The bliss factory

New art doll

2012-02-17T14:08:00.000+01:00

I promised you it won't be long until I post again ...
I just shipped my doll Manon to Montreal today. I am so happy when people like/purchase my dolls because it is very rewarding but I miss them somehow :oD

Here is a new one I made lately, I made a few more I will show you soon.

Meet Anastasia (same colors as Ophélia)

Hope you like her.

My art dolls are for sale and can be custom made if you like, you can see all the dolls on sale HERE.

Have a lovely day :o)

Is there still someone here ?

2012-02-10T11:17:00.001+01:00

Oh boy ... is there still someone reading this blog ?

It's been so long since I last posted here !

I got caught up in the whirlwind of life, I guess ...

I painted a lot lately, so I guess I will have lots to show on this blog in the next weeks. But as much as I love painting, I also miss making art dolls. What I love about it is being able to make something from scratch, something that comes entirely out of my own little brain. It is a very rewarding feeling when the doll I come up with really looks like I want it to.

Lately I made a few.

Meet Ophélia :

I want to try new things, I would like to have my dolls a little less cute and a little bit darker. Crazy countesses, whimsy poets ... is what I'm going for .

What do you think of Ophelia ?

Santa ...

2011-10-16T17:33:00.001+02:00

Hi there :o)
My mom just spent one week at home with me and I did not go to the studio for the past 6 days. But just before she arrived, I painted this Santa. Why ... I don't know, Halloween is not even here but I've always LOVED painting Santas. I love painting their bubbly eyes and add strokes to give volume to their beard. I love their warm colors too. I shot a short video while painting my last one. Enjoy :o)

PS : Next sunday the french rugby team will be playing the World cup's final against New Zealand, I'm thriiiiilled ! (love rugby)

RIP Mr Jobs

2011-10-06T12:40:00.002+02:00

Hi everyone
Today I have to say I am a bit upset about Steve Jobs's death. As a big Iphone/Ipad addict, I was amazed by this guy, the way he was thinking outside of the box, the way he was dreaming. Plus I admire how brave he was when he could have left the company a long time ago.
Today someone on TV said he only changed the world of people who could afford his products, I have to disagree. He change a way of seeing technology. Cancer is crap.

On a happier note, Halloween is on its way and I want to paint witches again. I painted one in my art journal yesterday, here is the video :

I love witches, I love how whimsical and witty they are. I have to say fall is probably my favorite season. See you guys, I 'm going to make some apple/cinnamon tea !

Let's get romantic !

2011-10-01T12:28:00.001+02:00

Two weeks ago I taught a mixed media workshop and made pieces to show to the students.
Among them, was this bracelet. I had a blast making it ! I can totally picture myself wearing it on a wedding day or just with a simple black outfit. This bracelet is so me ... I love sculpting paper.
I showed it to my mom, and she wants one.
Before the end of the year, it will be featured in the magazine I work for.
What do you think ?

Have a great week end guys ! It's so hot and sunny here in Paris, let's get the BBQ out ...

Home sweet home

2011-09-29T12:15:00.005+02:00

Hi guys
Just a quickie today to tell you ... I am so excited ! I am going to spend Halloween in New York city !!!!
Yes I know, I was in NYC in July, but I just can't get enough.
I miss fall on the East coast, the colors, the foliage, the egg nog.
Ohh so happy !
I started painting in fall colors, but with a little touch of summer in it.
It's so hot here, hotter than July.

Yesterday afternoon, I visited my friend Sabine. She can't drive because she broke her leg in 3 places riding her bike (Ouuuuuch !) Sabine has a great online boutique called www.tamporelle.com, she sells lovely stamps, and now sells the Octopode Factory's stamps. I love them, they are crazy and wicked. Look what I got :

The girl behind the Octopode Factory is Lily 18 from the UK, and she's 18 today, ...yes, only 18 !

Oh and ... I changed the look of the blog, What du you think ?

Have a nice and creative day !

The one who wanted to be part of something ...

2011-09-26T14:01:00.000+02:00

My boyfriend is the the US for one week (business trip to California) and I am all alone at home. I will probably spend my week painting, not setting a foot in the kitchen, not touching the iron ... As much as I love him ...I think I am going to love this week !!
I've been thinking a lot about my work ...I looking for some new inspiration, new directions. I miss the "mixed media community spirit" here, I miss retreats, shows.
All my my friends here are new at mixed media and I miss what we call here "emulation". When I look in a dictionnary, it says "competition", .... and this is not what I mean, I mean a healthy inspiring relationship with others that makes you want to go back home and paint ... paint ... paint.
That's the reason why I may sign in for Willowing's Life book workshop. Not only to learn from people, but also and foremost to be part of a community.
Well, that being said, I can't stop working in my art journal and I made another video. Enjoy !

Art journal cover

2011-09-23T13:22:00.001+02:00

Hi guys !
Hope everyone is fine and creative. Today I did a bit of cleaning in the studio and on my desk. I could not even find my own hands ! Not very funny, but so happy I finally did it.
As I told you in my last post, I started to paint in my art journal again. And I decided I don't like the cover anymore.
So I gave it a little make over and thought I could share it with you.
Enjoy the video ! and have a lovely supersweet week end :o)

Art journal page

2011-09-21T09:10:00.000+02:00

Oh I can't believe I didn't post for so long.
I had worries with my mom's house and had to go spend time with her.

Last week end I taught a mixed media workshop, the ladies painted one of my girls, and I will show you the pics as soon as they send it to me. I was too busy to take them myself.
We had so much fun, and it was also very interesting. The girls who came were coming from the decorative painting world. They are used to be said what to do and when to achieve a result.
On sunday, I decided on 3 colors plus white (and some tools) I chose for each one of them, and gave them 20 mn to complete pages. After a moment of panic, they finally did wonders.
I wanted them to disconnect their brains, to let loose and get in touch with their inner child. They loved it.

Well, mission accomplished, they rushed to the craft store to buy gel medium and a journal !!
It made me want to paint in my own journal again, I shooted the process, here it is, enjoy and have a lovely week :o)

On the cover part 2

2011-08-29T14:52:00.002+02:00

Hi guys
In my last post, I told you I had one of my paintings on the cover of a canadian magazine, and a 4 pages portrait of my work/studio/me in another one. Well ... this second magazine decided to put my work on its cover as well ! It was a total choc for me when I saw THIS this morning (sorry for the bad quality) :

It says "Peggy Petit (that's me lol), tenderness and feminity".

And here is a little fairy I painted 2 days ago...

The video is here, enjoy !

Have a super sweet week lovely painters !!

Peggy

Home sweet home

2011-08-16T13:00:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone
I am back from a fabulous trip to the US. We saw so many things ... Florida is gorgeous and hot in July ! I got the chance to swim 30 feet away from a dolphin on turtle beach, and while snorkeling we saw a lemon shark ! Not to mention gators, racoons etc ...
I finally got to see New Orleans and it's french quarter ... very emotionnal to me.
I will post some of the 3000 pics we took as soon as I retrieve them from my camera.

My "Back to school" time will be pretty busy ... A famous french magazine decided to do a 4 pages portrait of me, it's released soon ... scary but exciting!
And the canadian french magazine i'm working with decided to put my "reine de coeur" painting on the cover this month, let me show you :

And last week end I painted this little lady, inspired by my mom. She's so passionate about picking mushrooms ! Not toadstools though ...

Have a lovely week ! Mine will be busy...

xxx

Connecticut, New York, Florida, here I come

2011-07-09T17:34:00.000+02:00

Hi there
Still 2 days and we take off ... to spend almost 1 month in the US.
We'll spend 1 week in Westport, CT where we used to live when we were expats. There we'll spend July 14th (France's national day) with our french and american friends. Then off to Florida, after 2 days in NYC.

I would like to take some supplies with me but because we have interior flights and because we rented a RV, my art supplies pack has to be handy, small and light. Watercolor crayons, gel medium, inks and prismacolor will probably travel with me. I can't wait to see the Manhattan's skyline again, I love love love Connecticut too ... 1 Steamed lobster pleaaaaase ! :o)

Before leaving I just wanted to show you this girl I made last month. I love painting her. She has so much texture in the background.

See you in one month ! ;o)

Peace to all (do I sound like a guru ?)

2011-07-04T15:06:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone

I don't know why but it seems have a thing for crowns.

I just painted this little queen of Peace holding a heart.

I don't know if you can see it but her dress is made of crackle texture paste.

It's always fun to start from a dark background and to make it lighter layer after layer. And this canvas size is great to paint my whimsical people.

