So Long; No Posts So what accounts for the huge span between my past two posts? What was going on those days in August? The glorious Summer Creative Retreat 2024, a gathering of many artists from around the world and a vibrant and supportive community. 68 mixed media lessons in 6 days! Last year I managed to complete all of the ones that interested me (not interested in the digital Procreate stuff). This year I found myself overwhelmed by the time crunch, so I just purchased the whole package. Now I can create on my own time schedule with many cool lessons in a variety of mediums. I’ll just post the stuff I have done so far. Art instructor attributions are included in the photos.  This pocket card is so cool and handy!  My husband asks, “Why are you buying all those napkins?” Because they make such cool mixed media fodder!  Great to learn colored pencil techniques! This year there was a Zentangle workshop, but I am out of practice. Paint a sheet of random watercolor bits ...

Nature Painting in Nature Yesterday we drive out to a recreation site recommended by a friend.  The dam that created the swimming hole had an interesting and artsy collage.  I packed very limited art supplies with the intention of just using up some watercolor paint on my palette. Painting in monochrome with just a variety of saturation was freeing. No color mixing, no color decisions. Nice and calming.  Though I loved the spot we settled by the river swimming hole and painting in nature, the ride there (and back) was unnerving. I don't understand people; I really don't. Why is it necessary to turn your home into a political compound?  Yes, everyone is entitled to express themselves freely, but in these strange times doing so makes a huge and powerful statement that reflects the tense division we are experiencing in America. I don't want to be reminded of it when I am driving through the rural countryside as a respite from city life. C'mon, people. Chill out.