chickies!

My friend Julie (whose photo inspired the haiku series) makes adorable mixed media paintings she calls "chickies".  My chickie hangs prominently in a sunny room, but I hung her on a doorknob here for perspective.  You would need a scanner to catch all the 3D detailing of this.  I just love it and wanted her to tell you more about the series.  She says:     

About three years ago, I took an online course on mixed media painting using girls as our subject. Happy girls, sad girls, inspirational girls, etc. The artist teaching that course referred to the girls as "chickies". I loved that name and have called them that ever since. 

During the course of the class, I not only discovered I enjoyed mixed media painting but also that my girls were taking on a look all their own and that I really enjoyed painting these little ladies. Using the beauty of colors, words and faces as well as the beauty of found objects, I started to enjoy conveying messages of hope, love, happiness , encouragement, etc. I found that not only did they bring me happiness but they were also bringing happiness to those who purchased the finished products. 

I am a realist artist at heart. I love to capture fine details and make whatever it is I'm drawing look as real as possible but I have also found a love for the freedom you experience in mixed media when there is no likeness to capture, no details to concern yourself with and where one can just be as free and creative as you wish.

She's not kidding about that realist thing.  Check out some of her drawings.  Yes, these are drawings.  And below is a chickie from start to finish.