Enjoy your week everybody ! ;o)

Papillon

2011-06-27T18:45:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone
I've been very busy working hard for anew project I will tell you about soon. I had to make - to 8 new pieces in just over 2 weeks ... boy with the weather we have here right now (110 °F today), believe me I'd rather spend my day singing in the shower but well ... I don't complain :o) I have a ton of work before leaving for 1 month in the US, we'll rent a RV and drive through Florida and Louisiana ... hot weather in sight !
Here is a little painting I can show you.
Here name is "papillons" (butterflies).

I painted her in the same colorscheme as my painting "free", I really like it.
Have a lovely evening ....

the drawer's challenge

2011-06-16T21:09:00.001+02:00

Hi
My boyfriend is in California right now so I spend 12 hours a day in the studio ! I don't complain ;o)
I'm currrently trying new things, new directions and I love that.
I opened one of my drawers yesterday and decided I had to use what was inside, it was a like a challenge.

So I used pastels, oil pastels acrylics and a lot of glazing medium.

It seems like I am in a pink mode these days ... it goes so well with black !

Have a sweet week end ...

I'm back

2011-06-13T17:14:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone
Sorry I've been MIA for quite a long time. I had my Quebec friends come over for 2 weeks and then my big sister and her family for a few days. We had an amazing weather here in Paris and I don't remember laughing so hard for ages !
Well, now let's go back to work ... my first collaboration with "l'artiste en moi", a french canadian magazine is almost on the market, and my second has just been sent.
Last week I had an exciting phone call I cannot tell you about right now, but you'll know soon. All these good news make me want to spend my whole day in the studio ... and actually that's basically what I've done yesterday !
And here is my new painting, what do you think ?

By the way, do you "like" my facebook page ?

Have a lovely monday :o)

Manon

2011-05-17T17:08:00.001+02:00

Hi lovely people, and welcome to my new followers (don't be shy I you'd like to comment, I don't bite lol)

As I told you in my last post, my friends arrive from Québec next wenesday, so I won't have time to post anything. I will take pictures of the workshops though, so I will show you later.

We have a real professionnal Paris tour ahead of us, they want to see the city from A to Z !

So before putting on my sneakers and backpack, let me show you Manon. Manon is my niece's first name, she 13 and she's the sweetest girl ever. I love her (and her little brother) like my own daughter (I am her godmother).

She's young and funny, that's why I named my dollie after her.

A pretty dress ...

A new friend ...

Do I look pretty ?

For the fisrt time, I made butterflies with paper, twisted wire and bling. I like how they came out.

I also painted a little bit more eyelashes than usual so she gets this shy-but-girlie look.
You can see my latest dolls here :

That's all for today everyone, I just made homemade fresh pasta, I now have to cook them ... arrabiata ? carbonara ? Don't know yet.

See you :o)

Québec, toadstool and loosen up ! ;o)

2011-05-14T11:26:00.002+02:00

Hi there,
First rainy day in 2 months here ! The lawn really need it and I am more than happy to escape watering the plants and flowers today !
I'm getting ready for a lovely visit.
My friend Isabelle is canadian french and she comes to France next week for 2 weeks with 4 other members of her family. We will be their tour guide through Paris. I am sooo happy to see her again. She's a VERY talented painter, and she's pretty famous right now. Her specialty is "generous and funny women " as she says. Let's take a look HERE if you want and don't forget to click on her amazing pictures ...
While here, she will teach 3 amazing workshops.
I made another paper ladies lately. My boyfriend says she looks like a dangerous toadstool ...

I like the birdies on her hat !
I love making dolls but when I stay away from my brushes too long, I really get to miss them, so I painted this yesterday :

I try to loosen up a bit, and to paint more intuitively. I'm getting there ... slowly.

Have a lovely week end everyone ! :o)

Circus or cabaret ?

2011-05-09T13:43:00.000+02:00

Hi lovely readers !
I hope everyone is fine. Here we are remodeling ... well I should say destroying and rebuilding a new bathroom just next to my studio in the house.
2 nice construction guys are putting down walls, soldering, drilling all day long ... please give me earplugs !!
It's going to be very pretty, dark grey shower, lilac and light pink tiles, but damn ... I am deaf right now :o)

I cannot leave them alone in the house so I work like a busy bee. Another paper lady is just finished (my fingers are on fire !)
As much as I love making princess like dolls, or witty young ladies, I wanted to try something a little bit more out of the box, crazy hats, darker clothes etc ... maybe even a little spooky.
My doll is not spooky yet, but I like the change of style (did you see her pants under her skirt ?), the small round hat, the feathers etc ...

She doesn't have a name yet .... I'm working on it.

You'll find her in my Etsy shop very soon.

XXX

Mimi

2011-05-04T09:54:00.000+02:00

Hi there
My work table is such a big mess when I start making dolls, that I decided to make a bunch of them so it's worth the mess.
This time I wanted her to be spring like and bold.
The "thing" in her hand is an accordion, I am afraid it doesn't really look like it so I may change my mind and give her a new prop.
But I love her polka dots hat (I have a weird thing for polka dots, lol)

Meet Mimi ...

She will be available on my Etsy before the end of the day :o) just in case you want to give her a new home.

Have a lovely sunny day :o)

A new paper lady

2011-05-02T12:01:00.000+02:00

Hi there
I 've started making paper ladies again.
This one is a custom lady I made for one of my texture workshop's student. She wanted it white, linen and havana, and standing on her feet. I hope she will like it.
I wanted to try using white for my dolls, and I loved it. I will make a few more. The thing is not to make them look like brides ...
Speaking of brides ... I call her Kate because I began working on her on the royal wedding's day. Yep ... I know I know .... does someone have a little bit of inspiration to sell ?

What do you think of her ?

New prints finally

2011-04-21T10:45:00.000+02:00

Hi :o)

After lots of issues with my printer, prints are finally available in my Etsy shop.

Have a lovely day !

Rome, Glee and recycling.

2011-04-20T12:20:00.002+02:00

Hi

This week end, I go to Rome. Yep, I know ... Easter is not the best time to go to Rome if you don't like big crowds. But whatever, the sun is shining and I've been told the city is gorgeous ... Benedict, get your camera smile ready, here I come ! :o)
Two weeks ago I started watching Glee. At first I thought it was another highschool show for teenagers, but I gave it a try and watched the first episode on the internet. And now ... I'm totally hooked ! I just watched the first two seasons ( I am on holiday :o)
It doesn't have anything to do with Benedict nor Glee, but I started shooting videos again. Yesterday I found an old canvas I don't like anymore. It's heavily textured, I painted gesso over it and let the brushes go ...
Not sure I love the face I came up with but I like the color scheme ...
Do you want to see the process ? Here it is :

At the end I got this :

And here is the follow up video to my Promarker demo, you've seen 2 days ago.

Don't laugh at my accent, and sorry if I sound like an old angry school teacher, I had to speed up the video to make it fit ;o)

See you ;o)

Video : Promarkers demo

2011-04-18T19:14:00.001+02:00

Hi there

I thought maybe you would like to see how I use Promarkers to "paint" my girls ;o)

Promarker love

2011-04-17T11:15:00.000+02:00

Hi there
I just spent some days of with my mom. The weather was great and I taught her how to paint, it was so much fun !
I had my beloved Promarkers with me, I really love them. As much as I love painting, it's nice not to have to clean my brushes and to be able to paint anywhere.
Here is what I did with them. I wanted to find a fun little lady to start a serie from, and I like this one a lot.

What do you think of her ?

From Paris to Moscow ...

2011-04-09T12:58:00.003+02:00

Hello everyone !
Today is the start of our annual big "spring house cleaning" week end.
Let's mow the lawn, take the patio furniture out, sort things and throw some away. There is so much to do, I think it's going to take much more than one week end, and I don't know where to start.
When I say I don't know where to start, my (funny) boyfriend always tells me "Always start at the beginning, it's much easier !", ahhhhhh ....
So very little painting to come this week end, but I have this lady to show you.

As you can see on my sketch, she began as a "parisian with a beret" (hey people, don't believe american movies, parisians don't wear berets and don't spend the day holding a fresh baguette ! lol) ... but I squared the beret a bit to much, so she ended up as a russian :o)

Funny how a painting can get a totally new feel, when you slightly change a small detail in the drawing part.

Have a lovely day, ... I off the clean the house :o/

Peggy

PS : Do you "like" my new Facebook page already ? ;o)

Workshop

2011-04-06T10:34:00.000+02:00

Hi there

Want to see some pics of my texture workshop ? The girls have been amazing, given that half of them had never touched a brush before ...

