Masking Tape Artsy Project..

hello hello! wow.. I am feeling refreshed and ready to start a new day! Yesterday I was in the studio filming ALL day! CRAZY!! I can't remember what I have shared in the past.. but my Fibro lately has been kicking my butt. I have to be honest and say it's been VERY depressing. Only feeling well enough to work.. 5 days out of the last 13, is SO frustrating,specially for me, when I am used to working EVERy DAY.. and usually from 8 am.. all day long, and then again after my kids go to bed from 8 pm until like 1 or 2 am! So for me, to be in so much pain that I am in bed, and laying around.. oh so depressing. But I am starting to work through it. I have a lot of great things I can do to help me get through the pain days. ANd I guess I should clarify. I am in pain EVERYDAY.. and take medication for that so I can be at least out of pain enough to work. But the 13 days I have been in bed.. the meds didn't even TOUCH It. Neither did hot baths, or lotions, or massages, or anything. The one thing that has worked ease everything are prayers. HUGE help! So thank you for all of you that have been praying!  Anyhow.. so i am also kinda a "schedule girl" I schedule out my days and weeks about 1-2 months in advance. I have to or things get crazy. So like for instance my mondays and tuesdays are always spent at home working.. doing emails, blog posts, website stuff, etc. Wednesday and thursday are filming days.. and fridays are pick up the slack on whatever else i didn't get done (usually it's alot lol).  I have learned over the past two weeks.. almost three now.. that I don't get to be on a schedule anymore. Like yesterday, I woke up and knew I was to work at home.. I had emails to respond too, refunds to process, blog post to write, film to edit.. etc.. but when I woke up and took my meds and within a half hour my pain was not only manageable but i mean I felt NORMAL.. I was like.. oh ive got to get to that studio and film! lol. So i literally, didn't even sit down to look at my emails or computer. I got dressed and headed straight to the studio, to take advantage of my day. I can always answer emails and write blog posts from my bed or the couch.. lol.  ANd so yesterday was amazing! I filmed from around 10 am and was at the studio until after 9 pm! CRAZY! and it's sad I say that now, because three weeks ago I would have just said.. yes, so that is normal.. lol. But NOW.. with this new "bump" in the road.. for me is' Crazy awesome and crazy good and SUCH a huge huge blessing and soo soo grateful to my Father in Heaven for yesterday. I have to admit, today is not bad either.. a little ache, but I bet i could film some later this afternoon. It has my spirit in high hopes :) Great reminder to always be thankful for my trials.. it helps me appreciate what comes from them.

Anyhow.. just a little look into my private life and what's going on with me right now. not that you probably wanted to know! lol

So onto to some creative fun! oh wait but FIRST off! just a reminder that you have less than ONE WEEK to sign up for the 3 Class Spring Special. That deal closes on the 12th of February. It includes $15.00 off my three new spring classes as well as a $20.00 kit that is mailed to you! Cut off date to sign up for that special and  receive that exclusive kit is NEXT Tuesday! You can use THIS link below to sign up for it! OR read about in last weeks blog post HERE.

3 Spring Workshop Special

So last summer I had painted this fun little canvas.. I don't know if you remember it.. but I posted it here on the blog.. (the canvas is 12"x36")

Well after I did that blog post, I worked on it some more and the more I added just kinda seemed to muddy it up a little. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the canvas. Leave it like that, or add some kind of big element like a flower or something to it? So I just put it aside and left it until last week. One night  last week we were at the studio.. Me, Ben and some of the kids.. and he was working on some canvases (which by the way.. holy cow that man is TRULY becoming an amazing artist! If you have Instagram, you should follow his work. it's pretty fun). Anyhow.. I wasn't feeling great, but good enough to do something and while I couldn't film because he and the kids were there,  I decided to work on something for the studio wall. (yes if you can image, I still have  blank wall in my studio). So I pulled out this canvas and just kind stared at it.  Then I remembered THIS canvas and post I had seen on Pinterest a few months back.. and decided that is what I wanted to do with this canvas! I actually found a couple like this! (here is the link to the posts)

  I LOVED the design and could see it on the wall, with other art surrounding it.. like she art girls, or other canvases. Just kinda  of a collage of fun canvases. But this one would be a fun focal point.

