What's for Lunch

I started this painting with a background done in joint compound with imprints of ordinary objects.  I added collage and then decided it looked like a giraffe so I went with that.  The background was a lot of fun to create in this way.

Majestic Beauty

This is a 11 x 14 mixed media piece that was lots of fun to do.  I started with washes and spray painted doilies and it looked so much like branches from a distance that I went with that.  I used tissue paper that I had painted with watercolor on the bottom for a layered look.  I finished off with black acrylic paint which I used to draw the tree.  You can see more at:  http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/terry-honstead.html

"King"

This 11 x 15 mixed media piece is done on paper with many different kinds of papers.  After I put those down, I painted on them and then added modeling paste to an abstract sunflower stencil to represent the mane.  I then painted more and also drew on it to hint at the lion shape on the abstract design.  If you are interested in seeing more, you can do so at http://terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com/ or email me at  honstead@paulbunyan.net

"Look" by Terry Honstead

This 24 x 16 mixed media piece was done starting with joint compound on the support.  I used a roller  on it to add a texture and then waited for it to dry.  I didn't like how bumpy it turned out, so I took a chisel to it and took off the top edges.  It added wonderful light squiggles in the titan buff background.  I then transfered a picture that was taken of a rusty metal ornament on a brick wall.  I used a snake skin for the branch and hornet's nest fiber for the birds nest.  I also added parts of an old piece of lace, a doily, some music, writing, a broken piece of leather, some letters, some pages from and old book, some feathers, and an old dried up leaf.  It was a lot of fun designing this painting.  I was going to put some scrolls on in a couple of places with built up texture, but decided to go with oil based colored pencils instead.

"Angel"

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This is a 16 x 24 mixed media on a board.  I started by putting the texture onto the gessoed board and then used colors that are a stretch for me.  Pinks and purples are not usually found in my work, but this was a challenge and it took me a while to decide where to go with it.  If you are interested in this or in seeing more of my work, it can be found at :  http://terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com

"Journey"

This mixed media 16 x 24 x 1 in. piece is modeled after an old world map.  I wanted it to look like a treasure map and boys who are into pirates would love this!  There is a lot of texture to the background.  If interested you can get prints at:   terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com or contact me at:   honstead@paulbunyan.net

Artist Mentor Grant

Today I started with my new student.  She is a high school girl that wrote a grant (by herself I might add!) so that we could work together for the summer.  She wants to learn some technical things, shading and highlighting with watercolor and acrylic, and showing emotion in her work.  We will also be working with collage.  Today we made collage papers that she will be using in the upcoming paintings.  I thought I would post of few pictures of our time today.

"The Elephant Watches" finished

This 18 x 22 watercolor on 300 lb paper was done in layers using masking and then painting the entire sheet with a watercolor wash and then repeating the process until the very darkest layer is finally done.    When I took of the masking that kept the layers from getting darker, it did pull of some of the color so I did have a lot of painting to do when I thought I would be done.  I also had to lighten the background areas because they were still too dark!  Anyway, I learned a lot and may try this technique again.  Interested parties can see more at my website terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com or email me at
honstead@paulbunyan.net

"The Elephant Watches"

I thought I would post this painting so far.  I am not done yet, but you can see the succession of layers that I did in these.   I only used antwerp blue, permanent rose, quinacridone gold, and cad yellow light to do the whole painting.   I already had several layers done by the first picture.  I drew my picture on and then masked off part of it to stay white.  Then I poured paint on it and let the paint run and mix.  I let this dry and then added another layer of masking.  Then I poured again.  I would say that I had about eight layers before I took all of the masking off.  When I did that, more paint than I had expected came off with it so I had to darken some areas of it again.  The two sides that show the background were too dark so I lightened those area up again.  I still have more to do on this to darken the neck area and possibly try to darken the decorative part under his chin.  I will see.  I hope to finish this soon a it is a lot more work than I thought it would be.  However, I am having a lot of fun with it!

"Eyes In The Window Of Time"

This is one of those paintings where I let the painting show me the way it wanted to go.  I started with geometric shapes that were interlocking and overlapping.  It sat that way for quite some time until I decided that I wanted to use mixed media on it.  Then I had lots of fun painting designs, spraying, stenciling, etc.  I got quite a bit done on it and then hit another block!  Again it sat for quite a while, but then I decided to put a set of eyes and a hint of a face.  That pulled it all together for me and I did some more line work to finish it, and now I feel like it is done.  I am happy with it now and the name says it all.....