It's a nice and sunny day here, I opened the studio's big door and I listen to the birdies while painting.

I told you I was going to start working with a canadian magazine, well I am ready to send them the first project , the deadline is coming soon.

I choose this little lady, you've seen her here before :

Can't wait to see her picture in a magazine :o)

Have a sweet sweet day !

Peggy

Help me choose a name ...

2011-03-31T09:43:00.002+02:00

Hi there
I'm getting my gear ready for my weekend's texture workshop. This is a very intense 2 days workshop : at least 20 different techniques, samples to makes, 2 full pieces to complete, cookies to eat ... a lot to do, so my next friday will be dedicated to ORGANIZING !

But today after my classes I have something very important to do : Cognac singed gambas with crême fraîche and lobster bisque for my boyfriend's birthday. I just love birthdays, it means fun, smiles, gifts and champagne !!!

Well..., you've not gone all the way to my little blog to hear about my cooking recipes, right ? So let's talk about this ...

This little lady is painted on a 8" x 15" very thick canvas.

Right now, she doesn't have a name. For the sake of organizing my pics in the PC, I called her my "lady in red", but I'm not happy with this name. Ideas anyone ?

Have a nice day and don't forget to "like" my brand new facebook page by clicking HERE.

All my pictures (of paintings) will soon be deleted from my old facebook page.

Bye ;o)

Peggy

New facebook page

2011-03-29T14:39:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone !

I'm painting like crazy these days ! I am in an orange mood, combined with purle like those beautiful fabrics in India.
Here is a girl I did ... Spring anyone ?

I also wanted to tell you that I created a brand new page on Facebook, the old one will be deleted soon.

So if you like my paintings and my paper girls, please go THERE to "like" me !! lol

Next week end, I will have another textures workshop, it's going to be so much fun ! I feel like a big kid when I get to draw in paste with my fingers :o)

Have a lovely day dear readers !

From Paris with love ...

Peggy

New paintings finally !

2011-03-22T17:32:00.000+01:00

Hi there
I have finally some new art work to show you ...
I've been asked to paint girls in purple and violet, so ... here they are :

They are painted on a piece of wood : 12'' x 12 ''.

I hope the people they are for will like it because it could lead to a new job opportunity for me. I can't tell you everything right now ...

One thing I can tell you (and I am so happy about) is ... I've been asked by a french canadian art magazine to be part of their team on a regular basis. I will write articles for them about techniques and do products reviews, but most of all they will feature my work and I will explain how to make my pieces. It means a lot of work right now because my first piece will be in the June issue !

I painted a lot lately, I've done new mini mixed media original, here are 2 of them :

They are 4" x 5.5", painted on paper and matted on thick board.

Have a lovely cay everyone :o) and thanks for stopping by.

Peggy

Do you want to travel with me ?

2011-03-13T23:00:00.001+01:00

Hi there
How are you today ?
I had a great saturday playing image transfer with my students. They now know all my secrets, we tried tons of techniques and all a lot of fun (and a lot of cookies as usual ! lol)
I thought I could share my last trip to south America. Here are a few pics of Brazil and Argentina, no pics of Uruguay though, we had rain in Montevideo and my pictures are not really good.

Let's start with Rio de Janeiro ... (click to enlarge)

The beautiful Christ of Corcovado

And Buenos Aires, Argentina, district of La Boca ...

Tigre, Argentina

Thanks for taking this trip with me, I'll be back soon with 2 new paintings and good news :o)

Peggy

Image transfer

2011-03-11T15:02:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone
I haven't blogged a lot since I came back from my trip to Brazil-Argentina-Uruguay ... it was great, I loved it. I'll post pics as soon as I can ...
I came back home with a fever and a laryngitis because of air conditionning (it left me speechless lol), and I am recovering just in time for my image transfer workshop tomorrow.
The studio is ready for the 8 lovely ladies who will spend their saturday playing art with me.

Today I also think of Japanese people, what happened is so sad ... I'm lucky to live in a country with no earthquakes nor hurricanes etc ...
Have a great week end ... anyway.
Peggy

OWOH WINNER

2011-02-17T18:46:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone :o)
My mom and I just picked a OWOH winner and it's .... Cindy with Crimson heart Studios.

Dear Cindy, I just sent you an e-mail. I am so happy you won !

I will do my best to send you the canvas before leaving for Brazil.

"Going back to our sheeps" doesn't mean go to sleep but just go back to what we were saying (before an interruption).
Here, sometimes kids say they are counting the dodos, "dodo" being a children's word for nighttime :o)

See you in a little less than 2 weeks guys !

Oil painting is dead

2011-02-10T14:41:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone !
Years ago I went to Dublin, Ireland.
It was a surprise trip for my birthday. My boyfriend left little pieces of paper everywhere in the house, I had to find them, put them together, and then solve some kind of riddle to guess the final destination : DUBLIN. He loves to do that ;o)
I have to tell you ... If I believed in past lives I would say, I have been irish before. There is something about this country ... the lanscapes, the music ... Ahhh irish music !
Can you believe I was the only one crying (yes crying) at the most famous pub in Dublin ?
A bunch of students were sitting next to us, they had a drink, and then a band started playing , they stood up and started to sing and dance ... and Peggy was crying. My boyfriend was not surprised, he knows what it does to me.
Irish music and dance move me so much, it 's a weird feeling ... like if I had been there before, like a big knot in my stomach ... well ...whatever.

So .. that night in Dublin, when we left the pub, we saw a big crowd waiting in front of a club, we waited for a minute (just in case Bono was in the area lol !) and I saw this on the wall ...

5 years after, it inspired me to paint this painting :

Of course my girl doesn't look irish at all , but I like the idea of the wall behind her. I used stamps to do it.

She's now listed in my Etsy shop, just right HERE.

Have a lovely day dear readers (especially the Irish lol !)

IF : reverse

2011-02-07T10:54:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone

After participating in my first OWOH, I am now participating in my first IF

Here is what I did :

"He gave her a necklace ... but another girl's name was engraved on the reverse ..."

(acrylics on canvas, 8" x 30")

And then I tested some fun Iphone apps ...

We had a great time last week end while making books. My students did a fantastic job, I will show you the pics in my next post. Now I have to clean the studio !
Have a lovely day.

Almost ready for the workshop !

2011-02-04T15:04:00.001+01:00

Hello sweet people !
Before I start showing you what's cooking in the studio, let me thank you for all your comments / participation to my OWOH giveaway.
I've been showered with very nice comments, ... sometimes in french ! Keep them coming and don't believe people who say they don't care about comments, that's not true :o)
You send a little love each time, I love it.
Some of you took the times to take a look all over the blog and decided to follow me : thanks a lot. It means a lot to me.
I try to go to your blogs and enter your giveaways too, it take a bit of time but I'm getting there :o)

Now let's go back to our sheeps ... yes I know, that's silly but that's what we say in french. Now ... please don't ask me why , I don't know where it does come from :o)

I just cooked a batch of sesame / poppy seeds / lemon cookies because I teach a workshop this coming week end ... (I like to pamper my students a little bit)

They will learn to do this :

They will also paint their cover papers ...

... and carve their own stamps ...

... and make a little mess ..

Then they will learn to sew ...

We are going to have fun !

Have a lovely week end.

Peggy

One world One heart

2011-02-01T09:37:00.007+01:00

Hello everyone,

Welcome to my little blog, make yourself at home, I am so happy to see you :o)

Welcome to my One world one heart giveaway. I am part of it for the first time. I love the concept, it's a great idea to make new friends and get to know each other better.

If you want to know more about this event, just click on the picture above and you will know everything ...

Let me introduce myself ... My name is Peggy, I am a full time artist. I had the chance to teach decorative painting and stained glass for years before moving to Connecticut, USA Now I am back to my home country. I live near the beautiful city of Paris, France.
I love everything mixed media. I discovered it while in the US, in 2008 and 2009.

I have a lovely studio where I teach workshops.

I love texture, image transfer, and everything that cracks !
I also enjoy making my paper ladies, you can see them HERE.

Here is my giveaway. I have the pleasure to offer an original mixed media canvas called "N'oublies jamais de rêver" (that means "do never forget to dream" in french).

The canvas is 24 x 32 cm ( 9.5 x 13 inches)

It has texture, paper, acrylics, pastels, oils crackle paste and transfers of my own sketches and of images etc ...

If you want to give it a try ...

You must be a blogger (from anywhere in the world) to enter the draw but you don't need to participate to OWOH yourself.
Just leave a comment under this blog post and a link to your blog.

