Paper Doll Play  Here it is September, and I’m just getting around to playing with my July Fodder School lessons by Kecia Deveney. Her Paper Doll lesson was a hoot. I happened to have these doll minis in my stash of art supplies that I have never used and could not figure out HOW to use. One of those moments where I actually said to myself, “Why did I buy these things anyway?” Well, I guess THIS is why!  Go figure. I guess these dolls have been waiting patiently for their time on the art table. 😊  Following Kecia’s instructions, I painted details with acrylics and markers to rescue them from their boring b&w lives. They sat laughing at me for weeks, taunting me. “Now what are you gonna do with us?”  Then I followed suit with another set of art supplies that I just HAD to buy but that have been sitting idle collecting dust for months and months. Spray inks! I sprayed some backgrounds, added some hand-drawn furniture, and mounted the dolls.   My pench...

Anatomy of a Mixed Media Collage This was a satisfying project taught by Eulalia Mejia, an artist in Columbia who gravitates to bright fluorescent colors and whimsical designs with inspirational messages.  Here’s the completed piece, but let’s go through the steps in the process.  First Step Collage with neutrals - scraps of book pages, Kraft paper, scrapbook paper, security envelopes affixed to mixed media journal paper with matte medium. Why do all of this when you’re just going to cover it all with paint? Texture, baby, texture. I’m all about the texture.  Second step - add acrylic paint in wild, bright colors Third step - add another acrylic layer, deepening the colors Fourth step - letter the message on piece of deli paper using India ink. Oops. Cut out circle. The India ink smeared when wet. Maybe I didn’t wait till fully dry? Did another one using waterproof marker. Got so involved in the process that I forgot to take photos of remaining steps. But here is the fini...

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.