Mixed media.canvas with paper napkins

Using paper napkins to collage the background and details of this piece produced a colorful, sweet piece.   Only a minimum amount of paints were used.

My art friends and I used to buy a lot of packages of napkins, which we would swap so everyone had some of each.   These date back to those times.   

Mixed media fish in studio

 At our latest mixed media group, we painted fis with watercolors and acrylics.  My old ones in the studio had faded from sunlight so it was time to refresh them.    I love how colorful they are. Two were done with alcohol inks.

Elizabeth Parrish took this snapshot of me during our meeting. 

Pandemic California

Just now the governor has issued the order that we are all to stay home.   This is to prevent the spread and exposure to the virus.  Not just the older people, but everyone not essential in the workforce.  Schools and stores are closed.   

Im lucky I stocked up on foods just days before the panic struck.     I was only in one crowded store, Trader Joes.   It was like the day before Christmas.  A lot of shelves were empty.  Every check stand was open and all had lines about 6 deep.  I got most of the things I buy routinely.  4 peanut butters. 4 bottles of merlot.  4 bags of frozen broccoli, etc.   

A few days earlier I placed a large order for restocking my pantry at Raleys online.   I use their pick up service once a month.   I pick up at the store, I dont need to leave my car.    It has never been busy.    But i hear that within 2 days, the panic struck and lines were filled with people grabbing everything they could reach. 

So I am staying home, working  in the garden, visiting with neighbor from yard to yard

, enjoying the beginning of spring with the arrival of first white lilacs blooming and california poppies wildly blooming out front. 

Those of us with  passions for art or music, or reading, or gardening, or whatever....  are lucky.  We always have something interesting rattling around in our heads.      I miss seeing and being with family and friends, but my little dogs an I will spend precious time together.  Valerie will not be over to see me this week, but her mom snap chats pictures and videos. 

For the past couple years I thought about getting Acorn channel to watch fav British films and programs.     I never felt like I had time to enjoy it.... but now I do.   The most important one was the last season of Doc Martin.     I am watching it on my tablet.      One episode every afternoon.    What a treat.    From the opening music and scenery, it grabs my attention and holds it until closing credits.   A precious bonus for staying home.   

Im very blessed.  I hope you and yours are healthy and not too inconvenienced by this historic situation.   

More fish prints

Fish prints

I have been making more gelli prints of fish cutouts.  Here are samples.

printed on deli wrap paper with acrylic paints.

Gelli plate experiments. Isolation, what to do?

With the pandemic scare, and my age, it is advisable by most sources to isolate from the outside world.      Its rainy so I would probably be home today anyway.  The senior centers are closed.   The libraries and schools are closed.  My friends and I are texting and calling.  We just are not out doing things together.     

I didn't want to watch the news, so I watched a you tube video this morning under AliceArts.    Ruth Alice Kosnick was the creator. She is a brilliant artist.    Her demo of "Herrings" was si intriguing, I got my stuff our of drawers and boxes and laid things out on my dining table.  Each time I experiment with gelli printing it is a new experience.  Getting familiar with the timing is my biggest issue.     But little by little I began to get the feel for it again. 

Here are my first halfway successful attempts.  Tomorrow Im sure I will produce even better pieces.   

Looking for koi in deep water.

I plan to build up some acrylic paint and stain layers over a background collage, with no sketching on a new canvas.    Then go back and carve them out with Citrosolv .      I know I will find koi or other water creatures.