New Girls in Town!

Hello Friends,
I'm delighted to introduce a new series of ladies - they are the Big Sisters.  This collection is much larger than the Littles - up to 24"x24".  A combination of acrylic, collage, ink, graphite, etc., these mixed-media portraits are of women who are smart and imperfect, strong but quirky.  They are whimsical warriors and I am enchanted.  The Big Sisters are graphic-inspired and indulge my deep love of pattern.  Plus, I'm naming them after I Love Lucy episodes - I have so much respect for Lucille Ball.  She did amazing work and we laughed throughout.

I will be posting the Big Sisters to Instagram and they are available to purchase in my Etsy store.  I hope you love them. Thanks so much for playing along!  #gratefulartist

the country club dance - s6, ep25

24x24, acrylic on 3/4" canvas, unframed

details below (i.e. the parts i am REALLY in love with)

The Valentines Files Part II

A few more photos....

The Valentines Files I

On a whim, before Christmas, I decided to practice some mixed media layering on a few brown craft file folders that were sitting around.  I've done that before on manila -- click here to remember -- file folders are tough, cheap, disposable, and fun when finished!

Well, along I went; every time I was painting or stenciling or gluing something else, I'd throw some of that on those folders.  I've been obsessed with blues lately; I've been obsessed with chinoiserie for my whole life.  Pretty soon I ran out of folders, ordered more, and along the way I decided I would give them to my colleagues for Valentines.  They were turning out to be blue-on-blue, our school colors.  And I was running across scraps of paper that fit the bill.

Paint, ink, dye, more paint, graphite, paper, stencils, cute images to draw/paint (from the internet; not mine), some of my favorite quotes, more paint.  The outsides are more decorated than the insides (see below) and I left some painted spaces for my Valentines to write their own quotes if they wish.  And of course, I sealed them all the way round so coffee mishaps are no problem - they are 'wipe and go.'

Talk about fun! Highly recommended! I'll post more pics tomorrow.  Thanks for playing along!

 Thanks for the quote, Dina Wakely! 

The insides of the folder are less decorated but still fun!  See below.

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.

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

A Pretty Little Junque Journal

I made a little book.... maybe we call it a "junque journal" or a "glue book."  I just wanted a place where I could cut and paste and paint and sew and write.  

For the base I used all kinds of papers, both vintage and new, including lots of Fabriano Artistico 140# Hotpress.  This paper makes me swoon.  I truly love it that much -- so great for any medium, from pen and watercolor to collage to acrylics.  The journal's design is based on Teesha Moore's Amazing 16-Page Journal (Google and find the videos on YouTube for excellent step-by-step).  "Amazing" is an understatement -- I've made a gozillion of these over the years.  A 16-page journal from one sheet of 22x30 paper.  Amazing.  

For this project I added a number of signatures.  I did most of the machine sewing before sewing the journal together. Blackboard paint, ball fringe and S&H Greenstamps, washi tape, doilies and dry cleaning tags, and flowers.  Lots of flowers.  Pure eye candy.  More photos to come!