Busy Saturday

I feel like I have a knack for finding ways to make things operate in the opposite way in which they are supposed to. AKA it’s the weekend and I spent all day making work. While that was fun and of my own volition I’m worried I’ll set the tone for this week and be tired. But I’m always tired so… ha.

I had a small breakthrough while painting today. I decided to pull out my Strathmore Mixed Media paper and reminded myself of what it was like. I had some difficulties with the oil paper I was using earlier and I think I’ll use that material as intended moving forward (sometimes, at least). The mixed media paper took my watercolors and gouache beautifully. I was struggling for a long time trying to remember what paper worked best with my poster paints and now I’m ready to buy a whole new pack to keep the supply up. I soaked it on both sides and it was such a joy to work with. I also caught glimpses of some unique color combinations I could use.

Oh, and I used a new oil today and it was pretty great on my skin. Looking forward to rinsing off tomorrow so I can reapply.

I ate fonio for the first time as well. I mishandled the grain to water ratio but it was really nice. Kind of like couscous but a little like cream of wheat or grits because I had too much water. I’m still pretty hungry. I still need to declutter the studio too. It’s getting there but it’s not done yet.

I’m about to pass out. But this was a nice Saturday.

And it was the first of the month! Gosh, July just disappeared.

Clean and clear (Part I?)

So, I gotta clean up a lot of stuff… again. That seems to be the theme this year.

Favorite breakfast lately: Fruit yogurt with chocolate chips mixed in.

Odor and grime threshold: 2 days maximum. At day 3 of not having showered I feel… odious.

Excitement for incoming art supplies and skincare: It be high, mang.

At this point in the morning (9:22 AM as of this writing) I’m considering doing yoga. Something simple to get my hip right, perhaps. But considering I’ve re-cluttered this bedroom with more items that’s probably not going to happen. What’s more likely is I’m going to shower and go about my day while the floor of my bedroom serves as a staging area for more organizing. The next big phase of all of that will be the clothing I brought with me…. I don’t have a walk-in closet anymore. Now I see why that’s so cherished and adored. I like my closet, but it ain’t that big and there’s certain things I simply don’t wear anymore. C’est la vie.

Onto another art note:

A little abstract jawn done in oils on printmaking paper

I recently dug this out of a box along with several other small experiments on paper. It made me think for a moment that perhaps abstract work might be a path to go down. But then I realized abstract work is extremely difficult and requires careful layering and compositional skill from an entirely different point of view so I enjoyed this as a fun one-off instead. The art note I want to remember today?

Strathmore Heavyweight Printmaking Paper (likes):

• Oil paint

• Oil pastels

• Front facing side may be friendlier for receiving media. Unsure of tooth/grit of either side

Things I want to try:

1. Hahnemuhle Harmony Hot Pressed Watercolor Paper

2. Mijello White Watercolor

3. Making a zine!!!

   1. So… I’ve always wanted to do this but had no idea how. I still don’t. But I know it’s possible. It seems pretty punk rock and sick nasty and all that cool stuff.

P.S. In order to turn off touch for iPad press the home button three times. That way laying anything on top won’t make the screen interact and go haywire. I don’t have a home button on mine so I’ll find the alternative “button” press. Thanks, MilkyWaes! They inspired the zine making hopefulness as well.

Paying attention

Alright, I’ve started this morning by laughing into my gourd and making tea leaves fly everywhere. Haha.

Inspiration struck me yesterday and I could not stop cleaning. I intended to stop at five because I wanted to get some art and Persona in but it didn’t happen. I gave myself about 10 minutes at the end of the night to play with my recently unearthed acrylic ink and to try and address a botched painting but… that was it! I went to bed at one and called it a night. Huh.

Tiny scraps of Arches oil painting paper with gouache and ink. Tempted to call them art snacks

These little fellas are my pseudo swatches of my HIMI/MIYA gouache. I had done a lot of experimenting with paper over the past three years and neglected to record any of it. I had this Arches oil painting paper that I had no idea how to use. I did oil paintings, yes, but they didn’t come out well. But I looked at the tooth of the paper and the fact it was powerful enough to take oils and thought… maybe water based media would be cool? Lo and behold I like them together a lot! The paint doesn’t really absorb into the paper as it normally would since I suspect there’s some sort of binder that repels water somewhat (but only somewhat!) That makes sense, but this is actually what I want. And hey, even though my oil paintings on this paper didn’t come out well I must say the oil applied and absorbed into it beautifully. Glad I was curious enough to get a pad.

I’ve tried several different watercolor papers and mixed media. Some of them have been perfect for my needs, but I’m going to have to try them all over again because I can’t remember what pad or block had the dream combination. So, in this blog post, I’m marking and documenting an observation I intend to remember. I have a lot of accumulated art supplies that are extremely useful but they need to be inventoried and supplemented with notes for their use. I didn’t think I’d reach a point in my life where that’d be necessary or desired! I enjoy that. And I’m grateful I’ve had the great fortune of being able to acquire this many materials and supplies. Alright, focus!

Additional note about this paper? For a very long time it was in low stock and seemed that it was going to be discontinued. Hardly anyone was selling it. Then it started coming back into supply potentially this year or last year. Serendipity? ;)

Arches Oil Painting Paper (likes)

• Gouache

• Acrylic ink

• Toothy side with evenly dispersed weave (other side is patterned)

Bonus:

I unintentionally split a brush and ended up making little hatch marks. I’ve known about this technique previously but had kind of forgotten about it. This is a reminder to try it again sometime!

Oh yeah, I’ve also stumbled upon Pear Fleur’s videos on youtube and they’re fantastic for observing an extremely versatile artist take their time and work. She typically works with gouache and watercolor and it’s amazing what she does. She makes me want to refine my own approach!