Mar 21 2008
Whacked Out Fish for Art & Soul Retreat
No card tutorial for today. I really needed to work on this fish. I’m off to the Art & Soul Retreat in California in a couple of weeks. Apparently, when you sign up for the retreat they send you a white ceramic fish and you are suppose to alter it and bring it with you for display at the retreat, yikes! Well I altered mine alright, pretty wacky huh?
Anyway, just wanted to share my fish with you. Like I said in a previous post, you all are my friends now and I will share with you the good projects and the bad, lol. It is painted entirely with Alcohol inks. I didn’t even use a paint brush, just dropped the color on and held the fish at different angles to get some of the ink to run. The gold was just dropped on too. Once the fish was colored I decided to stamp the bird on it. I used an unmounted stamp with no mount so I could get the stamp to bend with the fish, KWIM. Since I was using Alcohol inks I was able to use my Prismacolor Blending marker to lift the color off on the bird where I wanted it to be white. I thought that was pretty cleaver of me, lol. I also used the blending marker to make swirls in the blue area. I did add highlights on the bird with a white gel pen, you know I had to use my gel pen, lol.
Well I have to say, my fish will not come out from hiding until I see some of the other fish on display! I’m such a chicken 
I think tomorrow I will be making my calling cards for the retreat, so I will have something on hand to give to folks when they want to swap addresses/e-mails. Of course they will be stamped, so stay tuned.
Hope your projects today come out less wacky than my fish!
Until tomorrow. . . . . . . . . . . .
I think this fish is absolutely beautiful!!! Many other fish will be hiding behind this one!!
That’s not wacky Michelle, but it is distinctive. I love it.
I would say you can confidently show yours off right away!! I so Love what you have done with it, neat coloring!
This is not wacky at all!!! I love it!!! So colorful, and the technique you used is so interesting. I think you should be the first to put your fish on the table.
this is an amazing piece of art - own it! I love how you lifted the ink off the bird and the colors are vibrant and - well, be PROUD of it, Michelle!
michelle i love the fish the crane is awsome i would hang it in my house have fun in cal
You all are so supportive!!! Thank you so very much!
I love your fish. The crane on there is so amazing! You really do come up with such wonderful and creative ideas. Be proud of your work. They are really going to notice this one.
I think the fish came out GREAT! I don’t know why you’re scared to show your fish, I bet you’ll be getting all kinds of “oohs and ahs”–it’s got tons of personality.
I LOVE your fish! With the crane on it, it reminds me of all the Asian quilting fabric that I love so much. Gorgeous! All of the other little fishies will be jealous.
I think you fish is great. If I had just dropped the inks on it really would have been WHACKED OUT. LOL But this is quite stunning.
TFS
Michelle…it’s fabulous!! Don’t keep it in hiding…pull it out first thing you chicken and CROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well - I’d say wacky is wonderful in this case! I think your fish will be a hit and the envy of all! this is really different and different is good!
Have a wonderful time at your retreat - I’m sure you will have lots to share with us upon your return!!
WOw, I am so impressed. Thanks for sharing your fish…it is gorgeous. You need to hold that fish up and announce to everyone that you made it. It really is a wonderful piece!
Girl don’t go hiding your fish under a bushel…you know a play on that old song? Anyway…what I mean to say is that it’s lovely. I may have to go out and buy a ceramic fish to try this. I already have the alcohol inks (thanks to your tutorial).
Happy creating!
Shawn K.
Wow, I think this fish is just AWESOME!!!! You are such an inspiration! I love how you share your little artistic secrets with us - like lifting off alcohol ink your Prismacolor Blender.