I will pick a winner on February 17th 2011. The winner will be sent and email and I will blog about it.

Important : Because I am leaving for Brazil on February 18th, I may not have the winner's postal adress in time to ship the prize before leaving. In that case, i will send it as soon as I return, on March 1st. Thank you to understand :o)

Thank you so much for your visit and entering my giveaway :o) I hope to see you again here ;o)

XXX Peggy

WIP

2011-01-25T15:51:00.000+01:00

My next painting begins to take shape ..

Back to big

2011-01-20T20:22:00.001+01:00

Hi there

Yesterday, my aunt passed away. She was my daddy's oldest sister and like a second mom to him because she was 18 years older than he was. They are together now. I had little contact with her, she lived quiet far from me, but I feel sad.
Last week, we went to my boyfriend's uncle's funeral. It's weird ... these people have been discreetly part of our lives forever and they are slowly leaving one after the other. One day, Nothing of my childhood will remain.
I see a family like a house. My dad was the roof, my mom is the walls and uncles and aunts are like windows to other families they've created.
Nothing lasts forever ...
On a happier note ... :o) I started painting big again. Here is a 16" x 20 " canvas I just finished.

It was fun to paint free hand, and let things happen the way they want to. If you click on the picture, you will see I used book pages too.

I am pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Thank you for your comments on my "travel post" I always enjoy them.

Have a nice day everyone.

here I come !

2011-01-17T10:34:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone !
Today I'm happy !
As you may know, I spent 2008 and 2009 in the US, and really enjoyed the experience. It was new and fun and I loved being in a country where nobody knows me, where I know nobody. It was like starting anew.
Because I am not married with my boyfriend and because we were in the US for his job, I was not allowed to work. Poor me ;o) ... The only way to spend my days was to go to crafts stores and walk my dog on the beach.
Life was hard, believe me ...
Just before leaving the US, we rented a tiny RV and visited california and Arizona (hooooot!), I loved it.
So ... yesterday my boyfriend told me he wanted to do it again !! We will spend time in Connecticut and NYC to see our friends (and my favorite stores !!) and then fly to Miami. There we will rent a RV and drive through Florida and Louisiana. I'm so happy, I can't wait !!! Whole food, Michael's, Trader's Joe ... here I come ! lol
I would also love to meet crafters and artists (which is the same most of the time).

This year is going to be a travel year for me ... in 1 month, we leave for a cruise to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, and in October I am supposed to go to Canada for a painting convention.

And here is a little painting I made recently.

She is the last of my small sized paintings serie. I've started painting bigger again.
Have a lovely day.
Peggy

The cutest owl ever !

2011-01-13T13:15:00.000+01:00

This morning, in the middle of a pile of not so funny mail (tax, phone bill ...) I found in my mail box a big craft enveloppe coming from Great Britain.
Exciting ! It was from Michelle. A few months ago she purchased 2 of my paper dolls.
On her blog HERE, I saw cute cute cute little owls that she made for a christening and you know what ?????

I GOT ONE TOO !!!

Look at my new baby :

I love the colors brown and pink and it even has my name stamped on it !! The fabrics you used are very pretty.

I think I found my new studio assistant.

Thank you so much Michelle for this beautiful surprise. You're so nice. I love it !!

Rushhhhhhh

2011-01-11T14:16:00.000+01:00

Hi - No time today - Just wanted to show you this - Etsy shop - Go back to my hectic day - Bye :o)

a little winter clown

2011-01-06T13:48:00.002+01:00

Hi there
Recently I added a lot of blogs in my blogroll (I use Blog reader) and every morning before I open the studio I travel with each and everyone of them. It's a source of inspiration and of amazement for me ... what people can do, specially in mixed media, always leave me speechless, and I feel veeeerrry small after that.
I should take the time to make a list and share them with you ... another thing on my to-do list.
Let me tell you a word on my studio ... I used to teach classed 3 nights a week, plus a few in the day, and students would pay an annual fee. But this year, after my studio re-opened I decided to go with a much more flexible organization.
Students buy tickets by 5, 15 or 30 (1 tickets equals 2 hours) and they come when they want from tuesday morning to thursday night. It's open from 10 AM to 9 PM, with 1 hour lunch break in the middle. So if they can't come, they don't pay, and if they really want to work hard on a piece, they can come 3 times a week.
That's the way I do it.
They also can register for week end work shop, once a month. Now you know erevrything ;o)

Yesterday I painted this winter inspired little clown, and listed him (original small size painting) in my Etsy, just in case someone wants to adopt him. I really like this color scheme.

Have a lovely day !

A sad clown and a sheep girl

2011-01-04T13:22:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone

I wish you all (again) a very good, healthy and creative year.

No resolutions for me this year, just try to live happy respect others and do what I love.

After days and days without any painting I finally did this yesterday.

I really like the way she turned out. She is quite small (4" x 5.5") and painted on a very thick board. The colors are much more vibrant and sparkly in person.

I also did this sheep girl ...

I just listed them and a few other originals in my Etsy shop.

See you soon...

Peggy

Hi all !

2010-12-30T16:18:00.000+01:00

Just poppin' in to say a little hello ...
I 'm not dead, just cleaning the house, my in-laws are coming for New Year's eve, new year's day, new year's week end ... ;o)
Not easy to keep the house clean with a big dog and that melting snow turning into mud.
For the news, I made my first Etsy sale ! Yeah ! Considering I had only 5 items for sale (I sold some I had listed in person and had to remove them) and my shop was just 2 weeks old, I am a happy camper.
By the way, Thank you Leila !
You can find my Etsy link in the right column.
I hope you had a great Christmas time, mine was really nice. Because we were in a rented appartment in a skii resort and had no oven, we could not cook the traditonnal turkey with chestnuts so we had Raclette (Raclette is a typical french mountains food : french cheese, that is melted in a dedicated electric device and poured over potatoes, ham, etc ...delicious) and what we call hot wine (warm red wine with what you could call mulling spices ... yummy).
My boyfriend got me a new Iphone 4 (I was already nut about my 3GS).
See you next week, I will have things to show you ...
Happy New year ! Champagne everyone !
See you next week.
Peggy

"The umbrella" and "imagination"

2010-12-14T10:00:00.002+01:00

Hi there
On saturday, we leave for a week in the french Alps, to spend Christmas on the slopes. My sister, brother in law and their sweet kids come with us. I'm so looking forward to this, we always have a lot of fun.
I will probably take art supplies with me, so I can draw sitting at a café terrace while watching them skiing (I don't).
Last saturday, I held a Christmas cards workshop, it was so fun !! Mostly because most of the ladies were new at it, and because my mum was there. I teach for years but she saw me teaching for the first time. I put cinnamon and tangerine essential oils in my magic bowl, and Christmas songs on the CD player.
Each year, we do a Christmas card swap with my friends from Québec. Well now it's more of a Christmas present swap. Look ... this is what I found in my mail box yesterday .... my friend Guylaine painted it for me. Thank you so much Guylaine :o)

And this is what I did lately ...

They are small original painting on thick board. They will find their way to my Etsy shop as soon as I come back from my skii vacation. I have to go packing now !

Have a lovely week and again thank you to my blog followers.

Vivre ses rêves

2010-12-08T10:26:00.002+01:00

"Vivre ses rêves" means "live your dreams" in french.

That's exactly what I thought after drawing my girl with this weird hat. Always be respectful to others but live your life, and try to live your dreams. This is YOUR life, you only have one. Make it what you want it to be or at least try. It doesn't mean becoming a millionaire, but just try to be honest with yourself and do things that make you and your loved ones happier.
I usually don't really like that kind of inspirational ready made quotes, they flourish everywhere all the time and loose their true meaning. But sometimes, at one specific moment in your life they just hit you in the face and you rediscover the meaning of words.

This piece is painted on paper, then adhered to a thick board. It has a glossy finish and mesures 4" x 5.5".

The original painting is in my Etsy shop (without the digital signature) and prints will come soon.

Have a lovely wenesday to all !

Back to mixed media

2010-12-02T07:53:00.002+01:00

Hi guys
It's 7h30 AM here It's all white with snow but still dark outside. I just grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the studio, put good music and started looking around me ... A big part of what I love the most in life is in this room ... I love to spent time here and I love the reaction of people when they come over to have information on the classes and workshop. They instantly love the place.
These days, it smells orange essential oils and Lady Antebellum is playing on the radio ... Sometimes I put Sinatra's Christmas' album.
Now my show is over I can focus on mixed media again. Here is what I did last night, the girl is is painted on paper and then matted on very thick board, the one I use to make my handmade books.
I really like how she turned out, and her colors.
I have to mention I used background images from Karen The Graphic fairy .