"Kinsley" by terry Honstead

This 10" x 15" watercolor is done, I think.  As usual, I am never quite sure when I first finish and will have to look at it for a few days to be sure.  This is my granddaughter.  She is almost a year now, and her mom says, she prefers the toilet paper to roll from the under side!  If you would like to see more of my paintings, you can go to:  terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com or email me at:  honstead@paulbunyan.net.

"Kinsley"

 This piece is started and I kind of hit a block.  I am not sure what else I am going to do on it so it sits in my studio, half done.

I worked on this painting all day yesterday.  It is coming along, but needs a lot more darks.  I haven't even started her clothing yet because I do not know what color I am going to make it.  In the actual picture that I have, her outfit was a really pale pink, but that wouldn't show up so well in the painting.  I am thinking maybe to go with a burgundy or red of some sort.  I also need to put in a lot more darks.

"Pie Anyone?" by Terry Honstead

These two Mixed Media pieces are on 11 x 14 boards.  I came up with the idea for a show we are having in town called "Moods and Foods".  What better to do than a pie in the face?   It was a lot of fun having my daughter pose for the pictures!  And she was a good sport about it as well!  If anyone is interested in seeing more, you can find me at terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com  or email me at honstead@paulbunyan.net

"Summer Blossoms" by Terry Honstead

This is a 40 x 30 mixed media painting that has lots of meaning for me.  Within the painting there is a story of my life.  If you look closely you can see a baby face (mine) in the second flower from the right on the top.  I also have my name, my report card from 3rd grade, and a ferris wheel (because my grandparents were carnival people).  There are other things as well.  If you would like to see more, you can find me at:  terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com  or email me at:  honstead@paulbunyan.net.

"Branchin Out" by Terry Honstead

This 11 x 14  mixed media painting  was done using doilies, spray paint, lace, and lastly negative painting with acrylic paint.  I wanted to give the impression of a tree without actually painting the whole tree.  I wanted the patterns in the doily and lace to become branches as well as where I used negative painting.  I was happy with how this turned out.  If you would like to see more of my work or purchase a print, you can find it at terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com or email me at  honstead@paulbunyan.net.

"Under the Bridge" by Terry Honstead

  

This  17 x 11 Mixed Media on board was done in layers.  I used the same shape as I used for a previous painting, but the background is totally different, giving this painting a whole different feel.  If you would like to see more, you can go to terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com/ or email me at: honstead@paulbunyan.net.

"Summer Greenery" by Terry Honstead

This 16 x 20 is done with mixed media on a cradle board.  I have been trying to get a feeling with just a small range of colors.  Each one is done a little differently.  It can be viewed at terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com or email me at honstead@paulbunyan.net

"Two As One" by Terry Honstead

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This 24 x 18 in painting is on cradle board.  I experimented with my liquid acrylics to make the background and then decided to use torn paper collage for the figures.  I had at first painted them, but was just not happy with the results, so I tried the collage and now it seems as it should be!  If anyone is interested in seeing the previous version or purchasing a print, you can find it at:  terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com or email me at:  honstead@paulbunyan.net

Stone Sculpture

This is not my usual art work but since I took a stone carving class this past week, I thought I should post pics of what I did.  These two sculptures are made from soapstone and were lots of fun to do.  The Mother and Child still needs some sanding, but is close to being finished.  I hope to do more in the future.

"Study in Blue" by Terry Honstead

This is a 24 x 18 mixed media piece that is mostly acrylic.  I added several blues and mixed them with whites and poured and let them mix again on the board.  This was a fun way to start a painting.  When I was satisfied with that, I added darks and whites where I thought it needed.  I was going to add some collage to it at this point, but I liked it too much the way it is now, so I decided to leave it the way it was.  If you would like to see more of my work or purchase a print, you can find them at :  terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com/  or email me at:  honstead@paulbunyan.net.

"He Loves Me" by Terry Honstead

This 11 x 7 painting was done with one that I had started during a class that I was teaching on beginning mixed media.  I played around adding the different shapes to it and when I got that so that I liked it, I decided it needed flowers as well.  When I got the coneflowers painted onto it, I was happy with the result and did not want to ruin it by attempting to add anything else.  I like the simpleness of it.  If you wish to purchase a copy, you can find it on  terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com, or you may email me at:  honstead@paulbunyan.net.

Caricature

Well, I did do my drawing today although it was a hurry up and get it done one.  I had a very busy day and didn't get to my studio to paint until 9:00 even.  So, the drawing came first and then I painted just a short time before I decide it was bedtime.  But I wanted to put this on my blog first so here it is.  Not much, but I did do it anyway!  I didn't get enough done on my painting to post another pic of it.

