Ask Me Help Desk - The Artist in you!

No, is this a country song you are referring to... or am I missing something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Where have all the artists gone? :confused: :(

Hey, that could be the start of a song! :) We already have a ready-made melody, if you know what I mean!

Think that I'm dating myself a little bit, here! :D

Craig,
I love it! When I first began to learn to play the guitar, this was one of my favorites! Music to my ears!! LOL Thanks for the memories and the smile you just put on my face! :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chihuahuamomma
No, is this a country song you are referring to... or am I missing something?

It is here. LYRICS - Where Have All the Flowers Gone

It was written during a time when the United States was in a cold war with Russia and the U.S. was considering going to war with the North Vietnamese. The song is about love, life, war and death and the hope for PEACE! It has been sung thousands of times at peace rallies and in churches for youth gatherings, especially when there is some sort of armed conflict between nations.

I was thinking that maybe we could write a song on this thread. That would be art!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Do you gather cattails and use in arrangements?

What other natural items do you use in your art? I really love it when I can use something that is just given to us in creation. I am fascinated with shells, pine cones, smooth river rocks, sage, etc. I don't do as much with it as I use to except the dipper gourds and birdhouse gourds and eggs but always on the look out for interesting surfaces on which to paint. Have you ever painted flowers on flat rocks for your flower bed? I saw them at a show in OKC. I plan on doing some soon. That may be the only way I have flowers in my front flower bed that last! LOL

Hahaha, about the flowers! I use a lot of dried flowers and herbs as well as pressed flowers and leaves. I make pot pourri with the broken ones. I have made pine cone candle holders and larger wreaths and I decorate them with nut shells as well as very small glass balls, individual beads from tree garland and fake berries. I like wisps of baby's breath glued in them here and there, too. Sometimes I add little tiny foil 'presents' (tiny foil-wrapped boxes with gold stretchy rope ties for the ribbon and bows) and spray them with a very light glitter paint - usually a clear with gold or silver sparkles, depending upon my colour theme.

Years ago I used to paint cattails with acrylic paints - mostly just some bright colours in varying casual designs. Then I would seal them with a shellac or lacquer of some kind, arrange them in a pretty vase and gift those as a gift if we were invited over for supper or when doing Christmas visiting. They looked like they were made of glass and people really liked them.

I have used shells to decorate wooden photo frames, as well as dried flowers, seeds, leaves, etc. I have used minute touches of glue and created pictures of dried flower petals in a photo frame, too. Of course, I have made pet rocks, but no, have never painted them... remember, I never really painted a picture until after Terry died.

A friend of mine paints on old milk cans... now THERE is a wonderful medium! I remember when Terry and I were on our honeymoon in Tennessee... we bought pictures of houses in the woods and they put our name on little signs on the walkways or front of the house... even nailed onto the trees in the pictures. They were so cute. I realized after I had been here for about 3 months that I must have left them behind when I moved here. I was heartbroken. :(

I also make stepping stones and use a variety of things in the molds prior to pouring the cement... from little pine branches, feathers, and pretty stones to marbles and shells. I can't wait to visit my dad in Nova Scotia again. I will be right over to that ocean collecting some more shells! :)

What do you do with sage, Jan? I really want to try your leaf painting. Did you do them when they were green? I can't remember.

Hugs, Didi

Oh I thought that you might have been talking about the song Where have all the cowboys gone...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma

Oh I thought that you might have been talking about the song Where have all the cowboys gone....

I don't know that song. But, I strongly suspect that it might have the same melody as the one that I have mentioned. Do you know the melody to "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Oh, and one more thing...

I make my own picture frames.

Ohhhh... now THAT's neat! I would LOVE some direction in that. I have several pictures that need frames, and my eldest daughter expressed a wish for some nice frames instead of dollar store ones. A handmade one would make a great gift!

Do you use a router? I have one, but I have never used it yet! I'm chicken! :) I also have this really awesome Dreml tool with all the bells and whistles to play with. Hmmmm... might try that when I am snowed in!

Hugs, Didi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I don't know that song. But, I strongly suspect that it might have the same melody as the one that I have mentioned. Do you know the melody to "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?"

I haven't the slightest idea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Well, hey there! I just replied to your question regarding the canvas stretching on the other thread! WELCOME!!!

Hope you enjoy this thread as much as the rest of us have.....we have become family! Right Craig, Didi, Cal, FB, and many others???

Yes, we have become a very close-knit bunch, Jan.

