Orchid - What's Blooming Inside

 This amazing orchid is filling my kitchen with a wonderful lily-like fragrance!  I can't believe I found it at Lowes!    The tag says it is easy to grow.  Maybe I won't kill this one - the stems are very succulent like.  I have especially enjoyed this one on those days when the spring snows are covering the daffodils!

Daffodils Blooming at My House

Almost Spring Group - Design Wall

I pinned this group of 12 entitled "Almost Spring" to my design wall in order to get a good look at them as a group and individually.  I am not sure they are finished, but I am going to put them aside for now, I think.  Maybe I will have some inspiration or ideas for going further, but right now - no......Once they are finished, I plan to square them up and mount them onto cradle boards.  I have just ordered some from Dick Blick that I want to try....

Almost Spring #10 - 12 Works In Progress

 Almost Spring #10

 

 Almost Spring #11

Almost Spring #12

Monday Mail Art - April 11

Children make your life important.

Erma Bombeck

Almost Spring # 7 - 9 In Progress

 Almost Spring #7

 Almost Spring #8

Almost Spring #9

Almost Spring #4 - 6 In Progress

 Almost Spring #4

 Almost Spring #5

Almost Spring #6

Almost Spring Series #1 - 3 Works In Progress

 I've added some printed circles in Raw Umber and some screen printed branches to a few of these.  I have decided to call this series "Almost Spring" and I have numbered them 1 - 12.  I do not think these are finished yet, but they are getting closer.  I often discover the next step by photographing the work and looking at it on my laptop screen. 

 Almost Spring #1

 Almost Spring #2

Almost Spring #3

Up Close and Personal - Works In Progress

More White Over Spring Colors

White Paint and Print

Here is the series, now, drying on the floor after I have added white paint brushed on and lifted and block printing with white, as well (reverse letter printing block).

Monday Mail Art - April 4

I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying.

          -Woody Allen

Lift Papers

I wanted to show the papers I use to lift the paint from the collage (after it has been applied with a brush).  The paint transfers to the paper and leaves a nice semi-transparent surface on the collage.  I like using these papers for further work.  I will use them to lift many different colors, perhaps, and then maybe I will print over the top.  Or maybe I will tear them up and use them in a collage.  Or maybe they will become pages in my visual journal.  Lots of options and I really love working with them.

The Spring Colors Series In Progress

 I snapped a few pictures of the group of 12  collages as they lay on the floor to dry.  I wanted to demonstrate how they are all similar, but each is different.  They work as a series and now I hope to make them work as individual works. 

Up to now, my decisions have been more general - in terms of colors and choice of implement, etc.  It will get more specific from here on.

A Closer Look

Here is a closer look at one of the pieces in the series.  Just a little assessment before going forward.....You can easily see what I have done with all of the layers I have shown so far.  The mark making is now barely visible.  The music and text parts are covered by paint and print.  The magazine paper is now an element in the background...The block printing speaks, but not too loudly.  I continue to be happy with the way things are going on this series.

Blue on the Mixed Media Collage Series

I got a little off my color idea with the red, but now I am back on track with blue.  This time, I used a studio acrylic - a thicker paint.  So it is a bit more opaque.  The blue introduces the color of the sky to my color palette.  I am using the colors of early spring in Montana.  Browns, Ochre, and blue.  The red is just a fantasy.....but I do crave color!  (and the red is a compliment to the blue).  No changing it now - on to the next thing!

Next Color - Red!

Back to the collage series work in progress.....I decided to warm things up a bit with some red.  I used a fluid acrylic, brushed on and then I lifted some of the paint with a hand carved stamp (row of circles).  I printed onto another area of the paper with the color that had been lifted.  So far I am happy with my color choices and process.  (I seem to always be happy when I am using a printing process!)

Monday Mail Art - March 28

In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.

                       -Erma Bombeck-

Easter Flashback

This is the only Easter family photo of all five of my sisters with our mother.  I suppose Dad took the picture.  Happy Easter!   I am in the back - short haircut ad glasses.

Adding Ochre Paint

For this next step, I have added the colors of the dry grass that is all around outside, right now.  I have a mix of Indian yellow, Ochre, and white.  The paint is brushed on and then lifted with a printing block and/or another sheet of paper (which I will use to make collage papers).  I want the paint to add color, but also reveal whatever is underneath.