cat on a chair – experimenting with acrylics and texture

Posted on February 27, 2023 by zefiart

I can’t believe I haven’t shared this on my blog!!! I posted it on Instagram and Facebook but totally forgot to share it here… how could I do such a thing?

Its been a busy time and there is always so much on my mind, I think my brain is just overloaded. The renovation, being there for mom, worrying about finances and decisions about my future, my dreams vs reality, and my art and the need to find ways to make it work for me financially as well as emotionally.

So much to think about, but perhaps that’s a post for another day. Right now, its just an explanation how something as simple as sharing something I love as much as this can slip my mind!

So, without further ado, here is ‘cat on a chair’…

This is a large piece, almost a meter high, much bigger than anything I’ve ever attempted before in acrylic. I’m not currently on Paros, so can’t give exact measurements. I used a recycled canvas of some kitch island art destined for the trash, which unfortunately had some tactile elements, so the first thing I did was to eliminate that texture by covering the surface with vintage book pages.

This achieved two things – it covered the previous work and provided me with a textured background which suited the crumbly plaster wall I intended to paint. Plus it added in a mixed media element which also played into the recycled aspect of my work.

In some areas of the painting I allowed the type to show through because I like the effect.

In other areas I used the texture of the book pages to create the feeling of a weathered old wall, showing cracks and chunks of missing plaster.

In other parts, I worked to create the patina of an old wall, with the faded colour and accumulated grime of years.

In order to create the texture of the wall, I used paint, water, a sponge and anything I felt would give me the effect I was after.

For the chair and the cat, I had to add more detail and form, so I used a brush as well as a palette knife. Its nowhere near the kind of detail I normally put in my work (despite spending years combating my tendency towards perfect imitation of life) and I am really pleased with the result. I’ve always admired artists who can paint something so real without actually describing it in detail. The impression of detail is enough, our mind fills in the rest.

You can see brush strokes, palette knife marks in areas. So unlike most of my work where I tend to blend more, leaving fewer visible marks.

This is the first in a series I am working on using similar techniques and experimenting with ways to prepare a surface and apply paint. I will share another finished piece soon.

I’m really enjoying working this way. Its so different from my small watercolours on marble or even my pastel animal portraits. Its like a challenge to be more of what I can be… like maybe even a REAL artist.

a shell on board

Posted on February 19, 2023 by zefiart

I apologise for the crappy images… they look much better on my phone… Hopefully it’s my monitor that’s out of wack and they look more clearer and crisper on yours!

This is one of my newly finished projects – a mix of pastel and acrylic on a piece of board. I quite like the result of mixing the two mediums and the feel of applying them to a board I prepared with some chalk paint as background.

Something simple and fun. This one is not large, about 32 x 20 cm. It was an experiment to see how the surface will work. And its worked out pretty good so I have more pieces I will paint in the future. I may even have a go at some watercolour on the chalk paint background to see how that works.

For now it’s only had a coat of fixative, but I will give it a coat of matt varnish to seal it. Then I have to figure out the best way to add a hook or wire to the back so it can be hung on a wall.

Thats all I have to say for now. I have to prepare for my return to Athens tomorrow… tidy the house a bit so I don’t return to a mess (though at least its my mess and I know I’m the only one responsible for it!), pack my bag, then just make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. I have clothes and another pair of Blundstone boots in Athens, so I really don’t need to take much with me. Just me, Lainee, my phone and tablet and all the chargers.

I’m already missing my own space and my projects in progress, but I must go see how the renovation is going and make sure it’s going to be finished sooner than later.

Oh, the trials and tribulations of renovations.

serving tray remakes

Posted on February 18, 2023 by zefiart

When I first got back from Athens, I admit I fell into a kind of lethargy reserved only for the laziest among us. I spent an entire week doing as little as possible. But then, slowly, I began to get the itch again. The creative itch. Not just to paint, but to make over something useful, to MAKE something. Since the itch struck, I’ve been in and out of the zone, starting 7 projects and almost finishing 4 of them.

Not bad. If I wasn’t going to Athens I’d be doing more, but not much time left. Perhaps I’ll be able to work on a couple more works-in-progress, but doubt I’ll finish anything more till I get back. I will share a bit more on those projects meanwhile however, so stay tuned.

