I haven’t been around for the past two weeks as I’ve been preparing for and running the third annual Cousins Camp for my grandchildren. It’s fun in the very biggest way as I hold it at our cabin in the country and our days are filled with artwork and field trips and… no toys or electronics are allowed. Next year, our numbers will be increasing by two as the youngest cousins will be turning 4 – the magic age that proclaims you old enough to be a Cousin Camper. That means I’ll need a Camp Counselor and my daughter has been called upon to start getting ready now!

So, early this morning my art studio was calling me and I was up at 4:30 a.m. (NOT my usual hour). I’ve been fortunate to sell quite a few of my artworks the past few weeks leaving the selection lower than I prefer, although still significant. It’s mostly filled with newer works as the older pieces have gradually moved on to their new homes. Production and finalizing pieces I’ve had underway is taking top priority.

Today’s Beginnings article will now run monthly and it will be filled with art in process rather than – you got it – finished work.

No embellishments have been adhered to any of the pieces yet other than the moon and its crown and quote charm. I’m still moving the elements around and adding to get a better idea of where I’m headed. I have most of my elements chosen for the piece featuring the blue heart with figurehead and I’ll just start gluing without planning further since it is a smaller canvas. However, I can’t do that with the larger pieces and I tread carefully as I fashion the focal point on the larger pieces. Then the finish occurs rather quickly.

See that black blob in the upper left – honestly, how can you miss it?! It actually represents a great deal of work to date as I’m layering it and using a few difficult techniques. It’s a work that will be built with black as its bottom layer rather than the traditional white/off white and feature a steampunk theme.

I’m a little concerned about that black canvas now. Its frame has twisted a little and now all four corners don’t touch the table. This is a new problem for me and, honestly, unless I can repair it, I’ll ditch it rather than build the intricate piece I’m planning. I haven’t started researching the cure for the problem (surely there is one?). If any of you know of a fix, could you message me here? I’d be most appreciative!

Here’s to wishing you a great June! I’ll be back later this week.

Vicky

When creating Roses on Canvas, I must have been in a rather extravagant mood. I mean… I kept adding roses! And it felt good to just let it flow knowing it would all come together eventually. The result is a rather lush look compared to my previous artwork but one I’ll definitely pursue again. I love the 2.5″ depth – that in and of itself feels extravagant for a 9″ x 12″ canvas.

The official Description:

All of my Assemblage creations fall into the category of 3D wall art, some more than others, as with this 9″ x 12″ lush 3D flower canvas that measures 2.5″ in depth. It’s rose art at its best with a profusion of roses spilling out of the basket in every direction and therefore earned the name Roses on Canvas. And just as with the majority of pieces, it contains numerous found objects – small elements I find at vintage markets or estate sales. The basket holding the roses? It’s actually part of large boy’s toy that reminded me of a pocket envelope.

In my Assemblage canvas art, the background is comprised of multiple layers. Here, I’ve layered stenciled texture paste, gauze, bias tape, mini beads, Battenburg lace, and numerous paints before finishing off with metallic spritzes and waxes.

Vintage found objects include: bead collar, half wood round, chandelier piece, beads, filagreed round, decorative hors d’oeuvres fork, hat netting, metal leaves, buttons, earrings, toy piece, and beaded cones. Newer elements include beaded garland, various metal embellishments, resin leaves, paper/fabric roses, floral cabochons, word charm, filagree rounds, more metal leaves, and metal hearts.

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this is ready for framing. This piece will also display nicely on an easel.

$79.95

Available for purchase at my Etsy shop

Dimensions: 12.0” x 9.0” x 2.5″

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky are the work of artist Vicky Hensley and are one of a kind.

Thanks for stopping by!

Vicky

Spring is exceptionally beautiful in Oklahoma this year. It’s a time of year that carries with it an air of uncertainty as the storms and tornados roll in and the weather can dip down to freezing or hit 100 in May. I live in Eastern Oklahoma so we enjoy a landscape filled with trees, lakes and even mountains (and, yes, the occasional plain). This year we have been blessed with sunny mild May days hovering in the 70s and occasionally drifting into the 80s and I find myself inspired to celebrate this offering of nature before the summer’s heat and humidity hits.

