Happy Solstice

Dancing With Creation

Sandra Duran Wilson

The Solstice is one of the happiest times of year for me because, here in the northern hemisphere, we experience the return of the light. The days begin to get longer and soon the plants that are frozen and sleeping deep in the earth will feel a pull to stretch and rise up to the sun once again. This is similar to our creative cycles. We must return to our core to replenish the creative seed. The long nights are a good time to take stock and set new goals that will grow and flourish with the increasing light. May your solstice be joyful and peaceful.

Layers of Texture

Night Sky - Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting has loads of texture created with plaster and gel mediums. I apply them as is and when dry I use glazes to create depth. The trick is  to let each glaze layer dry before adding the next. Apply the colored glaze, wait a few minutes and then wipe most of it off. You will have  that stays in the crevices. The next layer may have a bit more color left on. Play with the layers until you get the effect you desire. You can always go back and add more plaster on top to get a lighter area. Some crackle effects and transfers complete the piece.

Happy Thanksgiving

Interconnected

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you all for your support and encouragement. Have a wonderful day filled with love, gratitude and lots of friends, loved ones and good food.

Let Go and Create

Stripes of Another Color

This little painting turned out to be one of my favorite paintings. It started as what I call my throw away piece. I always keep a couple of canvases or paper in my studio to put leftover paint or mediums onto so I don't throw them down the sink. I continue to build up colors and textures until I have a beautiful background to complete my painting. The throw away piece becomes the masterpiece. I think these pieces work out so well because I am not so invested in their preciousness. Try it and see.

A New Perspective

Lunarscape by Sandra Duran Wilson

When you layer several resist techniques you create a more sophisticated background that isn't readily identifiable as a particular technique. I am going to name all the techniques that were used and see if you can figure out where they are and what order they were in. I have used alcohol resist, soap resist, glazing, molding paste, embossing, gels, crackle, transfer, sanding and polymer mediums. Have fun.

Inspired by a Demo

This piece was inspired by a demo I did in one of my classes that I then scanned into my computer and played with the composition in Photoshop. Finally when I got to a place where it was working for me then I went to painting the final piece which has so many techniques used. There is gold leaf, stamping, alcohol, stenciling, transfer painting, water slide decals, collage and more.

Midsummer Dream, 20" x 16" mixed media on panel

Fiesta by Sandra Duran Wilson

Fiesta time is party time. I love all the bright colors of Mexico and New Mexico. Darlene and I just finished a show at El Museo de Cultural in Santa Fe, NM. We had Mariachi music and lots of fun. Keep the party going with your art. The top portion of this painting was created using a gel transfer and then highlighted with more paint. The lower portion has gels and pastes of different viscosities layers with glazes. Check out our books for more fun tips and tricks.