Welcome, ChihuahuaMomma. I hope you will share some photos of your art with us soon. If you need some expert advice (or, in my case some not-so-expert ideas) you have come to the right place! :)

Hugs, Didi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough
Oh, and one more thing...

I make my own picture frames.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grammadidi

Ohhhh... now THAT's neat! I would LOVE some direction in that. I have several pictures that need frames, and my eldest daughter expressed a wish for some nice frames instead of dollar store ones. A handmade one would make a great gift!

Do you use a router? I have one, but I have never used it yet! I'm chicken! :) I also have this really awesome Dreml tool with all the bells and whistles to play with. Hmmmm... might try that when I am snowed in!

Hugs, Didi

Hey, thanks Christine! I would love to give you some direction in that! :)

Making basic picture frames isn't hard. I am sure that with your decorating skills that you could decorate one that is made of simple wood to look like it is a really expensive frame!

I do use a router. But, I haven't had to use one yet for the picture frames that I have made. Really simple and beautiful picture frames can be made of the everyday dimensions and shapes of wood that you might find at a home builder's store.

I also have a Dremel Moto Tool with all of the bells and whistles. It's fun instrument to use! I think that if I recall correctly, Jan also has one? (Going back a couple of months in my memory here. That's scary! :eek: I think that I might be getting "Oldtimer's Disease. Or does that begin with the letter "A?" hmmm..? )

Being chicken of using a router is a good thing! Even the most experienced users must exercise the most extreme caution when using that tool! One slip and... :eek:!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by grammadidi
I also have this really awesome Dreml tool with all the bells and whistles to play with. Hmmmm... might try that when I am snowed in!

I didn't know that you had German woodcarving relatives in your bloodline! That's what they do over the Winter! ;)

Hmmm.. Since I've got a Dremel Moto Tool, maybe I should consider going into a little dental repair work as a sideline? You gals wouldn't mind if I practiced on you first, would you? I mean, you would like to help me out to get me started, right? :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough
I don't know that song. But, I strongly suspect that it might have the same melody as the one that I have mentioned. Do you know the melody to "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma

I haven't the slightest idea!

I believe that the following link contains the original melody of the song. However, I haven't listened to it yet because my connection is so slow. Perhaps someone who knows can tell me if it's the original melody or not? Thank you!

YouTube - Where Have All The Flowers Gone

Oh Craig, what a great walk down memory lane with that song! It is the original melody of the song basically. This video was done years later of course and as they sang, sort of improvised but the sound was great!

Quote:

N0help4u agrees: I have an old fashioned drill for labotomys want to go into business together teeth 'n head fixed at the same time!

Hey, GREAT IDEA, NOhelp4u!!

Sounds cruel! I... I... I mean... COOL! :D

Might as well take care of all the areas that are close together that need servicing! How about two for the price of one? Maybe even give the men a shave on top of that!

Could have a new category altogether for a specialist type of physician Not just E.N.T. Not just Brain Surgeon. Not just Dentist or Oral Surgeon. How about Headologist! :eek: Covers everything that way! :D

Quote:

Teeth 'n Head

Now, that does have a tinnitus... err... I mean ring to it! That could be on the shingle above our door! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Hey, thanks Christine! I would love to give you some direction in that! :)

Making basic picture frames isn't hard. I am sure that with your decorating skills that you could decorate one that is made out of simple wood to look like it is a really expensive frame!

I do use a router. But, I haven't had to use one yet for the picture frames that I have made. Really simple and beautiful picture frames can be made out of the everyday dimensions and shapes of wood that you might find at a home builder's store.

I also have a Dremel Moto Tool with all of the bells and whistles. It's fun instrument to use! I think that if I recall correctly, Jan also has one? (Going back a couple of months in my memory here. That's scary! :eek: I think that I might be getting "Oldtimer's Disease. Or does that begin with the letter "A?" hmmm....??)

Being chicken of using a router is a good thing! Even the most experienced users must exercise the most extreme caution when using that tool! One slip and..... :eek: !!!!

I didn't know that you had German woodcarving relatives in your bloodline! That's what they do over the Winter! ;)

hmmm...? Since I've got a Dremel Moto Tool, maybe I should consider going into a little dental repair work as a sideline? You gals wouldn't mind if I practiced on you first, would you? I mean, you would like to help me out to get me started, right?! :D

Craig, there is nothing wrong with your memory! ;) I do use the dremel tool on my Ostrich Eggs, dipper gourds, and bird house gourds.

