I'm obsessed with contrast...

...these days, as I work through the Abstract Mojo class.  Whether it's contrast in complementary colours,

contrast in values, 

size contrast, 

style,

texture,

or any combination of them,

it is strong distinction that makes something worth looking at for any length of time.  The list of contrast in the visual arts goes on and on, and I suspect that each artist would  have a unique and fascinating lineup of favourites.

How about you - what's your top three in the world of contrast?  And do you notice that you use them again and again?  I look forward to hearing your answers!

Arting...

...in the time of Covid is certainly a new experience for those of us who are creatives.  Between the isolation, fear and obsession with the news, it seems like the muse can be a long way away.

I have been sporadically using the studio in an attempt to get my art brain on, and, quite frankly, it has been elusive at best.  

I've managed to do some card-making,

make a couple of no-sew masks (one's in the wash so you'll need to wait on a photo of that one),

experiment on some canvas pad paper with texture and colour

in a couple of different modes,

do some gel printing using the bottom of a plastic clam shell for some cool patterning,

finish a mini thank-you booklet for a friend who did a solid favour when we got back from Mexico, (there are more of these in the works, too)

and do another spread in my black and white journal.

Texture is heavily thickly richly on my mind these days as we begin to move toward being in a world that has changed considerably.

Like you, I wonder what that will look like, how it will feel, what new patterns will develop.  Are we moving towards something bigger, better, brighter, inclusive, kinder, loving?  May our new-world texture include all of these, and more.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - please tell me in your comments what your practice includes right now, whether your muse is running strong or running ragged, and what you hope for in the time to come.

Q is for...

...quarantine, and we've got another five days to go before we are out of it.  Then I can make a SI (self-isolation) door sign.

Feel free to share

The world is turned upside down right now, and everyone is realizing that they are not only connected, but involved to the max.  We're bereft, bruised, and battered, but not yet beaten.  And if you are, like ourselves, turning to social media, I'm hoping your feed looks like a humanity turned to love.

I've been so very heartened by wonderful groups on Facebook like The Kindness Pandemic, Hearts of PG (now a world-wide phenomenon) whose story is here, and locally Creston Community Support.  The Kindness Pandemic is sharing stories submitted by people who have experienced episodes of rampant kindness in their areas.  Hearts of PG is a group started to entertain children on walkabout with their families - they can spot hearts in the window in their area, and people are encouraged to share photos of the hearts they have added to their homes.  Creston Community Support is a local group that is working hard to deliver to shut-ins and those in quarantine, and run errands for those who are unable to do so.  It's an incredibly caring platform, and I know there are hundreds springing up around the world that are doing the same.  

In Vancouver, at 7 pm every night, thousands of people open their apartment windows and cheer, whistle and shout out their appreciation for all the essential staff (doctors, nurses, grocery store heros, truckers and so on).  Here at home, our daughter is supporting us with grocery runs, laughter and comfort.  Our librarian delivered a couple of boxes of some 45 books, a good friend picked us up from the airport, milk and bread in hand, and a gym friend delivered for John's volunteer work.  And that's just the tip of the kindness iceberg.

There are outstandingly funny things on my SM feeds as well - 

and inspiring music, readings, university courses, art instruction and much, much more.

I've been occupying myself with sorting through holiday photos from Huatulco, Mexico, and they remind me there is beauty and pattern everywhere, whether we're aware of it or not.  

I'm going to leave you (and especially The Stardust Factory) with a hint of what the paintings in world-renown museums are doing while we're distancing ourselves.  

Post found on Facebook

Please, tell me what you're doing during this pandemic.  How are you coping?  Are you and your family/friends well and safe?  What are you learning?  Creating?  We've been friends for a long time, and I'm concerned for you.  

Colour drooling...

 is always part of my day, and it was a constant over the weekend.  With Alice Saltiel and Meg Nicks (along with their hubbies) in situ, I got my fill.

