The Farmers' Market

At last a dry day to visit Shambles (the Stroud market) - just for fun, to sketch. After vegetables, text and signage catch my eye.

International Fake Journal Month - It's All Fun and Games

Stroud MP demands clear evidence before military action in Syria

Working with Thick Gouache

One of my objectives for International Fake Journal Month is to work in thick gouache.  When used directly from the tube, gouache behaves somewhat like acrylic, without the clean-up issues.  (Gouache is water-soluble even when dry).  When you use it thick, without diluting it with water, paper thickness/quality isn't an issue either.  This painting of a kite at the Minchinhampton Kite Festival was done on drawing paper and collaged on the page later.  (I also used gouache directly on my background print on the Peter Rabbit page here.)

In The News

I'm learning lots about Stroud and the surrounding area from the local newspaper.

Resolving Journal Issues in International Fake Journal Month

A couple of quick drawings done at the Chalford scarecrow trail.

One of my long-standing journaling issues has been chronology.  I want to keep a single, chronological journal, and end up with 20 journals on the go at once, primarily due to paper qualities and journal format (square vs. rectangle, type of binding, size, etc.).

The International Fake Journal Month is giving me the opportunity to work in a single journal for a whole month.  By drawing on separate sheets and collaging them in later I can resolve other issues as well.  We'll see how I like this at the end of the month!

Week Two, International Fake Journal Month

A local WWII spitfire pilot passed away recently at the age of 94

Roz, the organizer of IFJM, encouraged us to set some goals for our journals.  I thought mine were fairly simple (take more risks and paint in thick gouache), but I'm finding that there were a few others lurking in the back of my mind.  I don't like all of the completed pages, but that is to be expected if I'm taking more risks, isn't it?  In this one about the local spitfire pilot, the drawing is rather grotesque and I don't like the colors much, but maybe this has taught me to think more about the colors before I pull them out.

Hare sculptures are being decorated by local artists and will be on display around town on the annual Cotswald Hare Trail

Week One, International Fake Journal Month

The weather in Stonehouse has been similar to Vancouver this past week - rainy.  I feel right at home!

My sister lives 10 minutes away instead of across the country - hey it's MY fantasy, right?

In Stonehouse you can kayak to work.

On this day I'm thinking about taking a bulrush weaving course.

Peter Rabbit makes an appearance.

Rain, rain, go away!

A local author celebrates a new book.