Did you notice ? After years of hiding behind nicknames I finally decided to sign my real name. That's a big step for me, the next is to show my picture ...

I also wanted to tell those who don't know yet that Diane with "my art journal" has a brand new Etsy shop. Welcome to my "new Etsy user" fellow ! It's HERE.

To visit mine, click on the button, in the right column. I will add more items soon.

Have a lovely day ;o)

Etsy

2010-11-29T11:35:00.001+01:00

Hi there !
Last week end, I did a show in my village. It used to be a good show, but this time it was so-so.
I sold Valentine and a few painting. I also got new people for my next workshop.
I finished this lady, called Marine on wenesday night. She's having a little walk along the Seine. look at her cute purse !!

Good news is, I just listed my paper ladies in my brand new Etsy shop, called "So french !" !!! So excited ! :o) That's my new baby ! And Marine moved to Etsy too.
Click on the button in the right column.
I also listed big size prints of one of my favorite painting.
Please take a look, spread the word, tell your friends !!!! :o) Soon, I will list more paintings and small original mixed media painting. I also plan to list jewelry and fun random items I love to make.
Have a super lovely day !

A little help from my friends ?

2010-11-23T13:09:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone
Today I need your help. I ask myself a lot of questions so any advice will be welcome.
Should I open an online store ?
Do I make items that are "shop worthy" ?
Why should I open an Etsy store rather than just having a simple english-french blog/boutique (with a link on my main blog), where you can reach me and pay with Paypal, and avoid the fees ?
Do people really SELL stuff on Etsy ? I know what's nice on Etsy is that people can browse pages and land on yours, which can not be done that easily with a blog/boutique. I don't have tons of visits per day, so maybe it's an advantage.
Would someone in the US (for example) pay for one of my piece (shipping costs are a little higher because I ship from France).
Please don't be shy, if you want to put your two cents in it, tell me what you think.
Thanks in advance. :o)

Emilie

2010-11-22T11:24:00.001+01:00

Hi there
How are you doing ?
As we say here, I don't see the light of day ! I am really busy. I had (unexpected) family coming over and I have to get ready for my craft fair.
I have made 2 more dolls, my problem is (if I can call it a problem ...) I sell them almost faster than I make them ! So I only have 6 dolls to sell for my next show, and paintings too.
Camille and Fanny are now sold ... and I just realize that I didn't show you Fanny. Will do next week.
The latest addition to the family is Emilie. She loves hats but doesn't know which one to choose ... ahhh a girl's life is not that easy, you know !

She's one of my favorite so far. Her waist is so small and her purple dress looks like velvet.
She already has a new friend called Alice. You will see her soon.
I also did this little card while watching ... well listening to TV the other night.

Have a lovely week, and thanks to my new followers. Thanks for your nice comments too, they cheer me up ! :o)

Madame Gretchen

2010-11-16T10:25:00.000+01:00

Madame Gretchen is a potions teacher. Today, she teaches how to make the best luck philter : toad soup.

Seraphine

2010-11-12T15:34:00.000+01:00

Séraphine is a free spirit.

Why do witches have to dress in black ?

This year, blue is the new black !

Camille in the garden

2010-11-10T10:11:00.002+01:00

Meet Camille. my new little neighbour.
It's raining cats and dogs today, she had to put on her fancy hat.

She's picking red flowers in her garden ...

Camille is 12 " tall, and was made with love.

She will soon join her friends in my boutique (not open yet, I will tell you)

If you want to join me on Facebook, click HERE.
You can write to me in english if you like.
Have a lovely wenesday and make art !

Valentine

2010-11-08T13:04:00.000+01:00

Meet Valentine

She put on her pretty book pages dress and she's off to the market ... juicy fruits ... pretty flowers ... hop in her basket.

Joséphine

2010-11-06T14:45:00.000+01:00

It's a little windy today. Hurry up Joséphine ! You're late !

Mister Alexandre is waiting for you ...

Stiched bound book workshop

2010-11-01T15:46:00.002+01:00

I am a bit busy these days but I just wanted to show you my 2 new handmade stiched bound books.
I made them for a workshop that will take place in February.
I will show the students how to hand paint their own cover papers and how to carve their own stamps to decorate the papers. Then I will show them how to make the book in different sizes.
I wanted them to be handmade but kind of classy in the same time.

I started to paint in the pink book, as I used watercolor paper to make it.

Hope you like them ... :o)

What I did in Montreal

2010-10-24T22:34:00.002+02:00

Hi everyone
Today I would like to show you 4 of my 5 paintings I did in Montreal. The fifth is not finished yet.

I painted this with my amazing friend and great teacher Isabelle Desrochers.

I love her full figure girls...

The piece is a wood box to store necklaces

I also painted these pieces in acrylics or oils.

Tomorrow I leave to spend 5 days with my mom. I am thrilled to see her ... We'll go mushrooms hunting, lol !

See you soon.

Peggy

Back from Heaven

2010-10-20T14:08:00.002+02:00

Hi there !
I am back from Montreal. Oh boy what a fantastic 4 days !
I got to paint 26 hours (!!!), and see my friends. We had a blast. I am exhausted right now, it's a long trip for 4 days only, but I will stay longer next year.
I bought tons of stuff and painted pieces with teachers, I will show you as soon as I take pictures.
I had a little forgotten how decorative painting can be fun too.
I met with the lady who sells my pattern packets in Canada, and she wants more designs so this morning I painted this ... this will be my next packet. I called her Noémie.

My 2 paper sculptures arrived safe and sound in Montreal and their recipient have been more than happy. So am I.

Have a lovely week, dear readers !

XXX

Peggy

Québec, here I come !

2010-10-12T11:35:00.000+02:00

Hi there,
Just a quickie today ... I'm packing for Montréal. There is a great painting convention there, I have to meet people who sell my pattern packets and take workshops too.
Some are given by good friends of mine, it's gonna be fun !
On friday night, we are going to party with my girls, yeah !!!

Have a lovely week dears readers, mine is going to be awesome !
See you next week.
Peggy

Texture workshop

2010-10-04T14:59:00.003+02:00

Hi there
This past week end I had my texture workshop. We worked hard and had a lot of fun. Despite 2 last minute cancellations (one of my student had to have surgery 2 days before) we spent 2 great days.
Do you want to see pictures ? Here we go ...

Some students are not on the pics, busy eating cookies in the studio's kitchen lol !

2 pieces made by Isabelle R.

This gorgeous textured piece was painted by Isabelle D. She has never done painting before, she works as a potter. Don't you think this sea/mermaid inspired piece is gorgeous ? I was amazed by the result. I know her well, she is my friend and she also took over my stained glass class when I left for the US. Everything she does is great.

My next workshop will be :" how to make a classy stich bound book, with your own hand painted papers and hand made stamps" ... Can't wait !

Have a lovely week dear readers, and thank you to my new followers.

Keep the comments coming, I love them and they help me a lot. I spend so much time alone in my studio, Idon't even know if my work is good anymore ! :o)

Little paper sculpture update : Leonie is sold and is moving to Montreal next week. Actually, I go to Montreal for a painting convention and I take her to her new mom :o)

And Rose is my present for Isabelle Desrochers a great friend and FANTASTIC designer from Québec.

Hugs.

Peggy

2 little cards

2010-09-28T10:59:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone
I'm busy preparing my new texture workshop. It will take place next week end.
Im very stressed because I want it to be good ! I cannot focus on any big project, but I need to paint so I made this 2 little cards yesterday, while watching a cooking contest (I LOVE cooking contests !)

Nothing fancy but I had fun making them.

Have a nice week lovely people !

Peggy

Halloween girl

2010-09-24T12:03:00.002+02:00

Hi there
One of the things I miss the most from living in beautiful New England is the foliage.
I miss the bright reds and yellows of the leaves in fall, the pumpkins patches, Halloween ornaments everywhere. I also miss yummy pumpkin pies, and mulled cider.
Here we don't really celebrate Halloween, it is not part of our traditions. We tried to, but it didn't take. Some kids carve pumpkins at school, but that's about it.
I love Halloween because it is the pefect time for me to mix art and that little dark side of things that I like. I say "little dark side" because I don't like it too dark ... just like a smiling skull for example.
Here is a painting I did yesterday ...

I wanted her to be a bit scary, she's not really uh ?

Have a lovely week end ... after 2 weeks in the US / Canada for business, my boyfriend will be back on sunday with a HUGE order I made from Dick Blick. I am doing the happy happy dance !