We got a foil demo from Meg as she worked on this piece

Meg's foil demo

Foil demo close-up

 and I turned my test blobs into flowers. 

Alice's request to start with (before Meg and Paul arrived) was a spate of paper painting.  I somehow missed getting photos of any of hers, so I took one of mine.  We were going to do this every evening as we finished for the day, but that plan flew south with the geese.

After long days in the studio, it was time for a glass or two!

Meg starts happy hour

Meg is the queen of texture as you can see from this work in progress.

I (again) neglected to get a photo of this lovely plastic wrap background when finished, but it was awesome.

A too-pale combination background of cobweb and plastic wrap begged for a redo, so I slathered on some paint and did a plastic wrap of my own.  I wonder what will happen with this background...

We leaf printed up a storm (Bill included),

Alice and Bill are leaf printing

Lear printing on top left - first print on the gel plate
Top right direct printing with painty leaves
Bottom centre - ghost or haunt print from gel plate

Had I been the least bit on the ball, I would have dozens of photos; the production was prodigious and the experimentation wild.  I'll be testing techniques for months as I integrate all that learning!

And on another note, I get to tell you that the winner of the draw on September 15 was Angela!  Given she's halfway around the world, I suspect that one of the 8.5. x 11" pieces will be on the way to her soon!  Thank you all for playing along, and feel free to send any more love quotes you find; they will come to a good end, I suspect!

Happy week all you artsy people - feel free to drop a comment and let me know what's up in your art world! 

As we await...

...the arrival of 2017 it's a time of quiet reflection, and what better colour to accompany that than the peaceful ease of the colour blue.

From journal pages

 to Gelli prints,

blue peeks out everywhere in the studio.

 I've turned hand-painted papers into blue flowers,

 and created Wingdings with it.

 It shows up in heavily textured pieces

 and in those that are quietly behaving themselves.

 Blue philosophizes

 and plays well with green and a host of other colours.

What a perfect colour with which to end a chaotic year, don't you think?

Here's hoping that all your wishes for 2017 come true, in a big way.  xo

ATCs...

...are so much fun.  I love having these little masterpieces from around the world so close at hand.

This last while, I received a fabulous package of them from an Auzzie friend and trading partner, Roz Willoughby, as a result of a recent trade request in a blog post.

These are so richly textured they're drool-worthy - take a look!

Not only did she send the half dozen gorgeous cards, but she also sent a piece of tin she'd embossed - you know it's going to show up somewhere in one of my journals.

There is nothing like an envelope of happy mail to get the creative juices flowing, so I'm back in the studio finding more ways to texture my own work.  Many thanks for the inspiration, Roz!

They flit, they float...

...and they fly all around me.  Dryer sheets, that is, and I'm determined to make a dint in my stash of them.

I've been painting them for years, since they make perfect mop-ups for left-over paint.  This last while I've been experimenting with using them to make three-dimensional vases, and having fun honing my beading/buttoning skills.

I've spray glued them to Gelli-printed papers, which gives them yet another dimension,

and apparently I couldn't get myself to stop.

It's just that they are so lovely, and will make great background texture in hand-crafted greeting cards.

One needs to get up close to see the texture over top of the print underneath...I'm endlessly fascinated.

This one was so colourful that I placed it on a plain white paper instead of over a print - still lovely.

And the best part of my week?  I got a fabulous package from a favourite on-line artist friend.  Over on the Google+ site Creating and Sharing Mixed Media Art, we've been doing an Artist Trading Card exchange, and these fabulous cards came from Shelby Pizarro.  You can find her blog here for more deliciousness.  This first ATC is just so ethereal - beautiful.

I'm crazy about Venice, so this one just pleases me no end.

And look at the pile of fun that came with them.  Coincidentally, I'm working on a journal right now that incorporates fortune cookie slips - however did you know, Shelby?

Added to that is the fabulous group of papers - more playtime ahead, I can see!

I hope your week has been just as fun and at least as colourful.  Do tell in the comments below - I'd love to hear what you're up to.