Art featuring nature feeds my soul. And when I’m creating that art, I feel the need to make it blue… and green… and beautiful. My latest nature offering is named Capture Life’s Moment just as the word charm states. Finding a bird’s nest to peer into and marvel once again at the beauty of the whole process certainly represents one of those moments for me.

And now for the official description…

Capture Life’s Moments – that’s the sentiment running through this Assemblage Art on Canvas. I’ve framed this one – something out of the ordinary for me. Featuring a bird’s nest made of a leaf on a rose textured background, three eggs are perched within. Measuring 13.25″ x 11.25″ with a depth of 2.0″, the center piece is canvas board; its textured background is painted, spritzed, and waxed with Art Alchemy’s Antique Brilliances waxes. The wooden frame that surrounds it is also textured with stenciled modeling paste and then painted, spritzed, and waxed.

I attempt to feature vintage found objects in my Assemblage pieces and here you’ll find two – the faux pearls surrounding the rectangular piece that the bird’s nest sits on are actually pieces of an old pearl purse. And the bird’s eggs are from an old bird’s egg wreath I found at an estate sale some years ago. The leaf that holds the eggs (and acts as the nest) is old but I don’t think vintage. Newer pieces include the word charm, floral cabochons, Spanish moss, and frame.

The frame hangs from a wire stretching across the back. This piece will also display nicely on an easel.

$69.95

Available at my Etsy shop

Dimensions: 13.25” x 11.25” x 2.0″

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.

Thanks for stopping by!

Vicky

Since opening Art Creations by Vicky, I have sold all sizes of art from my largest piece (that was actually two pieces) to the smallest from my Mini Assemblage Art line. But the most popular size seems to be a rather long skinny canvas that measures 4″ by 12″. I’m actually sold out of this size so it’s past time to bring in another. I’ve named it Spring Day.

Although Spring Day is a rather simple design, that, in and of itself, makes it more difficult for me as the artist. See – simple is hard for me to do. I’m not minimalistic when creating my artwork – I want to fill all my space – I want to keep adding little details or bits of additional texture. I felt compelled to fill the space somehow above and below the bird but I knew it was best to leave it alone. Showing my sister Mary several pieces of finished work recently, she helped confirm that thought. She chose Spring Day as her favorite because it did have that blank space. So thanks to Mary, I now feel assured that Spring Day is just right.

And now for the official description:

With a bird at its center, this Assemblage Art on Canvas actually shows off its assemblage detail at the top and bottom of the piece with dozens of found objects forming arch collages. Measuring 12.0″ by 4.0″ with a depth of 1.25″, the background is textured with stenciled modeling paste and finished off with a number of paints, spritzes, and metallic waxes.

The center bird is showcased in a metal frame surrounded with a beaded garland. The two flowers above and below the framed bird are actually vintage plaster decorative pieces for use in constructing a chandelier. Vintage elements include various jewelry pieces, wooden half round, buttons, beads, and a brass weight. Newer elements include floral cabochons, numerous metal embellishments, and filagreed metal round.

A hanger is attached and, while most of my assemblage art can be framed, this piece has elements that reach slightly beyond the sides of the canvas making it an unlikely candidate for framing. However, I prefer the no-frame look which allows the sides of the canvas to display their color as well.

$39.00

Available at Etsy

Dimensions: 12.0” x 4.0” x 1.25″

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky are the work of artist Vicky Hensley and are one of a kind.

Vicky

About a month ago, I posted about the thrill of selling art and the resulting conundrum – that art needs to be replaced with new inventory. So, I’ve been immersed in my art studio, creating new Assemblage Art on Canvas pieces to fill the void. The results – I’ve listed six new pieces and I have four more underway with plans to list two of those this week. Yes!

Here’s my latest steampunk creation. It seems as though I drift from elegant to steampunk and back again. But steampunk is big and I enjoy creating a kinder version… no floating doll heads with vacant eyes or octopus legs instead of a man’s head.

And now for the official description:

Full of steampunk vibes, this Assemblage Art on Canvas also falls into my Heart Art category. Assemblage describes the process of creating a larger art piece from smaller objects. Best described as a 3D collage on canvas, it contains numerous vintage “found objects” as well as newer embellishments.