Off with her head !! ... Léonie gets a makeover

2010-09-23T10:05:00.000+02:00

Hi there
I am working on a new painting right now, but I wanted to show you ...
Meet the new and improved Léonie

I found a better way to make my doll's heads, I wanted something smoother.
You can see the previous Léonie here ... She looked older uh ?

You will soon see a new lady, her name is Fanny, she's a socialite ... :o)

My classes have begun in the studio. Oh boy it's not easy to have new students when you've stopped everything and moved on another continent... But as Bon Jovi would say ... "keep the faith" lol !
Have a nice day.
Peggy

Rose and the magic wand

2010-09-20T10:14:00.000+02:00

Meet Rose,

Aspiring fairy, trying to tame her magic wand.

Still learning.

Don't stay around ... sometimes mistakes happen ...

Paper sculpture, 12 inches tall

Update on Hazel and Lily : They are SOLD and are packing their suitcases for England. Michelle will take care of them from now on :o)

Sweet lullaby

2010-09-17T16:52:00.000+02:00

It has been a long time since I last worked in my art journal.

After 4 paper sculptures in a row (yes there is still one you did not see), I wanted to work on something flat :o)
I reworked an old drawing that needed more contrast. I sketched on a paper that had clear gesso on it and I love the rough look it gives to the piece. It's almost like sand paper (not gentle for my brushes).
Here she is :

My girls always seem to be dreaming ... they're not really sad but always thinking. Here, we say they are "in the moon" (dans la lune). Just like me.
Have a nice day.
Peggy

"Lily and the mushroom's song"

2010-09-16T08:51:00.001+02:00

Velvet Rose Productions present

a parisian style revue ...

Don't miss out on "Lily and the mushroom's song"

Tonight only

Paper sculpture, 12 inches tall

"Hazel and the love philter"

2010-09-14T15:35:00.000+02:00

"Salem, MA, 1691

Dear Hazel,

I hope you enjoyed the frog's toe powder I sent you.

Here is my personnal recipe :

Put one bat in your cauldron, add boiling water and two tablespoons of powder, cook until thick.

You will get the best love philter.

Love,

Your sister Greta"

(Paper sculpture, 12 inches tall)

Léonie sous la pluie (Léonie under the rain)

2010-09-09T11:00:00.001+02:00

"Paris, 1896.

Good morning

My name is Léonie, I am a parisian.

Today, the weather is awful, but still I walk along the Seine to the Megisserie dock.

There, they sell beautiful birds. I took the cage I purchased yesterday, and I am going to pick a colorful little friend and bring it back to my pretty little house.

Have a lovely day dear friends.

Léonie"

(Léonie under the rain, paper sculpture, 12 inches tall, made with love.)

Little queen video

2010-09-07T11:22:00.001+02:00

I just put my yesterday's painting video on Youtube if you want to take a look.
Double click on the video to see the screen bigger.

Have a sweet day :o)

Petite reine (little queen)

2010-09-06T15:05:00.002+02:00

Hi there

These days, I do doggy sitting. My mum does her "family tour" so I take care of her little ~~tornado~~ dog Douchka. My mom lives in the middle of a very beautyful nowhere, and this little furry ball is used to live without fences, hunting rabbits, lizards and mice that she brings back ( ripped in pieces) on my mum's couch as a gift. Lovely uh ? ... but she's also very cute and funny and she gets along very well with my lab Togo. They are partners in crime. Here is what I saw this morning ...
Togo steals a walnut in the backyard, opens it in two and bring one half to Douchka so they can have a snack together. It amazes me, I could never live without animals. Sometimes I think I could live without humans, but no without animals and their unconditionnal love (and pieces of lizards) :o)

When I don't stare at my funny pets, I do this (painted and collaged on wood)

The picture is awful but sorry I don't have the time to photoshop it. A video of this painting may come soon.
On saturday, I go to a forum. This is where teachers introduce their art or sport to the audience. I hope I will have lots of students after that. I have a wooden sign to paint, my old sign is not in good shape.

Hava a nice week.
Peggy

Angel of love

2010-09-02T12:53:00.001+02:00

Hi there
I am finally back. What a nice feeling to come back now that the renovation is done and the studio is ready. I felt like it was waiting for me to come back and create.
I started painting while on vacation, it's an angel.
I've never been fond of angels really, but there's something about folkart / mixed media angels that I like.
Here is my little canvas.

You cannot really see it on the picture,but some parts are crackled.

These days I am busy preparing my "texture workshop" that will take place in october. It will be my first workshop since I came back from the US. It's not easy to go back to business ...

All my students have found new teachers and I try to put together a great workshop so maybe they will come for a workshop once in while. Wish me luck !

Lately I've been thiniking a lot about what I want to do ... do I want to open an etsy shop ? Yes I would love it but it's not easy to come up with rights prices for my pieces because they are shipped from France, and I don't want them to be extremely expensive.

Do I want to go back doing shows ? Yes and no ...

I keep asking myself a lot of questions, I think it's a kind of "back to school syndrom" lol.

Well anyway, one thing is sure, I will keep on painting :o)

Thanks to my new followers here on the blog, and on my youtube channel. Your heartwarming comments are very appreciated.

Hope you'll have a lovely week.

Peggy

WIVSP (Work in very slow progress)

2010-08-14T10:18:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone
As my boyfriend and doggie are bathing in this huge lake, I am drawing and enjoying the great view.

Have a lovely week end.
Peggy.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone ... So cool !

Video tour : what's on my desk ?

2010-08-06T15:55:00.000+02:00

Hi !
Yep I know I said I was leaving on holiday but I just downloaded a new app on my iPhone so I will be able to blog from my holiday location. And I need to test it ..
So this is a quick video tour of what I use the most in mixed media as it's a question I've been asked quite often ...
Sorry I have a weird voice because of a sore throat :)

YouTube Video

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone ... So cool !

Holidays ...

2010-08-05T13:25:00.000+02:00

Hi there
I am ready to pack ... on saturday we are leaving for 3 weeks. We need holidays !
No more renovation, no more cleaning, no more construction trucks in the driveway...
Now I'm about to fill a bag with art supplies so I can survive 3 weeks.
I need light, handy, well thought supplies ... so I have to tell you I was not completely able to keep my promise not to buy anymore stuff (It's no big surprise for me ! :o)
For "travel light" purpose ONLY, I needed these markers ;o)

Understand me, I cannot carry 20 bottles of paint with me, as they are heavy and may open in the car ... (did I convince you ?)

I'll be able to make this little cuties in no time without carrying the whole studio with me.

If anything good comes out, I will show you, but for now I switch to holiday mode :o)

I go to the middle of nowhere, but if I find an internet connection, you may hear from me :o)

Have a lovely month of august, have fun, make art and enjoy summer.

XXX

Peggy

I need colors !

2010-07-30T15:52:00.001+02:00

Hi
I just cooked an upside down pineapple cake. It smells so good in the house.
Not sure I 'll be able to wait until my guests arrive ;o)

I also cooked this little parisian girl, painted on a 12 x 12 piece of wood :

These days I want to paint in brighter colours, red, deep blue, bright yellow.

Maybe it's because of these gorgeous summer days we have here. I want colors to pop.

I also made some painted cards, let me show you :

These big eyed girls are quick and funny to make, they look naive, and have something about them that makes me think of frogs :o)

And you, what are you painting these days ?

Additionnal tips on resin

2010-07-27T11:45:00.000+02:00

I just re read my last post about resin, and I think I need to give you aditionnal tips, so your resin experience doesn't become a real nightmare.
Resin is not difficult if you are careful about a few points :

Protect your piece with a coat of varnish (let it cure) before doing the resin, so your colours won't be altered by the product.
To avoid any "retractation", mix the 2 components really well, and mix enough product to get a nice shiny even coat.
Tape the sides carefully, very carefully ...
Avoid dust, hair, dog hair, fingerprints ...

I just took the piece to the lady who ordered it ...

But finally, she likes the original version better, so I will give her the blue-green one.
She also asked me if I want to have some of my paintings sold in her store. Of course I said yes !!
Next week, I will bring her 6 paintings, among them this one ...

I have another lady taking a resin bath right now, she's cute and so french, I can't wait to show you ...

See you !

Peggy

Can't stop painting !!

