“Outside the comfort zone is where the magic happens”
So I’ve been venturing outside my comfort zone. Among the things I’ve learned on that venture – a new favorite mark making tool – Grandpa Percy’s whisk broom
Here is an example of the marks it makes – This piece is
working outside my comfort zone. Just
playing with different tools. No way
could I make marks like that any other way.
And it feels good making them. I was only 9 months old when he died so never
knew him. However, mother always said
our lives would have been so much different had he lived. I’m thinking that was a positive because I
heard from others that he approved of her, Grandma didn’t. That whisk broom has been in my studio for
years but I’ve never used it. Now I like
to think he’s in here with me helping me find my way. Time will tell.
Here are a couple more playing with colors, stencils, sticks
and other mark making tools.
And back in the studio after a trip to Virginia I’m doing a
redo on a 16x16 cradle – this is before the do over.
I didn’t like where it was going so I sanded it all back. Once that was done it was almost all black
with spots of white so I covered it entirely with vintage papers and started
over. I had a vision of what it would be
but it had other ideas. This is where it
is now and I have no clue where it will want to go next.
I haven’t done much more in here. We spent a week in Virginia exploring and
celebrating the life of my cousin. I had mixed emotions about it – she was my
first best friend and we were buddies in spite of being total opposites. We went our separate ways as we grew older but
the friendship remained. It was the type
that even apart for many years (she was a military wife) when we saw each other
it was like we just parted a day or two ago. She had a good life so in spite of
being sad, it was a celebration. And it
was good to see her siblings and her kids and grandkids – even greats.
Now it’s time to get back to work in the studio. In addition to the WIP I'm still playing with stones and florals. I've been using different media, more exploring -- some of it outside my comfort zone. Here are a couple florals -- one with acrylic and one with oil paint sticks.