It may not have been...

...a highly productive week in the studio, but I've managed at the least to get some juicy thoughts on the tables.

Owen's  fifth birthday is coming up soon, and his request this year for his birthday painting is Pikachu.  If you're as cartoon-challenged as am I, the link will give you an explanation.  😉

I found a painted cheesecloth in the studio that will be a great experiment with more GAC400 for a little larger vase.  Wish me luck!

I've finished two of the five signatures in my mini collage 'travel ' journal.  I'd say it's time to get the other two done, don't you think?

I've half a dozen watercolour sheets (12 x 16") being pressed, for some Tracy Verdugo Playful Painter lessons.  I'm feeling anticipatory to the max.

And I've got one ready to go just as soon as I can find the mojo and time!

I'm auditioning some elements for a painting, and being totaly underwhelmed by this look.  Thinking, thinking, thinking.

Our July was so lovely, I've been spending more time outside, and less in the studio.  I thought you'd enjoy seeing some of our surroundings.

Our sunrises have been glorious recently,

and the combination of sunshine and rain have made the gardens particularly glorious.  It almost makes me want to take up gardening in my spare time.  🤣😂😅

Sending you wishes for an outstanding August and a gentle leadup into fall - another beautiful season.  Happy creating, however you're doing it!  

Here we are...

 ...already into the second week of the new year.  I've managed to nail down my word for 2023 - how about you?

I've noticed as I move well and truly into my seventies that I am less inclined in this direction, and that's a no go for me.  

It's time to stop avoiding doing things because there may some risk involved.

I've no wish to curl up into a ball and wither away,

so fearless is my word for the year.

By the time I finish all these reminders, they'll be plastered from one end of the house to the other,

and I'll be unable to do anything but get out of my comfort zone.  

That's a darn good thing, too, because I've signed up for Tracy Verdugo's Abstract Mojo class.  I've done the first lesson on line and colour  in unit one 

and started on the second.  It may look like a dog's brekkie right now, but the playtime is fabulous!

So catch me up on what's happening in your corner of the artworld.  Do you have a word for the year yet?  Are you in the throes of new beginnings?  I'm excited to hear!

There's nothing like it -

- taking a class in January, that is.  This year it's Tracy Verdugo with her Jump Into Abstract Painting  class, and it's already a good deal of fun.

I'm a hit and miss learner, so I watched all the videos and then cherry-picked some things.  I really liked the colour and line segment and went to town on it with paint brushes, gel pens, coloured pencils and every other thing in the studio that made marks.

It was most interesting to deliberately go against my own grain, making marks and using colours that were not particularly appealing, and I found some interesting bits to show you.  I'm loving the hot pink against the lime here.

This segment looks really fun in a vertical format,

and I noticed how much I preferred it to the horizontal.

These candles pleased me, but what's with those black flames????

Apparently I have a thing for making waves.

These flower pots with fledgling plants really speak to me, especially with those tangled roots below.

And of course you knew there'd be hearts somewhere in the mix.

I'll really enjoy the next part of the videos, I'm sure, and will keep you posted.