Mixed Media Painting

Powerhouse Canvas

The last weekend I buried myself into the studio to work on this canvas – and it made me pretty happy – I think you might see I was inspired by all the wonderful colors I had seen during my travels.

NatKalbach_Powerhouse01

 

The building is an old powerhouse here in Jersey City, which is boarded up and there is work going on there- so we will see . I do love this building – I find it fascinating and since I am a big fan of the Tate Modern in London, which is housed in an old power station – I can see an art gallery in here, art studios and some open public space…but probably it will be shops and lofts or a mall – who knows.

NatKalbach_Powerhouse02

 

I played with all kinds of acrylic media and techniques-I was in my happy happy place :)

NatKalbach_Powerhouse03

 

Here are some photos I took during the process

NatKalbach_Powerhouse04

Here are the supplies I used:

nSupplies




Have a powerful day :)
hugs
nat

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Nat

Comments (5)

  • Amante del Papel

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    Beautiful and amazing canvas!

    Reply

  • Barb J.

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    You gave the old powerhouse building a life of its own. Amazing color and your artistic style feels like that building is old.
    Can’t wait to see what you will do with the building when it is finished and in “working” condition.
    Your work is powerful.

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Yes, I can DEFINITELY see the inspiration from your far east trip in this beautiful canvas, Nat!! And I have never wanted to take a trip to Jersey City before you moved there, but you have given me the urge to do a walk-about and see it like you do!!!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Wow…this is another detailed and gorgeous one Nat.

    Reply

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My Favorite Tool: A Brayer

NatKalbachFaveTool

 

If you ask me what my all time favorite Tool is …well besides my fingers ;) – it is a brayer. The versatility of a brayer is just immense. You can use it for printing, mixing colors together, stamping, background creating, you can make sure things get applied evenly, you can use it for mono printing, even painting. You can use it with acrylic paints, with inks, with spray paints, with acrylic media – it is just the coolest thing in the world :) Well…at least in my world. I even did once (2008) a whole class on brayer techniques and it was a lot of fun.

Here are three tutorials I posted the last couple months where the brayer played a big role :)

Positive/Negative Stenciling

 

Brayer Technique Background

Bildschirmfoto-2013-12-27-um-16.30.15

 

Rubber Band Brayer Technique Background

 

So, what’s not to love about a brayer? ;)

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (3)

  • cathsheard

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    Couldn’t agree more. I have spotlessly clean ones, semi-clean ones, ones so messy they are textured…love them all.

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

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    I’ve had one for years and really only use it to apply paint to a whole canvas or paper. I must try some new techniques.

    Reply

  • kat82ren

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    Love this amazing techniques, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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The Yellow No. 2 Pencil or …a new canvas

Finally I had time to create a new canvas –

NatKalbach_TiconPen01

 

the first one in my new home here in Jersey City. And of course…if you live in an old pencil factory – you have to get inspired by your surrounding buildings :)

NatKalbach_TiconPen02

 

It was a bit crazy to work on the canvas in the middle of unpacked boxes but I am so glad I did. I think I will do a couple more yellow pencil canvases…

NatKalbach_TiconPen03

 

Here are some of the supplies that I used

nSupplies

Have an amazing day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (14)

  • Janene

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    I love the colors and the building is fabulous. Techniques are used so well it makes the piece so interesting and I could spend some time looking at each little detail. The pencil is a bit contrived, but I think it will be a big hit, and probably the first to selll.

    Reply

  • Jackie

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    Just gorgeous Nat!!

    Reply

  • Micki

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    OMG, I LOVE this. It is so freakin’ awesome!!!!!

    Reply

  • Lea Kimmel

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    Oh, Nat, I love this! Very, very cool! And, most appropriate for your new home! Can’t wait to see pics as you get it decorated and situated and all that fun stuff! You always inspire me!

    Reply

  • muriel

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    Ah! I love how the building melts into the background.

    Reply

  • Kirsten Alicia

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    Gorgeous canvas, love the colours.

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    I love the old buildings! this canvas is perfect!

