

    So, thank you for painting hope and light into our world.

    It had been gloomy here too, so I know how you are feeling. We keep getting snow and grey skies. By the end of the week though, we are supposed to have sunshine and nice warm temperatures close to 20 degrees C. I am crossing my fingers. My bones are just shivering each day.

    Well, thanks for sharing your wonderful art with us! You brighten our days!

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  28. Your art work and your words.. I love them!

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! I love hearing your thoughts about my work. Because I am getting too many spammer comments, l have to use Captcha, sorry. Hope this is not a problem for you !