Tag Archives: #artist

A Christmas Carol Murder (A Dickens of a Crime) by Heather Redmond

Posted on by
Reply

Book Spotlight: This story sounds fascinating! I love a good mystery. Love the cover! Keeping a sharp eye on this one. -Stephanie Hopkins

The latest novel from Heather Redmond’s acclaimed mystery series finds young Charles Dickens suspecting a miser of pushing his partner out a window, but his fiancée Kate Hogarth takes a more charitable view of the old man’s innocence . . .
 
London, December 1835: Charles and Kate are out with friends and family for a chilly night of caroling and good cheer. But their blood truly runs cold when their singing is interrupted by a body plummeting from an upper window of a house. They soon learn the dead man at their feet, his neck strangely wrapped in chains, is Jacob Harley, the business partner of the resident of the house, an unpleasant codger who owns a counting house, one Emmanuel Screws.
 
Ever the journalist, Charles dedicates himself to discovering who’s behind the diabolical defenestration. But before he can investigate further, Harley’s corpse is stolen. Following that, Charles is visited in his quarters by what appears to be Harley’s ghost—or is it merely Charles’s overwrought imagination? He continues to suspect Emmanuel, the same penurious penny pincher who denied his father a loan years ago, but Kate insists the old man is too weak to heave a body out a window. Their mutual affection and admiration can accommodate a difference of opinion, but matters are complicated by the unexpected arrival of an infant orphan. Charles must find the child a home while solving a murder, to ensure that the next one in chains is the guilty party . . .

Index Card Challenge: Part 14

Posted on by
1
  • Day 92
    Day 92

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020 is going by so fast! Today, I’m sharing part 14 of this challenge which entails days 88-95. This challenge is just about completed!

Most of the materials I am using for these cards are my painted collage papers I make on a regular basis. I’m also using magazine clippings and images from old books for collage. As well as Tim Holtz and other artists ephemera you can purchase online or at craft stores.  Many of these cards will be used for my 2021 Journals. Others I want to either frame for make another art piece out of them using the collage method.

The images with three cards (Day 92) was a special series I painted inspired on a morning stroll from the previous day. I had taken lots of photos of landscapes, beautiful shrubbery and wanted to use colors I saw depicting our walk. The colors are so vibrant! Really pleased how they turned out and they have given me inspiration for other art pieces. They would look fantastic in frames!

There are several challenge days you can choose for this challenge and I chose 100 days. Check out Part 13 post in this challenge HERE, where I include more details of this art adventure.

Be sure to follow and check out more of my art at my Instagram!

Stephanie Hopkins

Images may be subjected to copyright. In order to use art images or any content on Layered Pages platform, please ask permission from Stephanie Hopkins

Art in Motion

Posted on by
1

This post is the first in a series that will explore confidence in your art, expectations, encouragement and finding your style in creating your own master piece.  Today I’m discussing about when you get stuck on a piece and you’re not sure how break down that barrier.

Don’t force the process. If you’re not feeling it, take a step back and examine what you’ve created thus far. Or come back to your piece at a later time. You’ll be amazed when stepping back builds your self confidence in what you are creating. People tend to give up too easily and throw out their art piece and give up. Don’t fall into that trap.

When you come back to it, put aside expectations and enjoy the journey of each layer you add to your art. Be in the present of mind and never doubt the outcome. You’ll learn and grow with each piece of art you create. -Stephanie Hopkins

Other Related Post Link:

What Are Warn and Cool Colors?

Abstract Impressionism

Posted on by
Reply

My latest pieces will feature some of the influences of Abstract Impressionism. My fascination for layers, texture and the depth come from this form of art from many artists I have studied over the years. No only that, but from patterns and colors I observe in nature and how they coincide with each other. Later on, I will be discussing further about my interest in the medium, the artists that inspire me and when I first discovered my passion for Abstract Impressionism.

This past Thursday, Georgia had a wicked storm come through and over a million people were out of power. Of course, that was the day I had planned on starting new art pieces. The lighting was poor in my art area so I eventually moved my panels to the kitchen island. I am working with Birch and MDF Boards and I have begun the first layers of three and prepping the others with Gesso. The third piece is not shown in these pictures. Have a blessed weekend! -Stephanie Hopkins

The definition of Abstract Impressionism according to Wikipedia: “Is an art movement that originated in New York City, in the 1940’s.  It involves the painting of a subject such as real-life scenes, objects, or people (portraits) in an Impressionist-style, but with an emphasis on varying measures of abstraction. The paintings are often painted en plein air, an artistic style involving painting outside with the landscape directly in front of the artist. The movement works delicately between the lines of pure abstraction (the extent of which varies greatly) and the allowance of an impression of reality in the painting.”

Be sure to follow and check out more of my art at my Instagram!

Images may be subjected to copyright. In order to use art images or any content on Layered Pages platform, please ask permission from Stephanie Hopkins

What Are Warm and Cool Colors?

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve had several people ask me about how I blend my colors without the colors coming out muddy. That is an excellent question. Three things to remember: Know which colors are warm colors and cool colors. Know which colors not to blend together at the same time. Allow drying time between the layers of warm and cool colors. I recommend downloading or purchasing a color wheel as a guide.

