Lily Pond and "Abstract"

This week I finished the cold wax and oil painting that I photographed in two stages for last weeks post.  I added several areas of paint. I darkened the bottom in some areas and added lily pads, and shades of browns and yellow and blue in other areas.  I scratched through the layers to pull out weeds along three edges.  FINI!

My second painting was started over 4 sample pieces done in the workshop with Mark Russell.  I used up old wax and paint mixtures from my palette to add about 4 new layers to it.
I will let both dry completely before framing.

I am busy with Christmas decorating, shopping, cards and parties, like many of you, so I may not post for a couple of weeks.

 LILY POND

Step One

Steps 2-4

Recent Sunset from my back yard.

Colored lights, all gold & Silver ornaments--Tippy Top!!

Gold and Silver on dresser top

Enjoy a visit to Paint Party Friday hosted by Kristin and Eva and thanks for stopping by.  I would love to hear any comments or questions--Gloria

Gloria J Zucaro's "January First 2015"

Happy New Year to Everyone,

Today my post is some photographs I have taken lately and how I altered them in Photoshop Elements.

Here is a photo of the bench in my back yard and my pesky squirrels.  

It is called "Squirrel's Christmas Party"

Here it is after using Photoshop Elements Filters called Artistic Cutout

It looks abstract, which is kind of neat.

Then below I used Enhance-Adjust Color Curves.  I increased the highlights and shadows, it looks much more dramatic and rich.  So much fun.  You can click on the images to enlarge to see the full effect.

The next photograph captured some crystals I had hanging in the window. 

First the original photo and beneath it, the photo enhanced with a filter called Misc. Effects, Fluorescent Chalk.  People really liked it and I had a purchase offer, but they thought I had painted it!  I told them it was only in my computer...boo hoo!  Oh well, I had fun with these.

   

I am linking to Paint Party Friday, Twitter, Facebook and 

Pinterest.

Have a wonderful week,

Gloria

Gloria J Zucaro's "Wistful Snowman"

Hello Paint Party Friday friends.  Well the big day is almost here and I will be taking some time off for my Christmas preparations and celebrations.  I have a cute palette knife snowman today.  He is in oil on a 10"H x 8"W stretched canvas.  He is wistful because he thought we were going to get a really nice snow of 6" for the Christmas week.  But alas we only got about 1/2" and all the rain froze instead!   I know I should be happy, but when you live in Chicago, snow is welcomed for the holidays(by most) and ice is much more treacherous.  I really got a lot of art done this week and posted on the 17th all about working on some Artist Trading Cards, my journal page for Fall Fearless & Fly, and my new stencils from Stencil Girl some designed by Jessica Sporn  and making my tangled designs into coasters for gifts for friends.  Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and wonderful holidays for everyone.

 

Gloria J Zucaro's "Infinity Folds"

My post today is a pen & ink and graphite drawing on a 4"H x 6"L greeting card.   It is my thank you card to my sister-in-law.  She gave me this gorgeous infinity scarf by Steve Madden for Christmas this year.  It is in one of my favorite colors, Turquoise.  It is so soft and snugly and really keeps my neck warm on these 20 degree days. 

This is also my entry into the Daily Paintworks Challenge for this week, called "Paint Some Fabric".

Gloria J Zucaro's "Lucy's Box of Socks"

5"H x7"W Original Ink Design on Watercolor Cardstock

I spent an enjoyable evening preparing this "Thank You" card for my daughter Lucy and Grandson Alex to thank them for the Christmas gifts they gave me.  One of their gifts to me was a big box of all kinds of socks.  Some were black and some were white.  But there were also Christmas socks, socks with polka dots, socks with hearts, socks with penguins,socks with diamonds,socks with kites,socks with rainbows,socks with cupcakes,socks with polar bears,socks with cherries.  A whole lot of really fun socks!  I had told her I needed socks when she asked what I would like for Christmas...what a great surprise, a great big box of socks! Designs inspired by Zentangles.

This is my entry for Paint Party Friday.  Happy PPF.