I was in the studio most of Sunday having a good, creative day (thanks, Mom!). I started a few projects that will be ongoing, and one of them is this Poppy Painting.

Please forgive the quality of the photo. I took it in my studio, which isn’t where I  normally photograph my art and crafts. But since this one is a work in progress I just shot a few pics with my iPhone, and this was the best one. I really need better lighting out there!

Anyhoots, this is going to be a mixed media painting of poppies, inspired by a photo I found in a gardening book my mom had given me several years ago. I knew I wanted to paint flowers, but I wasn’t sure exactly what kind of flowers. So I was browsing through the book and the photo that called out to me was of poppies. I remember living in southern California and seeing fields of poppies from time to time, so it was good inspiration.

I used tissue paper rolled up to create the stems, and just torn pieces of tissue paper for the flowers themselves. I used Mod Podge to adhere them all to the canvas, and then I painted white gesso over everything once it had dried. Normally I would use watered down glue instead of Mod Podge. Using Mod Podge is a first for me in a painting like this. But I just thought I’d give it a try and see how it worked. Hopefully I won’t be disappointed, or have any problems with it.

I will use paint to add the color, of course. And my only real dilemma at the moment is in which kind of paint to use: oils or acrylics. I almost always paint in oils–I just prefer the blending abilities inherent in oils. But of course it takes oils awhile to dry, whereas acrylics dry really quick. Decisions, decisions! So I’m likely going to spend awhile debating which kind of paint to use. Sigh.

In the meantime I just thought I’d share step one of the painting with you, so you can kind of see the “before” image. Wish me luck!