With the Easter weekend...

 ...come and gone, it's back to the quiet studio life.  That doesn't mean it's not been a happening place in there, though.  I had the cutest 5 year old grandniece visiting and playing in the studio.  (The other grandchildren are too young yet to venture in there without the supervision of a whole tribe. 😀)

In her mind, we had waaaaay too little time to play there, but that leaves room for a return trip, right?

Esmae spent time playing with colour, frottage, and all sorts of tools and techniques, and she made a fabulous birthday card for her second cousin, to boot.  Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of that since she had it signed, sealed and delivered before I could turn around.  That girl is FAST!.

Esmae borrowed her small cousin's Easter ears, and I think she looks great in them!

She entertained us with so many shenanigans, including an upside down love fest with her dog, Banksy.

I did manage to get started on the cover for the Japanese stab binding book (yet to be named).

I'm loving that black-gessoed paper piece in front, which started out this uninspiring peach.

I got started on the cover of the black and white journal, going with the most unconventional reversal of covers, since I've got a most unconventional idea for a case.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Please let me know all your Easter doings in the comments...I hope you were enjoying the lifting of restrictions in your area, and that you, too, had visitors from far-flung places.  

It's so exciting...

...to welcome a new baby into the family, and the arrival this past week of a grand niece was no exception.  Of course, it meant that her first piece of art needed to be created last minute (because that's just the way it goes, right?).

I started with a gessoed 16 x 16" panel, and loosely laid out cheesecloth and dried botanicals to ensure I had room for the photo I wanted to include.

I glued them (and my fingers, toes, armpits and walls) to the panel surface and sides before I put the first coat of gesso over it all.  I always love the look of the technique at this point - the ghostly shadows are so subtle.  Yes, I know that's not my style at all!

It was time for the first coat of colour; using thin washes of quinacridone gold, Van Dyke brown, burnt umber and sap green, I loved watching the paint seep into the crevices created by the cheesecloth and textural organics. 

Before deepening the colours, I added the photo and surrounded it with poppy seed heads, pods, and a variety of other natural dried items.

 Another layer of colour,

and more yet was added before I incorporated some polished stones (created by this sweetie's father when he was a child) to finish the piece.

 I'm so fascinated by the beautiful texture here.

Welcome, Esmae - we're just delighted to have you join our family!  xoxox