Art

  • ✨ Chromatic Black ✨

    ByHeather Bailey


    Black oil paint is usually made from dark, but lifeless, carbon or iron oxide pigments. When one of these standard black paints is mixed with white, it creates relatively flat, lifeless shades of gray. 😐 When it’s time to darken a color mixture, standard black paint is said to “kill” the color. 😮

    Because of this, there are many painters who avoid standard black paints altogether and opt instead to MIX their own versions of black using COLOR. 🌈💥Then, when that freshly-mixed ‘black’ paint is put to work, the resulting mixtures have inherent energy and depth—and don’t fall flat.

    [Of course, there have been some AMAZING painters who fully embraced classic black paints—Zorn, Sargent, and Sorolla, to name a few. 💫]

    Black paint mixed from intense, beautiful colors is called “Chromatic Black.”

    There are numerous approaches that lead to lovely black paint mixtures. Usually, a mixture will center on two dark complementary colors. 💙🍊 For instance, one common approach is to mix Ultramarine Blue with an earth color like Burnt Umber or Burnt Sienna. In such a case, if the mixture is too cool, a little more earth color is added. If it is too warm, a little more blue is added.

    Also note that when a custom-mixed black is made from transparent paints, the resulting black will also have transparent qualities.💧This can come in handy for glazing or for when you want to darken a color while maintaining its transparency.

    There’s no RULE that you must use black paint. 📜 And there’s no RULE that you must avoid black paint. 📜 Instead, there are preferences. Here are a few Chromatic Black paint combos to get your creative wheels spinning, and to start identifying your own preferences when it comes to black paint.


    ⚫ CHROMATIC BLACK ⚫


    • Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber
    • Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna
    • Alizarin and Phthalo Green
    • Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna
    • Phthalo Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, and Hansa Yellow to neutralize
    • Phthalo Green and Quinacridone Red
    • Pyrrole Orange and Phthalo Blue
    • Dioxazine Purple and Light Green Permanent
    • Ultramarine Blue, Pyrrole Red, and Hansa Yellow Medium
    • Ultramarine Blue, Pyrrole Red, and Cadmium Yellow Light

    FYI‚ Gamblin sells a tube of pre-mixed Chromatic Black. I believe it’s made from Phthalo Green and Quinacridone Red.

    Happy Painting. 🌈💥
    xo—Heather 🙂

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    NEW Pattern! Prize Bloom Quilt

    ByHeather Bailey

    QP001PB_PrizeBloomQuilt_470w

    I have two new sewing patterns to announce this week, starting with the Prize Bloom Quilt. This three-dimensional floral design is a rewarding project. It gives you the opportunity to practice a variety of techniques (curved piecing, inset corners, appliqué), yet it is quick to sew. You complete one, large flower and a simple, pieced foundation, then put them together and you're done. Practically. There is quilting and binding as well, but those go quickly too.

    QP001PB_PrizeBloomQuilt_470w3The large, dahlia-like flower is gathered at the center and a round of three-dimensional petals is added. These details draw you into the design and add depth. The cover quilt is sewn entirely from my Up Parasol fabric collection. However, there are a number of sneak peeks of my upcoming Clementine collection all through the background of the image—hint, hint. 

    Use your quilt as a wall-hanging, a small lap quilt, or as a baby blanket. (I use mine for church. Our building is ALWAYS freezing cold. During the week, it decorates our wall on a petite curtain rod.)

    The pattern includes a full-color booklet of instructions, along with a cutable pattern sheet. This is our first pattern with full-color instructions. With the petal pieces in the quilt appearing similar in contour, I felt that color illustrations would be the best way to help everyone see which pieces are which. I'm thrilled with the results. 

    I hope you are too.

    Prize Bloom is shipping now. Ask for this new pattern at your local sewing shop. Or order a copy online today at HeatherBaileyStore.com. A full Materials List is posted on the product page.

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    Giveaway Day 29

    ByHeather Bailey

    Day29_HELLOgiveawayBanner

    Pencils_1med

    I take a sketchbook with me everywhere I go, even if I'm just heading
    to the gas station to refill the tank. I had lovely thoughts to share
    about keeping a sketchbook and how pivotal this is for anyone with
    artistic ambitions or creative hobbies.

    But then, my husband went outside to change the brakes on our car,
    leaving me to write out my lovely thoughts in the midst of a storm of
    children, which storm has blown my concentration right out the door. The
    teenager is writing a physics paper and packing for an overnight field
    trip tomorrow. The middle child is sick and needs medicine and love. The
    baby has torn his diaper off so many times, that I am now letting him
    sit naked on my lap and watch Jay Jay the Jet Plane while I type.

