String/Tar Gel My last experiment with adding acrylic paint to tar gel resulted in a gloppy sort of mess, which rather defeats the purpose of using it. The beauty of this medium is the ability to scoop it out of the jar, suspend it high in the air, and watch it drip down into paper like a delicate, thin strand of embroidery floss. This time I followed the advice of several artists who suggested mixing only 10% pigment with the gel, stirring well, and letting it rest for 24 hours in a sealed jar. Further experimentation is warranted, as I did get some fine strings but not enough. Back to the drawing board on this idea. 

Art Advantage One of the many advantages of having baskets (let’s be honest: rooms!) full of collage fodder is never having to buy cards. It’s pretty easy to whip one up for any needed occasion. In this case it was a thank you card to present to my incredible orthopedic surgeon at my first post-op visit. 

  Script The focus on these collages was script in a variety of forms. The color palette felt cheerful, and I wanted to play with a painted and collaged background. Mounting the mini-collages on black gave them their own frame. 

Let the Recovery Begin Today marks a huge milestone in my life. This is the first piece of artwork created since I had major surgery on Jan. 30.  The whole ordeal was a life event I hope to never have to experience again. . . The prep, the anesthesia, the operating theater (sci fi to the max), the 2-day stay in the hospital, and that first week home. It was with much excitement that I limped into my art room, and sat down at my work table to create my first collage with a new hip. I felt a bit rusty; I have not been away from my passion for that many consecutive days. This is what came to be. 

More Primaries Another play with limited palette, narrowing things down to just primary blue, primary yellow, white gesso, and some collage fodder. Oooh, that lime green. Tasty! 

Primary School Playing with a limited palette is so very interesting. This was as basic as one can get. Liquitex acrylics : primary red, primary   blue,  primary   yellow, and some white gesso . I love the colors that resulted. I finished them off with some mark-making using Posca pens. Simple. Primary. Fun.  

Blue Marble The sections of blue created by finger painting with watered-down acrylics looked to me like blue marble. Nothing else to really say about this one.