Didi, you be careful if you use the router. I have a table saw but I think I have used it one time. Scares the bejeebees out of me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Oh Craig, what a great walk down memory lane with that song! It is the original melody of the song basically. This video was done years later of course and as they sang, sort of improvised but the sound was great!

Thank you for confirming that, Jan! I will take the time to view and listen to it soon! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Craig, there is nothing wrong with your memory! ;) I do use the dremel tool on my Ostrich Eggs, dipper gourds, and bird house gourds.

What say? :confused: I think the old hearings going too! :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Didi, you be careful if you use the router. I have a table saw but I think I have used it one time. Scares the bejeebees out of me.

Ditto that for Didi! :) Best to watch it with any power tools or even if they aren't power tools! I have sawn into my fingers and drilled a 1/4 inch hole into a finger when I was repairing a chair years ago! I feel very fortunate that I can still play!

Hello, friends! :)

H E L L O!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

H E L L O ! ! !

OKAY! I CAN HEAR YOU! :) How are things going, Jan?

:) I would hate for you to have not heard me!! LOL

I am awfully quiet and a gal of few words you know?? :)

Naw, really? Get out of town! :D

Are you better now than you were yesterday?

Yipper! Thank you! You okay?

Tired as..

I did do something tonight that was fairly artistic, depending on how you might view it!

Am I going to get to view it?? Play on words, is it??

Don't keep me guessing Craig. I am only good until 1:30 you know?? LOL

T-minus 16 minutes and counting... ;)

I was plastering the holed and pitted primarily limestone foundation walls of a friend/customer's home. There is a certain artistry to doing it.

I took pictures today of a house with asbestos siding on it today so I could see the pattern in it for the Long Island Bungalow I am working on. Need to download them on the computer from my camera. The photo I am working from has new siding and the customer wants what was on it in the 1950's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

T-minus 16 minutes and counting... ;)

I was plastering the holed and pitted primarily limestone foundation walls of a friend/customer's home. There is a certain artistry to doing it.

Yes, I would say so. Take photos! :) I am a great one for documentation!!

The more we visit on this thread, the more I realize how much more art entails. I tend to work in a box and have tunnel vision sometimes. There really is an art to plastering, carpentry, texturing walls, etc.

I bet you are tired. How long did you work on it?

Do you mean that you are going to display the images here? If you do, and then also display you drawing of the house, it would be great to see the work that you have done in order to work at the piece according to the customer's specifications!

Craig, don't get me for posting out of sequence, OK? :)

Not sure if I will post it or not. No one seems to be posting work. I have posted enough to choke a horse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Yes, I would say so. Take photos! :) I am a great one for documentation!!!

The more we visit on this thread, the more I realize how much more art entails. I tend to work in a box and have tunnel vision sometimes. There really is an art to plastering, carpentry, texturing walls, etc.

I bet you are tired. How long did you work on it?

I only worked on it about 4 & 1/2 hours today. Granted, it was cement work and very labor intensive, but, I was up incredibly late on this site last night! Got to quit staying up so late! :(

Unfortunately for this one, I haven't taken any before photos. There may be some portions that I have not worked on as yet that look as bad as the portions that I already have worked on, though. I will be working on this project again tomorrow. I will bring a camera.

The thing that makes it artistic, is because the surfaces of the foundation blocks had become so uneven because of weather and animal wear to them, that the brushing that I do on the plaster before it sets is kind of tricky in order to make it look just right. I am trying to preserve the look of the blocks in order to maintain the artistic and historical integrity of the home. I would say that the home is probably dated between 1885 and 1910.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Craig, don't get me for posting out of sequence, ok? :)

I wouldn't be too worried about that. However, it is helpful when doing a longer reply to someone, to quote the user so that the sequence can more easily be seen. I especially do that when I know that we are about to make a page change and someone clicking on the link for the last page for a thread is going to be viewing the new page that has just appeared.

The above is an example of what I am talking about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I only worked on it about 4 & 1/2 hours today. Granted, it was cement work and very labor intensive, but, I was up incredibly late on this site last night! Gotta quit staying up so late! :(

Unfortunately for this one, I haven't taken any before photos. There may be some portions that I have not worked on as yet that look as bad as the portions that I already have worked on, though. I will be working on this project again tomorrow. I will bring a camera.

