Mosaic time in isolation

I have the supplies, I have the time.  Setting aside my paints for a few days, mosaics seemed to creep into my consciousness again after a friend left some broken china on my porch.

California weather is warming up. We get the delta breezes most of the year here in the valley between ocean and Sierra range.  For me that means a warm studio, and now with the free time, its my favorite place to create.    With the windows open I get the fresh air and can hear the wind chimes, day and night. 

 I had planned to do mosaics again outside in the summer, but who knows what summer will bring, weatherwise and socially?

 This is what I started this morning. Its meant to act as a pedestal with another pot on top. 

These are rose petals I am drying.   Eco dying?  Perhaps.   

Stay safe, stay well.

Pandemic update

First let me say, I am well. My family is well.  My friends are well.  Thank you God.

I have left my house twice since our shelter in place order was issued.  Second trip was to pick up groceries from Raleys, which went much more smoothly than the previous time.  My wait time to pick up my bags was only about 5 minutes. But this time I went 15 minutes early so was able to get parked in a designated area.   I called in and looked around.  More masks and gloves were evident.  Fewer cars in the lot and fewer in the pick up area.   Out of a $140+ order, I received about $90 of order. 

The country is in chaos.  Governors are now facing the challenges of providing necessary supplies and equipment.   Federal government is a mess.  Now there are riots pushing to open the economy and drop the stay home orders.  The big question to me is not being addressed in the news.  Who is organizing these riots?  I have my personal suspicians.

I dont spend much time watching the news.  I tried watching the daily corona virus report, but instead of focussing on what we need to know, President Trump has turned it into the Trump show. He can talk on and on bragging and boasting and making an ass of himself while we are waiting to hear from the scientists and doctors for important information. 

I do watch our California governor's updates.  Im very impressed by the moves he has made and the teams of people feeding into the decisions.

Its hard to get local health news (county and city) as the facts and figures are being suppressed. Perhaps to contain a panic. 

But on the home front,  I am enjoying this break from routine of meetings and art groups at senior centers.   I stay in bed later, eat breakfast leisurely,  and spend day puttering, listening to audio books , making art, cleaning and finishing projects.  And spending much more time gardening. Weed by pesty weed.  Lol.   Its a riot of color out there.  My old dogs love having me home. It will be a big adjustment for them when I am on the go again.

I expect this shelter in place order will last another month.   Ok by me. 

Please stay strong and healthy and know that this will pass. So make good use of this respite. 

Smell a rose.

Fish transparencies

Here are the sketches I used.

If you recall these were done in preparation for the series of koi paintings I did recently.  Little did I know how handy they would be for other projects.  Like cutting stencils, gelli printing, etc.

Here are some pics of the transparencies hanging in dining room and in studio. 

Alcohol inks on transparencies

My obsession with fish led to experiment with some transparencies I came across while looking for graph paper.   I thought that the vibrancy of alcohol inks would make striking fish to hang from my old hanging lamp in the studio.

I had the fish sketches i did prior to painting them on canvas.   I laid the transparency right over the sketches and dripped alcohol inks over them.  Next batch, I drew ink outlines with permanent ink on the wrong side of transparecy.   That way the alcohol on the right side would not bleed into the ink.

I played with manipulating the inks with the blending solution and with rubbing alcohol.  I had a wonderful time experimenting.   Good ventilation is advised, if you want to try this.    And gloves. These are permanent inks. 

Heres a sheet of my fish.

Florals on my mind.

 After a few hours working in and enjoying my garden, Im getting inspired to painting florals again.

A bright spot

Coronavirus cannot stop Spring frm coming.  Roses are prolific right now.  These are

from my side garden.  Let us rejoice.

Brushing up

I was asked what kind of brushes I recommend.   Well,  I use any brand, any shape, any size depending on the piece I am working on.  I also use palette  knives, paper towels, kleenex, credit cards and sponges.  

I am not going to recommend  any particular brushes but will point out things to consider when you are shopping for brushes. 

  If I'm glazing and building up transarent layers, i either use a make up sponge, or a very soft brush.  But for heavier bodied paints I use shorter bristles and not necessarily as soft.  Or I may use a palette knife or a credit card. 

I have no brand preferences.   For years I would stop by Michaels after work with a coupon in hand and pick out a brush.    

You have to find brushes that feel good in your hand. Is it comfortable?   Now I like the grips to have a gel cushion, but most of mine were purchased long before they were invented.  Lol.   

Do you typically paint small strokes or larger broader strokes.    

Do you prefer softer bristles, or firmer ones to apply your paints.   

Do you sit or stand while painting.   Longer handles for standing.   

Are you using expensive paints?  Or craft paints, or house paint?  Obviously they require different types of brushes.     If you are in an art supply store, most of their clerks can advise you.   Craft store employees typically have more limited art experience. 

Look on Amazon at brushes and read reviews.  I learn a lot from reviews by artists.     Particularly men. They tend to be more analytical and critical when it comes to tools they employ.  

Read the art supply catalogs and tutorials.  A wealth of information is available.    

It all comes down to what you are comfortable with.     Its like selecting a toothbrush.   Its not a one size fits all.