    Pencils_2

    I may not retrieve those lovely sketchbook thoughts till
    another day. Just know that the thoughts are there. I am passionate about
    sketchbooks    . You must, must, must have a sketchbook—so I went and got one for you, along
    with a big pack of pretty, colored pencils.

    It doesn't matter if you can draw. You need a place to capture your
    creative brainstorms. Write it down, draw it out, or risk losing it. I
    also picked up a colored pencil blender pen for you, a solvent-based marker meant for blending wax-based
    colored pencil pigments. This is something I have never tried before, so
    I got one for me too. We'll find out together.

    Sketchbook_250If
    I'm preaching to the choir, and you're already amply equipped with
    sketchbooks and colored pencils of your own, take a shot at this
    giveaway anyhow. If you win, then you can gift the prize to a creative friend who
    needs to hear the gospel truth about sketchbooks.

    As you know, I have some big introductions to make this week. I
    tidied up my sewing area this morning to make way for a full weekend of
    projects—assuming the baby keeps his diaper on and no unexpected
    strike-offs     arrive at the door.

    Just going with the flow. I'm grateful to have that flexibility.
    Speaking of flow… I better go put a diaper on this kid. I'm testing my
    luck at this point.

    Read More “Giveaway Day 29”

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    Giveaway Day 19 — Stella

    ByHeather Bailey

    Day19_HELLOgiveawayBanner

    At Quilt Market last May, I met Nathan and Stacy Wiedenmann who were
    there introducing a new product to the world. And it was no elementary,
    homespun product either, but a multi-function task light of all things.
    Now how do you get that made?

    The inventor in me can't resist new gadgets. The business owner in me
    thrills to see someone tackle manufacturing with success. Isaac has two
    pet lighting inventions he wants to patent and market one day, so
    meeting small business owners in the lighting trade is extra fun.

    Day19_StellaLamp_Logo4

    Now, I'm going to butcher the Stella Lighting
    story, but as I understand it, Nathan was at a meeting at Starbucks
    where he and an associate were discussing a prototype of this lamp when a
    quilter approached them to find out more about it. After a
    demonstration, she insisted that she needed the lamp and she needed it
    now. And that other quilters and crafters needed it too. The punchline
    is: this godsend matchmaker hooked up a great little lamp with an eager
    audience and it was true love.

    StellaBlackRightSo
    what makes this light different? The Stella task lamp is stocked with
    21 little LED light bulbs, all rated to last for 50,000+ hours—we'll
    call that a lifetime of use. You never have to change the bulbs. With
    efficient LED technology, the lamp uses 10% of the electricity of a
    comparably bright incandescent light. And the light stays cool, so you
    can work right under it very comfortably. It is available as a desk lamp or floor lamp.

    It also has five brightness levels, so it can be adjusted to the task at hand. You can choose from three different light temperatures, including a warm light (very similar to incandescent light), a very cool light, and a bright, daylight-balanced light.

    For me and my purposes, the
    daylight-balanced setting is where it's at. Much of my work involves
    reviewing colors for accuracy. And having a Stella on hand allows me to
    work later into the day, after the sun has set—perfect for evaluating
    fabric strike-offs, painting new artwork, or choosing thread colors.

    The light is even and bright and the neck of the lamp can be bent in almost any direction. It's streamline shape allows it to peek in quietly over your work or move aside as needed.

    Day19_StellaLamp_Logo4

    Check in with Stella on Twitter and Instagram. Visit StellaLighting.com
    for a video introduction and more information about the product and the
    company. Art stores, quilt stores, needlework stores and more are all
    starting to carry this new light, so watch for the Stella at your local
    shop.

    Stella Lighting is generously donating one white Stella task lamp for today's giveaway. A $220 value.


     Comment to enter. One entry per household. U.S. shipping only on this one. Be sure to include your email
    address
    so we can contact you if you win. You don't have to type your email
    address into the body of the comment if you entered it in the email-address
    field on the comment form. Today's giveaway will close at noon PST on Tuesday 8/20/13. Watch for the winner to
    be announced within a few days at the bottom
    of the post.

    For the backstory on my August HELLO Giveaway project, click here. Please
    share the word. And check back every day.

