It's December! How did this happen?

Rocks and Drops 16x20"

I'm not sure where the year has gone but it has been a great one. Working on the book, I feel like I'm back in the research lab cooking up all kinds of new experiments. I guess I am, but this is a lot more fun. This piece has a lazertran decal over crackle paste and I built up lots of layers to give it that waxy look. It is in a show in Washington D.C. opening this weekend at Aaron Gallery, 1717 Connecticut Ave. NW. I have three pieces in the show which runs through December. Stop by if you're in that area.

Happy Holidays

Wow, the holidays are here and a new year is coming up hard and fast. Sandra and I have been busy with our second book on surfaces which is a perfect compliment to Image Transfer Workshop.

On the left, Juicy Too, is a combination of water slide transfers, gold leaf, collage and lots of glazing. A friend of mine was asked by her gallery to paint some red paintings and I thought it was a great idea so I challenged myself to do one and I had a great time. It is in a show of work by Canyon Road artists being held at The Factory in Albuquerque that starts Thanksgiving weekend.

Gratitude

Misty Dawn

I now have an etching press in my studio and I am having so much fun it should be illegal. This is a collagraph using oil etching ink. I have also collaged an image on organza, the mist, and some gold leaf. A collagraph is like creating a textured collage, then you ink it and print it. I make several different plates and layer my colors and textures to create depth.

Dream Time

This piece, His Future Vision, has gampi and lazertran transfers along with page from an old book and alcohol surface areas. I usually paint both underneath and on top of the transfers to integrate the images with the surface.

Sandra and I have started our second book (on surfaces) with the assistance of Bonnie Teitlebaum and we are in Dream Time. It is like being in an creative think tank. Its not just creating different surfaces but pushing the techniques to new levels. It has been a series of OH WOWs. It is amazing how one forgets how much work it is to write a book. The first book we had so much more time but we have a much faster turn around on this one. Whew.

Windows on Time

Where does the time go? It goes out the windows. This image is made from a gum arabic transfer and the preserve-it rub on transfer. The target was printed first onto a rice paper using gum arabic, or paper plate lithography as it is sometimes called. The photograph I took of the windows was transferred using the preserve-it technique described in our book. This is a great way to use photos you love.

Gampi Transfers

Sandra and I each have our favorite transfers - my are gampi, lasertran and gel transfers. This one is a gampi transfer laid on top of an old scrapbook page from the 1800's and then painted and stenciled on top. I love the tattooed woman look.

Update

Our book sold out in 1.5 months and is in it's second printing. Yahoo. Also, our second book proposal on surface treatments has been accepted and we are at work on it. Guess you know what we will be doing this winter.

On the Path

This colorful painting was a creative challenge I gave myself to use up the bits and pieces left on my work table. I layered, drew, painted and glued. What more fun can one have.

If you are at a standstill for where to go, just look in front of you and use what is on hand. Many times I have left-over bits and pieces that are too beautiful to throw away (we are such pack rats). Put them to use and give yourself the creative challenge.

Motherhood Was Out of Focus

Some pieces just come together like magic. This is one of those pieces. The ironic thing with painting this week is that I worked on this piece which is quite dark in color and another piece that is very bright with hot pink, greens and turquoise. Obviously, I must be Sybil of the art world.

Made some big decisions about my art this week. Mainly it was about working big and forgoing the small pieces for awhile to see how this works for me.

My Contemporary Hispanic Market Piece

I have had these panels for years and always knew I wanted to have a gold leaf background so I finally did it. It is an ode to Valesquez's Las Meninas. The crows love bling as much as I do hence their presence. The gold leaf really makes the piece glow.

Sandra and I both hope to see you at the market on July 25-26. We can't sell our book there but we will have one for you to see if you stop by.

Ode to a Master
38" x 38" mixed media on panel
(gel and lazertran transfers)

Darlene and I will be at the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe on Lincoln Ave the weekend of July 25-26. The show runs 8 to 5 both days. I am in booth #58 and Darlene is in # 48. Please stop by to say hi, catch up on art and look at the latest work. We will be glad to show you the book, sign your copy and share our latest transfer techniques.

See you at the market!




Sandra Duran Wilson
Octopus's Garden
30 x 10
acrylic gel transfers on Venetian plaster

The Time Has Arrived!

Windows on Time, by Sandra Duran Wilson, is one of the pieces I created for the book using two different transfer techniques. The top portion is a gum arabic printing transfer and the lower portion is a Preserve-It transfer that I came up with. They are both in the book and I hope you have fun playing with all 35 techniques. You should receive your book about mid July if you have pre-ordered it from Amazon. If you haven't here is the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Image-Transfer-Workshop-Mixed-Media-Techniques/dp/1600611605/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232977667&sr=8-1

We Did It!

The Image Transfer Workshop website went up today so the blog will be in full gear now. If you have questions, show and tell or whatever please leave us a comment. Sandra and I got our authors copy of the book and love it! We found a few small glitches which will be fixed in the next printing.

Both Sandra and I will be posting to the blog, showing you samples, and discussing techniques. If you want to learn more about us you can go to our websites - sandraduranwilson.com or darleneoliviamcelroy.com. If you are in Santa Fe for Artist's Material Expo 2009 "Creative Expression" (Sept. 17, 18, 19, 20), come for either of our demos.

Creative Touch, 16" x 20" mixed media with gel, gesso and gampi transfers by Darlene Olivia McElroy

Busy Girl

Been busy with several one-on-one workshops. Great people, lots of fun, and crazy art.

Here is a happy piece I have been working on, Tea Party. I have no ideas where this stuff comes from but I always enjoy the weird stories. Notice the great 1940's paper dolls and their clothes? I used gel, lazertran and gampi transfers.

Lena Bartula from San Miguel del Allende has invited me to teach a workshop there in January. You bet. It is the perfect time to be there and get the juices flowing in another country.

Darlene