Rip it Up and Paint

Today's inspiration challenge contribution comes from mixed media artist Helen Harris, who creates layered compositions using fragments of watercolor paintings to give added texture and interest, then refining her image with calligraphic brush strokes. Well, I'll let her tell you all about it. Enjoy!

"Heat" - Helen Harris

Dear Martha,

My artistic voice came to full volume the day I ripped up my watercolor paintings and started to add these pieces as texture into my paintings. Ever since then I have given demos, workshops and continue to paint in what I refer to as "stress free" painting. Recycling paintings that have "gone South ", released the fear of making a mistake.

So often ,watercolor is avoided because of its reputation of being difficult to correct if needed. Ha! I now venture forth brushing, spilling, and in general just having fun because everything is changeable and contributes to the overall creativity of the piece.

I have a lens on Squidoo that is an introductory to this method.

"Indigo Ridge"- Helen Harris

Many thanks to Helen for showing us a window into her process. You can read more about it on her Squidoo lens, and of course her blog, Pineshore Studio.

If you want to join into this exploration of recycling in art making, all you need to do is send me an email with your idea and some jpegs, or even a video! My email address is martha(dot)marshall(at)gmail(dot)com.

The goal is to explore as many ways as possible to recycle, reuse, and repurpose already existing materials, either incorporated in your art or the tools used in making the art. Also, I'd love to hear other ideas you've come up with for more eco-friendly art materials that you're using. I will link to your blog or website.

As promised, here is another night-blooming cereus that has just opened outside. I was lucky to be up early enough for it to still be open.


There are three more blooms getting ready to open any night now. I find this positively inspiring as well. Night time is when a lot of my inspirations come.