Saturday, December 30, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
Holiday Sale
As many of you who follow me know...
I spend alot of time in my studio painting, collaging, or assembling art...
sometimes all three at once.
I have a studio FULL of art!
I feel very blessed with what I get to do everyday for a living.
If you have someone(s) on your shopping list who enjoys and appreciates art,
I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop through December 1st...
20% off any purchase over $50.
I'll even gift wrap it for free if you message me in your purchase.
Use link below and coupon code HOLIDAY2017 at check out.
Have a Wonderfully Artful Holiday Season
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Layers Of Light...
Pure enjoyment...
in the art class I've been taking for the last week or so online.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Faux Enchaustic
This weeks inspiration in my studio
came from my anticipation of an online class I'm starting next week from
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Website Woes...
After coming home from a nice trip on the road...a great road trip...
I thought,
"I have a little extra time, good time to refresh my website and
add pieces to my Etsy shop...long overdue.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Sally’s Story
Labels:
1940's,
camper,
camping,
custom paint job,
galley,
hankies,
journey,
rebuilt,
renovations,
repairs,
restoration,
teardrop trailer,
travel,
updated look,
vintage campers,
vintage trailers
Saturday, July 1, 2017
70-day Challenge, Part 2
Half time check-in…
Remember that 70-day Van Gogh art challenge I started back in May?
Well, I’m 38 days in, and going strong! Here’s an update on my progress.
#31 "Stick" (assemblage) |
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Dining Room Re-do
Hello Chalk Paint, My Old Friend…
A lot of my painting jobs involve re-inventing old furniture, and chalk paint is one of my favorite ways to do it.
Curated Home and Lifestyle commissioned me to do this furniture makeover to freshen up a dining room.
All it took was a couple coats of chalk paint to completely transform the look!
Labels:
American Paint Company,
chalk paint,
commission,
custom paint job,
decorative painting,
dining room,
furniture painting,
mirror,
painting,
painting process,
table,
texture,
updated look
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Repeat Customer
Labels:
Asian,
clients,
commissions,
crest,
custom art,
custom made,
decorative arts,
dogs,
faux bois,
folding screen,
good light,
metallic paint,
Modello Designs,
painting,
Shou symbol,
stencils,
vacation home
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Different Strokes
It’s all Relative
Occasionally a client will ask me to paint a portrait of a special family member, and they’re usually really hairy with bad breath and four-legs. Luckily, some of my best friends fit that description!
As it happens, I’m working on pet portrait commissions for two different clients right now.
My sister Pia Ledy, also a lifelong creative professional, is an accomplished oil painter too. Pet portraits are one of her specialties.
Though we didn’t start out doing art together, she and I have each been painting for years, and we came to pet portraiture completely independently of one another. It must be in our blood. (You didn’t know there was a gene for painting dogs?)
Look how two artists with very different styles can paint the same subject matter with wildly divergent results!
The black Lab on the left is Arrow, painted by me.
The Lab on the right is Genny, painted by Pia.
My style is quick and loose, with visible brush strokes.
Her style is photo-realist, precise, and rich in detail.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
The Van Gogh Challenge
70 Card Pickup, Anyone?
My Instagram and Facebook followers have had a taste of this already, but here’s the full scoop.
I’m doing an online 70 day Art Challenge hosted by mixed-media artist Kelly Hoernig.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
The Barn
Labels:
altered Altoid tins,
antique,
assemblage art,
barn,
booth,
collage art,
flea market,
found objects,
holiday,
Joseph Cornell,
Julian,
mixed media art,
shadowbox,
travel,
vintage flea markets,
weekend
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Saturday, May 6, 2017
I’m on vacation, but my blog isn't!
Aloha!
As some of my Instagram followers may have noticed, I am in Hawaii right now, soaking up the sweet tropical sun and hoping for an up-close encounter with my favorite marine life,
sea turtles!
Not to worry, there is plenty happening on the Denise Cerro Studios blog in my absence.
For the two weeks while I am gone, I will have a surprise guest blogger filling in!
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Market Prep
Come join me this Sunday in Historic Downtown Vista!
This curated Marketplace will be devoted to offering Vendors and Shoppers a place to celebrate all things old, new, and re-imagined!
Antique & Vintage wares will be abundant, alongside hand-crafted items from local artisans.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Making Connections
Labels:
antique,
assemblage,
cash register,
community,
connections,
drawers,
flea market,
found objects,
Instagram,
Joseph Cornell,
Julian,
LilwoodsVintage,
shout-out,
vendors,
vintage flea markets
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Who Inspires Me
Labels:
alcohol inks,
assemblage art,
assemblage artist,
boxes,
collage,
found objects,
inspiration,
mentor,
mixed media artist,
pages,
picture frames,
process,
shadowbox,
tutorials,
videos
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Altered Book Workshop
Creative expression... by the book.
