Featured Artist Sally Walsh

Sillier Than Sally (aka Sally Walsh) has embraced the medium of watercolor with all its “unruliness” to create wonderfully fun, lively and colorful pieces of art. Enjoy more of her work by visiting her website.

 

“Australian Barn Owl” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Australian Barn Owl” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm

 

Art for me is a gorgeous opportunity to touch and awaken another person’s soul with wonder, warmth, colour and awe; to in turn spark a smile and to remind us all of our own infinite potential.

 

“All A Flutter” Watercolour, 25cm x 35cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“All A Flutter” Watercolour, 25cm x 35cm

 

A Romance Story: A girl and her watercolours…

 

“Family (Rainbow Bee Eaters)” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Family (Rainbow Bee Eaters)” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm

 

I have always been a mixed media girl at heart. Actually I think it’s a bit more than that — my love of art, art supplies and new art techniques is like a colourful beast that needs constant feeding! Mixed media is like a wonderland, there is always something new to discover, a new art supply to buy (my poor wallet), a way to add history by incorporating vintage papers, or a new way to use your existing supplies discovered by exploration or by combining fun techniques.

 

“Peaches & Cream” Watercolour, 25cm x 35cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Peaches & Cream” Watercolour, 25cm x 35cm

 

Recently, I have been on a mad watercolour craze. I have completely and wholeheartedly embraced the medium, one that I had actually snubbed for years maybe because the drying time annoyed me, and the fact that watercolours are so darn unruly. (Fun tips I have learnt along the way: a heat gun can help out with the drying time, and just jump onboard the unruly watercolour train–go with it.)

 

“Hummingbird’s Flight” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Hummingbird’s Flight” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm

 

Watercolour is a medium that continues to surprise and delight me, and I’ve found if you embrace “happy mistakes,” then watercolours can be your best friend!

 

“In The Shallows” Watercolour, 25cm x 35cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“In The Shallows” Watercolour, 25cm x 35cm

 

Letting go of control and working hand in hand with watercolours rather than trying to control them (as you do with acrylics) was for me, let’s say “A bit of a challenge!” Once that breakthrough happened and I learnt to embrace the overall flow and blotchy awesomeness that is watercolour, I found a lively, fun, colourful and dramatic style emerge.

 

“Tea Time (Eastern Yellow Robin)” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Tea Time (Eastern Yellow Robin)” Watercolour, 21cm x 21cm

 

To really kick this up a notch I set myself a “30 Days of Watercolour Challenge” at the end of last year. This saw me rise at four a.m. daily to bring to life a series of whimsical birds, flowers, animals and ethereal girls. I posted my paintings on my Sillier Than Sally Facebook page daily at eight a.m. My eagerly awaiting friends, collectors and fans went absolutely mental over them (to my absolute delight) and snapped them up them in seconds!

 

Commission portrait. Acrylic, Charcoal, Spray Paint and Collaged Vintage Paper, 70cm x 70cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

Commission portrait. Acrylic, Charcoal, Spray Paint and Collaged Vintage Paper, 70cm x 70cm

 

Having a crew of awesome and supportive online friends (new and old) to cheer me on really kept me going, especially through the sleep deprived days. The response to my art was so lovely, it made my heart glow. Also, starting your day off painting just makes the soul sing!

 

“Light Leaks Through the Cracks” Acrylic, Charcoal, Spray Paint and Collaged Vintage Paper, 30cm x 30cm by artist Sally Walsh. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Light Leaks Through the Cracks” Acrylic, Charcoal, Spray Paint and Collaged Vintage Paper, 30cm x 30cm

 

Over the years, I’ve noticed certain inspirations shine through my art, no matter what the medium–a love of nature, a crazy insane love of animals, the fantastic female form in all its glorious ways (and let’s face it ladies–we are awesome!), dramatic, bold colours and collaged vintage papers and memorabilia.

 

Sally Walsh (aka: Sillier Than Sally) creating mixed media art in her studio. See her portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

Sally Walsh (aka: Sillier Than Sally) creating mixed media art in her studio

 

As my love for mixed media is still as strong as ever, I am thinking my next “30 Days Challenge” will be a mixed media one. I am sure it will make for some interesting mornings and certainly some interesting art works. I wonder what new breakthroughs are in store for me….

 

Artist Sally Walsh invites you to follow her on Facebook.

 

 

Comments

  1. Wow Sally! Really stunning watercolor work.

  2. What a great and fun story along with beautiful art work. Well done!

  3. Your style is marvellous.

  4. Magic!

  5. Sally designed my book cover and I still get comments about it all the time. Her work is amazing!

  6. Hi Sally,

    I love your watercolor paintings…I love the playful splotches that surround and compliment (not distract from) the subject!
    Your love of nature shines through!

  7. Wow,..really cool work. Well done.

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