Painting a Sunrise

I wanted to share my newest creation
 with you. I am painting a picture
for one of my clients.

Getting Started: Usually the hardest part.
I've already sketched my image on to the canvas.
Let the painting begin!!

Finally an image is coming through with some 
painted details. Having a designated work 
area really helps. I'll leave my painting supplies
out so that when I get the "urge" I'll be ready.

There's no need to hurry.
Relax with some nice background music.
I am softly washing in some color. I'll start out light 
and gradually darken it.

The sky has been refined and detailed. Notice the 

darkening of the water and the sun's yellow have been 

added.  The reflection of the clouds has also been 

added to the beach. Next I'll continue 

to enrich the colors as I "darken" everything. 

 A lot more gray and orange have been added. 

Next I'll do a peachy/orange wash over the 

bottom portion of the sky and the top/horizon 

portion of the ocean. Then I'll be ready to 

add the blacks and reds. (Always save your darkest

 colors to paint last because you can build upon the 

light colors but it's really hard to soften the dark ones.)  

This "peachy" wash will become an important 
undertone. Next I will add the darker color
to the waves and clouds in the image. 
There's not much more to do and I'm getting 
very anxious to see this painting finished.



 

Finally Finished!!!

 

Pirate Ship Step Stool

You can check out this project and others with the links below

This is a step stool that I worked on along with talented woodworker, Gary Daniel. He built the two part creation so that it could get shorter as the child gets taller. I thought that was brilliant!! His daughter showed us the shower curtain that she wanted to match and away we went. Ships Ahoy!!!

        http://youtu.be/MD6BNpJzuik

Start with your wooden object. Prime it, sand it and then paint it the colors that you want. 

To get the lettering placed perfectly, I used carbon paper to mark it in place.

I made photos of the image on the shower curtain, then some computer skills to change them  around a bit.
Check out copyright laws before using someone else's artwork and designs!!!
Then I used an Exacto knife and scissors to cut out around the images.
I made "mirrored/flipped" images so that I could put one on each side of the stool.

Carefully apply glue or decoupage medium to the back of the image.

I painted a "water" area on the stool with acrylic paint and waited until it was totally dry. I made sure that where I placed the ship wasn't going to be covered up by the wooden bottom layer of the stool. (Notice it's been removed for this part of the application?) Apply your image very carefully to spot on your work surface. Be careful to put it exactly where you want it and wipe away any air bubbles. Use a paint brush to apply more glue/decoupage medium over the entire surface of the front of the image. Brush the glue and extend it past the image atleast 1/8" so that it seals it totally. You don't want air gaps between the paper and flat surface.
Follow the instructions on the bottle of glue/decoupage medium for more information.

To make sure that you are happy with the placement of things, use chalk or removable tape to line it in first.
They can be changed much easier than painting something over again!!!

I chose a 3D wooden pre-painted craft item that I found at the local craft store. It was perfect to finish this piece with. I painted in the island and glued on the palm tree. It nicely added to the layered look that the stool already had from the levels. I also chose to "rough" up the edges of the wood by sanding them down to give this a "worn" look. I coated the artwork and  painted surfaces with a matte finish sealant because this is going to be in the bathroom & needs protection. 

And here's the back view of finished piece.
A very happy little boy is now enjoying this and will be able to grow with it too. 

Faux Finishing

I recently painted a dining room table because everything in the room was brown and boring. I wanted to add a pop of color to the room's centerpiece. Check out the before, during and after pix. 

I started by picking a "happy" base color. This apple green was just right!
Before I began painting, I lightly sanded the surface of the table since it had a clear coat varnish on it.
This was going to help the paint "stick" better. Notice that I used a drop cloth of paper
and I lifted the table up on risers (made of paint cans). If any paint sticks to paper
it creates a problem for removing the object after it dries. 

I chose a very dark, and thinned down brown/black acrylic for the "wash".
I use an acrylic "extender" to thin my acrylic paint out for "washes". 

After applying a generous amount of "wash" I use a damp rag to softly "wipe and
pat" the paint off. Don't rub too hard or it will take all of the "wash" away. 

