Many of you have asked me over on my facebook page how I created this twiggy ceiling for the holidays--so here goes. It is not hard, but it would be helpful to have two people, at least on the cross braces. I did the rest by myself.
If you make one, please send me a photo and I will post them! You can email it or post on my facebook page.
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Halloween costume- how to make "A Girl with a Pearl Earring"
It's Halloween time again!
Every year, I love coming up with fun costume ideas to make with my kids. They don't always like my suggestions--this year my son turned down my idea of a cool owl costume and insisted on going as a character from one his favorite cartoons. No worries--green ninja it was. (I'll post photos of that and some past costumes later) In the meantime, my daughter liked the idea of going as the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring. It was fun to do and didn't cost a dime!
To start, find a extra large frame and cut a sturdy piece of cardboard to fit. Paint one side white with acrylic paint or gesso. Let dry. Using the painting as reference, sketch in the basic shapes.
Using acrylic paint, sketch in the face (life size) and folds of the fabric and paint in the shadows.
Paint in the clothing and scarf. Add highlights on the folds of fabric.
Using an x-acto knife, carefully cut out face shape.
We found a silk scarf in the perfect shade of blue to wrap around my daughters hair. I also scrounged up a large pearl earring (not exactly the right shape but it still gave a good effect).
Fit cardboard into frame and Voila!
Every year, I love coming up with fun costume ideas to make with my kids. They don't always like my suggestions--this year my son turned down my idea of a cool owl costume and insisted on going as a character from one his favorite cartoons. No worries--green ninja it was. (I'll post photos of that and some past costumes later) In the meantime, my daughter liked the idea of going as the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring. It was fun to do and didn't cost a dime!
 |
| Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer |
To start, find a extra large frame and cut a sturdy piece of cardboard to fit. Paint one side white with acrylic paint or gesso. Let dry. Using the painting as reference, sketch in the basic shapes.
Using acrylic paint, sketch in the face (life size) and folds of the fabric and paint in the shadows.
 |
| Finishing the shadows. |
Paint in the clothing and scarf. Add highlights on the folds of fabric.
Using an x-acto knife, carefully cut out face shape.
We found a silk scarf in the perfect shade of blue to wrap around my daughters hair. I also scrounged up a large pearl earring (not exactly the right shape but it still gave a good effect).
Fit cardboard into frame and Voila!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Help me KICKSTART a Mobile Art Gallery
Remember when I wrote about the happy booth and how my work makes people happy?
Well I want to take the happy booth on the road by converting a 1966 DeCamp Travel Trailer into a moble art gallery
But here's the deal....I need your help!
I've started a Kickstarter campaign called The Happy Camper: a mobile art gallery to help pay for the costs. Go here to see my fun video and full description of the project.
What's in it for you?
You'll get awesome, original artwork & my undying gratitude! (plus updates on the progress & an invitation to my launch party).
Thank you! Thank you!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Pinterest Fridays
Have you discovered Pinterest?
The social media site for us folks who are more visually inclined. A veritable feast for the eyes.
Full disclosure--it can be addicting. I encouraged my Mom to sign up. At first, she was resistant-- with lots of "what is this Pinterest thing" and "I won't be able to use it"---well fast forward just a few short hours and she was off and running. She has created dozens of beautiful boards chock full of inspiration.
Every Friday, I am going to feature something on Pinterest. My art, other artists, flowers, gardening, beautiful landscapes, and just whatever I think will inspire you at the moment.
In the meantime, check out my latest Pinterst board: Art Blog Posts
A selection of the best of my blog posts from over the past year. Enjoy! If you like what you see, please follow me on Pinterest and share with your friends.
 |
| peonies on blue, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. ©2012 Kristina Wentzell |
The social media site for us folks who are more visually inclined. A veritable feast for the eyes.
Full disclosure--it can be addicting. I encouraged my Mom to sign up. At first, she was resistant-- with lots of "what is this Pinterest thing" and "I won't be able to use it"---well fast forward just a few short hours and she was off and running. She has created dozens of beautiful boards chock full of inspiration.
