TRANSFORMATION!

MEMORY KEEPER

MEMORY KEEPER DETAIL

This piece of paper has undergone an amazing transformation.  It has been in my files for 3 or 4 years with  a disgusting amount of too lumpy tissue collaged onto portions of the surface.  I tried unsuccessfully to tear it off.  Not wanting to loose a full sheet of watercolor paper but no clue as how to resurrect it, I stashed it away.  Last week I was going through my discards and took it out again.  I had spent some time with Anne Bagby this summer and remembered that Anne sands some of her pieces.  Aha!! I could try to sand down the heavy ridges.  Somewhere, my husband has an electric sander but I couldn't find it, so I put a little elbow grease to work and the paper now seemed salvageable.  Next, I scraped a layer of gesso over the piece and, in a moment of impulse, I took a sheet of beige tissue paper that was sitting on my worktable and pressed it into the wet gesso and then I brayered a thin layer of gesso on top of the tissue using one of those hardware store type of woolly paint rollers.  I finally had a surface I wanted to paint on!  

I decided I wanted to try painting this on an easel  rather than laying it down on my table.  I haven't used my watercolor sticks in a long time so I got them out.  this is a great form of watercolor for a vertical painting because I have much more control over the paint running.  I also have a set of Derwent Intense watercolor sticks which can be used in a similar manner, i.e., draw with them, dip them in water and apply, apply a wet brush directly to the stick to pick up color and use a wet brush to blend and activate the color.  I really enjoyed drawing and scribbling along with the usual painting process.  The liftable surface was great fun to play with and letting gravity play a part in paint runs added to the final result.   

I am excited to try creating another interesting surface to paint on.  

FINALLY FINISHED... FLORIDA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY DEMO

"THOUGHTFUL"

Overall, I am satisfied with the painting.  It was not critical that I get an exact likeness, but would have liked to be able to correct a few areas.  Watercolor doesn't allow for that and I draw directly on the paper with paint instead of transferring a perfect drawing.  I prefer the spontaneous over the perfect.  Practicing drawing the image 5 or 6 times in advance helps to get a more accurate spontaneous painting.  Here is one of the preliminary drawings that I did in advance of the demo.

MONO PRINTING WITH ANNE BAGBY.......OH JOY, OH JOY!

At the beginning of September, I had the privileged of teaching with Anne Bagby in her fabulous studio in Winchester, TN.  I taught the second two days, but  Anne taught the first two days and shared some of her techniques for producing wonderful papers by mono printing.  Working with about 12 papers at the same time, one gets variations and a set of papers that are harmonious but each is different because each one has been printed differently but using a consistent palette.  Variations on a theme, as it were.  These papers came out so much more "finished" than my normal mono printing style.  I am not sure how I will use them, but I am anxious to try my hand at creating another series in this vein.  Anne has an amazing collection of hand made stamps and stencils.  She generously shared these with us.  I need to create a few more of my own before make more papers.  I can't wait to get started!

IT'S AN HONOR!

HOME ALONE

I have just returned from an incredible two weeks immersed in art, teaching, learning, friendship and gratitude for the life I live!  While away from home, I learned this painting has received the President's Award from the International Society for Experimental Art (ISEA).  I am very honored.  I wish I was able to attend their event but I was teaching in Florida at the time.  Hopefully, next year.  It is great to have an organization dedicated to those of us who like to push the envelope a little (or a lot!)

This morning, I received a note that this painting is also featured on the Artist's Network blog post excerpted from the Acrylic Artist magazine. 

Here is the link to see the article and read how this painting came about.  http://www.artistsnetwork.com/articles/art-demos-techniques/painting-with-acrylic-an-ever-curious-approach-to-art-making?lid=CHarnac092314

As soon as I am able to download all the photos from the past two weeks and clear my brain, I will share some wonderful moments and new ideas that developed.

LATEST PLANE AIR PAINTING!

SKETCHCLUB Digital Painting

Just back from a family reunion weekend.  To pass the time on the plane, I like to practice drawing and painting with one of the many art apps I have on my iPad.  Sketchclub is my favorite because it is easy to change settings quickly and they have a setting called "sketchy" that produces a very interesting effect.  I wish I could figure out how to do that with traditional drawing materials.  I selected the largest size for my drawing and it created this very long format.  

Now, to get back into a regular schedule!

VACATION'S OVER!

A STRANGER AMONG US

I took a little vacation from blogging but not from working!  I am getting  ready to share a wonderful teaching experience with Anne Bagby in a few weeks and then I am off to the Florida Watercolor Society conference where I will be giving a workshop, doing a demo and some one on one critiques.  There will be constant activity and events including their annual exhibit,  a trade show, a paint around and a banquet.  I have never been to this type of  conference and it will be exhilarating.  I can't wait!

This painting needs to be framed and shipped before I leave.   It was accepted into the 2014 National Watercolor Society National show.  As ever, I am very excited to be included this year.  With so many excellent artists entering, it is a miracle to be excepted.  It is hard to say what will make the cut.  I was disappointed that I didn't get into the San Diego WCS International show.  All we can do is create a lot of work, set aside those pieces that feel successful  and be willing to take a chance, keeping our fingers crossed. I think I should be doing more of this formatting.  It is not an original concept but creates an interesting dynamic between the nine faces.  

In my next post, I will share some questions to consider when evaluating your painting.  It is helpful as a way to take another look at your work after you have stared at it so long you can no longer be objective.  

ART IN THE VINEYARDS!

JERRY, GESSO TEXTURE DEMO

MORRIS, COLLAGE TEXTURE DEMO

I spent 3 wonderful days giving a Texture Workshop for the Central Coast Watercolor Society in Paso Robles, California.  Everything was perfect....great students, great location, great weather.  This part of the central coast has wonderful wineries. We set up shop at the Castoro Cellars Winery off of highway 46 West.  What a beautiful place, with lunch outside on the patio amidst the grapevines.  I was honored to jury their Aquarius 2014 show which is now on exhibit in the Castoro Cellars Art Gallery through August 30th.   There are lots of talented artists here, so, if you are anywhere near the area, be sure and stop by and see the show, taste some wine, maybe have a picnic and enjoy this wonderful part of California.