I did a black and white face over the weekend, it was inspired by one of Ariana Almanza's courses over at the Doll Dreams Ning site.  I really liked the way it turned out, I liked the fact that it was kind of rough and uneven, it may actually be one of my favorite paintings yet. 

I then decided to try to do a very similar one again on a piece of wood that I have, I modified it a bit added music sheets as the background and worked some oil pastels on it.  I am quite happy with the second try as well but I still think the first is my favorite, I think it is something about here eyes.  I decided to share them both here.  Do you have a favorite?

Below is a painting I have been working on this week.  I like elements of it but overall it seems to me that something isn't working but I can't figure out what so I am looking for some constructive criticism regarding this painting.

Is it that the bird just doesn't suit it?  Are the colored ink blotches to much (I think that may be part of the issue, I was having a little too much fun with my alcohol inks:)?  Should I try to lightly paint over some of them, or try to blend a layer of sheer gold over them to soften them?  These are some of the things I considered.  So if anyone has anything to share please feel free to leave me a comment as I really am looking for some feedback on this one.  Thanks everyone!

This mixed media painting was inspired by the quote below.  I have heard this quote in slight variations attributed to a number of different people but as far as I know this version is from Nelson Mandella.

So this is my inaugural post on my new art blog.  I'm not sure that many people will see this blog it isn't really meant to show off my art because I am so very new at it that it really is in need of a lot of improvement.  What I really want it to be able to show some of my art to friends and family who don't happen to live close so I figured another blog was a great way to do it. 

Below is my first ever piece of mixed media art.  It is a combination of acrylic paint, stamping and mixed papers.  It isn't perfect but for a first try I was actually quite happy with the outcome.