Progress is being made

I did my caricature today as I said I would.  I can see I will need lots of practice!  I, of course, do have to erase often.  I am hoping that in the future I will be able to use a marker and whip these out!  Hmm!  Some day maybe!  For now, I still struggle along!  I also did some painting on my 50's girls.  It is coming together more and more. It really made a big difference when I added in the yellow dress.  It made the whole painting really pop.  Probably because I had so many dark blue/grays in it.  I am likeing it anyway.  It is surprising how much harder it is when you have to decide on what colors you want to use and not really knowing what it really did look like!  Hope I am coming somewhat close![gallery]

Coming Along

I have been working on my painting of the "50's girls".  I like doing the details so I have been doing some of that along with the stuff that is not as fun!  The windows are pretty boring and probably no one will even notice them if I get them right, but if I don't, they will be pretty obvious to all.  So, that said, I am having lots of fun with this, as well as quite a few challenges since I am working with a black and white photograph!  I can't wait to finish it and see how it turns out!!

Behind Her Back by Terry Honstead

I saw this old photo and just had to paint it.  I am putting all my own colors into it since it was an old black and white photo.  I can just picture the scene in my mind!  That backless dress is quite the "giggle maker"!!!  I am back from vacation and starting to paint again so hopefully I will be posting more often again!

The Prophet by Terry Honstead

I apologize for not posting for a while!  My computer cord was on the fritz so I was without for a while!  And now we are getting ready to go on vacation for a couple of weeks, so just in case I don't get a chance to post again, I will be back right after Easter at the latest!  This still life was fun to do.  I started out not liking how it was looking but the more I got done, the better I liked it.  And what could be better but lace, old books and a candle?   Hope you like it!  If you are looking for more of my paintings, they can be seen at terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com/ and as always I would love to hear from you.  My email is honstead@paulbunyan.net.

Portrait of Max unfinished

I thought I would post this even though there just isn’t much left to do. I need to add some shadows and more to the background. I was afraid that I might make a mess of it, so I thought I had better post it the way it was first! (not always sure I trust myself!!)

Two Grandmas, finished.

I just wanted to post a picture of the final painting.  If you would like more information on it, you can go to Watercolor Artists International Blog.  You could also email me at:  honstead@paulbunyan.net

Two Grandmas

I have been working on this all day even though it doesn't look like it.  I have added about 6 layers of three different quinacridones and a couple of browns.  I finally decided to do some of the darks.  That always makes it so I can see where it is going a little better.  I know you are supposed to do the darks last in watercolor, but you get to feeling like it is a blah painting sometimes and just have to add the darks!  That makes it all seem better somehow!

"Tranquility" by Terry Honstead

Or I think it is finished anyway.  I may decide to add more to it later.  There is one area that I am not real sure about yet.  I will know after a day or two (or three or four!)  Anyway, I think I am done for the time being.  I added more large areas of green to the tree area as well as some more detail.  Also I darkened some of the areas so that the light would be going down the center of the painting with the darker areas on the sides.

Tranquility progressing by Terry Honstead

I have been working on the rocks and water and they are about finished now.  I still need to work on the greenery on the upper part of the painting.  This is taking me a long time, but I hope it will be worth it when it is finished.   This painting is on a full sheet of 300 lb. Arches watercolor paper.

Tranquility getting closer

I think I got the rocks about done now. They have been really difficult, but I think they are ok for now anyway. I will need to do more on the water especailly where the rock shadows are, and I have lots more to do on the leaves, but you can kind of see what this will look like when it’s done now!  I am anxious to finish it!

Tranquility and the Super Bowl!

Well, the Super Bowl was on at our house. I just wasn’t watching it! Everyone else was, but I was painting instead. I am also reading about a diet that I plan on putting the boys on. I imagine in order to do that, we will all have to be on it! No dies or preservatives for starters! Good thing I know how to cook!

Anyway, I darkened the rocks on the left as well as putting a wash of plain water over it to run some of the colors together. I also put the rocks in on the right side, but I still have to do some darkening and smearing there after it dries. But I thought I would post another pic even though the rocks aren’t completed yet.

Beach Combing by Terry Honstead

I wanted to do this painting of my grandson because my mind has been on our upcoming trip to FL.  I can hardly wait and this painting represents everything good about being at the beach!  It is a 5 x 7 and I plan on entering it in the Artists of MN Spring Show for the mini.  If you are interested in this or any of my work you can see more at http://terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com/ or email me at:honstead@paulbunyan.net.