So I asked ben to borrow  some of his painters tape, and then I went to town. I have to say.. I am USUALLY NOT a person who measures anything. I just cut and go, but I found quickly after I got about 4 rows on, I needed to start over and actually measure at least a line, that I could have to follow as I went down.  Like the canvas I was using as inspiration, I liked how not all of the arrows were there. Some were missing. REALLY liked that. So I skipped a few lines too.  Ben was so proud i measure things out (he is a VERY precise person lol). So here was my process..

 First I measured a line about 3" from the right side (I just used tape because I didn't have a ruler).. and I marked it all the way down with a marker, Just a loose light line, but  so I could find it after I pulled the tape away. (after it's all said and done you don't notice the line from the marker). The tape you see on the side of the canvas was just pieces I had already cut and wanted to keep. so they really aren't there for any reason.

Next I starting cutting pieces for the v's. I also loosely measured these as well. Just to kinda have them all the same size. And then I just went to town masking them down on the line. creating a v pattern all the way down the canvas. Keep in mind you can do this with ANY Size of masking tape, or painters tape. I used a 2" size because I wanted as much as the background to show through as possible. Also between the tape, I just left around a 1/4' border.. but not always.. sometimes I couldn't, so I just went with what looked straight. In the end you can't tell if some of the white lines are thicker than others.. just matters that they "v" was straight coming down. That was my only goal

 

Next I did the same with the other side, measured a line and then placed tape all the way down in a V pattern. Once my tape was secure, I used both cream and white paint and just dabbed the paint on (not swiped, but more stenciled effect, I also made sure my paintbrush was very dry). I did this all over the canvas making sure to get it between the tapes to cover the exposed canvas.

 

Once I was done with all of that, I let it dry a little.. well not really, I was too impatient, but you could let it dry lol. And then I simply just pulled back the tape! EASY PEASY!

once I was done.. I had this SUPER fun canvas

I was kinda nervous at first to cover up all the fun stuff I had put onto the canvas,

but actually now you see it even more because your eye is drawn to the color and all the texture because of the white space! LOVE how it turned out!

 

SO if you have a canvas that you kinda love.. sort love.. but totally don't love the background.. or even maybe you painted a girl on it and just aren't feeling it.. think about doing THIS type of thing to the canvas.. instead of just starting over! You can do just about ANY type of shapes or designs! You could do circles, hearts, flowers, lines, squares, hexagons, Octagons, Birds, butterflies, plaid, arrows, feathers, you NAME IT! Anything you can cut out of tape.. you can do. You could even do WORDS! just use your Cricut or Silhouette to cut out any kind of fun shape or words and then lay them onto the canvas with some tacking glue.. and then paint and peel off the paper!( We just printed them off the computer and handcut them out.) I will be posting another blog post in the next couple of weeks where we did this similar thing in December using glitter and lots of different shapes. It was fun!

So just a little something fun to be creative :)

anyhow.. oh i wanted to let you know.. that I only have ONE spot left in the Mexico retreat with Junelle and I, but the other September She Art Retreat, is sold out. So if you are wanting to come.. we have ONE! but I have a feeling it won't last long.. since  I only announced this monday and it's already practically full. So don't delay!  Here is the link for that again!

She Art Matters December Mexico Retreat with Junelle Jacobsen & Christy Tomlinson

ALSO remember to come join me at Studio Crescendo!  This will be my ONLY teaching event this year I will be doing (except hosting my own mexico retreat).. but this really is my only event I am doing this year with another studio! It's in beautiful California and such a great price too! Only 2 days.. so more manageable for some that can't do the week long retreats! I will be doing more of a blog post on that MOnday but until then.. if you want to get a jump start! here is the link!!

She ARt Studio Crescendoh

Thanks for letting me share today!!

