Eclectic Studio - Tammy Morrison-Koenig

Well, I finally broke down and bought a permanent 6 * 6 inch permanent Gelli printing plate. I have been using the DIY gelatin plate I made a few years ago a lot in my work but it has a limited shelf life. What started out as a 10 * 10 inch, after time, shrinkage and remelting it is now a 3 * 5, which works well for tags or small note cards but I felt the investment in a permanent plate was worth it. This is one of my most favorite journal pages to date and I think I am going to convert it to an art card for an upcoming show. I would love to hear what you think.

This painting was started by using a messy background that was accomplished by using inks, acrylics, heavy body gel medium and stencils for texture. You can see the texture of the gel medium being utilized in the fish and some raised letters and symbols hidden in the background. I used some drywall tape and randomly smooshed some medium into the holes and it worked to give me some texture and direction in the painting, I like this method of intuitive painting because it does not force the work, it just allows it to develop naturally. When I was working on this I had to make a few adjustments as I went. The biggest challenge was connecting the human and fish form This is where I added the tongue with the fishing line - problem solved. For added interest, you can also find some charcoal pencil mark making and a fun foam fish stamp that I pulled from my collection. 16* 20  acrylic on stretched canvas  Hope you enjoy and remember sharing is caring.

Another beach inspired project that I put together this summer. I used a mix of heavy and light gauge wire to form the framework and filled in with some patterning wirework. It reminds me of doodling, just with wire instead of ink. I used an eye hook to attach it to some hand lettered driftwood. I really like the blend of industrial and natural elements in this mixed media piece.

On our travels this summer, I went beachcombing for some driftwood with a completely different project in mind. I love using natural items in my projects and with keeping the nautical travel theme for the boys' room, I designed this fish bones wall hanging. I found some slender twigs for the body and some bark for the head and tail attached it all with my handy dandy glue gun and voila.

So I have been redecorating the little kids rooms into bigger kids room and for the little man in my life I decided to go with a "Sail Away with Me" theme. We have had this icky side tabel in out possession for a long time and everytime I look at it all I saw was fish. So with a little elbow grease it was transformed from this to this I think it is just the perfect addition to his room. And the more it gets banged around - because you know it will being almost 3 - ;) the better it will look. Hope you enjoy Tammy

This is number 2 of 3 and the one that has made me so giddy. It turned out awesome, well we think so anyways and my clients are over the top happy. 1 more to go for my litle girl and I will be done with this project. Hopefully I can get it finished to get it under the tree in time. :)

Good morning everyone. So I have teamed up again with my neighbours for this project. As you may remember from past posts they are professional woodworkers and alot of our projects around here couldnt have been done without their assistance. Well they could have been, but they wouldnt look as pretty as they do. :) Times are tough for everyone this year so we bartered on these Chiristmas gifts. In exchange for building my daughter a chest, I would paint 3 of them up. These chests are so beautifully made with(maple wood, dove tailed and even a secret pop out compartment) so the design had to leave alot of open space and if possible a girly based timeless piece ( but had to have a clown fish and a mermaid ) for 2 and a boy based theme that had to incorporate an antique diving helmet and an anchor for the third. Hmmm. No pressure! :0 Oh and did I say that I only had a week to pull this off. :0 Well this is my first one... It still has to go back and get the hardward, leather strapping and...

Just playing around. Measuring 2.5 * 3.5 inches this watercolor offered alot of challenges. 1. Have done 3 acrylic pieces in a row and going from acrylic to watercolor is like re-teaching yourself how to paint. 2. The size- many year ago when I started to paint it was all very small sizes- as I didnt want to waste paper ;) but over the years i have learned that it is WAY easier to work washes on a large scale. Trying to get into all those tiny nooks and crannies are a big pain. See my clown painting in progress. LOL

Well as a mom of 4 kids I often get inspired by watching them at their easle's. Well today we decided to give the old fingers a go round and see what we can come up with. I actually like alot of what is going on in this piece. The movement in the back water gives the illusion of other fish or seaweed moving around - I dont think this could have been created with a brush. Not the best "painting" but definatly a good basis for another one like it.