2010-07-25T22:51:00.000+02:00

Hi there
This week end, my boyfriend and I worked like crazy in the house and the backyard. When your week ends are like this one, you're happy to go to the office on monday :o/
We filled a truck with things we don't want anymore, fridges (2), tables, old windows and blinds, old doors, empty paint jars, branches ...
We are so exhausted, we can barely walk, but it's so good when it's done !
In 2 weeks we leave for a well deserved vacation ...
But for now I still enjoy my new kingdom, this place inspires me and make me want to try new color schemes.
Meet my last lady :

I love red and orange, they are the colors of Provence, in the south of France.

Once again this piece is covered with resin.

Some of you asked me about resin in the comments, I forgot to answer.

It's pretty complicated, so please take notes ;o)

Mix ... Pour.

Yep, that's it !

I use a cristal resin we have here, but if you are in the US, or if you get it in your country, you can use "Pour on".

I've never had any issues with bubbles, the only thing is that I try to keep my very hairy furry ball away from my piece when I do resin.

Each layer takes 24 h to dry, I do 2 layers.

After that, I am very careful until it's cured (I would say 4 days if I do 2 layers), so I don't scratch the surface.

Now you know everything.

Have a nice week.

I decided ...

2010-07-22T14:56:00.002+02:00

Hi everyone ! :o)

Today I decided not to buy any more art supplies.

Well at least ... to try.

When I organized the studio, I was amazed by all the stuff I have, and rarely use.

Not because I don't like it, but because I forgot I have it. I don't like to waste, and I am the kind to recycle, so I think I should not wait until my products are dry because I don't use them.

My drawers are packed, and I have bags around my desk because I don't find any space.

Plus, I think I could last 30 years on a desert island with my supplies.

So big decision : Peggy, use what you already have !

Now I will try to practice what I preach, and avoid some very tempting places like art stores.

Well, that being said, here is my new baby (these days, it seems I have a thing for butterflies ...)

Too bad the picture won't show the glitter all over the piece.

I hope you are fine and making art ;o)

Happy creative summer !

Peggy

PS : I Forgot this ...

New studio tour (video)

2010-07-19T16:32:00.000+02:00

Hi
How are you ? Another beautiful summer day here ...
I am happy to come back to you with a new video.
Do you want to see where I create ? Click on the video to enter my world.
I've been teaching art for years, but I must say this is the first time I have such a beautiful place to do it.
I did not cheat, I did not shoot the video when everything was clean and tidy, I want you to see the real mess on my desk, the 3 empty coffee cups and some dog hair on the floor.

Here is Peggy's little kingdom :

On last thursday night, I went to a little art show in one of my friend's backyard. She invited artists and a women who has a store. She sells great clothes made of natural recycled fibers.
I am into what we call "Bio" here : recycling, organic food, essential oils that I use for 25 years ... So When she asked me to paint a purple version of my "free" painting, I was really happy.
That night, my "Rose" and one of my 2 "Violette" painting found a new home too.

Before I forget, if you want to join me on my Facebook page (in english, french ... whatever ...), click here : Peggy's Facebook page

Have a lovely day ...
Peggy

First painting in the new studio

2010-07-13T17:35:00.004+02:00

Hi there
Yesterday I said to myself that because I've worked so hard to organize the new studio (not finished yet, pictures to come), I deserve a full afternoon of painting. I already feel very inspired by this new place, I try to make it my own.
It turned out to be an afternoon and a morning. After almost one month, let me tell you it was so good to paint again.

Here are my ladies painted on a large canvas.

Behind them, I glued pages of "the three musketeers" in french and of "the legend of King Arthur" in english. I wanted their face to be very soft so the shading is really light.

Sorry for the glare, next time I will take the picture before varnishing.

Now, let's speak about important things in life : cheese ! :o)

Random fact about my country : Do you know that France has 400 different types of cheese ?

That is why General de Gaulle (our president during world war II) said in the middle of a political crisis : "How am I supposed to govern a country that has 400 different cheeses ?"

Yes ... I know... how could one live without knowing things like that, uh ? ;o)

See you next time.

Sketches

2010-07-09T09:47:00.001+02:00

It's finally raining ! Thank God.
After 2 weeks with temperatures between 35 °C and 40°C (95 F and 100 F), it feels so good.
A lot af french homes don't have air conditionning, and so is mine.
I followed your advices, and started painting again, well drawing to be accurate.
My painting supplies are stuck in a corner of the room, my main goal for the next week will be to organize my new studio. Thanks for you very creative theories about home cleaning, I will make them mine ! :)
Special thank you to Vicki and her extremely sweet comment under my last post, You made me blush Vicki !
So here are some of the sketches I did on the couch, I will use the best of them as a base for my paintings.

I also received the first issue of my Somerset studio subscription .... always a treat. Ah I miss my american magazines !
I thought it would be fun to give you short random facts about my country in my posts, so let's start with this :
Do you know that Emily Deschanel (actress in "Bones") is the grand grand daughter of a french president ? His name was Paul Deschanel and he was president during 7 months only in 1920.
That's all for today ... have a lovely day.
Peggy

Back to almost normal life

2010-07-06T15:26:00.001+02:00

My inlaws are finally gone home after 19 days home. Yesssss !
I feel a little guilty to speak like that because they've done a tremendous job here ... but I crave painting !!! (plus I don't have to cook a full 3 courses meal twice a day anymore ! )
I haven't touched a brush in 3 weeks, and I have withdrawal symptoms :o)
It's chaos here, I have to clean the whole house because we've done a lot of work in 3 different rooms, we broke 2 walls, did painting and wall paper, I now have a studio kitchen made from scratch and so on ...
But I want to paint !!! That's all I can think of, and let me tell you ladies : You don't help me ! :o)
Stop posting beautiful things on your blogs ... you make me want to paint even more !
Ok I take a break this afternoon and grab my sketchbook. Yes ... I know, I'm so weak .... but the cleaning will wait for me I'm sure :o/
I will show you if something good comes out of my sketchbook.

PS : Natasha and Danielle , your print is on the way :o)

Results of the giveaway ... 2 winners

2010-07-02T14:03:00.000+02:00

Hi ladies,
It's so hot here !!! I closed all the blinds but I can't wait for the storm to come.

And now, drum roll please, the results of my first giveaway ...

The winner is ...

N# 8 : Natasha !

Tell me Peggy, is that all ? Only ONE winner ?

No, finally I decided to have a second winner ...

I am happy to send a prints and some labels to my dear Danielle (et oui ma belle, c'est pour toi ! :o)

Natasha and Danielle can you please send me your adress by email (click on my profile in the upper right section) ?

I am thrilled to send you this print and the wines labels.

Have a nice day !

Peggy

Swap with Ju

2010-07-01T11:24:00.003+02:00

2 weeks ago, I read on Ju's blog she was looking for people to swap hand made postcards.

If you don't know her blog yet, stop everything and go check her art.

I just love her cards, the ways she uses inks, and her gorgeous backgrounds.

She accepted to swap cards with me ... this is the girl I sent her (Ju, I took your picture of my card, I forgot to take a pic before sending it).

And here is the beautiful card she sent me ...

I love the design, the colour scheme, the way she torn papers ... everything.

Thank you Ju, your card will stay next to my work table so I can see it all the time.

Remember, if you want to win a print and some vintage wine labels, you can enter my first giveaway. Just leave a comment under this post.

I will pick a winner tomorrow.

Have a nice day :o)

Peggy

My first give away !

2010-06-27T22:44:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone !
Sorry for not posting more, but these days we are breaking walls .... litterally. We are buiding a kitchen next to the new studio so my students can clean their brushes, use a microwave oven and relax on a couch. Plus my parents in law are here for 2 weeks, which is always a chalenging experience for me ... lol (My mother in law is a very nice women, even if she thinks her son is God).

A few weeks ago, I ordered some prints of my artwork. It was my first time.
I wanted to have prints of this painting.

I wanted high quality A3 prints, to show all the thick layers of my work.

Last week, I had my package in the mail, and they look great.

I had to crop the painting a little, here is the final picture :

(glossy print, 29.7 cm x 42 cm / 11.7 in x 16.5 in)

So .... dear blog readers, to show you my appreciation I would be more than happy to give one of these away.
I will also add 5 vintage wine tags. They are real wine bottle tags, all different, and they look like this one :

If you want to enter this give away, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and if you want (only if you want) you can blog about this give away.
I will pick a winner on friday morning, Paris time.

I will also show you the beautiful swap I've done with my friend Ju, she sent me a little beauty ...
Thanks for the 20 new followers in 3 weeks, you're too nice to me !