Happy Wednesday!

 

Comments

[Jen @ Lita's World]

very cool and inspiring!!!! Thanks!

[Samie Kira]

Oh, sweetie, I know how you feel...for some reason, my FMS has been kicking my butt for the past week or two, making me SO tired and keeping me in bed reading! How frustrating, right? I want to create so badly, but sometimes can't! Luckily, the past few days have been marvelous, and I'm getting stuff done FINALLY!

There's always a reason our stuff flares up. And yes, food, weather, and activity can do it, but I also feel like it's a message we need to listen to -- time to REST and maybe dream up new ideas from our comfy beds and couches. I LOVE the charcoal drawings you were doing while resting....you're just saving up energy for something BIG to come!

[Helen Anderson]

Oh, love this Christy! What a fab idea, it looks amazing!
Glad to hear you've improved pain-wise. Hugs, Helen x

[Denise Lehenbauer]

Love this. So glad that you are feeling better.

[Nolwenn]

i hear you with the fibro. there is not much to say, but «listen to your body girl, even when you don't want to», this is my greateast lesson from it I think.

I love your canvas ! I tried to do that last year (yea, after seeing it on Pinterest too). But as well, I am not one to measure. And so... i don't really like the result. But I will use it anyway to make something else :D

Take care

[DBW]

Take care sweet lady. Always love your projects. One of these days I'll have time to do the ones I've paid for!!! LOL

[Melanni Partridge]

I loved the canvas before the tape but it looks totally awesome now! Cool idea!

[Jeanne Sternenberg]

Cute idea ! Hope you feel better soon.

[Maria]

So neat! Way to go!

Sending you wishes to feeling well!!! Sorry you have to deal with that!

[Rhonda Z]

I love it!!

[Rhonda Z]

I'm praying for you.

[gooddollie]

Wow! Amazing! I love it!

[Miriam Schulman ( SchulmanArt)]

wait!? what's the california retreat? want to check that out...
so happy you are feeling better!

[Stephanie F]

Absolutely beautiful! I love how it turned out!

[Gwen]

Oh my! I LOVE how your canvas turned out! So amazing, I will definitely be trying this technique!
(DD swears by gluten free eating to help treat fibro. Maybe you know that already.) Glad you are up & about as you always inspire!

[Åshild]

Brilliant! Gosh, I'm ispired big time! Thanks!

And take care.
Warm thoughts and wishes from me.

[maryk]

thanks christie. i have that same piece of art in my inspiration folder. i just haven't taken the time to figure out how to tape it off. now i don't have to! the step by step pictures are great. but, you are an enabler, now i have to go to michael's to get a canvas, lol.

[Karenliz]

Love the new canvas. What great inspiration and I need to make something for a birthday gift and I know she would love something like this! Thanks!

[Erin]

Oh Christy - So sorry your fibro is giving you more pain than normal, glad you had a very productive day. I love your new taped art project. I have a canvas that's been sitting for 6-8 months that I couldn't decide what else it needed. I'm trying this over the weekend! Hugs!

[Patti Hutchinson]

I hope you feel better soon! I had a friend with Fibro and she suffered for a while!

SUPER COOL CANVAS!! LOVE IT....you are so stinking creative!!!

[Jean A Marmo]

LOVE this!! I will have to try it too!

[Sally Malec]

Love this painting. I have a painting I can't figure out how to finish, I think I will try this technique. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Chris Thuerk]

Thanks so much for posting this! I too have the pinterest pic and have been wanting to do this technique=so am glad for your precise instructions and tips. yours looks gorgeous!
Stay cozy and warm Christy and drink some tea, I hope your aches and pains ease up, am thinking of you!

[Joni Kix-Moore]

I love how this project came out! And I'm very excited to hear more about Studio Crescendo! It's local to me, and I'd love to go if I can afford it!!!

[Keely]

Christy, I love the canvas!!! Thanks for sharing. Im glad you were feeling betterr and had a good day yesterday. Please pace yourself.