    Reply

  • Ursula

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    Deswegen hast du keine Zeit zu mailen ;)) Der Keilrahmne ist wieder sowas von genial geworden – und passt sowas von prima zu meinem ….. da winkt der Zaunpfahl meine Liebe ;)) Liebe Grüße Ursula

    Reply

  • Di Fritzsch

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    Awesome! (My favorite pencils, too) I love popping in to see what you’ve done to a canvas, and to find so many cool things… Absolutely marvelous!

    Reply

  • Jeanette - Tettiz

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    Fantastic piece!! I hope to see MOOOORE from you and that the move to the US will give you LOADS of inspiration to create gorgeous things for us all to drool over! ;-)

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    Beautiful! Glad to see you are inspired to create in your new digs.

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    I just love this!! The colors are amazing!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Nice. Did you sketch that building Nat? Looks like a photograph.

    Reply

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Fragmented II or Hamburg*End(si)e Canvas

This is my favorite canvas that I created for the exhibition. Actually not only for the exhibition. I created it already with a place to hang it in my mind in our new home in Jersey City. It is a wall that is in the middle of our dining and living room – there is a little fireplace in the wall. So the plan is to hang this canvas on one side and make another one the same size  70x80cm (27.5×31.5 inches) – or the other side of the wall but with a Jersey City or NYC theme- have to see ;). mmmh- now I wonder if that is a size I can get in the States- better inquire – LOL .

NathalieKalbach_HHMax01

Again symbols, landmarks and typical Hamburg-related things on this canvas.

NathalieKalbach_HHMax02

 

I painted with Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paints, Markers and Spray Paints.

NathalieKalbach_HHMax03

 

After this canvas I am almost striving to do even bigger canvases…but then there is the question, where to hang it – LOL.

Have a colorful day today :)

nat

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Nat

Comments (9)

  • Liz

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    Love the vibrant colours on this canvas and I am sure it will look wonderful in your new home. Look forward to seeing its “partner”!

    Reply

  • Corrine

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    Love this big painting…but you are right, so paint on raw canvas so you can hang anywhere! Suspended from the ceiling! xox

    Reply

  • Carol

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    I LOVE this painting, and the idea of two depicting your “old” and “new” homes and hearts! Welcome to the USA from the deep South!

    Reply

  • Laura Strack

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    To satisfy the need to paint a larger canvas, maybe someone will hire you to paint their wall or a mural! Or you could start tagging while in New York! Lol. I can’t wait to see your NY canvas. You will definitely be able to choose from many iconic subjects.

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    Just so cool! Love the idea of a NJ/NY one!

    Reply

  • Kathy

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    Totally awesome design, Nat! This will certainly be a very special piece of art in your new home, and a treasured memory! Better bring a matching canvas with you….that is NOT s standard size in U.S. Getting close now, huh? Happy travels!

    Reply

  • Ursula

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    …………….but then there is the question, where to hang it …………….. zur Not organisierst du eben wieder eine Ausstellung *LOL* Aber der Stilwechsel ist schon spannend, wenn das man nichts zu bedeuten hat ;) und auf das “Gegenstück” bin ich gespannt

    LG Ursula

    Reply

  • Kaz

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    A masterpiece!! Love all the vibrant colours, it’s full of energy and very gorgeous!
    Kaz x

    Reply

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I Love St. Pauli or…Nachtschattengewächse

2013
Acrylic paint, marker 16×18″ – SOLD

Only four more days till my exhibition…I am “slightly” totally utterly super duper excited ! And yes… I am also “peeing” (sorry!) my pants – no kidding ;)

NathalieKalbach_Nachtschattengewächse03

 

By now I should have decided which title this canvas- which is 20″x 24″ (60x50cm) has –  Naming the canvases is sometimes easy sometimes it is like Canvas 1, 2 , 3 …which is so boring – LOL. And did you notice….I said I SHOULD have decided ….

NathalieKalbach_Nachtschattengewächse02

 

Thursday we will hang the pictures – I already planned out which canvases go together and in which rooms they will hang- and put the name tags on the side of them (again…Nat…you have to decide the names by Thursday!!!) and then we will see ;)

What would you call this canvas? If you are German…German is good- LOL- go ahead ;)

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (14)

  • Jeanette Nyström

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    Wow, I love how you done those buldings! Good luck with the exhibition!