A good friend has been clearing out her house of things she doesn’t need, and I was lucky enough to get these two large trays from her. They’re the kind used in taverna’s here in Greece, the biggest one is quite large, often wielded by muscley-armed waiters, holding lots of dishes at once.

Of course, hers were in almost new raw timber condition. Not an oil stain to be seen on them!

I wanted to make them into something I can sell, something islandy, something people can use but also display in their homes. This is the first tray, the smaller of the two:

I ‘ve never painted the sea before so it was a challenge. I’m still not sure if I like the effect I achieved, but it’s not terrible… However, it did need something more, a focal point, hence the starfish. I like the starfish.

This tray is all acrylic paint, and before its ready to sell, it will have a coat or two of polyurethane to seal it so it can be used as intended.

My second attempt is a mix of acrylic paint and pastels. I wanted this one to be a little more fluid, but again, it needed a focal point, hence the shell. To be honest, I’m much happier with this type of blended colour background. It’s the sort of background I’m comfortable with and use very often in my work, whether its watercolour, acrylic of pastel.

In the close up of the shell, you can see the pastel, though I have worked over it with acrylic paint in places, to give it extra depth.

This will also get a coat of polyurethane to seal it and protect the artwork.

The weather has finally come good again after about 2 weeks of freezing cold winds and rain or hail. It’s great to be able to take Lainee for a walk on the beach without being blasted into the middle of next week.

This is the sea I love… flat as an oil slick. I’m not a wave kinda person. And today the sun feels almost warm enough to swim. If I was braver I probably would… but I’m not that brave.

Instead of swimming I came home and began tidying up in preparation to return to Athens and face the ongoing renovations there. All I can do right now is hope that it’s moving along since I left. I doubt there will be much change except the destruction of the old bathroom, as mom witnessed that in the form of noise that lasted a few days. The bad weather kept the workmen away for at least one whole week.

I’d never have believed it possible, but this is my third renovation in Greece. I’d renovated 3 houses in Australia, now I’m even in Greece. Who knew I’d survive that with my mind intact and only the occasional bout of despair, desperation and hair pulling?

Onwards and forwards we go.

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failure – painting on porcelain

Posted on February 2, 2023 by zefiart

A while ago a friend asked me to paint a large fruit bowl for him so I went ahead and bought some paints for porcelain online. These are the ones I bought:

Now, I’m not saying they DON’T work… I’m just sharing my experience. Please tell me what I did wrong, cause they sure didn’t work for me!!!

I bought a platter (not shown here), a large deep plate and used a small bowl I already had. I washed them as it said, by hand. I rinsed them well and after they dried I also wiped them over with a towel.

In order to find the best type of porcelain to work on, I bought a shiny platter, my bowl was shiny and the deep plate had a kind of matt finish.

I then drew on them using both the paint and the pen I’d bought.

It was just an experiment so I didn’t concern myself too much with the design. Once done, the instructions said to dry for 4 hours. I had to go out so I left them overnight. The next day I put them in the oven and turned it on to 160 degrees C for 90 minutes. Then I let them cool before removing them from the oven.

The day after I got the guts to try using them. Firstly, I used my fingernail on the small bowl with the blue fish – it came off easily when I scratched it. The matt platter wouldn’t scratch off so I felt hopeful.

However, this is what happened when I put them in plain water, or water with dishwashing liquid…

Hope the videos work ok for you… If not, let me know and I’ll upload them to Youtube and link them through there.

Suffice it to say that it took no elbow grease to completely erase my work from the surfaces.

Contrast that to the sharpe experiment I did about 3 years ago:

I drew on 2 of the small bowls using a fine line sharpie as per instructions I found on Pinterest. The drawings have faded and in some places have rubbed off a bit where I’ve used the hard side of the sponge, but for the most part they remain intact. Three whole years later and with regular use.

So… those who may have used Kruel porcelain paint… what have I done wrong?

PS Experiment No. 2 is in the oven as I write…

i jinxed myself

Posted on August 8, 2022 by zefiart

You know how I said how impatient I was to get home and get stuck into painting again? How I was ‘in the zone’ after so long?

