New Routines

I’ve been acclimating to life in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It’s a huge change from my urban dwelling and lifestyle in Chicago (and before that Boston).

Landscape inspiration is steps away from where I live now. I am still reviewing photos I took last spring, summer, fall and winter. Finally I have time to explore and create from new inspiration using a variety of paint mediums.

I also started teaching half day workshops at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek (Door County). The class schedule is available here – https://www.peninsulaschoolofart.org/workshops

I used a watercolor underpainting as a demonstration for the last watercolor class I taught, pictured below. We talked about techniques using kosher salt, tape as a resist, and a spray bottle to move the paint.

Later, when I reviewed the initial watercolor wash, it felt too light and I decided to add gouache paint, why not! Pictured below, the addition of gouache, a second layer of color to help define the composition.

Finally I was ready to add soft pastels for better definition, bolder color, and finishing marks. The final piece is the first for me where I combined watercolor, gouache, and soft pastel, pictured below.

I’ve also started painting new miniatures using photo transfer techniques combined with wax medium, encaustic paints, and oil pastels.

In between studio time and teaching time, I am still exhibiting in weekend art festivals. Earlier this month I participated in Artigras, an indoor festival at the Resch Center minutes from my home. I even won an award at the show!

I’ll also be participating in Art at the Park in Appleton and Whitefish Bay art festival, both in July, with two more summer shows (I’m waiting to receive word regarding acceptance).

I guess I don’t do well without always having a next thing to work towards.