I added a protective finish of water based polyurethane to make the surface stronger
and more durable for everyday wear and tear. It's paint so it WILL SCRATCH
with heavy abuse and scuffing. The finish also cuts down the "tackiness" of the semi-
gloss acrylic paint which can be very problematic and bothersome.  

This is the finished result. Compare with the "before" photo at the top of the page.
Don't you agree that this is exactly what the room needed?
I love mixing up wood grains with painted surfaces. This is such a "happy" table now.
Think about how you can make the most frequently used rooms of your home
more personal, fun AND functional. 

End of the World?

Hey, I just heard on the radio that tomorrow's the last day of the world.
What??? I thought that wasn't for like another year and a half or something.
I didn't even have it marked on my calendar. I'm usually pretty organized.
This just ran up on me. Never knew a thing about it.

You'd think someone in the calendar business would have known about this one.
It would have helped me to have had more time to plan for it.
I could have thrown a party or something. Imagine...Geez.

Um, here's an idea to leave you all with for my last "official" blog I guess, because we're

not gonna be here after tomorrow, ya' know. ....

Mark your calendars for another date. It is February 21st, 2012, right??? I think so.
That's 9 months from now. I bet in 9 months there will be lots of babies!!!
I mean, if we're all still here, that is. ....but we're not privy to that info.
The appointment "will come like a thief in the night". Without our knowledge or preparation.
I'm just sayin. :)

So, what are you going to be doing tomorrow? It ought to be good. Have fun and enjoy it. 

Be happy. Do stuff you love with the people you love and be thankful....don't do the dishes

or make the bed. Don't worry. Relax and rejoice!!!

We should all be excited because we're going to heaven.

All of us. 

Right?????? 

Hope to see you soon. 

Hi

If you're reading this, you must be extremely bored or something like that.
I don't have much to say today, except, "Hi".
Hope you're doing well. I'm okay. No poetry today. Not feeling it.
The stuff I put on here is just a bunch of rambling most of the time.
Trying to think of things to say to a computer isn't what I call "fun",
but whatever. Glad you're here and taking time out of your precious day to
check in on me. I need to feed the birds. That's more important than this.
Have you made a peanut butter pine cone covered in seed lately?
Just an idea. Have fun, whatever it is that you do today. Count your blessings
and be a blessing to someone. I'll try to do that too. Bye.

Profiles

Profiles
(c) Kimberly "Kimbo" Hewitt

Texting, blogging, e-mail, my face.
What's it all mean, who's invading your space?
Hey, are you out there? Where are you, my friend?
We're posting our memoirs but where does it end?

Stranger spells danger. Wait, how did you meet?
Twas no chance encounter on a cold, busy street.
Online you're dating, interview and take score.
Show them your wild side .You're fun, not a bore.

Truth be told, the profile you hold's a figment of imagining.
What you hear in what they convey is like when a songbird sings.
"Oh, how pretty, this song, how divine
and it fits so well in this world of mine."

Hear what you want and say what you please
May the phonies get to the ground, on their knees.
Pardon my opinion but this is my blog
My concern is if we should slaughter the hog.

Reality bites yet some don't want to taste
the crude meal they are serving, created in haste.
Facts and beliefs and likes and such
Does anyone care? Is this all too much?

Don't let your number of fan-friends be your guide
Don't let your computer become a safe place to hide.
Be yourself, be true and be kind.
If you don't understand this, well then, never mind.

Another Day In Paradise

I live in paradise. I live on a beautiful planet in the best country in the world.
I am so glad that I have a job. A bed to sleep in and a place to call home.
I'm happy that I can worship in my church or in my home without being
arrested. Today is a pretty day. Sun is shining, day of rest. I will go out
in the world because I don't like being cooped up. That feels yucky to me.
I was lazy yesterday and I feel that I've gotta make up for it. Let's go adventure
somewhere. Gas is expensive but there are plenty of neat places to visit close
by. Who knows what the day will bring? I'm ready to enjoy it for what it's worth.
Hope you're having a good day too. Paradise is what you make it.