Thursday, September 26, 2013

Sister Friends show up on Catrina ATCs

Catrina ATCs
Do you recognize these girls in face paint?

Catrina face painting in progress
Much to say
and
I don't know where to begin.
So, first I guess I shall share that I am going to Mexico next month which should explain why all of a sudden I'm painting Catrina faces.
I need many for an ATC trade with other artist.
New paint palette
But mostly I wanted to share with you;
My new paint palette.
What led to it.
and
Although early for a full-on review...

I'm sharing some of what I know so far.

First, what led me to a new palette?

Well, if you have taken one of my online classes,
you know that I use a very tiny homemade palette.
Which is for the purpose of getting the view of the palette in the video instruction. I feel it is helpful for the student.

Second, while I haven't painted much this year, I started painting much larger canvases and on a humongo easel.
and
still using that tiny homemade palette.
It was time to get loose with paint.

I realized that I was still in the pre-retirement mode when I had only short time periods to paint and didn't want to lay out a palette and let the paint go to waste.
 
I needed to make some changes and get out of the pre-retirement mode!
That's when I happen to see this post about her paint palette.
In her video, Gillian Lee Smith, told about using a Masterson Sta-wet palette.

I decided, it was time I should give it a try. 
After all, I was painting huge and needed huge quantities of paint out. 
Hahaha
Except for my big journal page (previous post) the "big" paintings I am doing are these 2.5 inch X 3.5 inch little ATCs.

Here's what I know so far about the palette:

  • Trying to mix the three pools of dark, medium, and light values in the middle was very awkward for me. The palette sides seemed to be in the way and I kept getting my hand and arm into the paint already laid out around the edges. A different palette knife will fix that (I think).

  • I may have left the sponge and acrylic film palette too wet. As you can see, the paint looks and is very runny.

  • When I needed a color that wasn't out, I found myself reaching for my tiny homemade palette. Maybe I need two of these.

  • I didn't do a good job of laying out the paint around the edges. I'm sure I will do better the next time. 

  • Only once when unexpected company from Oklahoma showed up did I walk off and leave the top off. When discovered, several hours later I put the top on and it seems to be just fine and juicy.

  • I'm sitting at my desk with the palette and little ATCs. However, I'm trying to think how I will situate me, my humongo easel and new filled palette when I start on a large canvas. 

  • Yes, indeed I think my paint will last a long time and I won't be wasting dried up paint.

  • And I think the bonus is, I am more inclined to sit down and paint knowing the paint is right there waiting for me. 
LOVE THAT!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Catrina in my journal

Catrina Face
Big Moleskine

I'm showing up this morning with a bee in my bonet.
Playing with a new palette
and
new subject.
I'll save the details for a new post.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Art Journaling

I've been straightening, purging, and general piddling in my studio.
I'm sure I don't have to say that I have been disinterested in paints or painting this year.
So with a suggestion from a friend, I pulled out my giant Moleskin and tried to "get out of your own head".
It was great advise, but first I had to sit around and think about what that means.
I don't think I figured that out; however, I tried and I enjoyed the freedom of playing in my journal.

Friday, September 06, 2013

A New Art Apron from an Old Blouse

New Apron Back
The blouse before destruction
Destruction

Art aprons make me so hot and yet, I must wear one; otherwise, all of my clothes would carry the evidence.

So this weeks creative venture is to make a new art apron with very lightweight 100% cotton.
Of course the making has to be fun.
And I think you can decipher what I have done so far.
My plan is to bind the raw edges by hand stitching and embellishing with cloth fragments.
Inspiration is from Jude Hill. I am enjoying an online class with her called What If Diaries I.