sketchbook : integuments

exploring the possibilities of oil stick blender

with various drawing media

oil paint marker and China marker (similar to litho crayon)

graphite pencil

the book begins to develop character

Three trees

Today, with happy anticipation,
I am leaving for Moose Jaw, SK.

Going to visit a few artist friends.

Last week, using charcoal,

I made three drawings of

one tree along the river.

in the blue book: 110lb paper, 6x9"

I like this last one the best :)

Blackbook: continuing adventures

I find myself working in sketchbooks quite a lot these last couple of years.  I mean besides the portrait books which are ongoing for decades, there are now books dedicated to the exploration of abstract imagery and ideas.

Here are a few images from the Blackbook 6x8"...

First I close my eyes and draw the lines with various sorts of markers and pens, then I open my eyes and colour them in with acrylic paints, sometimes gouache.

The very repetitive process goes a long way toward developing the visual language.

staying sane

One way to stay sane

when I can't get into my studio

is to work in a sketchbook

at the kitchen table

this book measures 5x7"

50 pages, almost filled

Newsletter July 2018

The circular imagery that I've been working with over the last few years has reached an interesting stage of development recently.  "Reached" is not quite the right word, because my paintings continue to evolve... I'm feeling so excited by my studio work lately, and this is an excellent place to be, creatively speaking.

Because some of my new paintings will be in exhibitions in the coming months, I've made another newsletter.  
You can find it here.

Womens' Art Exhbition, a collaboration of Front, Bugera Matheson and Scott Galleries in Edmonton, AB.  A few of my new Augury Sketches will be included. 

My newsletter also contains some info on the Brooklyn Art Library's "Sketchbook Project", which I am participating in.  I am so pleased to finally be doing this, after thinking about it for a couple of years at least.  Isn't that so often the way? 

Until next time, dear Reader.

meniscus

tonight I made some drawings/paintings

in a different sketchbook, lightweight paper

here is one

in bad lighting oh well

first the blind drawing

with black oil paint marker

then acrylic colour

phthalo turquoise, cobalt blue, vermillion hue

feels a bit like being underwater

whichever way I turn it

some kind of meniscus

I like that.

Portrait 2018.2.21

My co-worker at the art supply store.

oil on paper, 9x12 inches

in this book:

The heavy paper can be gesso'd and then painted on with oils.

It's definitely one of my favourite sketchbooks.

down time

When the cold I've been fighting for weeks finally hits full force, I cope with feeling lousy by sitting at the kitchen table and making images in a 5x7" sketchbook.  Low exertion, excellent healing activity.  Thankful for a few days' down time, glad I can do this.

pensive portraits

Yesterday, two portraits made with alcohol-ink markers.

time slowed down

a fleeting moment

My sitters were pensive and so was I, all of us for different reasons.

Greenbook: continuing adventures

I am coming to really love working in sketchbooks.  Perhaps some of this work will lead to more paintings and perhaps not; it doesn't matter.  The sketchbook becomes a thing in itself.  

drawing: white China marker

gouache: cobalt blue + lemon yellow + raw sienna + white

drawing: purple & yellow felt pens

gouache: quin red + cobalt blue + lemon yellow + white

black india ink

drawing: black Sharpie paint marker

Inktense pencils: various colours

gouache: cobalt blue + quin red + raw sienna + white

blind line

Life has got very busy these last few weeks, and I continue along with the blind line drawings.  They have become a sort of meditation for me, an activity for which there is no hoped-for end result and therefore no pressure.

The drawings have morphed a bit over time, as my hand develops a memory for the shapes and lines.  Some of the coloured-in bits I can also now do without looking, an interesting development.  

Where will this practice take me?  For the time being I just keep drawing and watching and waiting.

patterns and people

I started my morning with a couple of quick sketches.  First an eyes-closed drawing (the colouring-in parts are done with eyes open) and then a portrait of my husband.  

Both done with Sharpie paint markers + watercolour crayons on 130lb paper, 9x12 inches.

Patterns and people.  A good start to this day.

sketchbook patterns

Exploring patterns in a 9x12", 212 gsm sketchbook.

The heavy paper makes a perfect base for collages.

The sketchbook has its own integrity and appeal.

It becomes a collection of explorations, a unified thing between two covers.

An intimate thing which needs to be touched to be experienced. 

Paper is so versatile, so welcoming.