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. 

Peaceful Patterns & Slow Drawing  Sometimes Art should just simply be a mindful practice with no particular outcome. Taking simple shapes such as dots, circles, ovals, straight lines, curvy lines, and squiggles and then mixing and matching patterns in no particular way in relaxing solitude. Patterns give us powerful permission to explore something in repetition. A relaxing afternoon in the garden with paper, pen, and watercolors. 

  Summer Blooms Art Event 2024 A fun collection of watercolor artists teaching a variety of different techniques celebrating summer florals. This was a delightful event, and I continue to learn more in my watercolor journey.

 Just Play

  New class . . . this time soft pastels. I brought out and dusted off my Aunt Carrie’s ancient soft pastel set and supplemented them with pastel pencils. Very much out of my comfort zone here but enjoying a novel, unexplored medium taught by a fabulous instructor, Anastasia Seraya. Such an interesting medium. Loving the minimalist aspect of very limited materials, and spreading chalk with just fingers was a very organic experience, somewhat akin to childhood finger painting. Blending colors was enjoyable.  Dandelion & Ladybug (that’s one giant ladybug!) Graceful Panther (looks more like my cat Missy because the snout is too short . . Hmmmmm. I guess she rules the house like a panther, and she is certainly a graceful feline.) Juicy Cherry (Lacking the soft pastel colors required, I improvised. Meh. I wish the water drops looked more realistic.) Amanita (I did not have the correct materials for this one. It called for brown Pastelmat abrasive paper; I only had tan sketchboo...