The Valentines Files Part II

A few more photos....

All in the {Same} Family?

I love making the Little Sisters - have done about 40 to date.  For those unfamiliar, these are a series of v. small mixed-media portraits - each is only 5" x 6" and they are created on a light-weight wooden panel only 1/8" thick.  I post frequently to Instagram (@mitzieasleysstudio) and sell them in my Etsy store.  They are super fun!

Little Sisters, Family Photo

(not all available; some sold)

Can't you tell they are all from the same family?  Even though each one is different -- just like my own circle of remarkable women -- I want them to belong together.  They are made from a wide variety of media, color, and personalities --  paint and paper, inks and stencils, brights and pastels.  Some are angels and some are a bit saucier.  Some fancy a fancy dress while others are tailored and more understated.  Together they are the wonderful, funny, smart, strong, and endearing women who bless our lives.  Like all women, they stand strong alone but truly thrive in the company of others.

I occasionally hear -- they're all so different -- but look alike.  Well, just their size and composition go a long way in achieving this.  But another feature all Little Sisters have in common is their facial size and shape.  It's identical.

I've got these little cut-out cardboard head-shapes all over the place --  they've multiplied, like reading glasses.  I think I might even have one in my purse.  You know... so that, if I spy inspiration when I'm out and about, I can "audition" a Little Sister.

Funny, huh?  Truth be told, it started out as a result of the lazy factor...

As always, thanks for playing along!  Have a great weekend.

New Little Sisters and New Media Combinations

I love to be inspired to combine media in new ways.  I recently took a workshop with artist Kate Thompson (via the Jeanne Oliver site).  Highly recommended! Kate is gracious and generous and her techniques are lovely.

Since, I've been madly combining watercolors (an old, trusted friend) with charcoal (we've had a few dates - nothing serious) and chalk paint (the new kid on my block).  I love the soft but still-washy effect that happens when the chalk is introduced to a watery mix.  Swoon...

I'm mostly working on my favorite watercolor paper (Fabriano Artistico, 140#, hot press) with a little vintage ledger paper thrown in for texture.

See what you think.  These have been added to the Etsy store.  Thanks so much to all who are looking and playing along!

Little Sister, No. 26

5x6", mixed media on paper

Little Sister, No. 29

5x6", mixed media on paper

Little Sister No. 23 Plus a New Framing Option

First let me introduce Little Sister No. 23.  Her background is painted tissue -- remember when I was dancing around the studio painting paper?  But I think my favorite part is her washy face... I love a washy face.  This one required a lot of tiny cutting -- a handy project while I binged a few episodes of Reign (Netflix).  And then I went a little nutty with a pencil -- mark making all over the place.  Deciding she needed drop earrings.

Also, I finally found a frame I like for these Little Sisters.  I've put them as an option in the Etsy store.  Scroll all the way down to see No. 23 framed!  They are black wood, measure 10" x 10" x 1.75"deep, and have a linen-y background.  If you want your Little Sister framed, just purchase that in addition to the collage.  I'm happy to secure your art into the frame and ship for no additional charge.  The frame has a hook on the back so it can be hung.  Or it would look darling in an easel.

Little Sister No. 23

5" x 6", mixed media collage

available in my Etsy store

(scroll down to see framing option)

Black Framing Option (frame only)

10" x 10" x 1.75" deep

available as a separate purchase in my Etsy store

Little Sister No. 21 | Need a Plumber in Manhatten?

I'm officially in love with this Little Sister.  Of course, I think her message is sooo relevant and something I'm thinking a lot about right now as storms of all kinds ravish our world.  But, from an artsy-fartsy perspective, I positively swoon over the array of materials in this one tiny (5"x6") piece of art.

Little Sister No. 21

available on Etsy

(I also listed a cute frame I found on Etsy but more about that later)

click photos for larger view

Her wings and halo are made from hand painted phone book pages.  Yes, Miss Hotel Owner, I'm that person.  But really, if you're at a fancy-schmancy hotel in New York City, how many people staying in room 913 are going to need a plumber?  And who uses a phone book anymore, anyway?  Based on that alone, I almost pinched the whole book but it was heavy and I wanted my bag in the overhead bin!  Isn't it a lovely shade of magenta now?  Love that phone book texture

Her hair is security-envelope turquoise.  Thanks, Mr. Right!  And her face is vintage ledger paper.  I'm getting crazier and crazier about square cheeks, I think....

Lessons Learned in the Junque Journal

Too many to mention: the lessons I learned in this junque journal..... small j's.

Because the lesson I keep trying to learn is 'don't take any of this too seriously.'  This is art -- small a.

I like the common color palette throughout the book.  Not strict but also not too far afield.

And then from there, it was really anything goes. And that lesson was fun too!

I'm so inspired by my peers. Again, too many to mention.  

I want to do it again. Soon.  

Thanks for meandering through the book with me, dear reader.

The Junque Journal, Part 3

For me, an art journal is a learning space.  An experimental space.  Strictly pleasure.  Check out the pink crepe paper ruffle.  :)  Let me just say that learning to sew crepe paper is a hoot --- so cheap for so much product and super easy to dye.

Confession:  I'm passionate about words and I like quotes.  Funny quotes.  Wise quotes.  Witty quotes.  I admire people who come up with a short set of words that tell a story.  And I really like an art journal where I can ponder a good quote while I create with it.  Prettify it.  Play with it.
Are you passionate about words, dear reader?