Tuesday, April 17, 2018

T Stands For Baby G

Baby G's due date was 4. April, but a due date is a best guesstimate. First babies are usually "late" though babies arrive on their own schedule. Baby G was no exception. She arrived on Thursday, 12. April at 3:18 PM. tipping the scales at 7 pounds 1 ounce and 20.5 inches in length.

While the rest of the family were no doubt pestering inquiring of the mom-to-be when the baby was arriving, I was working on this piece for Baby G's room. Rather like Baby G, it occurred to me too late to take process photos. This is at the very end.

Baby G's room has a nautical theme with whales. The room is painted a pinky purple or a purpley pink. I thought a mermaid in a Chibi anime-style would be cute. So at this point, the drawing, lettering, gilded boxed initial in 23K gold, starfish in her hair painted with shell gold is done.

I used a purpley pink color in gouache for the background of the boxed initial. Gouache is an opaque watercolor and stands out nicely against the gold gilding.

I wanted a softer aspect to the mermaid so used watercolor pencils. Her fins have been washed with Schminke silver watercolor because a girl can't have too much bling.

You won't see a beverage as I've been known to dip my brush in tea or spill it all over the desk. There's a reason Ma didn't name me Grace. On my desk you can see two, small, plastic cups. One with dirty paint water and one with clean, distilled water along with distilled water in a dropper bottle.

Since the background of the boxed initial is colored, it needs something so it doesn't appear so flat, Traditionally, white work, (doodles painted with white) would be done. And I did, but the traditional designs looked wrong for such a whimsical picture. I painted over and decided to add simple, white dots.

My brush work for such fine work isn't that great. My brush dots tend to look more like commas so I use the end of a small, ball embosser. That's the white tool resting on the brush rest next to my brush.

For the white, I use Chinese white, a very opaque white, recommended by Valerie Weilmuesnter when I took her Illumination class 3 years ago at the Sacred Art Institute on Enders Island in Mystic, Connecticut.

The final embellishment to the piece is a small, (costume) diamond (April birth stone) earring. I broke the back off and sanded off the nub so the fitting will stand flat. I wondered what glue to use and asked the question on Facebook. Jacqueline Sullivan, a calligrapher who does a lot of work with metals, advised using Crafter's Pick Ultimate Glue. I had the pleasure of taking a workshop from Jacqueline many years ago. I ordered the glue and am waiting for its arrival.

After the gluing all that's left is to mat and frame.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.


30 comments:

  1. Ladies are allowed to come late to events. Your calligraphy is precious indeed, love what you have made. I know what you mean about getting confused or clumsy when a beverage is on the table! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Little Princesses, especially, are allowed to arrive late to an event.

      Delete
  2. this is such a beautiful piece of art and gift. Your mermaid is adorable and the calligraphy is fab! Congrats on the new bundle of joy, and happy T day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, what an amazing piece! You obviously put a lot of thought into your designs and I love how you captured the theme of her room 😁 Your calligraphy is stunning, the gold G surrounded by the purple and white dots looks so beautiful. The little mermaid is so cute too and adding the birthstone for April is a lovely touch. Wishing you a very Happy T Day! J 😊 x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's easier to put a design together when there is a good theme.

      Delete
  4. Aaaww CJ i'm sure that piece will be treasured. Happy T day hugs! deb

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is a beautiful project for the baby's room. Congratulations on her safe arrival.
    I often dip brushes into my cuppa and regular crafting hazard here.
    Happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one that mistakes a cuppa for paint water :-D

      Delete
  6. I was incredibly impressed with the painting, the calligraphy, and the colors you used. If I take my mug to the craft room, there's no chance it will be mistaken for dipping (size and lid on mug). I am a believer of distilled water in my craft projects, too. No chance of mold EVER.

    Thanks for sharing Baby G's painting and your distilled and dirty water with us for T this Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never thought much about the water I painted with until I took the illumination retreat. Working with gold, working with fine art supplies, it just made sense to work with better quality water, too.

      Delete
  7. Congratulations on Baby G's safe arrival.
    What a lovely little mermaid. Baby G (and her parents for that matter) will be delighted with this piece of calligraphy art. You are so talented!
    Happy T-Day,
    Lisca

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations! What a beautiful gift :) Happy T Tuesday

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love it! It's a purrfect, forever gift.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is absolutely fabulous! I love it (and I do not even have any kids ... LOL!)

    I also like the "Purrmaid" idea!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found a scrub top with Purrmaids which will be the Eldest's gift for her birthday. It's so cute!

      Delete
  11. WOW! It's lovely! Congrats all around! :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your mermaid and calligraphy is amazing! You are one talented lady. I LOVE mermaids, especially cute child mermaids. Your Granddaughter is one special little lady.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is an amazing gift for the baby. I LOVE the mermaid. How fun! I am very late for T this week, but hope it was a good one CJ. Hugs-Erika

    ReplyDelete
  14. this is really stunning! what a beautiful gift for baby♥happy T day a bit late!

    ReplyDelete
  15. First, congratulations to you all on the arrival of Baby G., CJ!!

    What child or baby wouldn't love a a nautical theme room with whales ... and a mermaid. Just perfect. The gilded G bordered with purple is beautiful.

    I think your clean water and paint water cups qualify for the T-party because many of us have been known to drink them.

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is so beautiful CJ! Stunning! A gift that will be cherished forever! Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete