One of those Moments

When I decided to lose the red.

And was oh so glad I did!  More later am off to look at my embellishments cache while the first layer of gold paint dries.

WIP Now with Purple

First layer purple for the background and I have to say I made a mess of things but I'm now starting to rock this niche!!!  While this one dries I'm working on painting the other niches and found six raised panel frames that are begging for Queen Anne's Lace to grace them with their beauty!

Mixed Media Supplies

Mixed media nummies found at JB Knacker in Gilbert, IA!!!

The brass numbers are approximately four inches tall.

On My Desk 081313

Before - See the media trays on both sides of the table?  Well Oliver noticed them as well, turns out he has expensive tastes loves those soft paint brushes and those spendy colored pencils.  Sooooo...

Hubs made me a shelf last night, out of mdf, for my media trays and other supplies.  One of the perks was a spot for my sketch books on each shelf, now they are close at hand.  The biggest perk is having a larger work area and a spot at the left hand of my table for my large sketch books!

Still Auditioning

I added a photo cut out of a crow, taken on the roof of my house, to see how if it would work in this piece, it has potential.

Auditioning Elements for a Work in Progress

Very simple, but lacking in additional interest.  The goal here is to avoid being cutesy.

The piece definately needs a pop of colour, but which colour and where?  If I attach the cochineal dyed silk organza I'll add stitching in a contrasting colour.

I'm not sure that this works either, but it's interesting... just the wrong colours and not enough of them. Acrylic on watercolor paper.

Here's a bit of gouache and watercolor, with ink sketches, on paper behind the main panel.  The main panel is still lacking, it needs a pop of something, anything... but it has to be the right element otherwise it just sits there like a lump.

So I will continue auditioning elements into the wee hours of the night, once I have this niche figured out the remaining eight niches will be a snap since I'm working in a series.  I will be adding additional elements to the outside of the niche in the form of copper and/or black brads and tacks.

Rivers and Trees

Getting ready for my upcoming solo show at the Grimes Farm Conservation Center, Marshalltown, IA.  I will be showing my Ghost Trees Series and my Blood River Canyon Series.

Studio Redux 073011

If all goes well I may actually get to watch Paula stream live tonight from my new mixed media area in my new studio!  John hasn't found the ends for the dsl wire yet, he has to make a new longer cable for me. 

The knee is feeling slightly better, after last nights horrific fall on the back landing.  John didn't look to pleased when I told him that I was going to be putting non-slip rubber duckie decals down on the floor.  It's the one place in the house that I have consistantly hurt myself on in the last 10 years and it's because that floor becomes ultra slick with even the slightest hint of moisture.  This time the moisture was left by a 12 pound tri-color sheltie who decided she couldn't wait any longer.

Angel the puddle maker.

More Antlers

Now that Deer Slayer is on it's way to it's new owner I am off and running with my next project.

The next project involves a gourd, pine needles, and antlers.

Deer Slayer Finished.

Wet Studio Clean Up

Moved some of the paints to the corner shelves, these are fabric paints, so that I could have better access to my mixed media supplies.

I moved my mixed media bins to the shelves, who knew that having them more accessible would mean I'd actually use them!  The crates hold various types of papers and constructed cloth for using in mixed media projects.

Another view, that's Deer Slayer on the table. I need to have John create a rack so that I can put the computer up next to the ceiling, won't go under the table too much stuff there already.  Luckily the Gateway was is a rack server style unit and is meant to be flat not verticle!

Brushes, tons of them everywhere!  This weeks adventure includes a trip to the dollar store in hopes of procurring a couple of those cutlery baskets, I will use them for my paint brushes.

Mixed Media Painting Workshop

Spend the afternoon trying a variety of techniques using paint!

In this workshop students will learn how to combine various wet materials to create a painting. Students will work with acrylics, water color media, emulsions, opaque pens, papers, etc.   This is a great opportunity to try some new techniques and media without having to committ to a six week class!

The class will be held Fisher Art Center in Marshalltown, IA

Ghost Trees

I started these several years ago, finally stitched them up tonight.

She was Third Class Solo Show

She was Third Class Solo Exhibition
Fisher Art Center, Marshalltown, IA
September 1st - September 30th.

Explore Class and Social Status in Fly Over Country with artist Kimberly Baxter Packwood. 

Kimberly's latest body of work encompasses the topic of social strata in rural America using the medium of Encaustic and 3D Mixed Media.

Forest Harvest Box 1

Still working on the whole less is more concept with my boxes ;-)  This box for the most part is done, although I may alter this one when I get it back, I'm not sure how I feel, still, about the silk flowers.

Olof - WIP

John has been helping me with the construction of my latest pieces, running the saws and drills for cut outs etc., he cracked a huge grin when he put Olof's eyes in place which he picked, I was going to use gauages for the eyes, but John decided that Olof needed gears for eyes instead.  The gears definately changed the mood from dark to spry, Olof has a joker side, he loves playing practical jokes on people and may even revel in scaring them a wee bit.  I'm currently auditioning mouth pieces and body colors.

Mixed Media Class begins November 4th

Instructor: Kimberly Baxter Packwood
Days: Wed
Times: 5:30-7:30pm
Begins: November 4, 2009
Ends: December 16, 2009
No Class Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Cost: Members: $99 Non-Members: $110
Place: Fisher Art Center in Marshalltown, IA

Barns No. 3 & No. 4

Barn No. 3 & No. 4
Mixed Media Altered Barn Print

8.5 x 11 inches

2008

Available in My Store