    Good luck!

    xo—Heather

    Read More “Giveaway Day 19 — Stella”

  • Giveaway Day 15

    ByHeather Bailey

    Day15_HELLOgiveawayBanner

    Day15_CalligraphyMelissaEsplin2

    I've been asked to be the keynote speaker at The Sewing Summit
    this year. We just firmed it up this week, so watch for an announcement
    on their site soon. As a bonus, I'm going to fly in for the entire
    event and well, hang out. Which means I'll have the chance to get to
    know some fabulous people who will be there with me.


    MelissaE    One of those fabulous people is Melissa Esplin, who is scheduled to teach at the event. I'm excited to meet her. Melissa not only sews and maintains a beautiful blog, but she is also an incredible calligrapher. And she teaches calligraphy online. Yes, you can take classes without having to leave your desk!

    Calligraphy is gaining attention from today's style stars as a
    back-to-crafts artform. Beautifully-lettered posters add a personal
    touch to a home or office. And personalized calligraphy is a great way
    to enhance a wedding or baby announcement—or otherwise stand out in a
    mess of computer-generated communication.

    Take a look at Melissa's incredible lettering on her website and blog. See Melissa's classes on her site, I Still Love Calligraphy, where you can learn from the best. And don't miss her beautiful, free printables and tutorials as well.


    Day15_CalligraphyPrize
    Today's lucky winner will receive five ready-to-write cards and five envelopes, all hand-lettered by Melissa. Talk about putting your best face
    forward. Your mail and affection will look like it came from the queen
    herself.

    Day15_CalligraphyCards

    The hand-lettered kraft-paper cards feature "5 Things" prompts such
    as "5 Reasons Why I Love You" and the blue envelopes read, "Kindly
    Deliver to" or Please send to." They can be used together or separately.
    A $35 value.



    Day15_CalligraphyCards_squareWT    Melissa
    does custom calligraphy for families and businesses. She designs logos,
    tattoos, greeting cards and more. But, calligraphy isn't her only
    passion. If you like to sew, then you must swing by Melissa's blog to
    see her sewing acumen as
    well. She is teaching at The Sewing Summit afterall. When my
    fashion-fabric line hits next spring, I have a secret wish that we'll
    get to see Melissa work her magic with the collection.

    Okay! Exciting. Let's get this contest going. To enter for today's
    giveaway, just leave a comment here on this post. One entry per human.

    Be sure to include your email
    address
    so we can contact you if you win. You don't have to type your email
    address into the body of the comment if you entered it in the email-address
    field on the comment form; I can access that info from behind the scenes. Today's giveaway will close at NOON PST on Friday 8/16/13. (Extended deadlines here and there, depending on when I get the post up!) Watch for the winner to
    be announced within a day or
    two at the bottom
    of the post.

    Day15_Calligraphy_melissa2

    Follow Melissa on all over the social media scene, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest and send her a love note while you're at it, "Melissa, your work is beautiful!"

    For more info on these August HELLO Giveaways, click here. Please
    share the word. Tomorrow's prize is the biggest one so far, so don't forget to check back in.

    Good luck!

    xo—Heather


    Read More “Giveaway Day 15”

  • Giveaway Day 3

    ByHeather Bailey

    Day031_GiveawayBanner

    Today's fabulous HELLO Giveaway prize is a lovely print from the lovely Laura Gunn. Laura will send today's blog winner TWO beautiful 8×10 giclee print from her Etsy shop—winner
    chooses which print. And there are lots of fantastic pieces to pick
    from, including watercolor florals, like the one shown below, birds,
    butterflies, and beetles.

    CopyrightLauraGunn470

    I hesitate to add more images because those pink flowers up there are
    completely doing it for me today. Of course, the three Laura Gunn
    watercolor prints that I own myself are all birds. They are also irresistible.

    LauraGunnBirds470new

    Comment to enter the contest. Be sure to include your email address
    so we can contact you if you win. Each day's giveaway closes at 11:59pm PST.
    Watch for the winner to be announced within a day or two at the bottom
    of the post. For more info on my August giveaway madness, click here.
    We have called on a number of our friends with businesses and have
    scored some seriously amazing prizes so stay tuned.


    Read More “Giveaway Day 3”

  • Just a Blip About Walls

    ByHeather Bailey

    PlywoodWallArt_Hellomynameisheather

    A plywood portrait, eight feet tall, from the parking lot at The Icehouse. Seriously funky.

    How does this relate to me? It doesn't really. Except, we're building
    our own funky wall for our quilt market booth today. If the concept
    works, it's going to be really cool. I'm dying to tell you the
    punchline. But you won't get the punchline without seeing the wall
    first—so, back to building we go.

    We're doing a test run here, then re-framing the walls up in Portland from scratch.