New video : the girl with no name

2010-06-14T23:13:00.001+02:00

Hi Ladies
Thank you so much for all your nice comments on my last post. You've helped more than you can imagine.
Now that my internet works properly, I can put new videos on Youtube, so if you are interested in seeing the making of the "Girl with no name" ... here it is :

I am also thinking of doing my first give away on this blog, so stay tuned if you want to give it a try :o)

And finally, let me show you what my boys look like when France is playing in the football (soccer) world cup ...

See you later this week...

The girl with no name

2010-06-13T14:44:00.003+02:00

It seems I am not happy with my paintings these days. I don't know why, I feel like something is missing.

Here is the girl I painted yesterday.

(Painted on a 20 in x 20 in canvas (50 x 50 cm) )

Right now, she 's under a thick layer of resin :

These days I feel like my inspiration has let me down. I am not satisfied with the way my work turns out.
I cannot discuss this with my friends because they are much more into scrapbooking or decorative painting.

I take Kelly Rae Roberts e-course, and she speaks about the importance of belonging to a community, exchanges on the internet, inspirational art retreats. Actually ... unfortunately I don't feel a part of that. Mixed media here in France is less developped than scrapbooking or traditionnal painting. I don't feel this energy and I miss it. I feel a little isolated.

Well, ... I think you've heard enough whining for today, don't you ?

I will gather some of my pics of Bulgaria to show you how it looks like.

Have a nice sunday.

WIP

2010-06-10T16:10:00.000+02:00

:o)

Back home

2010-06-08T16:00:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone
I am back from Bulgaria ...( it was so-so), and this is what I found just before the studio ...

I really like it, I will be able to paint outdoors on a big table.

It didn't take me long to get back to my brushes, and to paint this big wood board.

I don't know if I like it, I love the background, but I am not too crazy about the paper leaves I used ...

In a few days, the soccer world cup begins ... I live with a huge soccer fan ... keep me in your thoughts, lol !

I like soccer (actually I really like it), but not enough to have it shoved down my throat every night for one month. Plus the whole country is absolutely sure we won't win this one.

I am going to have plenty of time to paint, yeah !

Have a nice day ...

Peggy

PS : Did I show you the most beautiful baby on earth ? Look ...

Dust, paint and Bulgaria.

2010-05-26T14:41:00.002+02:00

The guys who build my studio are really good. We like them so much, we ask them to do a little bit more work.
They will re-paint the whole house in warm white and then, when the studio is finished (in 3 days, yeahhh !!), they will build a pretty ... how do you say it in english ... terrace ? A mosaic of brasilian tiles.
Right now, here is what you see (the room on the right is the studio) :

I will show you the pics.
Everything will be finished in 2 weeks. That's funny, because on saturday we fly to Bulgaria, by the black sea, for one week vacation. And when we come back, our home sweet home will be completely different. I can't wait.
I don't have a lot of time to paint but I did this little canvas :

It was extremely hot here the past few days, I've got a serious sun burn (my first this year), I hope we will have a nice weather in Bulgaria, I've never been to eastern Europe before.

Have a nice day.

Peggy

Threads and needles

2010-05-21T00:20:00.002+02:00

Sometimes I sew ...

couture - Diaporama

Have a nice day :o)

Pax

2010-05-19T09:22:00.001+02:00

My brushes are on fire !
Here is my latest painting called "Pax".

You cannot imagine how many layers I put on this piece of wood. Poor thing ! It all started as an experiment ... I wanted to try pastes and texture mediums on a wood board. I put them down with a painting knife, then I painted all in bright red ... yuk ! So I put a beige layer ... ugly.
So ... time for a layer of gesso, ... then black .... uh .... let's go to the sink to rinse it off !
Gesso maybe ? Yes and then ... copper (what was on my mind ???!!) Need I say gesso ?
Ok now a bit of turquoise, and just a transparent layer of pink.
She started to get her actual colours.
First she was a blonde, then pink, finally I decided she is a brunette. But summer is coming (one day ..) so I gave her light streaks.
I don't even talk about the dress ...
Finally I began to like her a little.
Right now, she's taking a nice beauty bath under a thick layer of clear resin ... i owe her. :o)

My pattern packets in stores now !

2010-05-17T10:47:00.003+02:00

Hi ladies.
I am proud to tell you that my painting pattern packets are in stores yeahh !
They are sold online in France and Canada.
Here is the link to my french blog, if you wanna see the 5 pics : CLICK HERE
I've been teaching decorative painting for a long time now, and I love it. But I also love mixed media and my goal is to put a little bit of mixed media into the classic world of decorative painting. That's why, among others, I put out this pattern :

A lot of textures, collage, pen writing, stencils, painting, gold ... I already sold some, I hope people will like it.

And this past week end, I painted this :

I added glass beads (liquitex medium) and a lot of fun things in this painting. I cannot paint on plain, flat background anymore ... too boring for me !

I also would like to thanks my new followers, and the nice people coming over to leave me a nice comment :o) I plan to put new videos on Youtube but my connexion is blahhhh. The guy who's supposed to fix it just goes out of here, I hope it will really work better this time.

Have a nice day !

Peggy

2 princesses

2010-05-15T15:07:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone

While in Paris with my friend, I took some pictures for you ...

Here is the view from the restaurant, do you see the lady in the back ?

We love her here, she the symbol of the city.

We saw another lady. I often go to the Louvre to check if she's still there ... She was.

But I was not the only one to check, lol.

Last time I told you I had painted 2 funny canvases.

Meet my (big headed) princesses ...

I'm off to paint their prince charming, Have a nice week end !

Peggy

PS : I love my new books !

The sisters

2010-05-12T23:32:00.002+02:00

Tomorrow is a day off, my sweetie doesn't work and we go to Paris (60 kms = 40 miles away from where I live).
We have an american friend who wants to visit Paris and tomorrow, for lunch, we take her to the highest restaurant in the city. It's located on top of a tower, and the view is fantastic. I hope the rain won't ruin it. The weather is crazy these days. And then probably the Louvres or the cathedral of Notre Dame. My friend is considering moving to Paris for a few years, I hope she will like the city as much as I do.
I absolutely love New York, it's crazy,inspiring, fun, busy, but there is something to Paris I've never found anywhere else (and I've been lucky to travel quite a lot). Paris is just gorgeous.
I finally received my books ! They are great. Right now I'm typing with my laptop in my bed, and they're just beside me. I also went to the store to buy some new very tempting liquitex mediums, resin etc ...

It give me inspiration and ideas for new directions I want to explore.
But for now, I stick to my mixed media girls ....

See you next time for 2 fun canvases I painted yesterday.

Now ... Go make art ! :o)

Peggy

Teddy bears

2010-05-11T10:39:00.001+02:00

Hi :o)
How are you today ? Do you want to see my teddy bears ?
Here are the little sailors and Grand Pa Teddy ...

I loved doing these, I used my favorite old scruffy brushes to paint them. I really enjoy old brushes, much more than my brand new ones. You can always get a new brush, but you can not get an old one, used and worn as you like.
Have a nice day :
Peggy

Mixed media books

2010-05-06T10:27:00.004+02:00

Yesterday I told you I ordered books from the Amazon France's website.
I wanted this one for a long time, and Natasha told me it was good so ... hop in my basket !

I also bought this next book, all because of you Diane :o) What you wrote here made me want to read it too ... I can't wait to know if you were right ;o) I'm sure you were ...

This one may be give me ideas and inspiration for my new studio ...

And because I am a photoshop fan, I got this book ...

And this book too ...

Wow, hours and hours of good time, reading in my bed, and dreaming of all the things I am going to make in this room ... as soon as they build a roof :o)

I just updated my "blogs I love" list, you probably know all of these great blogs, but take a look... just in case :o)

Have a nice day wonderful artists !

Peggy

Lou

2010-05-05T09:24:00.000+02:00

Hi !
A quick post today to introduce you to Lou, my latest manga inspired painting. (Painted on wood, textured background).

I've just ordered 5 new mixed media books online, I'm so excited !

I will show you my choices in the next post, stay tuned :o)

I' m off to the supermarket, the fridge is desperately empty.

Have a nice day.

Peggy

Rose

2010-05-03T14:57:00.002+02:00

Hi there

It's cold again here, the only thing I want to do is paint paint paint ! :o)
I have a question for you. Tomorrow is my birthday and I am going to have some money to spend :o)
What are your favorite mixed media books ? The ones you cherish and always refer to ?
I would like to buy some new books, I already have some of them, but because I purchase them on the internet, it is not easy to know if the book is worth purchasing.
And meet Rose, my latest painting : On wood, tissue paper background, glitter, stencils, and the girl is painted.
She reminds me of an old french perfume ad even if the text is in english.

See you ...

Peggy