I’ve been working on a new series of mixed media acrylic paintings, which I call the “Dragons” series. In my sketchbook, I had this noted as a completely abstract series. Sometimes things evolve a bit from the initial concept though!

I have a lot of just notes and quick, rough sketches in my sketchbook, rather than “good” art. I’m not all that fond of sketching and drawing, really. Perhaps I’ll do a post about my sketchbook sometime, so you can see my thought process. Just remember, there’s no ‘wrong way’ to use a sketchbook! If it works for you, that’s all that matters.

I currently have 8 dragons planned. They’re all 8” x 10” portrait-orientation pieces on canvas that combine acrylic painting with various other materials. I’m about 2/3 of the way through the series, though it’s slow going at times for some reason. None of the pieces is completely finished either. I haven’t quite figured out what to do with the eyes…

So, I suppose this is more of a sneak peek, work-in-progress post. I’ll have to update you when again they’re actually finished.

But I’m not about to leave you hanging! Here are some of the Dragons:

This is the Water Dragon.

He uses some of that shredded plastic stuff that people use in gift bags. I think some of it is also Easter grass, from Easter baskets. I’m not entirely sure… I found it on the ground in the neighborhood. I was ‘inspired’ by my Inspired Art piece that I told you about here, so I’ve been continuing to collect some of the interesting trash I find on my walks. I also used glass seed beads for texture. I quite like the look, so I’m planning on incorporating beads into all the Dragons.

Another Dragon I’ve been working on is the Shadow Dragon.

He uses pieces of purple ribbon and a grey velvet fabric that used to be part of a hair scrunchie.

Here is the Song Dragon.

I used sheet music that I printed out and then tore into pieces, much like my torn paper collages. I used Golden Acrylic Soft Gel Medium as an adhesive. There are also pieces of reflective/metallic plastic strips (more of that shredded gift bag stuff, I think).

Forest Dragon is a little different.

He uses pieces of lichen-covered bark and some dried mushroom stuff that is supposed to be ‘vase filler.’ I think it works much better here! The horns are actually three-dimensional, made with Golden Light Molding Paste, which I also used to build up a base to hold the mushroom piece, so it’s firmly attached and well-supported.

The Fire Dragon and Ice Dragon are in the very early stages, so I’m not going to show them just yet. I call it the “Ugly Duckling” stage for a reason! I haven’t really started on the Wind Dragon or the Lightning Dragon. They’re sketched out onto canvas, awaiting my attention…

I’m considering still doing a fully abstract dragon series. There’s no reason I can’t have more than one, right?

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