Heavyweight

 

What's New Pussycat

Mixed Media on 300 lb. heavy cold pressed paper

$25 with free shipping

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   I painted a 6x6 yesterday with no end of frustration when, once again, my paper tore where I was using the masking fluid.  The paper went straight to the trash and I headed to Hobby Lobby to buy the most expensive single piece of paper I've ever bought... a full sheet of 300 lb. Canson Moulin du Roy.  My plan is to buy Cheap Joe's sampler packs and find THE BRAND (and weight) that I love. I do love using paper that is heavy enough that I don't have to stretch it, so that's a factor.  Plus even when I cut it (with a probably fairly dull letter cutter) it gets those lovely torn-looking edges that I love on watercolor.

   But, not bad on this one.  The frisket (I am using Daniel Smith's masking fluid) pulled up the paper on a tiny spot.  I think maybe I'm getting too anxious to pull it up and doing it prematurely while there's still wet on the paper?  Anyway, this kitty's reference came from Wet Canvas and he turned out a bit orange but I still like him.  I did the base colors in Winsor Newton watercolor with inktense pencil layered over that, and then Sakura Gellyroll pen for all the white fur texture over that (which shows up better in person than it does in a photo).  Oh, and the whisker shadows are Copic fine liners.  I need more Copic fine liners in my life, my sepia set is awesome but I want black.

   I think I might be back on track, but still 2 paintings behind.  This weekend is going to be super busy -- I will be at Fall Fun Fest craft show in Cookeville TN selling jewelry and doing henna.  I'll share a couple of those with you then (does that count as a painting? .... hmmmmm).

That's a Sexy Cat

I tinkered years ago with gel pens on black paper -- mostly the metallic, cheap kind.   Today, when my husband's kitty Nin-Nin did what he does every day and curled up on my art/writing desk while I journaled, I had an inspiration.  I wanted to know if I could draw him on black paper (he is pitch black with little white patches on his chest and belly... the purpose of these is to tempt you to touch them so that he can RAWR your hand).

So I got out the MUCH better gel pens that I own now -- Sakura Gelly Roll Pens -- and had a go at it. I'm fairly pleased with the result, though the "Souffle" pens don't work that well on this paper (the light blue background parts).  Or any paper, really... but I want to try them on photographs because I think the effect might be cool.  

Just do it

I

"The advice I like to give young artists, or really anybody who'll listen to me, is not to wait around for inspiration. Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work." -- Chuck Close

It's time to sit down and get to work. Every day, even if it's just a doodle. Which is basically what this is. Also an experiment to see how Bristol paper takes watercolor, because I want to do pen and ink and watercolor, and watercolor paper will eat my markers. 

The answer is, not terrible, but I'm not thrilled with it.  But I painted, and that's what matters. Go me!

TtThis is my friend Chuck's cat The Cheat, whom I am pet sitting. 

Art Art every day for the rest of 2016!

Mornings In Space

I love mornings. The house is quiet with a stillness that doesnt feel the same at any other time of day. It's my time... I work best, and it seems like once noon happens I lose control of my time.

My intent is to journal, meditate, paint. I sometimes neglect the meditation. I could take a lesson from my cat-guru Magoo, who can't wait until I open the studio door so that he can commune with the space heater.

Today I put on some Vivaldi and returned to my nebula. I'm overworking it, I think. It's nearly done but I'll probably tinker with it one more time and add the big stars once this layer is dry. I'd really like feedback on this one.

What do you think? Would you hang it on your wall?

The theme for Creative Every Day for January is "Dark."  I have two paintings in mind for this theme and this is the first.