Filling Up the Card Box

Hero Arts Stamp on Gelli Print

These will each receive an appropriate greeting before mailing.  I'm good to go for awhile!

Imagination

Imagination:  Learn to take breaks from the world.
20/20 Visionaries Oracle Card
Hero Arts stamp on Gelli Print

Tulip Season

Watercolor on Fabriano WC Paper

Tulip season has definitely arrived.  I started these paintings wet on wet and then added additional layers when completely dry.  Fun fun fun!

Watercolor on Stonehenge 100% Cotton Paper

Grape Hyacinths

Watercolour on 100% Cotton Paper

Often the flowers that thrill me the most are the volunteers that spring up unbidden - sometimes in the lawn rather than the garden.

Years ago I planted some grape hyacinths in our front garden, but these days they spring up anywhere they like.  I love their wild abandon!

Happy Easter, Everyone!

Watercolor on Gesso
16 Page Journal

Rejoicing While Waiting

#paintwithmechallenge
Watercolor in mixed media journal

Today is a day when Christians wait, the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Imagine how those first disciples felt - their saviour had been crucified and their faith was being tested while they waited for something to happen.  They didn't know exactly what to expect would happen next.  It was a time of great uncertainty.

The "Covid-times" are a lot like that for me - waiting for something new to happen.  I'm not sure exactly what I'm waiting for, just for better times ahead, I guess.

And so, in this waiting time, I continue to do the only thing I can, put one foot in front of the next and practice the lessons that my faith teaches me - to worry only about today and to rejoice in today.

When I look at this watercolor attempt I'm tempted to fill this space with "should haves".  I should have used better paper, for sure.  But learning and practicing the skill of painting is a lot like life - we always get another chance tomorrow.

This is the day that the Lord has made - let us rejoice and be glad in it! - Psalm 118:24

 

Toto the Toilet

Graphite and Watercolor on Gesso
Calligraphy - Pointed Pen and Walnut Ink

Meet Toto, my new toilet.  I've learned more about toilets in the last week than I care to, but at least I've not been so preoccupied with the pandemic!  We didn't have our pick of toilets - our house is so old that my tub and sink are almond/beige.  It's a little hard to find toilets in that color, apparently. 

And yes, I will draw anything, including mops and toilets.  Whatever I'm thinking about!

Silver Linings

Watercolor on Gesso
Calligraphy - Walnut Ink with Pointed Pen

During these difficult times, I find it useful to look for the silver linings that are found in every cloud.  I belong to an ethnic United Church in my neighbourhood; our English congregation is quite small.  Larger churches are recording their services and broadcasting the videos.  We are small enough to meet on Zoom and the participation and interaction is so much better than just passively watching a video.

"Was I deceived? or did a sable cloud

Turn forth her silver lining on the night?" 

- John Milton, Comus, 1634

Midnight Mopping

I woke last week to the sound of running water.  It seemed unusual for midnight, so I got out of bed.  My bathroom was flooded and the toilet was spewing water.  Apparently toilet tanks don't last forever - the water was coming from a large crack down the side.

I quickly turned off the water, ran down to the basement for a bucket and mop and returned for 45 minutes of clean-up.  The mop broke in the middle, adding to the excitement.  (How my husband remained asleep through all the swearing I'll never know).

The living room below the bathroom did not escape unscathed, unfortunately, but it could have been much worse had I not woken up when I did.

Stay tuned for the next chapter - we'll find out if I can get a new toilet installed in the middle of a pandemic!  (At least I have something else to think about now).

Stencil with Inktense Blocks

Mostly people use acrylic paint with stencils.  Acrylic paint is not my favorite medium - it is too messy for my liking.  I love the look of the mixed media layers, though, and I have recently found that you can do the same thing with Inktense Blocks.

When I say "the same thing", you must appreciate that one of the appeals of acrylic paint for mixed media techniques like stenciling is that acrylic paint dries permanent.  When you apply another wet layer over top, the paint does not reactivate.  (Contrast that with watercolors, for example).  Inktense pencils or blocks are also permanent once dry.

Here I used punchinella, or sequin waste, as a stencil to put the yellow dots on the page.  I applied it with a damp cosmetic sponge, which I stroked over the block to pick up the pigment.  When this layer was dry I drew and painted over top.

Fun, fun, fun!

Inspired by a Walk

Spring is my favorite time of year - new flowers are blooming every day!

Calligraphy Practice becomes Bookmarks

Pointed Pen, Watercolor Ink

I was trying out some calligraphy options for my journal the other day.  I wrote on strips of mixed media paper left over from making journals.

Pointed Pen, Watercolor Ink, Pencil Crayon, Gel Pen

Watercolor ink worked well for the lettering and for the added color in the counter-spaces the best option is gel pen or a very sharp pencil crayon.