Suzi Blu ~ Video Series!



I love Suzi Blu!
Posted by Liisa Elder on Thursday, December 31, 2015

My Completed Art Work Orginals as of June 2011

Here is one set of a completed collection I have done of my mixed media pieces. These little "dolls" are put together in many many layers. from penciling the doll, to coloring and shading with colored pencil and then applying to birch wood. Gesso is used in between layers to protect it. layer upon layers of fibers, glitter and embellishments really make these pieces speak to you. You can see it all right there in their eyes! The gift I give to you, through my art... The pictures do not show as much detail as you would see in person. I am currently in the process of creating prints for sale., although these originals are for sale as well. Please contact me at 253-431-2919for ordering/buying information. Commissioned pieces are always welcome! * Cheers & Enjoy *
Liisa

Passing the Gift of Art to my Children

(c) Alex Elder 2011

With the day off today my youngest daughter Alex, who is now 13 was home feeling sick with flu symptoms. But, this didn't keep her from doing what she loves to do with her free time. She asked to borrow my watercolors and paper. I know she isn't done with this piece but all I can say to myself is "Wow!" I love how she can just pull images from her imagination while listening to her favorite music in the background inspiring her. I am so proud to pass on the gift of art to both of my children!

Adding the Next Step - Paint to My Portraits

(Liisa Elder (c) 2011)

Here are the three pieces I am currently working on. I did the the next step end of lesson 2 last night. Adding a base color to hair, and clothing, highlighting areas with titanium white glaze, painting the eyes with metallic paint mixed with glaze.
This is all a process of building up layers and adding depth and color. Many more layers to come as I start Lesson 3 this week. This is all a process which will in the end effect give a great outcome of a truly meaningful piece.

Listening to Your Inner Voice

I decided to venture out this week out of my comfort zone. I tend to be a home body, I work from home, do my art at home etc. Since I needed to go down to the City hall building to obtain a building permit for our patio cover I noticed a new Art gallery had opened up in the same building. If you are familiar with the downtown Puyallup area, it has been greatly improved with the new City Hall building, pavilion, and library over the past few years.

As I walked by the Gallery just somehow called to me. I'm glad I decided not to pass it up and went in. Lovely works of art from sculptures, jewelry, drawings, and paintings all done by local artists. GalleryThree is a co-op gallery where an artist has an opportunity to display works of art on a contract and rate. I talked with Connie who was so charismatic and helpful. She told me of classes in town that I could take. Open studio times to work on art and mingle with other artists. Something that I need to feed my soul! I think this is why the Gallery called me into visit. I always try to listen to my inner voice, it has led me to amazing opportunities and opened doors that I may not have had the chance to explore.

I attended my first art class last night with a nude model. I was so nervous to go and almost chickened out but, with my husbands support he pushed me out the door and said "have fun!" And, you know what? I did! The teacher of the studio was super friendly and had a great sense of humor. The atmosphere was laid back and relaxing. Coffee, tea and music, how wonderful, something my soul needed, connection with others who share the same passion as I!
I truly enjoyed myself.

So, what I'm trying to say is try listening to your inner voice and step out of your comfort zone. You may be pleasantly surprised where it takes you!

Golden Goddess

Liisa Elder (C) 2011


This is another incomplete drawing of another "Goddess" I'm doing a few of these before I go to my next lesson so I have some to practice on when we add the next layer of paint. The best thing with art? You can change it anytime you want. Add, take away, erase...the "push" "pull" technique as Suzi says! Push to put things in the background, pull to bring it up...I still need to add more color and finish her hair...then this week I will be adding paint! Yay!

Adding Color to Graphite Sketches

Here's looking to a very creative and productive year with my art.
As I continue to practice my shading and getting the hang of drawing pretty faces, this is just a few of the many I have been doing in my art journal. I am on my 2nd class "The Goddess & Poet", this step is not finished yet. Layering over graphite sketch with colored wax pencils in many, many layers...I will post the next step and you can see how the faces change layer after layer. We will be adding paint, more pencil, etc. Bringing the eyes and features out even more. This all takes time and is worth the end result. I am excited to see what lays in store!

Practice Makes Better!

