My young students lit up with pure delight when I told them we were using our fingers that day! Globs of white paint mixed with the dark colors on little fingers dancing about like playing an instrument. I so needed that. They are such a joy to my soul.
Grief and sorrow filled most of my days for that year. (In 2025, my youngest son lost his battle of two and a half years with cancer. He was 37.) These small groups in my home studio classes motivated me to find things that brought laughter back into my life. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
This small painting was the original lesson plan, done entirely with my fingers, which led to more classes of interesting experiments. We used sponges, basting brushes, crumpled towels, and palette knives to make new textures in thick applications of paint. But there was something special about children's fingertips creating flowers, leaves, or puffy clouds, not to mention the silliness that went with paint ending up on their noses!
All in all, the flowers were the favorite for most of my students. For me as well. It sparked a new series of imprinting paintings, including using my toes! (I did not let little feet play in the paint; little fingers were messy enough!) But I allowed myself to enjoy globs of paint on my wiggly toes and laughed at myself as I tried to control the colors.
~ Original, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind painting,
~ Brighten up any small space (or place in a grouping with other small pieces),
~ Great gift idea,
~ Perfect accent piece!
Grief and sorrow filled most of my days for that year. (In 2025, my youngest son lost his battle of two and a half years with cancer. He was 37.) These small groups in my home studio classes motivated me to find things that brought laughter back into my life. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
This small painting was the original lesson plan, done entirely with my fingers, which led to more classes of interesting experiments. We used sponges, basting brushes, crumpled towels, and palette knives to make new textures in thick applications of paint. But there was something special about children's fingertips creating flowers, leaves, or puffy clouds, not to mention the silliness that went with paint ending up on their noses!
All in all, the flowers were the favorite for most of my students. For me as well. It sparked a new series of imprinting paintings, including using my toes! (I did not let little feet play in the paint; little fingers were messy enough!) But I allowed myself to enjoy globs of paint on my wiggly toes and laughed at myself as I tried to control the colors.
~ Original, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind painting,
~ Brighten up any small space (or place in a grouping with other small pieces),
~ Great gift idea,
~ Perfect accent piece!
This painting, "Longing for Home", cracked me up!
It started with toe imprints, then I used my fingers for smaller details. I finally got serious when it dried and used a small brush for the stems and a hidden butterfly. This painting is almost ready to display (I'm framing it for an upcoming show.)
Also, I recently learned that blue flowers are symbolic for 'a longing for heaven'. I thought that was cool.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE
It started with toe imprints, then I used my fingers for smaller details. I finally got serious when it dried and used a small brush for the stems and a hidden butterfly. This painting is almost ready to display (I'm framing it for an upcoming show.)
Also, I recently learned that blue flowers are symbolic for 'a longing for heaven'. I thought that was cool.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE