Flowers and landscapes with alcohol inks

Right now, I am so in love with alcohol ink painting. I am plodding away with the medium, learning new ways to control the unpredictable beast.  And learning to letting it be free when I need, as well.   I am planning on getting prints made of a couple of my favorites, and matte them, and possible make some into card sets to sell on etsy.
Today is Gustav Klimt's 150th birthday.  I love his work, and the Art Nouveau movement as a whole, and his work has influenced my style.  And as far as style, I mean in everything....interior decorating, clothing style, and painting.  His colors, unusual usage of metals, and his flowery, whimsical, sometimes brutish style.  I love it.  I need to write soon about him and perhaps his painting Tree of Life.

Here are some recent pieces...

The Winedown in Harrisburg, NC

For some time now, I have been wanting to blog about the local businesses which sell and display my work.  Living in the area for 7 years (incredible for us nomads), we have become part of an incredible community.  And I am sad to be leaving our friends and neighbors in little over a month.

One of our neighbors, Steve B., opened up the Winedown last autumn.  It has become a favorite place for a lot of people around here who want to relax with a fine glass of wine.  In addition, he has some excellent musicians play on Friday and Saturday nights.  The wine tastings are so much fun, as well.

Steve is a carpenter by trade and actually built the wine racks and cabinets at the bar. The wine bar has a sleek sophisticated look with grays, blacks and red.

The silverish/gray faux finish on the walls behind the red couches was painted by my good friend and neighbor Kelly.  She has created her own business painting faux finishes and decorative painting.  She creates some fantastic finishes.  I like her stone and leather finishes the most.

 This is my wall of paintings.  Last week, my largest painting sold!  It was a Picasso imitation I made for the Art Guild's Fantastic Fakes competition last year.  I have to recreate it now for my husband, because he really liked it and wanted to hang it in his office.  Although, I would prefer my originals would sell more, I am happy with this sale.  Picasso is considered a Master for a reason.  And I am not arrogant enough to think my own compositions and paintings compare to his.  And it is fun to copy and add to make something new.

My Son the Knife Forger

My 14 year old son Ransom recently learned how to make a knife.  My dad took him to the local "dump" and they found an old metal bedrail.  They made knives out of it.  As you can see from the photo below,  Ransom is now ready for the Zombie Apocalypse when it comes.
From scraps of leather they made leather sheaths.  Pretty cool, I must say.  Upcycling AND  protection from futuristic dystopian catastrophes.