Ha. I jinxed myself, ’cause I haven’t touched a brush, pastel or bit of cardboard since. I haven’t even felt the urge to get up off the couch and touch my artwork… let alone tackle the paperwork I MUST do.

Mind you, Sunday was horribly hot. I groomed a dog in the morning, then rushed to the PAWS (Paros Animal Welfare Society) annual general meeting, then had lunch with friends and it was all I could do to get home and lie on my bed with the fan on. I got up around 6.30pm and did a few handy-type things around the house (maybe I’ll share one day, but they’re definitely ‘zefi’ things, ‘don’t try this at home’ stuff), before heading down to visit with my cousins for a bit.

Then today at work was a day from hell. Complete with a visit to the dentist at the end of it.

So, here’s something I prepared earlier. Prickly pear on marble. This is a larger piece than I normally do and right now its sitting in the office on the bookcase.

I should put a big sticker on it with a price. Maybe someone will buy it for the big villa they’re buying!

I mentioned the dentist, didn’t I?

You know how people are always saying ‘where did all the money you earned over summer go?’ (well, they ask me that!) ha. Today I paid 400e for a tooth. The one I had problems with before summer. I’m getting it crowned. The one I’d already paid 300e for previously for a root canal treatment. Whammy.

Next up: Implants – double whammy.

Unless I go for a dental plate. Great.

This post suddenly took a dark turn… time to get off here and do something useful. Maybe wash a dish or two. Maybe water the plants and fight the mosquitos. Maybe just lie on the couch and watch Netflix or Stremio.

Hey, now there’s a funner topic! What have you been watching?

Since I disappeared from blogland, I’ve watched a ton of stuff. I watched all of Chicago Fire till I ran out of episodes, and I have all of Chicago PD and Chicago Med on a hard drive thanks to a friend, so I have weeks and weeks of viewing ahead!

I watched Better Call Saul.

Misfits (an english series about people with odd powers).

I got caught up with Greys Anatomy and the Good Doctor. And the Walking Dead.

I’m currently watching Russian Doll, and started watching House of the Dragon.

Next will be the Umbrella Academy series 3.

I tried The Imperfects, but I’m not sure I like it.

See? I do stuff!

finally, a bit of time to make art

Posted on August 8, 2022 by zefiart

I know I’ve pulled the biggest disappearing act since Harold Holt went for a swim back in 1967… but I’ve had my reasons.

Did I mention I have a new job? Yeah, another summer, another job. But this time its a job that lasts all year round, not just the season. Which is good and bad. Good in that I have an income all year round. Bad in that I can no longer do what I please for the winter. No more galivanting to destinations near and far. No more free time to spend making art while the wind howls outside. No more time in Athens with mom. I have to go to the office every day, 6 days a week.

Yep. Not quite what I dreamed of. I don’t think anyone thinks “Hey, I’ll go live on a greek island and work in an office 6 days a week!” But I have dreams and I need the money. What little of it there is.

So, given the job isn’t going to save me, I’m still grooming. I bit the bullet and registered as a business – which basically costs me more than I make grooming in a year – but at least I am legal now and don’t have to look over my shoulder when I groom. And I can advertise and build up my business. So that one day I can quit my ‘day job’ and concentrate on the things I love: dogs and art.

I dream of a house with a studio on our land in a quiet area near the beach, where I can work with dogs and make art and make stuff and upcycle stuff and remake furniture and do whatever the heck I want to do in my own time far from the noise of the busy road and the obnoxious neighbours who have no respect for other people who may have to work the next day or whatever.

Remind me to tell you how much fun they are.

Its been a crazy summer. Working in for a real estate agency has been quite educational. I now hear someone mention a 250,000 euro budget for a house and laugh. I can’t help myself. Prices have gone so high that we have next to nothing (or at least nothing you would want to live in) for that much any more.

Sure, compared to other countries, we might still be cheap, but you don’t get much at the low to mid range any more. I’m so lucky I bought when I did. I’d be living under a bush on a blanket with Lainee if I hadn’t.

Rentals are an endangered species. It was already bad when I got here 3.5 years ago, now its impossible. Owners want to rent everything as an air bnb and no one wants to rent their property on a yearly basis. People are desperate to find somewhere to live that they can actually live in 12 months a year – not to move in in September and leave in June. Its ridiculous.