    I don't enjoy being vague—but what's a girl gonna do? I promise to
    tell all very soon. Depending on our execution, the booth will be either
    pretty or funny—or perhaps both.

  • Meet Ashley

    ByHeather Bailey

    Meet my new intern, Ashley. If you follow my daily feed
    on Instagram, you'll remember my quick post about her a couple of weeks
    back. She has been working with me for a few weeks now and I just
    wanted to take a moment to introduce her.

    Ashley is a fashion design student at the local college, with a focus on
    textile design. I wasn't sure we had room for an intern on our team,
    but Ashley was enthusiastic, self-confident and pleasantly tenacious—all
    great qualities.

    In short, she impressed me into a yes.

    They say, fortune favors the bold. This is absolutely true. Add talent
    and style to the mix, and you have great odds for success.

    AshleyT

    So, I have a fun story about Ashley. The day we first met up, after I
    returned to my desk from our lunch together, I came across a press release for a design competition from Aquafina
    in my inbox. Often enough, such emails get dismissed or filed away.
    However, this time, without reading over the details too closely, I
    forwarded the email to Ashley and then forgot all about it.

    A couple of weeks later, Ashley came into work and said, "Remember
    that contest you sent me? Well, I'm a finalist!" (Of course, I only
    vaguely remembered forwarding some-kinda-something to her, so I can't
    claim a lick of credit for this.) It turned out the contest was for a
    fashion sketch and the four finalists would be treated to a fully-paid trip to New York City and tickets to the Project Runway
    finale. Ashley's submission not only won her a top spot amongst the
    entries, but her tenacity in securing Facebook votes paid off big-time.
    She and her husband spread the word every which way and asked for
    help—they even passed out flyers at the mall. Impressive, huh? Way to
    make things happen.

    So, less than a month after our first meet-up, that is, less than a
    month after I forwarded an unassuming little email her way, Ashley and
    her husband flew to New York just last week and had a seriously good
    time of it. The trip included several days to do their own thing in the
    city. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, they had to fly back west
    before the Project Runway finale show was taped—or risk being stuck in
    town for several days longer. But, to make up for it, Aquafina is going
    to fly her out for the next finale show. We'll have to pick her brain
    then, right? 🙂

    Pretty cool, huh? And all because she went for it—and is talented
    too—that always helps—the same reasons why she'll be working here with
    me while she finishes up her degree.

    So, say hello to Ashley. And if you cross paths with her while
    following up on an order or calling in for whatever reason, give her a
    big, warm welcome.

  • Pattern & Design

    ByHeather Bailey

    ColoringBook2

    If you're looking for a fun present for someone artsy in your life, check out this new coloring book from Jenean Morrison,
    another print designer who works with Free Spirit. She published this
    gorgeous thing herself. And it's just that—gorgeous. Every page is a new
    repeating pattern—there's 50 of them—on crisp, white paper, in a thick,
    substantial book—it's not one of those floppy, wussy coloring books
    with newsprint pages.

    I'm a big fan of artsy, craftsy gifts for kids especially during the
    holidays because they come with built-in entertainment. This makes the
    time off from school go more smoothly. And it's not TV or video games.

    I'm giving this copy to Charlotte for Christmas. So, I've gotta go wrap it up.

    If you want one too, as a gift—or for your own self—you can get your copies on Amazon.com. Here's the link. Support an independent artist while you're at it. They are only $12. And stop by Jenean's blog for a hello and a congratulations. Birthing out a book is no small feat.

  • Jackson’s Five

    ByHeather Bailey

    Speaking of matryoshka.  Check out these Michael Jackson nesting dolls from a 2006 Music Art Form exhibit.  Pop music meets folk art.
    MichaelJackson2

    Update:  It turns out that not everyone interprets this series the way I do.  Two commenters think it's mean-spirited of the artist.

    I think it's beautiful.  To
    me, this piece is poignant. It shows how as MJ's life (and
    accomplishments) progressed, the world zeroed in on his flaws. To many,
    this beaming talent became a tabloid plastic surgery story.  It's a sad truth that the world puts talent on a pedestal, only to tear it down over time.

    Art seeks
    an emotional response. True, the first read might make many of us smile.  However, I don't think the artist means to ridicule
    Jackson.  Instead, I think he means to highlight how ridiculous it is that we all are fixated
    on his nose.

    Furthermore, the style of the artwork is beautiful and quiet, not jeering or jokey. I don't
    believe it is meant to poke fun at the subject.  If anyone, I think it's mocking us as a people for not seeing past this man's appearance.  This piece has meaning for me. 

    I'm sad he's gone.