Kirsten Bailey: Art » watercolor

Illustration Friday – Linked

Kirsten — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:44:52 +0000

This week’s topic over at Illustration Friday is “linked“. Here’s what I came up with:

It’s titled Entwined.

I really enjoyed creating this one, and I’m happy with how it’s turned out… but painting the way I do can be quite messy:

I’m so glad watercolours wash off easily!

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Two Happy Stampers April Colour Challenge – Take Two

Kirsten — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:54:22 +0000

I recently wrote about participating in this month’s colour challenge at Two Happy Stampers, which involves creating something using the following colours:

I wanted to have another go at creating a painting using these colours, and this is what I came up with:

It reminds me of the shrubs they have around my school which drop white flowers in a carpet all over the ground. The branch of the tree is actually painted in navy watercolour paint although it looks pretty close to black.

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Two new works

Kirsten — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:12:58 +0000

I love holidays! I get so much painting done

Here’s what I’ve been working on:

“Sunset Joy”

I’m hoping to donate this painting to the Cerebal Palsy League’s ‘Art for Arts Sake‘ charity auction next month (it has to be accepted first so fingers crossed!)

“Evening Song”

This one is going to be sent to someone special

I’ve also been working on some new canvas works – I’ll post details here soon. I hope everyone had a lovely Easter long weekend!

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Illustration Friday – Rescued

Kirsten — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:48:02 +0000

I’m *really* late with posting this Illustration Friday painting – the new topic is due up sometime today. It took me a while to get the idea straight in my head.

Here’s what I came up with for the “rescue” topic:

A heart’s rescue.

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Creating “Brave”

Kirsten — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:30:23 +0000

As promised (OK, a little later than promised, but still!) here’s my step-by-step for the creation of my latest painting, “Brave”.

Step 1 - OK I probably didn't need to show you this - the blank page. I've started using watercolour blocks instead of pads or loose sheets, and they're great! You dont' have to tape them down at all.

Step 2: Using masking fluid, I masked off the edge of the paper and created three separate panels.

Step 3 - Colour washes for the background. Here I've done the first two. I tried to give a feeling of the day passing - using the colours of sunrise, midday and twilight.

Step 4: As I wanted to convey the idea of the same tree and bird changing over time, I wanted my tree to look the same in each panel. I usually paint my trees freeform, without sketching them first. This time, I sketched a tree in pencil first, and transferred it to the 3 panels so each would be the same.

Step 5 - 3rd background wash. I did this panel a little later as I was waiting for the masking fluid I used to create the stars to dry. Step 6 - The tree sketch transferred onto each panel of the painting. Step 7 - Trees and birdies painted in. Step 8 - Masking fluid rubbed off, painting completed!! Hope you liked learning about how I created this painting

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I’m a writer!!

Kirsten — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:04:57 +0000

I’m excited to announce that I’ve been invited to write for Handmade Spark.

The site is designed for sellers and buyers to connect. Through the blog sellers wil learn about marketing, blogging, how tos, and much more. Buyers will find new shops and items through the handmade features posted by me and a group of writers. Handmade Spark is also a directory where sellers can submit their links, like Twitter, Facebook , and blogs.

I’m really excited to be involved, and I hope I can bring a little something different to the website as I’m so far the only Aussie writer.

My first post is about ACEOs. I was inspired by the fact that I made my own first batch of ACEOs this weekend. I love the way they look on the little easel! If you’d like to find out more about ACEOs, you can read my post on Handmade Spark.

In other news, my painting Two Hearts, One Love has been featured on a Valentine’s Day post at Calico & Co., the Indie & Handmade Blog. There are lots of other pretty things there too!

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Inspire Me Thursday – Handmade Holidays

Kirsten — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:53:13 +0000

Christmas is sneaking up on us once again!

We put our Christmas tree up this weekend, and I’ve started thinking about Christmas cards.

Last year I painted a Christmas picture and used the image to make my cards:

I’ve finally gotten around to painting something for this year’s cards. Its a bit different to last years, but I hope people will like it all the same. I’m going to get the prints made up sometime tomorrow and I’ll post a picture of the cards when I’ve made them.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway if you haven’t already done so!

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Sunset Shower

Kirsten — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:53:29 +0000

A new painting!

If you would like to purchase this original watercolour, it is $40. I accept paypal and bank deposit. Contact me if you’re interested!

Oh, and don’t forget about my giveaway – there’s a $25 gift certificate for KL Bailey Art up for grabs!

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Inspire Me Thursday – Tree: Take 3

Kirsten — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:49:35 +0000

Yes, I have even more trees!

This painting was inspired by one of my favourite quotes:

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
~Albert Camus~

In other news, I have posted my first fan special on my KL Bailey Art Facebook Fan Page. If you’re not already a Fan, become one today – I will be posting weekly specials on paintings!!

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Inspire Me Thursday – Tree

Kirsten — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:20:27 +0000

Could there be an Inspire Me Thursday subject more suited to my work than “Tree”?
I have always loved trees, ever since I was a child & spent most of my free time climbing the huge tree we had in our backyard. Trees feature heavily in my artwork.

I don’t really need an extra excuse to paint trees, and was planning to paint some trees this weekend anyway. I think I’ll be contributing more than one painting to this weeks theme!

My first painting:

What I wanted to do with this painting is to represent the fact that beauty does not mean looking like everyone else. Being an individual and being yourself is more beautiful than becoming a carbon-copy of the ideals projected by the media.

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