Measuring 8.0″ square with a depth of 1.75″, the background is textured with stenciled modeling paste and finished off with a number of paints, spritzes, and metallic waxes. I realize there is a slightly different look to the paint in the pictures. This is due to the metallic paint – straight on shots catch the light and make the paint look lighter than it is. Pictures taken at an angle depict the color as you will see it.

The heart has a styrofoam base with metal studs embedded around the edge. Stenciled texture paste adds further dimension as well as the metal gears and heart. Vintage elements include various jewelry pieces, chandelier ornaments, brass weight, buttons, and wooden half round. Newer elements include glass beads, word charm, winged heart, metal gears and clock, floral cabochons, metal sun, and numerous embellishments.

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this Assemblage Art piece is ready for framing. It will also display nicely on an easel.

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

Dimensions: 8” x 8” x 1.75″

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky are the work of artist Vicky Hensley and are one of a kind.

Vicky

This is how I see life. 🙂 This poster by artist Donna Downey can be found at her site, Donna Downey Studios, for $25.00 – I want one! Hmmm, I see there is a mug too…

Vicky

My art studio has been a busy place the last two weeks. I tend to create several pieces at once and I now have three new Assemblage canvases added to my shops while another four are still in the works. Spending that much time creating is so good for my soul – it’s such deep down satisfaction.

One of the things I enjoy most about Assemblage Art is the fact that it is so variable – there are so many directions to take each work. Today’s piece has yet another new look for me – elegance with a bit of old European flair.

A fun fact – in September 2016, I ran a post here titled Finding Those Treasures to Turn Into Little Bits where I talked about finding vintage items to disassemble or cut into smaller pieces for inclusion in your Assemblage or Mixed Media art. I included a real find – a belt with numerous silver looking adornments. And the largest of those adornments is featured in today’s work – at it’s very center.

Now for the official description:

Reminiscent of another age, this Assemblage Art canvas has a European look and feels especially romantic. Assemblage is the method of creating a larger art piece from smaller objects. Best described as a 3D collage on canvas, it contains numerous vintage “found objects” as well as newer embellishments.

Measuring 8.0″ square with a depth of 1.50″, the background is textured with Finnabair’s Art Stones and stenciled modeling paste in a rose design and finished off with a number of paints, spritzes, and Finnabair’s new line of antique and metallique waxes.

Vintage found objects include: pieces of a beaded purse, metal belt piece, coin replica, metal hearts, and decorative button. Newer embellishments include: resin figurehead, paper roses, beaded wire, six types of metal adornments, beaded fabric, floral cabochons, beads, and filagreed metal rounds.

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this Assemblage Art piece is ready for framing. It will also display nicely on an easel.

$58.00

Dimensions: 8” x 8” x 1.50″

Available at my Etsy shop

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky are the work of artist Vicky Hensley and are one of a kind. 

You will hear from experienced Mixed Media and Assemblage artists that if you aren’t happy with a finished art piece – change it. After all, by its very nature it is made up of multiple layers and usually elements stacked upon more elements. It’s easy to change the color – just paint it all with gesso and start again.

I’ve started over on a number of earlier projects that I just couldn’t talk myself into listing for sale as they were missing something – maybe a bit of pizzazz or possibly it just didn’t end up looking like MY work. Here’s one of my recent redos – and I love the result!

My original work just lacked the “me” factor. Although I loved the soft colors and texturing, I was far from satisfied with the end product.

At first, I played with the existing colors, trying to spruce up their appeal. Then, I tried adding more elements – to a piece I originally intended to have a center focal point and little else in the way of embellishments. I didn’t care for the blue rocks extending from two corners of the center frame so I added micro beads… and that pleased me even less. Finally, I painted the entire piece with gesso.

And since my original idea had failed, I changed my vision. I knew I had to cover those rocks and that meant more elements. So I thought bright colors and fun embellishments and lots of whimsey.

So, next time you find yourself displeased by a finished work or just feel like one of your creations in process isn’t working, change your tune. Change the story you want to tell. You will find that your redo progresses surprisingly quickly as so much of your basic work is already completed. Enjoy the process!

Vicky