    Reply

  • Marjie Kemper

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    How exciting!!! I know it will all come together beautifully. Best wishes!

    Reply

  • Jo Murray

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    Good luck with your show…how about Leuchtende Stadt?

    Reply

  • Liz

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    Love this- so colourful. Good Luck with the exhibition, I’m sure it will be a great success!

    Reply

  • Cuchy

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    tic-toc tic-toc… so excinting. I’m so happy for you. This is going to be a blast. I wish I could… so sad..
    loves

    Reply

  • julie

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    Good Luck on Thursday. Your art is gorgeous – the colors are so rich. And the feelings that come through your art is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your many talents with us!

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Good to be nervous, Nat…..gets you excited, as you should be for this great exhibit! Love this canvas….maybe ‘Bird’s Eye View” or “Eyes over St. Pauli’. Good luck, and ENJOY!!!

    Reply

  • Andrene

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    This is beautiful…love the color tones. I was trying to think of something clever that has to do with windows (thats what first stood out to me in the canvas)….like The Windows of St. Pauli or Windows into the Soul…..hmmmm. Good luck on the exhibit – I’m sure it will be a huge hit!!

    Reply

  • Harriet Garrison

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    City Blues or Barge Right In (for the boat scene)

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    LOVE this! The colors and those buildings rock!

    Reply

  • Marsha.

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    I like Nachtschattengewächse :-). It will be my (sort of) Ohrwurm for today :-D

    Reply

  • Sabine

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    Hallo Nathalie,
    ich lese Deinen Blog nun schon eine ganze Weile und ich finde Deine Bilder wirklich toll.
    Habe selbst 20 Jahre in HH gelebt und musste nun vor 4 Wochen aus beruflichen Gründen weg ziehen (Süddeutschland *heul*). Hätte mir gerne Deine Ausstellung angesehen.
    Den Titel “Nachtschattengewächse”, den Du dem Blogpost gegeben hast, finde ich eigentlich ganz gut. Ansonsten vielleicht “Abseits der sündigen Meile” oder “Schlaflos in St. Pauli”, aber “Nachtschattengewächse” wäre da eindeutig mein Favorit.
    Viel Glück und Erfolg für Deine Ausstellung! Und alles Gute für den Umzug und den Neustart in NJ. Ich bin ein bisschen neidisch ;-))
    LG Sabine

    Reply

  • Riikka

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    So exciting! And so happy for you, it’s going to be a great exhibition!

    I was first thinking about something like “laughter echoes from the stone walls” but then it started sounding scarry, like a horror movie XD

    Reply

  • Michelle Guest

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    How exciting!!
    Don’t be nevous, it is going to be great!!

    Reply

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Defragmented or…Hamburg*End(si)e Canvas

NathalieKalbach_HHFragmentiert01

 

Slowly getting there- but still a lot to do for my exhibition in August. Here is another canvas I created – I had lots of fun doing this one.

NathalieKalbach_HHFragmentiert02

 

If you have never been to Hamburg you probably do not get all the references and landmarks in the collage – but there are lot’s of them in there :) But even if you do not know all of them- I hope you have fun spotting some details.

NathalieKalbach_HHFragmentiert03

 

The canvas is 16″ by 24″ big (40cm x 60cm) – I know it looks way smaller here -. Off to work on some more canvases.

Have a wonderful day

 

P.S. – Thank you for you wonderful comments and sharing your personal thoughts and stories on my post the day before yesterday! Thank YOU!!!

Hugs

Nat

Nat

Comments (11)

  • Cat Graves

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    Love your canvas…I could get lost for hours in it.

    Reply

  • Lisa Flaherty

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    Nat, I think this is one of my all-time favorites of yours! The colors, the collage-i-ness of the illustration, how FULL and VIBRANT the piece is!! Bet it is magnificent in real life at that 16×24″ size!!

    Reply

  • Kathy P.

