Katie Jeanne Wood

Mixed Media Artist - daily painter of portraits, flowers, abstracts and birds

Voyager’s Dream

Yellow & teal acrylic mixed media collage woman portrait painting by Katie Jeanne Wood - Voyager's Dream
Acrylic mixed media collage
Prints are available here
 
Progress shots: 
 Katie Jeanne Wood - 80317 5x7 Voyager's Dream progress shot
 collage paper on panel
 
Katie Jeanne Wood - 80317 5x7 Voyager's Dream progress shot
 Mixed up some green to go with the teal.
 
Katie Jeanne Wood - 80317 5x7 Voyager's Dream progress shotI knew the background was going to be bright yellow, and her hair, teal. Right way, no doubt.
Katie Jeanne Wood - 80317 5x7 Voyager's Dream progress shot
Here we go! Getting my layers on. I know it looks like a mess, but it took me about two hours to layer her face. 
It was incredibly quiet, so I went in my office to grab my wireless headphones, and turned on my favorite playlist. With the music cranked, I did this to her hair. Don’t know what possessed me, but obviously it was a bad idea. lol It had to go. 

Katie Jeanne Wood - 80317 5x7 Voyager's Dream progress shotLining her lips with a color pencil  

Katie Jeanne Wood - 80317 5x7 Voyager's Dream progress shot
Turning layers into flesh
 
Katie Jeanne Wood - 80317 5x7 Voyager's Dream progress shot 07
 Editing in Photoshop
Done!
Thanks for stopping by.
See you tomorrow.
 

Somber One

Katherine Jeanne Wood - 80117 5x7 Somber OneSomber One
8/365
Acrylic mixed media collage on panel
Prints are available here

I’m loving the lighter, brighter backgrounds I’ve been painting lately. I wasn’t sure if I was going to adjust well because for a long while, I used either black or dark gray paint for most of my portrait backgrounds. I still prefer dark backgrounds, and the moody tone, which goes so well with my paintings.

The problem was dark colors show every little speck of dust, and by “every” I mean hundreds of little white dust specks can be seen on a photo when you view it in Photoshop at 100%. Doesn’t matter how new or old the painting is, I can bring it directly to my photography table after painting a fresh background on it, and it will be covered. My camera lens is sensitive, and picks up every little thing. I would end up clicking on each of those little specks with the healing tool in PS to edit them out. I didn’t want my prints to look like they have dandruff. Most people order large prints, so it would definitely show up.

Acrylic mixed media collage

If you think that sounds like a lot of work, you’d be right! Sometimes, it would take me two or three hours to get one photo edited, and my finger would be aching from overuse of the mouse.

That’s why I’ve switched to brighter colors. Bright colors don’t show dust, so I can quickly edit a photo in five or ten minutes now. I’d much rather spend more time painting than killing my index finger in Photoshop.

I’m always looking for ways I can make my job easier, and this one little change has shaved hours off my work week. Gotta love that!!

Katie Jeanne Wood - 80117 5x7 Somber

This painting is one from the first or second day that I ended up wet sanding because I didn’t like it. I decided to keep working on it, and I’m so glad I did because now I love her. Her eyes are telling the whole story, are they not?

How I title my paintings

Katherine Jeanne Wood - 73027 5x7 Tales Such as TheseTales Like These
Acrylic mixed media collage on panel
6/365
Prints are available here

Have you ever sat there staring at your painting for an hour wondering what to title it? Me, too! It can be a real struggle. I came up with a solution years ago that works well for me. I hope it helps you, also.

I have a list of over 200 titles in a file on my computer, plus I have numerous pages of titles in my paper journals. Every time I need to title a painting, I pull one off the list.

The way I get this long list might seem a little weird to you, but I collect words. This can be from tv, music or by reading books/blogs/whatever. Because my portrait paintings are all about emotion, I will often times pick a soap opera or some heavily dramatic show to sit and listen to.

I grab some paper or have my fingers ready on my keyboard, and every time I hear a phrase or something that sounds like it could be a title, I jot it down. I do this for 10 or 15 minutes, until I get a nice little list formed, and then it’s time to play.

I mix up the words, and rearrange them. I give it a nice little spin, and make it my own. I can get several titles just from one phrase or sentence I hear. I write or type as fast as possible to keep the ideas flowing quickly. If I stop writing, I often get off track. So, I suggest writing fast, whatever comes to mind. You can always delete the title later if you don’t like it.

That’s all there is to it. Before you know it, you’ll have a long list before you, and you’ll never have to struggle thinking up a title again. It’s kinda fun, and I hope you give it a try. Once you start doing it, it’s hard to stop because it will make your life so much easier in the long run.

Taking a Break

Katherine Jeanne Wood - 72917 5x7 Taking a BreakTaking a Break
Acrylic mixed media collage on panel
5/365
Prints available here

She’s taking a break, not me. Although I should be because I woke up sick this morning. I could feel my immune system giving out on me yesterday, and went to bed early to get extra rest. Big work day is spread out before me, and I can’t afford to be dealing with my autoimmune diseases right now. C’mon body, let’s go. Okay, maybe a morning nap first? Blah.

Be Open

Katherine Jeanne Wood - 72817 5x7 Be OpenBe Open
Acrylic mixed media portrait painting
7.28.17
4/365
Prints are available here

I covered the panel in collage paper before I started. Actually, I’ve been doing that with all these new 5x7s on canvas panels because I don’t like painting directly on canvas. I’ve never liked the texture of canvas or how the painting looks afterwards with the texture poking through. I prefer paper or a smooth surface. I didn’t have time to throw some modeling paste on it, wait for it to dry, wet sand, and gesso. So, collage paper it was.

Anyway, as I was tearing up some collage paper I noticed the words “be open” staring back at me. I instantly knew that was going to be the title of this piece.

I usually don’t title a piece until I’m sitting in front of my computer, editing the photo of it. I should share how I come up with titles of my pieces. It’s kinda weird, but I’ve been doing it this way for years. Making a mental note, and will tell you soon.

Worried and Concerned

Katherine Jeanne Wood - 72617 5x7 Worried and Concerned

Worried and Concerned
Day 2/365
Prints are available here

I had a hard time waking up this morning, so this one took a long while to develop. I was hungover from drinking too much last night, and it took a while for my head to clear. Because of my state of mind, the painting went through many changes.

Some artists talk about the “ugly stage” paintings go through. This one had many before I finally got it right, but it was worth it because now I’m completely in love with it. Hope you like it, also.

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