Often times I get asked what is my favorite color. Asking a painter or crafter what their favorite color is, is like asking a book worm what their favorite book is. There usually isn’t just one favorite color or book. If we broke it down to cool and warm colors, I would have to say that currently Magenta and Lake Blue are the colors of choice for a few of my current projects. Having said. Lately I have been working a lot with Blues, and Greens. They represent Earth, Ocean and Sky.

If you’re unsure about what colors you want to start painting with, a good idea is to go for a walk and observe the colors around you. What colors are your eyes drawn to? If you are not able to go out-doors, pick up a magazine or look at your surroundings and observe the colors. Soon you will begin to notice depth and patterns for inspiration.

What are cool colors?

Greens, Blues, and Purples are considered cool colors with variations. Blue is the only primary color in the cool category.

What are warm colors?

Reds, Oranges and Yellows are considered warm colors. Red and Yellow are primary colors.

Once you learn how they react to each other, you will be able to create wonderful depth with the colors.

When working with colors-especially acrylic paint-it is always best to have White paint on hand. If the color you are working with is too vibrant-like an Orange color-you can add a little white to it to soften the hue.

In the near future, I will talk about neutral colors.

Be sure to follow and check out more content at my Instagram!

Have a beautiful, creative weekend!

Stephanie Hopkins

Index Card Challenge: Part 13

Posted on by
1

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020 is going by so fast! Today, I’m sharing part 13 of this challenge which entails days 81-87.

Most of the materials I am using for these cards are my painted collage papers I make on a regular basis. I’m also using magazine clippings and images from old books for collage. As well as Tim Holtz and other artists ephemera you can purchase online or at craft stores.  Many of these cards will be used for my 2021 Journals. Others I want to either frame for make another art piece out of them using the collage method.

There are several challenge days you can choose for this challenge and I chose 100 days. Check out Part 12 post in this challenge HERE, where I include more details of this art adventure.

Be sure to follow and check out more of my art at my Instagram!

Stephanie Hopkins

Images may be subjected to copyright. In order to use art images or any content on Layered Pages platform, please ask permission from Stephanie Hopkins

Dream Builder

Posted on by
Reply

“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing.  Making your unknown known is the important thing.” – Georgia O’Keeffe

You want to create art with paints and all sorts of mediums but you don’t know where to begin or you’re afraid that you’ll mess up? Guess what? You can’t mess up. Create what you love. Below are some tips on how to leave that self-doubt in the dust.

Tips to create:

Don’t think too much about it.
Learn by experimenting.
Don’t pay attention to what others think.
Validation comes from within.
Get messy.
Tear into your paper.
Lose all self-doubt.
Free your mind.
Have fun.
You got this!

Next week I will be talking a little about colors.

Be sure to follow and check out more of my art at my Instagram!

Stephanie Hopkins

Images may be subjected to copyright. In order to use art images or any content on Layered Pages platform, please ask permission from Stephanie Hopkins

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020: Part 12

Posted on by
1

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020 is going by so fast! Today, I’m sharing part 12 of this challenge which entails days 76-80.

Most of the materials I am using for these cards are my painted collage papers I make on a regular basis. I’m also using magazine clippings and images from old books for collage. As well as Tim Holtz and other artists ephemera you can purchase online or at craft stores.  Many of these cards will be used for my 2021 Journals. Others I want to either frame for make another art piece out of them using the collage method.

There are several challenge days you can choose for this challenge and I chose 100 days. Check out Part 11 post in this challenge HERE, where I include more details of this art adventure.

Be sure to follow and check out more of my art at my Instagram!

Stephanie Hopkins

Images may be subjected to copyright. In order to use art images or any content on Layered Pages platform, please ask permission from Stephanie Hopkins

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020: Part 11

Posted on by
1

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020 is getting closer to the finish line! Today, I’m sharing part 11 of this challenge which entails day 68-75. On two of the cards you can see that I did some hand stitching. I find sewing on paper soothing as I do with fabric. The act forces you to slow down and be completely in the present.

Most of the materials I am using for these cards are my painted collage papers I make on a regular basis. I’m also using magazine clippings and images from old books for collage. As well as Tim Holtz and other artists ephemera you can purchase online or at craft stores.  Many of these cards will be used for my 2021 Journals. Others I want to either frame for make another art piece out of them using the collage method.

There are several challenge days you can choose for this challenge and I chose 100 days. Check out Part 10 post in this challenge HERE, where I include more details of this art adventure.

Be sure to follow and check out more of my art at my Instagram!

Stephanie Hopkins

Images may be subjected to copyright. In order to use art images or any content on Layered Pages platform, please ask permission from Stephanie Hopkins

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020: Part 10

Posted on by
1

The Index Card Art Challenge 2020 is still going strong! Today I’m sharing part 10 of this challenge which entails day 61-67. Most of the materials I am using for these cards are my painted collage papers I make on a regular basis. I’m also using magazine clippings and images from old books for collage. As well as Tim Holtz and other artists ephemera you can purchase online or at craft stores.  Many of these cards will be used for my 2021 Journals. Others I want to either frame for make another art piece out of them using the collage method.

There are several challenge days you can choose for this challenge and I chose 100 days. Check out Part 9 post in this challenge HERE, where I include more details of this art adventure.

Be sure to follow and check out more of my art at my Instagram!

Stephanie Hopkins

Images may be subjected to copyright. In order to use art images or any content on Layered Pages platform, please ask permission from Stephanie Hopkins