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    Such vibrant colors….love this, Nat! I would love to see your exhibit in person!

    Reply

  • Annabelle

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    Love your canvas, love your blog,

    Reply

  • Madeline Rains

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    In the center at the top of the canvas, is that a hamburger with teeth? I love it, whatever all of it is. Great color combination.

    Reply

  • Corrine

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    Very Picasso in bright colors, love it….xox

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    Love your work!!

    Reply

  • Cuchy

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    I see lots of references to your city too. But I love all those “hearts/anchors ” specially
    Ohh, I’d love to go to the exhibition…

    Reply

  • suzanne bouchard

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    It is wonderful to see the inside or the sub-concious at work. I am not a psycho analyst I just see a lot of references to Hamburg a city that you love, a city where you met your love and a city that you cherisheven though you will mouve out of it, paintings, works of arts speak of wo we are. Your paintings are beautiful!

    Reply

  • sam sabatino

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    Nat—i love this canvas of yours—yummy images—great “colorization”—thanks for all of your sharing—SAM

    Reply

Leave a comment

Heimathafen or…Hamburg*End(si)e Exhibition Canvas

NathalieKalbach_Heimathafen01

Another canvas for my exhibition in August here in Hamburg. This one is actually 16″ by 24″ big (40cm x 60cm) . I figured out that for canvases in that big size I need an easel but I guess for the time being here in Hamburg I might not invest in one or maybe I should…mmmh…mhhh – LOL…never shy of an excuse to go to the art supply store ;) .

NathalieKalbach_Heimathafen02

It is a collage with acrylic paints, acrylic inks and acrylic markers . It was a slow process on this canvas …It moved several times in the apartment so I could just look at it because I wasn’t too happy in the beginning and needed to figure out what it was. It was the ship on the right that made me crazy…something was badly off, but now it is done. I really like the colors- and I know they are not very usual for me .

NathalieKalbach_Heimathafen03

I am sure you got it figured out, this is the Hamburg harbor – a bit part of our city, and the title is home port. Now working on the next canvas which is even bigger…let’s see how this goes- LOL

Have a wonderful day

Hugs

Nat

Related articles
Nat

Comments (11)

  • Lily van der Velde

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    Love the canvas, and the statement!
    No one is illegal indeed!

    Reply

  • Micki

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    I love it. The colors, the theme…… it’s awesome! :-)

    Reply

  • Ursula

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    Auch wieder schööööön :) Ich freu mich schon auf deine Ausstellung und ich hoffe, ich bin dann auch wirklich in der Stadt ………
    LG Ursula

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Wish that I could be at the exhibit but I know that you’ll post pics after it happens. Right?:)

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    Such gorgeous colors! I love the buildings!

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    Such gorgeous colors and I love the buildings!

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

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    How wonderful, a very cheery picture to hang on the wall.

    Reply

  • Marsha.

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    I think it’s awesome!!! Great job Nat, I bet it’s going to be an awesome exhibition!

    Reply

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Don’t Tear Down This Wall or…Viva Las Vegas Stamps

Pretty stoked to be the guest designer for Viva Las Vegas Stamps this month. This layout was posted last week and there is another one on next week :)

Wall01_NatKalbach

I used the Charred Wood Back Ground Stamp to create my own background for a grungy layout. The layout is about the East Side Gallery – a tiny remaining bit of the Berlin Wall that was painted by different artists in 1990 and now unfortunately is supposed to be torn down to make room for some luxury flats. Some of you might remember some of my photos from this blog post here- where I had visited Berlin with my friend Julie.
Wall02_NatKalbach
I love to create my own backgrounds using stamps to emphasize photos or the feelings and emotions that go along with photos. For this background I had stamped the background with the awesome Charred Wood Back Ground Stamp and embossing powder and then used Wow Bonding Powder and Foil on top. This created a kind of resist. So when I sprayed some Dylusion spray inks over the stamp image and texture of it got fully revealed.
Wall03_NatKalbach
Other Suppliess used: White Cardstock, WOW Bonding Powder, WOW Foil, Versamark, Ranger’s Dylusions Spray Inks, Liquitex Professional Spray Paints, Heidi Swapp Chipboard Letters, Rose Moka Journaling Cards, Posca Marker, Zig Journaling Pen

Have a wonderful day

nat

Nat

Comments (6)

  • Cindi

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    Congrats on designing for Viva Las Vegas! Nice layout. I love the background and also the way you framed your photos.