Anyway, I’ll get to a lot of that stuff in later posts. I have a ton of thoughts, criticisms, observations, social comments and other goodies to share.

For now I just wanted to show a sign of life to start with and share a couple of marble pieces made while my brother was visiting. Did I mention he came to visit from Australia? No, I didn’t cause I was in my disappeared mode at the time. Work, grooming, a visitor and the beach. How much more could I possibly do?

Turns out, I could do a few bits of marble. Not the best photos, but the are what they are. They are gone now – gifted.

After Peter left I went into a couch potato mode for almost a whole month. All I did was work/groom/eat/watch Netflix. Thats it. Oh, and go for a swim, water the plants and do the occasional load of washing. Having one of the hottest Augusts in living memory didn’t help.

Now, I feel rested and the weather cooled down a bit (though it will apparently heat up again) and I’ve got the itch. I’ve started painting again and suddenly I can’t wait to get home to get stuck into it.

Which is great!!!

Anyhow, its nice to be back! I’ll be sharing some stuff I’ve done over the last few months, but its not a ton.

a big fish called mitso

Posted on May 1, 2022 by zefiart

Finally. My big fish is finished!

I began this guy back in the first lockdown but got sidetracked with other projects. He did take a long time to make, but it didn’t have to be two years!

He began as bits of scrunched up newspaper, lots of masking tape and cardboard. Then came home-made paper pulp (with drying time) and air dry clay (more drying time). Then came the paint (yet more drying time). Then came the seaweed scales which meant collecting seaweed from the beach, washing it, drying it (still more drying time), cutting it into scale size and finally gluing them on one at a time with hot glue (at the cost of a few fingerprints).

Lastly came the base.

That was a hard one. Originally I wanted him on a block of wood but didn’t have anything suitable. Then I decided to hang him on the wall where he spent a while, not looking quite right.

Then one day while walking Lainee on the beach, I found the perfect piece of driftwood! Complete with nails and bits of paint. Perfect.

(Lesson 1: walk Lainee on the beach more often. Lesson 2: never leave behind anything which might come in useful one day.)

I already had some rusty bits of rebar (I mean, who doesn’t?) which became the official fish ‘holder uppers’. A bit of drilling, a bit more gluing et voila! Done.

I’m calling him ‘Mitso’. A good greek name. Mitso the fish is now sitting in Cecelia’s Art Gallery in Parikia, along with some of my painted marble. He’s waiting for his forever home if anyone is interested!

I must say, I feel a sense of accomplishment having finally finished him and moved him off my kitchen table!

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life drawing – the early years – pt 2

Posted on December 19, 2021 by zefiart

Well, there you have it. Young Zefi, budding artist.

Meanwhile life continues. Packing, more packing, sorting and buying a new ladder. Then tomorrow, more packing!

life drawing – the early years – pt 1

Posted on December 19, 2021 by zefiart

Continuing along the lines of sharing my old drawings, here is some work from high school art class… complete with bell bottoms galore!

Again, blown away by my sense of proportion and the sure-ness of my strokes.

Sometimes I can’t believe things come out of my own hand, but seeing these really has impressed me, even if I do say so myself!

I’ve had to split this post into two as I was having trouble uploading. Part 2 is on the way.

i was an artist from way back – the early years

Posted on December 18, 2021 by zefiart

While sorting the chests and boxes upstairs in the laundry I discovered a stack of old sketchbooks and drawings from my childhood and teens.

Some of the stuff is very childish obviously, but what amazes me, looking at them now, is how I had such a great sense of proportion even as a 10-11 year old.

Here are some of the drawings from the age of 10 to about 13. I had a thing for fashion (thank you Betty and Veronica), horses and dogs (surprise surprise!)

Pitsos was the donkey who delivered fresh vegies on Paros.

Then there were the Holly Hobby years, when I sketched little girls everywhere and made hand painted cards for Christmas…. (I was also very much into letter writing back then.)

Here are some later drawings. Some were obviously home projects, others ‘en plein air’ and still others copying from magazines or whatever else took my fancy.