Wow! It's Almost February

 Time keeps moving faster all the time.  But I'm trying not to waste it.  I'm still doing my morning quick sketches and I've vowed to do more with Urban Sketchers West Michigan.  It usually gathers on Wednesday afternoons which doesn't work for me; however, it does do other days and this past week was one of those times.  We met in Rockford at Herman's Boy.  Fun place and lots to sketch. This is mine --

It's going to be back to Wednesday but it will be in Spring Lake and I can leave anytime.  Wednesday afternoons my grandson is here and yes, he is old enough to be by himself but I like being here when he is.  There are also weekend gatherings which I can usually get to.  I hope to do more.

Another major happening here in my studio.  

This table may never be this clear again!  

The overhead light in the studio went out just before the pandemic lockdown.  I got new bulbs and put them in but it still wasn't working properly.  Eventually I gave up but the pandemic meant no electricians available.  And after the pandemic they were all too busy to spend time on this little job.  I have some Ott Lights so I've placed those around and I have track lighting on one wall so I could work, just not at night. Recently we've had a few more electrical issues for reasons I don't need to go into.  Finally, an electrician is coming and my dear husband bought me a new overhead fixture -- guaranteed for 45 years.  I plan on living awhile longer but not 45 years.

So why is the table so clear you ask -- it doesn't move and the light is right above it.  Standing on the table is how one gets to it.  And once the light is in I think a new coat of paint is in order.  And I've had room to spread out for another project that can easily move when the electrician arrives.  I'm so looking forward to being able to pop in here at night and do a few things.

New Year and a Renewed Practice

It's been awhile since I did quick morning sketches regularly.  I'm trying to do better in 2024.  I started Jan 3 and so far so good.  It helps that I have some fun twigs from my friend Ann Trowbridge.

 

and I have some of my own branches and pinecones

I'm still working on improving my brushstrokes in watercolor.  I saw a video of a unicorn and had to try it. It would have helped if I knew horses better but not too bad considering.  It's just going in the trash but what fun it was to try. 

Happy New Year!

This little piece done in a sketchbook and clutter free work surfaces is how I started the new year.  Another sketch done this morning with Tuesday Painters but I haven't taken a photo of that yet; I will post it on my website sometime this month. I also delivered 4 pieces to the Gallery for

Evolution VIII 

 which opens Friday, January 6, for a First Friday Reception 5:30 to 7:30PM.  Several of the gallery artists are showing work that is a little different than what you normally see them do.  For me it's watercolors and in a different way than what I was doing back when watercolor was my primary medium.  Back then my work was a series of masks and pours, the only brush work was putting the masking fluid on before pouring the paint.  Now I'm actually using a brush and washes for my watercolors.  Here is one of the pieces in the show.

You can see the difference between brushwork and poured in my last post.  The doves were poured, only the darkest darks where showing when I finished painting, the rest was covered in masking fluid which had to be removed to reveal what I got.  On the other hand the poinsettia is brushwork, I could see what I was getting every step of the way.  I hope you can make it to the exhibit, it's fun seeing what new things the artists are working on and you can do some comparisons.  What you normally see from each of us is still there on our walls at the gallery.