That Beautiful Neutral Palette

When the three primary colors yellow, red and blue are mixed together, the result is brown. There are infinite varieties of brown, depending on the proportions and intensity of color, but it is always a result of mixing the three primary colors. Add white to the mix and you have delicious beige.

A neutral palette, then, is one where this mix is achieved. The neutral palette is the one preferred by nature.

In January 2002, scientists at John Hopkins University announced that they had discovered the color of all the light in the universe… and it was beige! The color was quickly renamed “cosmic latte” by the team.

In celebration of all things neutral and brown, here are some of my mixed media pieces from the ongoing series "Of the Woods".

Ferns of the Woods

20 x 32

Sage Green

20 x 32

Tawny

8 x 10

Patterns

8 x 10

For information or to purchase, visit my shop

I wish you a healthy and prosperous new year,

and look forward to seeing you again

at one of my 2024 art shows.

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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 ...

Show Season preparations begin

It's March, and that means one thing: TIME TO PREPARE FOR SHOW SEASON! That's right, it's about to get crazy around here. And I mean that in a good way. I've been waiting for show season to start ever since it ended back in November. Even with all the work, all the energy, all the artistic endeavors, all the money and time invested, and all the headaches that come along with it, I am nonetheless excited and ready. So call me crazy, I can take it. And please come see me and hopefully add to your collection of my work. Here's my booth in the process of getting set up in my yard. I know it's only March 13th, and my first show isn't for two months. But here's the deal. Right now it's a gorgeous sunny and 70 degrees here in Indiana, so I absolutely HAVE TO be outside. It's been a long winter, and even though this is only "fake spring," I'll take it. Also, I have intended to give my booth an update and take care of...

Outa the Woods and on the Road Again!

After literally being in the woods in my studio all winter, I'm now ready to take it on the road with my mixed media collage pieces, aptly entitled "Of the Woods". This weekend, to kick off the show season, is one of my favorite shows. It is the Broad Ripple Art Fair, at the Indianapolis Art Center. I will be in booth #53 in the field, unless some last-minute begging on my part results in getting the shady spot next to the Art Center, where I was last year. My booth has evolved over the years, but is still sage green with flowy curtains and dappled light. This year has been one of great learning and experimentation with new techniques and materials. Light through leaves remains a strong theme of my work. I continue to seek that place of solace in the woods. My palette is still muted and earthy, but with vibrant pops of color. I am a lover of coneflowers, ferns, and all the rich textures and layers of flor...

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