Autumn Vibes in Watercolor

I've had a blank canvas staring at me for awhile, so I decided to throw some color on it. Then one thing led to another, and now it's a full fledged work in progress.

Sometimes when I show my art, people think it's batik. The process is indeed similar to batik, where melted wax is used to block dye colors. Instead of wax and dye, however, I paint with watercolor and fluid mask. Watercolor is simply colored water, and the key to fresh, sparkling watercolor is to retain the light.

Here's the process: Sketch out the design. Paint fluid mask on the parts that need to remain white. Once the mask is dry, go ahead and paint right over it. Once the paint is dry, remove the mask and you will discover that the light areas have been saved. It's satisfying and therapeutic to peek off the mask. It balls up like rubber cement.

With this process, you can build up layer over layer of color and the light areas will remain light. Keep every layer transparent and fresh.

These photos are all details of the bigger picture, which will eventually show up in the shop. It will also make an appearance at my first show of the season, the Broad Ripple Art Fair, in May. That seems like a long way off, but having a great show to look forward to helps me stay in production mode.

What would you like to see going forward? What colors or color palettes do you like? Feel free to comment your thoughts and suggestions. Until further notice I'll be in the studio "Of the Woods"

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Winter Work

Now that my show season is over, it's time for what I lovingly call winter work. Winter work is studio time. It's when I light the fire in the wood stove and sit down at the drawing table and/or easel, both of which are pulled close to the wood stove. It's winter work because when the weather cools off and the leaves fall, the studio is the most inviting place in my life. The warmth of the fire and the smell of the wood and the blank slate on the easel are what inspire and motivate me to work. At one of my shows I bought this glorious coffee mug from Paige @rockbottomceramics. It sits on top of the woodstove and keeps the coffee warm for hours. It's a studio staple. There is purposely a blank canvas on the easel, or in this case, a smooth panel which will eventually be gessoed and painted with an expression of light through leaves. The blank canvas is self care. It's a sign of hope for my future. What will go on ...

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In the Woods Again

I'm in the woods again. And that's a good thing. My art is all about light through leaves. The path of light. Solace. My aim is to give you that place of solace, so that, like the tallest trees, you can reach up to the heavens. Next up: Art in the Village in Franklin Michigan. Mon, Sept, 2nd. Then it's Penrod Arts Fair, where I'll be in G24. Same spot as last year, but a lot of new art. Sat., Sept 7th. New this year are my 1/1 monoprints, mounted on 16 x 20. A mono print starts as a linoleum block print but is then embellished with paint, handmade paper, pencils and crayons. Each is one of a kind; hence the 1/1 on the lower left hand corner. As you know, if you are one of my wonderful clients, you receive 20% off on your purchase of art. Not able to get to a show but ready to add to your collection? Shoot me an email or message me on Instagram @ parts.of_art and we'll make it happen. Hope to see you soon!

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