Cath Sheard Art

Blog

  • Art heals – thinking about Mum

    Every year, as Mum’s birthday on June 30 approaches, I sleep badly and have vivid dreams. Mum died in 2012; we let her go with love in our hearts, knowing she was very ready to die. Yet my brain persists in this hyper-awareness every year. As in previous years, working in my art journal helps. Art really does have the power to heal people.

    This photo was taken in 2011, her last Christmas, with her grandson Rowan. I have no idea now what they were talking about, but I can remember it being quite animated! I have put a heart over her face because sometimes I can’t bring her face to my mind, which is such a scary feeling. Mum may be gone, but love remains. The good memories are wrapped firmly round me heart.

    mum journal page 2018-06-24

  • CMP weeks 22 & 23

    I didn’t do the #colourmepositive challenge last weekend so have done two today, which was a nice distraction from other more domestic things. For the first time in more than 35 years of dog ownership, I’m having serious flea issues. We have flea sprayed the house, washed bedding, rugs, dog toys, sprayed furniture and so on. Hopefully it’s all sorted now – Faith’s at the vet again tomorrow for a chekcup re her many medical problems so fingers crossed.

    week 24week 23

  • Alison’s photos

    Tonight I’m back into my fav Dina Wakley art journal, playing with Alison’s old photos. The words I’ve used, “my someone”, relate to her memory loss and the fact she feels no connection to her photos. I suspect dementia is harder on those watching than those fading.

    dina wakley art journal 060618

  • A bit of art and some news

    First of all, the bit of art. I’ve done this week’s CMP2018 and another page in my favourite Dina Wakley journal using Tony’s cousin Alison’s photos. She has no memories attached to them any more and we don’t know their history either, but at least this way they have some ongoing meaning (if only to Tony and I). 

    The other news is that a local artist and I are going to have a joint exhibition during ArtsFest in November, hopefully in Eltham. The other artist is @_dimmie_ on Twitter – you can see some of her work here. I’m very excited and have started planning a new body of work.

    week 20dina wakley journa 190518

     

     

  • Trying an acrylic pour

    In the last few weeks I’ve seen a few people trying acrylic pours. I have a spare canvas I’d tried something on and it hadn’t worked out, some old foam cups, and some PVA glue I don’t like. Tony has CRC in the garage. So, all the key ingredients at my fingertips.

    Huge thanks to YouTube artists who have so generously shared their process. The basic process for a dirty pour is

    • put a push pin in each corner on the back of the canvas so the paint drips don’t stick it to the work surface
    • mix glue, water and paint in individual cups – ratios vary from artist to artist
    • mix a double batch of white
    • add a little silicone (such as CRC) to each OR as you mix into the final container
    • pour layers of paint into your final pouring cup
    • add silicone if you didn’t add to each colour
    • once you add silicone run a paint brush handle or something through once or twice – do not stir
    • cover the canvas with some of the runny white paint
    • put the canvas on top of the cup, tip it over and give it a moment for the paint to run
    • remove the cup and watch the paint spread
    • tip the canvas to move the paint around
    • heat with a heat source such as an embossing gun to remove bubbles & create ‘cells’
    • leave to dry – it will take days…

    Mine hasn’t dried yet, so it will be interesting so see how it looks.

    pourpour 1DSC_0013 (1)