close-up of a mixed media art piece
shawn petite
Tend the garden of your life mixed media 2-13-22
Posted Feb 13, 2022
5 Comments

This piece didn’t go as I had planned, I wanted it to be grungier, but I just followed where it was going and I’m glad I did.

Once I got the initial gesso layer on to push back the papers, it looked like a misty morning in the garden. And I loved it.

I used a poem from “All along you were blooming” by Morgan Harper Nichols. I didn’t use the exact quote, I changed it to fit me and where I’m at right now.

I find that I can let a lot of weeds into my life that steal my gratitude and joy and I forget just how beautiful the garden of my life can be.

So I used parts of the quote to create some change and meaning and of course this piece, and I love it!

I’ll share all about it in the video.

I hope you enjoy the project and always know that you are loved!

 

Supplies used:

  1. 10 x10 cradle board
  2. Utrecht gesso
  3. Liquitex fluid matte medium and matte gel
  4. Winsor and Newton acrylic – raw umber and opera rose
  5. Soho acrylic – red ochre, olive green, rose madder
  6. Golden high flow acrylic – raw sienna
  7. Tissue paper and rice paper to print my vines
  8. Generals charcoal pencil, Black soft pastel
  9. Palette knife

Stencils used: These will be on sale this week

  1. Vintage Wallpaper 2
  2. Scribbly Vines
  3. Scribbly Leaves

These are the collage paks used this week – They will be on sale

  1. Wildflower Sketches 2–(printed version) and (instant download)
  2. Vintage Paper–(printed verson) and (instant download)

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Posted Feb 13, 2022
Headshot photo of artist

Hello there! I’m Shawn Petite

I’ve been teaching and creating for well over 25 years. About 15 years ago I found my art soul mate in mixed media, and it changed my life! I love the story that can be told by combining paint, texture, ink, paper and—really anything that you can imagine.

But what I’m truly passionate about is being your guide, walking with you step by step and helping you become your own hero in your creative journey.

Along my path, I’ve learned that the creating art also creates a healing space. Life can be messy and complicated and painful, but something about a paint brush can help heal your soul. I believe—no, I know—you are worthy of love, and I want to teach you to know that about yourself. Join me on this journey of art and inspiration!

5 Comments

  1. Evelyne Wasselin

    I love it !! The colors are so spring and the opened window is just like we wanted to see all this beauty inside ourselves.
    Thanks for sharing your work.
    Love
    Evelyne

    Reply
  2. Cassia

    So lovely and peaceful! I really love this piece. It’s yay calming. I love gardening and nature. Gods way of showing us his love.

    Reply
    • Shawn

      Cassia, thanks so much! I’m so glad it spoke to you! Thanks for sharing this journey with me!

      Reply
  3. Maria Mar

    Shawn, guess what? It is SOFT!!!

    This was beautiful and powerful and I appreciate always that you share from a place of empowered vulnerability, which is a place of feminine power.

    As a shaman, I find myself often looking through that grungy window, from inside the “ordinary” world that most people see. And we see the world based on the window from which we look, don’t we? ):

    So from this window, we get drown on the bad news from the “bad world” trance that is sold in the news. From that window we see only the negative (with the brain’s negative bias for our protection). From that window we see a world in turmoil and conflict, polarization, social injustice, lies and greed.

    And this world exists.

    But I have learned that in an instant this world shifts to show its sacredness and beauty… if we change the window from which we are looking from. If we start looking from a place of appreciation. If we remember or look for those who are bravely transforming that world with harmony, beauty (you are one of those), non-violent alternatives, honesty and integrity and generosity and reciprocity.

    Looking from that window we appreciate the value these people bring. We are moved to be part of the solution and not give up, keep complaining or stay in the negative trance –which would make us part of the problem.

    Looking from that new window, where we saw just chaos, conflict and evil we now see that we are flushing out the shadows within our collective being that were invisible so that in seeing them we can heal them.

    Looking from that window we then begin to see our place, our contribution and how it can make a difference.

    And from that window we are no longer the victims but the authors of our life and the co-creators of our world.

    In this art, I love the contrast between the window and the magical, luminous leaves because in one image it shows a shift of perception. It allows us to change windows emotionally and psychically, even if we are physically in the same place.

    Thank you for your art, your inspiration, your courage to be vulnerable and share it and your love. You are one of the key inspirers in my life right now.

    Blessings. May your days be filled with the beauty you share, the love you give and the harmony you are.

    Reply
  4. Debbie F

    Beautiful! Love the colors; the ethereal feel; and how the brown adds a touch of earth/grounding. The white “dots” around the window really add to the whole look/feel. Thank you, Shawn

    Reply

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