I recently had the pleasure of participating in another art workshop at the California Center For Creative Renewal. (You may remember the collage workshop I did there back in January.)
This one was about altered books: using an entire book as the foundation for a series of page-turning collages.
Labels:
altered books,
artist studio,
books,
collage,
creative space,
creativity,
decorative paper,
Encinitas artist,
gel medium,
glue,
inspiration,
layers,
mixed media,
reuse,
washi tape,
windows,
workshops
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Creative Block
Some advice for getting unstuck
I love my new studio space, though am finding it very important to get out of it and hit the refresh button.
Creative Blocks |
Has this ever happened to you?
After weeks of productivity, I found that I was starting many projects, but struggling to finish them.
And my work space got more and more cluttered with half-finished work.
Soon, it got even harder to focus and prioritize.
After weeks of productivity, I found that I was starting many projects, but struggling to finish them.
And my work space got more and more cluttered with half-finished work.
Soon, it got even harder to focus and prioritize.
I’m always inspired by the works I see on Instagram, and even more so chatting up other artists and getting to know them via the internet.
I sent out a call for help to my Instagram friends for advice:
What do you do when you are creatively stuck?
What do you do when you are creatively stuck?
Here are some of the words of wisdom I received.
All Instagram photos used with permission.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Jennifer / @jenakkermans
Jennifer's Advice: Get out and look at art,
lock yourself out of your studio and put a time frame on it,
so when you get back in you are ready to create!
_______________________________________________
Linda / @ArtByLindaB
Linda's Advice: Take a long, long walk and blame the full moon for any restlessness.
_______________________________________________
Amy / @amywillcut
Amy's Advice: Being out in nature is a great reboot.
_______________________________________________
Wokie/ @wokieclarkfraser
Wokie's Advice: Get out and do something cultural, like a dance class or a play.
_______________________________________________
Kerry / @hereachickthereachick
Kerry's Advice: Move on to something different, pick through boxes of forgotten things.
_______________________________________________
I sense a theme here: stop trying to force the art to happen, take a break, and get a change of scenery.
So that’s exactly what I did. I got out of my studio and out of my head.
I went out for the day, and it was so good to get out!
I went out for the day, and it was so good to get out!
A simple errand drew itself out into an entire afternoon as I began to relax and enjoy the break.
Then, as if the universe decided to reinforce the point, this little jaunt out of the house led me to an unexpected opportunity to promote my assemblage art!
Then, as if the universe decided to reinforce the point, this little jaunt out of the house led me to an unexpected opportunity to promote my assemblage art!
By days end, I had rented a small display space to show my work!
There’s nothing like a new gig to get you moving!
My new display wall at Urban Barn! Soon to be filled with my original assemblage art. |
and to even get started on a few new pieces.
These unfinished iPhone box assemblages were sitting on my workbench for over a month. Once I got home, they were finished within the hour! |
I now have a great store of advice that I can turn to the next time I find myself cluttered and unfocussed in the studio.
5 things that are working for me right now…
Look at creative block as growth
Consider this: "I'm not running out of ideas, just trying to push myself into better ones.”
(Mike McQuade, Graphic Designer and Illustrator)
Consider this: "I'm not running out of ideas, just trying to push myself into better ones.”
(Mike McQuade, Graphic Designer and Illustrator)
Don't browbeat yourself
When you're in the necessary in-between times, that's when most creativity gets its start.
A lot of thinking time is crucial, and it happens where you can't see it.
(Douglas Rushkoff, Writer)
When you're in the necessary in-between times, that's when most creativity gets its start.
A lot of thinking time is crucial, and it happens where you can't see it.
(Douglas Rushkoff, Writer)
Don't be afraid to step away
Take a break and come back to it with a clear head.
Take a break and come back to it with a clear head.
Grab some "You Time"
Working on too many projects at once can stifle your creativity.
If you're feeling burned out, take some time to yourself and turn everything off for a couple of days.
That’s right. Get off the dang Internet!
If you're feeling burned out, take some time to yourself and turn everything off for a couple of days.
That’s right. Get off the dang Internet!
Get out and walk
Try a brisk walk with head phones and energetic music.
I like Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” right now, a real mood lifter.
Try a brisk walk with head phones and energetic music.
I like Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” right now, a real mood lifter.
_______________________________________________
Do you ever get stuck in a creative rut?
How have you found your way out?
Do you ever ask creative friends for help?
How have you found your way out?
Do you ever ask creative friends for help?
Share what works for you in the comments!
We all need a little advice once in a while.
We all need a little advice once in a while.
A big heartfelt Thank You to my Instagram friends who helped me out!
I couldn’t have escaped the creative block without your expert advice!
Labels:
advice,
assemblage art,
block,
break,
creative block,
creative space,
creativity,
daily practice,
help,
inspiration,
Instagram,
mixed media art,
productivity,
stencils,
work bench,
work space
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