Small Work

Some recent small works in watercolor. I hadn't done much in that medium so I've been exploring old methods and some new.  The Burchfield style painting was entirely by accident.  When I completed it I realized it reminded me of some Charles Burchfield styles.  Interesting since my watercolor instructor was a student of his and while William Kolbe didn't paint like Burchfield introduced me to the artist. (And also to the whole American Regionalist genre).  Glad I'm working again. 

Working again

Much as I love doing artwork I can often think of a million things to do instead of it.  It's not that I don't love doing it rather the pictures in my head never come out on paper the way i visualize them.  of course that takes practice and I get so impatient with myself I will avoid the argument.  I will clean house or watch the television.

So recently my friend Jason kindly offered a spot in his studio for the annual East Austin studio tour this November.  I kicked in my tiny contribution (or rather will for this chance to hang out with friends - known and unknown- and let people stare at my artwork.  Now I have no excuses... it's paint, draw, assemble or die. 

So I've been slowly gathering steam and hope that the idea sticks after November.  I'm still working on this one but I'm not certain I'm entirely happy.  Trouble is that I won't know yet until I do more. 

 

The color isn't too good on these.  I need to go back and retake them.

 

Untidy spaces

   I really need to think about cleaning up my art spaces.  I'm such a pack rat.  I tend to save things for some random project that's hazily set in the future.  I squirrel away odd things that people give me - thinking them quaint or unusual.  Hence the stuffed toad purse someone gave me.  I've never used it or been willing to use it but the oddness of it certainly keeps it near.  I have broken clocks, antique scales, bull dog clips in various sizes.  I have a red Chinese parasol for sunny days.

   In and amongst my treasures are tools of the trade.  I seem to love hoarding pencils - especially 2B art pencils (which count in the hundreds)  I love pencil sharpeners and my favorite one is a glow in the dark ghost.  I have a purple diamond shaped sharpener but it broke.  Pencil sharpeners are often cheaply made and so break easily. Jars of secret formulas - liquid hard ground for etching, jars of sugar and ink for painting on copper plates.  Odd jars for holding brushes. 
   My favorite two brush holders is an old Chinese pottery vase of my grandmothers which is currently holding knitting needles and an Olive oil tin that I was given by a friend over twenty five years ago.  She had the lovely name of Lucia Athens and I loved the fact that her family used olive oil.  (It was a luxury for me - not to say something unheard of in my white Anglo-Saxon protestant background).  now I cook with olive oil without thought.  But I still cherish the tin.  I think she would be surprised I still have it.  I have an abundance of tins including a faded old tin with a tiger majestically facing you on it.  It hold random things destined to be gone through and put in their right place.   The enameled trays are a find from my SO whose father was a photographer.  Perfect for painting. 

   It's almost time for spring cleaning and reorganizing which I look forward to and never quite finish since I get waylaid by the stuff I find hidden away and forgotten.