simply and deliberately

6x6 warm-up ; Acrylic on paper

I'm back painting... and I'm a bit rusty. (I taught a 3-day workshop in Aberdeen NC last week...Fun!) I seem to be less decisive after I've had a break from working. ...and I just push the paint around and fiddle more. I just made myself a big sign...

SAY IT SIMPLY AND DELIBERATELY. 

Yup... I'm shouting at myself. There is no room for wishy washy in the studio.

hair-do ladies

"Red" 12x12 Acrylic and collage on panel

It's all about the hair.
I've been having the best time creating these portraits. Acrylic painted faces and collaged hair and brows using the paper I made with the Gelli Plate. Reproductions of them will soon be in a hair salon! Perfect, right?
Actually the series came about from a conversation with a friend of mine that owns a salon... he was looking for artwork after a re-model and had seen this older painting-

"Is My Hair too Blue?" acrylic and collage on paper (sold)

We decided that a series of "hair-do ladies" would be fun salon art... Can't wait to see it placed!

bursting

"Bursting" 12x12 Acrylic on Watercolor paper

This painting is a result of a process that I call... "Make a mess and then cover it up." I start with a mess of reds, and then negative paint (paint the background) with various whites.  I love the smudgy bits that show up in the white areas... mysterious!

warming up

"Hot Climb" 6x6 Acrylic on paper

I start each painting session with a few small "warm-ups"... (I learned this from Robert Burridge's workshop) This is when you can play with colors you don't normally use....They are quick and unconscious works for me... fun to do!

gifts

I gave a gift... and received a bigger gift.
I painted a watercolor of our daughter-in-law's bridal bouquet for Christmas. She was absolutely delighted, and touched, which in turn delighted and touched me.
A happily tearful, big hug was one of my best gifts Christmas morning. :-)

Cristina's Bouquet ~ 12x12 ~ watercolor

cardinals... bright red?.... or not.

waiting for "red fox color" ink 

Had an interesting discussion over at my Facebook Page, when I claimed that the red cardinals would be too much after the fox was printed in his correct red fox color. I had quite a few "But I love the red cardinals" comments...

This was my response....

"I'll have to wait to see. When I start a project, whether it's paint or print or collage... I try to decide my "intent" before I start. That way I have a focus... This print is about the fox. I have to be careful not to fall in love with any parts that end up good, but don't support my "why"...My concern is that the cardinals would call attention away from the star of this particular show. I won't know for sure until I see it with the right fox color... You two have made me decide on my next linoleum project though... and it will be about Cardinals! I love them too!!! Thanks so much for your input... Seriously, I appreciate it!... because sometimes I get too much in my own head, and lose perspective."

Since I posted that comment... I've decided to do a few prints with a Grey Fox and the bright red cardinals...

Because I can. 

the one that got away

"Stellar" photo of a fox just outside the studio window on left....and the preliminary sketches on the right.

I was so excited to see this visitor outside the studio window... Just grabbed my phone, snapped this shot (whaaaaah) and now I'm trying to make a linoleum print of him... or her. How can I fail with such terrific reference shots?

There have been two foxes hanging around lately... hopefully I'll get another chance.

first try

Here is my first go at the linoleum block. It looks more like my dog Major than a fox. :)
Working on rendition number two now.