Howie's Afternoon Original Art

Howie, our ginger - creamsicle, loves everybody kitty, is very happy on this warm autumn day.  His sweetheart, our Queen Sophie Ann is just fine.  A mystery, probably one-time reaction to who knows what.  She's got her steroid shot, she's home, and Howie is delighted. 

The painting is a small work: 6 x 6 on gallery wrapped canvas. 

Sophie Got the Blues and Gave Them to Me ....

I started this little 6x6 painting this morning thinking I would celebrate our daytrip up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Galax and Floyd to see the beginning of The Fall, but "suddenly" everything began to turn to shades of blue and transparent swirls appeared. 
At first I thought I was doing some under painting, but then realized the cat in question had taken over and that it had to be our Sophie who has been a bit odd lately and has begun to worry us a bit. 

Sophie is blue, so so am I.

Three Maidens Polymer Clay Pendant

Three Maidens Southwest Pendant Necklace.

This is one of my personal favorites, and has never been offered before. I've enjoyed their company.

The pendant is made of polymer clay as are the beads at the toggle clasp. The ivory colored beads are, if I remember correctly, bone -- not plastic and definitely NOT ivory. O-rings figure into the design elements as well.

The pendant itself is 1 3/4 inches wide, 2 3/16 inches long. Overall length approximately 21 inches plus pendant drop.   The pendant is mostly translucent clay "overbaked" which brings up that lovely sienna color and causes imperfections or moons.  For my purposes the development of imperfection is desirable.  A thin layer of textured clay was added then carved with the maidens, the bezel made of black clay, the reverse carved with my mark.  Glazing/antiquing applied for contrast.

Currently, the pendant is available.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/patibannister

Evolution of Two Tuxedos

 

Two Tuxedos*    

Session 1-4 ...   12 x 10  Acrylic on canvas. 

Originally there were no flowers planned. I did develop the flowers--reds & roses, but after an overnight got rid of them. 
I also decided to use the following colors only: Napthol Red Light, Yellow Oxide, and Pthalo Blue.  The background was black gesso post-flower debacle, and the tiniest trace of Hansa Yellow Light, Ivory Black & Titanium White was used on their beautiful eyes.  White gesso was used for the whiskers.  It flows so nicely.  (I used acrylic white ink once--that was a disaster.  The stuff wiped right off)

By session 4 everything except my favorite part (eyes) and scariest (whiskers) was finished.
I generally add whiskers only when I feel it enhances the cats, not because of the scary (precision) factor but because they often add nothing for me. And they're scary to do. 

The second photo is (obviously, I hope) the finished piece.   I love this painting.  I love the way they fit together, and I love the way they watch you with their loving eyes.
I think their whiskers are pretty nifty too.

*title subject to change

Sun Bird, Fantasy Original Painting on Canvas

Sunbird is a fantasy girl. She doesn't exist in nature, but she has some fairly close relatives in Mexico, Costa Rica and other exotic paces. Most of all she's hot and will cheer up any place you place her, and warm you on those winter days when you think the sun will never shine again.

Sunbird is 14 x 10 on stretched canvas. Sides are painted, and the piece is varnished for protection and to enhance the brilliance of the colors. As with all of my original pieces, Sunbird is one of a kind.

She is currently available.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/patibannister

Micro Mosaic Pendant, Southwest. Mexican Hat, Utah. Unisex. Wearable Art.

 

  It isn't that I haven't been working, it's that I'm out of synch with myself.   Since that annoying hip replacement thing a year ago ....   

This is a pendant I made in 2009 and have never offered before.  I have a number of these pieces that I learned a lot from.  It isn't that I don't need them or love them any longer, but it is time to move on and I'm running out of space. 

It is currently in my Etsy shop  "Pati Bannister" ...

It was inspired by my love of the Southwest, more specifically the area around Mexican Hat in Utah. 

The pendant is polymer clay and slightly trapezoidal in shape. It is a tiny bit under 1 1/2 inches wide at the top and an equally small bit under 1 3/4 inches wide at the bottom. It is 2 3/4 inches long including the bail. Two coordinated beads, also polymer clay, finish the toggle closing. It is 18-19 inches long, not including the pendant length. 

I made four small batches of marbleized color, the channels were extruded and each piece was placed on the cured backing before curing.   

http://www.etsy.com/shop/patibannister

Comments and questions welcome.