The class I am currently enrolled in is challenging, which is good for me. I am currently struggling with shading and shadowing a more realistic face. I haven't done this since college so I feel like I am starting all over again. Every night I am diligently practicing lining up the face, with even eyes nose and lips...this is just a couple of the pages from my sketch book. I am making progress and I know I will get it. But this is a tough one...but practice makes better....not "perfect". Let's face it nobody is perfect.

I love Suzi Blu's Art Classes!

Suzi Blu's Les Petit Academy

I can't tell you how much Suzi my art teacher has inspired me. With her cool way of teaching and breaking down basics and having fun with color. My first class I took was the petit dolls class and learned so much more on what being an artist meant to me.
Art doesn't have to be perfect, or realistic! It just has to be from you! For Christmas my husband signed me up for The Goddess & Poet and class and I am loving it. I love to learn new techniques and improve my art skills. I now make time to draw every day. I just want to say thank you to my muse..."Suzi" Rocks!

Inspired by this Time of Year

~ Let it Snow ~ Liisa Elder (c) 2010

This time of year I am inspired by snowmen, bundled up little ones, and the free spirit of the holidays. Enjoying the time spent indoors by the wood-stove I draw these as I would as if I was still a little girl making snowmen in the snow! Enjoy this time of year that only comes around once. I would eventually like to put together cards that everyone can enjoy!

Holiday Christmas Card

With one of my orginal drawings I created our Family Christmas Card this year with Shutterfly!
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Blessed be ~ Liisa Elder
I found this great site: Mixed Media Monday where a new mixed media challenge is posted on the first Monday of each month that will inspire you!

Funky Christmas Pink 2010 Christmas Card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

The Queen

This piece has been something I have been working on...Not sure if its done yet.
I may go back and put some more depth into it. I used wire and beading for her wreath and lots of lots of layering of chalk, paint, stamping and embellishments!

Playing With Textures in My Journal

This is another journal entry..which I have been playing with different mediums...I really like how shabby this one turned out. Using paint or matte gel on the paper before drawing and coloring in works great. I liked the texture and how the colored pencils gave it a little rough and edgy look to it!

I'm Here For You Journal Entry

What do you love and celebrate about yourself was the theme for this art journal entry. I just played with chalk, paint, and typed out a journal entry and pasted it into the painting. This entry took a few days, because of all the layering with the chalk, paint, rub-ons, stamps, chipboard and glitter.

~ I Will Catch You if You Fall ~ Journal Entry

This time I drew the girls directly into the journal. I am really enjoying the pastel chalk effect. Its almost like watercolors. The paint just brings out the charm I think. This entry is one that comes from within...I will catch you if I fall...meaning I listen to my inner child and will support her and her art. Don't be afraid to let your inner child come through in your art...This one looks like a child did it! Which in fact she did... I am a kid at heart ya know!

~ Always Dream in Vivid Color ~ Journal Entry

(Click on pictures to view larger images)

I dream in vivid color...sharing with the world the colors, shapes and sizes I see!
This was a fun entry that just flowed from my imagination!

Completed Mixed Media Self Portrait on Canvas

Here is the finished mixed media self portrait I completed today. I added some more stamping, painting, rub-ons, and jewels. The great thing about doing mixed media is that you can change it anytime you want by simply adding elements. I liked how it turned out.

Layering Effects of My Self Portrait

Continuing work on self portrait using mixed media. After drawing my self portrait I transfered it to a beige cardstock and colored and shaded with colored pencil. Painted the whites of the eyes, and teeth. I glued down the picture on a canvas that was prepared with acrylic and gesso. I tore pieces of paper and layered it letting this dry overnight.
Next I used paints and brushed over the layer to give it a glowing effect. Letting this dry completely I used more paint and stamps.
I used some embellishments with the flowers and jewels.
There are many more layers to come just showing how this process and the many steps I take to get the effect I want. I will post more pictures as I continue.

Self Portrait Drawing

My attempt at a self portrait. I drew this in my journal then photocopied it onto hard cardstock so I could transfer it to a canvas. I will post pictures of the steps and many layers to come. I am enjoying this assignment!

First Art Journal Entry

My first art journal entry was an exercise of writing down all my excuses I didn't have time to do art. Then I used soft chalk sticks and rubbed onto the pages. Using paint, stamps, and gesso I journal ed why I started the journal. I taped down a picture of myself when I was a kid and used paint to draw the wordings. This is an inspirational video "Art Journal Playshops with Suzi" from my art teacher Suzi!
I am an artist because Suzi says so!