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    Great work, Nat..that stamp is awesome too. Hmmmm red and green together……it can work!!

    Reply

  • Jean Marmo

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    Oh my – this hits so close to home. I lived in Berlin as an exchange student my last year in high school. It was 1970 -1971. The wall was very much there as was check point charlie. I have vivid memories of the wall, museums, etc. I did manage to take a few trips into East Berlin which was so very different from West Berlin. I actually still have a small piece of the wall that I took from the ground. I hope they do not take this down!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I had to go back and study the LO to see that the stamp was the background!
    Love the look…kinda like making your own pp. BTW, anything in the works for another paper line designed by you? You know that I would buy it!

    Reply

  • Jackie

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    Hi Nat- Cool layouts! The background is totally awesome, and as always, I love your color selections!
    okay on the wall,you mean to tell me that “they” can’t find some way to build around or incorporate the wall into their new “Luxury” plan? The wall is such an important part of history- and the way the art has grown on it makes it even more special !
    Society today- not just in your country but ours- Make way – we’re coming through: tearing down, clearing out,wiping out what was, expanding and ever expanding-
    well, guess you know how I feel about that! LOL sorry for the rant-
    have a great creative weekend!

    Reply

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Stand Tall – Canvas

First of all- thank you so much for your wonderful comments on my CHA Designer-Showcase in the post below! They made my day!

I am back from Lille in France but before I show you some photos from the show next, I share this canvas I made. It is actually part of my Über*Media Gesso class which now ended. I will reopen the sign ups in April/May I think – so if you are interested let me know :)

Supplies:

White Gesso, Black Gesso,  Eco Green Crafts Acrylic Paints, Punchinella, Posca Marker, White Signo Marker, Heidi Swapp Color Magic Banner, Tattered Angels Black Magic Glimmer Mist, Heidi Swapp – old – Chipboard Letters, Sakura Souffle Pen

I wanted the background to look crazy busy….it fits with what I wanted to say with this project.

I am totally back to Acrylic paints right now- I have discovered so many new techniques along with the many I knew already – I think it is time to plan the next Über*Media class ;) HINT HINT – LOL

Looking at this picture btw I realize that my hair is playing tricks on me – I discovered a LOT of grey and WHITE hair the last weeks. Excuse me??? How can this go right into white hair? Oh well…I guess I better get used to it ;) Funny enough when I was a kid I always wanted white hair…I thought it looked just so graceful…mmhh – yeah…not sure if I think this now for myself – LOL.

I’m getting chatty….everything to procrastinate the paperwork I have to do today ;) – so I better keep going. Wishing you an amazing day!

Nat

 

Nat

Comments (13)

  • AnnaB

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    I love this Nat! Awesome colors! :) I got my first grey hair when I was 23… and I have a lot more now, but luckily it hasn’t taken over completely yet… ;)

    Reply

  • Nancy Riggs

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    I love your canvas and am looking forward to signing up for your next class.

    Reply

  • Peg Hewitt

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    Amazing use of colour again!

    Reply

  • Lisa

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    Very cool! I love the way the black gesso pops off of that yummy painted background! Count me in on your next offering of Uber*Media Gesso class. I need to come to terms with that stuff. Right now me and gesso are kind of love/hate, so I figure I must not be utilizing it to it’s full potential. I know I will learn a ton in your class! :)

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      may I say….GESSO is Awesome :) I’m sure you will love it in a heartbeat when you play more ;)

      Reply

  • Bev W.

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    Awsome canvas Nat! Lots of fun going on there:)) Don’t worry about the hair…you do get used to it….after a while;)

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I especially like the texture in the right hand corner.

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

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    I love this canvas & I love the idea of a class on acrylic paints!!!!

    Reply

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