Every Friday, I am going to feature something on Pinterest. My art, other artists, flowers, gardening, beautiful landscapes, and just whatever I think will inspire you at the moment.
In the meantime, check out my latest Pinterst board: Art Blog Posts
A selection of the best of my blog posts from over the past year. Enjoy! If you like what you see, please follow me on Pinterest and share with your friends.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
garden delights: how to make chive vinegar
The chives are once again blooming in my garden.
I thought I'd share my favorite thing to make with the blossoms. A friend shared this with me years ago and I think of her and this recipe every year when those lovely, lavender flowers come out.
In the meantime, bring the white wine vinegar to a boil. You'll need enough to cover the blossoms.
Pour the hot vinegar over the chive blossoms. Let cool, cover and let sit for about a week.
The vinegar will turn the a lovely shade of pink. After 7 days or so, strain off the blossoms and you're done! It looks so pretty sitting in a window with the sun shining through.
Anyone have a favorite salad dressing recipe?
I usually make a very simple vinaigrette: 2 parts light olive oil to 1 part vinegar, a pinch of salt & pepper, a 1/2 teaspoon or so of Dijon mustard, a bit of sugar or agave to taste.
Enjoy.
I thought I'd share my favorite thing to make with the blossoms. A friend shared this with me years ago and I think of her and this recipe every year when those lovely, lavender flowers come out.
 |
| chive blossoms, mixed media. ©2012 Kristina Wentzell |
It's so simple and makes the most gorgeously colored pink vinegar--great
for salad dressing, cucumber salad or any summertime salad that needs a
splash of vinegar.
You will need:
- a large handful of chive blossoms
- white wine vinegar
- clean, glass jar with a lid
Directions:
Wash the chive blossoms in a strainer or colander (you don't want any
insect hitchhikers!)
and
place chives in a clean, glass jar.
In the meantime, bring the white wine vinegar to a boil. You'll need enough to cover the blossoms.
Pour the hot vinegar over the chive blossoms. Let cool, cover and let sit for about a week.
The vinegar will turn the a lovely shade of pink. After 7 days or so, strain off the blossoms and you're done! It looks so pretty sitting in a window with the sun shining through.
Anyone have a favorite salad dressing recipe?
I usually make a very simple vinaigrette: 2 parts light olive oil to 1 part vinegar, a pinch of salt & pepper, a 1/2 teaspoon or so of Dijon mustard, a bit of sugar or agave to taste.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
upcycled garden art: Garden Glimmers
Garden Glimmers
Created by artist Terri Wentzell (my mom), these sparkling garden sculptures are created from interesting combinations of vintage glassware mounted on copper posts. Each of these upcycled sculptures is different from the next. They catch the light even on a cloudy day and provide a great complement to your favorite flower bed or can stand alone as a perch for birds.
Garden Glimmers were one of the featured items at last year's Art Under the Birches: an art in the garden show, June 16th & 17th, 2012.
To receive my newsletter with updates on upcoming shows, Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery events, sneak peeks at new work, and special offers go HERE.
Go HERE to see my 2013 schedule.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Inspiration ~ April 2012
I love this time of year when everything is budding and blooming in a million tiny shades of green and russet, salmon and buttercup yellow. The light was amazing this evening, so I grabbed my two little charges (with promises of an ice cream cone) and drove out into the country.
Inspiration ~ April 2012
rununculus: just planted these in my garden...can't wait to have bouquets all summer.
farm, waking up to spring
the most perfect apple tree
more birches...I see so many paintings in these
Sunday, January 15, 2012
treasures
A still life set up with robin's egg found in my yard...
a glittery bird for the holidays...
a feathery centerpiece....
Kristina Wentzell, treasures, oil on canvas, 12 x 6 inches. ©2011
Kristina Wentzell, expecting, oil on canvas, 6 x 6 inches. ©2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)