Spraypaint-a-palooza

I talked about this on Facebook but I want to share how AWESOME my day was yesterday with my pals the Bay Area Art Sisters.  I met these ladies on the Artfest website a few years ago, and we have been getting together once a month to do fun art projects.  This is one talented group of women with a collective pool of knowledge that is fathomless.  I always come away from these get togethers inspired, rejuvinated and wishing the hours would slow down for the time when we are together so I could do more. 

We spray painted all kinds of things.  All my stuff is packed up, so I brought paint, and some vintage wallpaper, and suitcases (I had 10 of them in storage, I thought it was 9, but I found another one today.)  At first I was really feeling challenged.  The other ladies were going to town with a sense of purpose, and I didn't know what to do until I saw this piece Michele did.  I was so inspired, I tried a sheet of wallpaper and then boldly started in on the train case.

I knew I wanted a pastel look to it.  I plan on using them in my studio to hold my vintage fabrics.  I chose all the easter egg colors, with a darker purple and blue for contrast.  After layering the cream, pink, green and blue, I needed something to make the images pop, so I used the purple lightly and loved the look.,  Then I tried the blue and started to really see where this would go.  I just kept layering the colors and images over one another until I liked the way it looked.  Using silver on one of them created a damask effect that was cool, but too different from the other two, so I layered more color over the silver until I got the results I wanted.

I love how they turned out.  My favorite was a stencil Michele had that I used a lot.  The checkered rubber rug mat made cool checks and a neat mono print that I loved.  The plastic doilies made cool floral motifs that all blended really well together with the stencils I used.  I like the pastel paisley hippie look they have.

Here are some of the projects the other ladies did.  As you can see, their talent abounds.  I am addicted now, and can't wait for the rain to stop so I can bust out the spray paint and go to town making pages for journals.

I have been missing the ability to create.  I am really limited on the things I can do with my arm, so this was perfect for me.  I think I want to get a small air compressor and an airbrush kit so I can do more types of painting. 

I love getting together with other creative people and sharing ideas.  There is a consciousness that is created, as we all go into the zone and work on our projects together.  Sometimes there is chatting, and sometimes we are quiet as we concentrate on the process, but no matter what we do, it is always cool, and it is one of the best ways on the planet to spend a sunday afternoon....  I am going to miss these ladies, and plan on trying to make as many of these playdates as I can even after I move.  I urge you to plan regular art dates with friends to play and make art.  It pushes you to stretch out of your comfort zone and try new things.  I can't wait till I move to LA and make new art friends down there.  These ladies gave me some ideas on where to go to meet people, and I have my super awesome friend, the fabulous artist Sharon Soneff down there who I have been dying to spend time with.  I am looking forward to a creative summer!