Mamapalooza T-shirt

Probably would have been nice to get this up before the event... but, this is the t-shirt I painted and donated to the silent raffle. If you'd like to learn more about Mamapalooza Columbus and Mom-driven, Mom-celebrating events in Central Ohio go to the facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mamapalooza-Columbus/313253943877

Or visit the website at: http://www.mamapaloozacolumbus.org/

Star Jacket

I bought two second-hand jean jackets in order to do a little art project for my girlies. I just finished Stella's Jacket and she is super happy with it. I used a starry theme for my little star. You can't tell from these pictures, but each star is also painted with glitter paint, which I hope will mostly stay put when we wash it. Now I need to get started on Marie's jacket before it gets too warm for her to wear it. It is going to get warm one of these days...

Enlightened Auction

I have decided to go ahead and auction off my newly finished piece "Enlightened". There has been a lot of interest, and I would like to find a happy home for this very joyful-looking piece of artwork. I had a lot of fun doing my art auction last fall on the website, but I think running it from here on my blog might actually be easier.

I will take bids by e-mail (vanessa_prentice@yahoo.com), accepting the first bid at each highest increment.

Auction begins now and will end at midnight on Saturday, March 26th, 2011. Winner of the auction can pay by Paypal or check. If the piece needs to be mailed I will add a $10 shipping charge. But, if I can drop it off in Columbus for you or meet you to exchange there will be no charge.

Since this piece was started at the OEFFA conference - I am also going to donate 10% of the winning bid to OEFFA. I will send them a check immediately after payment from the winner is received.

Enlightened by Vanessa Prentice
9" x 27" salvaged wood cupboard door stained with homemade dyes made from turmeric, beet, purple cabbage and coffee. Woodburned and detailed with acrylic paint. Sealed with clear matte acrylic and ready to hang in your home or office.

Auction is now closed.
Winning bid: $50 by Susan West

Thanks so much to everyone who sent me comments, bids and encouragement :)

"Enlightened" salvaged cupboard door project

I've just completed the cupboard door that I began during my presentation at the OEFFA conference. I dyed the door with dyes which I made from turmeric, purple cabbage, beets, onion peels and coffee. I then woodburned freely around the dyed areas, interpreting the colors as a play of light and dark with a yellow cascade of floating lights flowing up the center. I added some painted highlights and texture then completed the piece by coating it with clear matte acrylic. I'm very happy with the finished piece, but can't pick a place to hang it in my home. I may try putting it on Etsy and see if anyone falls in love with it :)

Natural Homemade Dyes

I've been a natural dye buff for many years. I love the process of creating them and the smell of them cooking. I think the colors that come from nature have such a unique look and feel. I used to teach classes every year at Wild Oats on how to dye eggs for Easter using coffee, beets, turmeric, purple cabbage, onion skins and more. I even went on the news one year to demonstrate my techniques to Anietra Hampur on NBC 4!

In the past few years I've experimented with using natural dyes to make art and I've had some great success with it. This last weekend I was able to present my knowledge about natural dyes to about sixty attendees of the fantastic OEFFA conference in Granville, Ohio. I also led a "paint with natural dyes" activity for about thirty kids during the kid's conference as well. It was so much fun and I just love being at the conference and look forward to it each year.

If you'd like to learn more about Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association you can visit their website at: http://www.oeffa.org/

During the adult session I demonstrated painting natural dyes onto wood using an old salvaged cupboard door. I've continued working on the piece I started at the conference and will be posting it here when it's finished!

Pets with Treats!

I created this illustration for the Union County Humane Society for an event they have coming up called "Treats 'n Sweets" where a Girl Scout troupe is making homemade pet treats to sell to benefit UCHS along with their traditional cookies. I used UCHS's cat and dog characters then added some bones for the dog and made the cat juggling cookies - which I had to look up a picture of to get them right. It's been a while since I ate Girl Scout cookies, lol. The event is on March 5th from 1-3pm at UCHS.

For more info visit their website: http://www.uchspets.org/