The thing that makes it artistic, is because the surfaces of the foundation blocks had become so uneven because of weather and animal wear to them, that the brushing that I do on the plaster before it sets is kind of tricky in order to make it look just right. I am trying to preserve the look of the blocks in order to maintain the artistic and historical integrity of the home. I would say that the home is probably dated between 1885 and 1910.

Labor intensive is right! Yes, you probably do need to get some rest for your day tomorrow. I am not one to sleep much either but it takes a toll when busy days await. Do take your camera. I bet you can find some areas that you have not worked on yet to show the difference. It is great advertisement for your talent. Always have a portfolio of the furniture you refinish, instruments you make, houses you restore. (My 2 cents worth anyway! :)

My daughter lives in a house built in 1915 I believe. I will send photos soon if you like. All hardwood floors, four fireplaces, etc. The previous owners while keeping some things the same, have added on to it. I have just been learning the past two years about the importance of maintaining the artistic and historical integrity of the older homes. Crystal's home is on the historical home tour in Tulsa but "nothing notable "happened there! LOL Just that is has a history. Hey, if we live long enough maybe we can count as needing to be maintained for artistic and historical value!! LOL My great uncle lived to be 108, died in his sleep on Easter Sunday morning. His brother died at 104 and their sister at 99 I believe. The oldest was the oldest WWI Veteran in Missouri prior to death of course. As you can see, it is after 1:30 and my communication skills are dwindling. Ha.

Seriously though, I and I am sure many others would enjoy seeing the process of what you are doing. Is the surface smooth, textured, rough, etc. How would you describe how the restoration surface will appear?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Is the surface smooth, textured, rough, etc. How would you describe how the restoration surface will appear?

Instead of being the "most holy" foundation, I hope to make it look more like the way the foundation was. That would be mostly large blocks of limestone that have a very, shall we say, wavy appearance. Not quite the chipped brick look but more curves to the surface than it being perfectly flat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrebel7

Craig, there is nothing wrong with your memory! ;) I do use the dremel tool on my Ostrich Eggs, dipper gourds, and bird house gourds.

Didi, you be careful if you use the router. I have a table saw but I think I have used it one time. Scares the bejeebees out of me.

Well, then, now I have resources for learning dremel AND router! :) I have a table saw but I am selling it. I like my band saw and mitre saw. It's fine for the things that I make.

Where do you get your ostrich eggs? Maybe I should get me some ostriches? Actually, my uncle has emus... that should work! :D

Hugs, Didi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I wouldn't be too worried about that. However, it is helpful when doing a longer reply to someone, to quote the user so that the sequence can more easily be seen. I especially do that when I know that we are about to make a page change and someone clicking on the link for the last page for a thread is going to be viewing the new page that has just appeared.

Yipper! I did do that but still got slammed. It was on another thread, not this one.

I will keep it in mind about the page change but I doubt I will know exactly when that will occurs. It usually surprises me. LOL

If more than just, as example, you and I are posting, or just Didi and I, etc. I generally use "quote" so as not to cause confusion to the reader. I know in the beginning, it helped me when reading the posts to follow better so I did that early on.

Always good to know these things. Always a learning process, just don't expect people to get bent out of shape so easily. You know what they say, "Stay flexible so you bend and don't break!!!" Good advice, don't you think?? :p This thread has just spoiled me I guess. As you have said, there is a oneness to this thread and I appreciate it so much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Instead of being the "most holy" foundation, I hope to make it look more like the way the foundation was. That would be mostly large blocks of limestone that have a very, shall we say, wavy appearance. Not quite the chipped brick look but more curves to the surface than it being perfectly flat.

I am anxious to see photos. Don't forget! What tools do you use to make the wavy appearance?

Hey look who just popped in!! Hi Didi!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

What say? :confused: I think the old hearings going too! :(
Ditto that for Didi!! :) Best to watch it with any power tools or even if they aren't power tools!! I have sawn into my fingers and drilled a 1/4 inch hole into a finger when I was repairing a chair years ago! I feel very fortunate that I can still play!

Oh, Craig, you have NOOOOO idea! I tend to be a wee bit accident prone, remember?? :eek: Tonight I was cutting potatoes with a huge knife and I kept having images of me cutting my finger off. I... ummm... have done that more than a few times. :o (Well, not the entire finger! Heehee... but I have removed about 5/8 inch from my left baby finger and have had stitches in at least 2 fingers and a thumb on my left hand and one finger on my right. Sigh... just a WEE bit accident prone... not to worry!)

:rolleyes:

Hugs, Didi