AYLI (GDT) CAS or FAF

What an honour, to be asked to GDT for AS YOU LIKE IT challenge!  I was rather bowled over as those girls are a serious bunch of talent.

The theme (and the reason why) is CAS or FAF (Clean And Simple or Fussy And Fancy).  Funny isn't it how we all know what CAS means, but you rarely see anyone use FAF.  I think it is the perfect acronym really, because if I add embellies it is what I end up doing, FAFfing around!

Anyway, here is my style, and of course it is CAS:

Oh you just have to love that bear!

Peek A Bear from CC Designs

Painted entirely in Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Sentiment is by My Favourite Things

And the papers are from my leftovers box

I was asked by AYLI to define why I prefer the clean and simple style to fussy and fancy.  Blimey, I never thought it would be so difficult but this is what I came up with (sorry if it sounds pompous, it wasn't meant to).

Am I an artist?  Technically, no, I can’t draw for toffee, but I am a colourist and, despite opinions to the contrary, this is an art-form in its own right.

I find that there is something magical, almost meditative, about taking a black and white line drawing and breathing life into it with colour, light and shade.  I can spend hours with inks and brushes, losing myself in the joy of seeing something transform by my own hand.  I can often come back to a coloured image after a couple of days and find it hard to believe that I created it.  A dear friend calls it a “warm glow” effect, and I cannot disagree with that.

So why clean and simple instead of fussy and fancy?  After spending hours painting, the last thing I want to do is hide the image under a ton of fluff, I want it to be front and centre and allow the artwork to sing solo and be heard rather than being a small voice in the back row of a large choir.

So there you have it folks, CAS - definitely showing my style!

Hugs to all

Squirrel xx