Author: Catherine Barker-Sheard

  • CMP week 2

    This week’s quote is about discipline, which is very relevant to me as I keep learning to do all the things that go with weight loss surgery; eating the right foods, reading food labels, exercising, taking vitamins every day without fail…

    I am practising creating richer backgrounds this year. Today I collaged papers, then coloured with Distress Paint, followed by stamping with Dyan Reavley stamps, and mark making with a Fude Ball (black) and white Posca pen, then a little stencilling with Tim Holtz stencils for extra contrast.

    0217

  • Weight loss update

    It’s a few weeks since I updated progress. Following my pre-Christmas trip to Base Hospital I am feeling *much* better. Having lost over 38kg so far, I’m now under 100kg for the first time in a couple of decades and am about the same weight, but not shape, as I was in my mid-to-late 20s.

    I went to Farmers and bought jeans off the rack; the first two pairs were too big – unheard of! More importantly I am starting to feel like myself again, and have more like my usual energy back. Instead of going to bed at 7pm like Mum used to, I am staying up till 10pm or later, am crafting in the evenings and generally doing ‘stuff’. I’m also on the exercycle every night and, although being cautious in case of injury, I am increasing both the time and distance a little every night.

    I had a couple of phone appointments this week with staff from the weight loss surgery office; they are pleased with how I’m progressing now, having been very concerned about how sick I got. They expect me to keep losing weight for another 9-12 months but at a slower rate as I eat a little more variety and quantity. At this stage I can’t increase the volume, my pouch just won’t let me, but I am trying more foods. I’m managing to drink around 1200mls a day, with only minimal nausea. So, all good finally!

    face

  • CJS17 day 11

    Today we were inspired by Tori Weyers, and I loved her technique so was excited to try it. She combines organic pen and pencil marks with acrylic paint and inks. I used a Pitt Big Brush pen, pencil, Golden fluid acrylics and napthol red ink by Liquitex. I’m pleased with how it turned out, although initially one of the shapes in the drawing reminded me of a penis, which was quite off-putting!

    12-jan

     

  • CJS17 day 10

    Today’s video was with the fabulous Birgit Koopsen, whose work I love.  I used her techniques to collage and paint the front cover of my Moleskin diary. I started with gelli printed tissue, then stencilled on the tissue with Tim Holtz and StencilGirl stencils, and stamped with a variety of older rubber stamps. I added a coat of gesso to the cover, then tore the tissue into pieces and adhered with gloss polymer. Once it was dry I used black and white Dina Wakley paint and my favourite StencilGirl stencils.

    This was a fun project and I’m happy with the end result.

    10

  • CJS17 day 8

    Today’s video with Andrea Gomoll was about using watercolours in mixed media. I used pan watercolours and Neocolour crayons, with light modelling paste underneath and copper paint stencilled on top.

    9-jan