Back to Batiks

Today, and then again on Saturday, I taught/will teach another Batik Workshop.  That means ganging all my thrift shop fry pans, irons and hair dryers, as well as an obligatory fire extinguisher, into the senior center, along wih what seems like reams of rice paper, paints, etc. to share with thirteen students for a day.

It also means I really have to amp up my game, and do some new work to share, because several of the students are taking the workshop for a second time.  I don't want to serve up repeats of work from the first time, so I have been doing some figures with batiks, and I am sort of pleased with the results.  What do you think?

Jewelry Girl at Samish Island Fair Watercolor Batik 18 x 24 mounted on canvas

Jill posing at a workshop ~ Watercolor Batik 8" x 8"

A New Year Filled With Promise

Oh, I am glad to have "done" the holidays and all the related activities, both with art and with celebrations.  I have missed blogging, and intend to catch up by sharing some projects I have done and am working on.  I was probably most pleased to have finished two paintings for my son and daughter-in-law in time for Chirstmas.  They live across the country, and my son is currently overseas, so, painting something meaningful for them was a wonderful gift for me.  Then to hear that they liked the work was a double gift.

My daughter-in-law and her horse

My granddogs, The Boyz

I was told that I captured who they all were, which pleased me no end.  As I HOPE I have expressed on this blog, I am trying to get away from such realistic represntational work, but, in this case, I am glad that I did these, and happy with how my kids appreciated the work.

So, my intentions for 2012 are more art and more connections to everyone who is important to me, which, of course, includes you!

It's been a while ...

It's been a while since I posted, and I almost feel a little guilty.  But, like the rest of you, I have been slammed with getting ready for holiday shows, prepping for lessons, etc.  My blog just had to take a back seat to all of the rest!  I have missed my blog community.  Even though I haven't been around, I know all of you are here and will be here as I come and go!

I have held a couple of watercolor batik workshops in addition to my five weekly classes at three different Senior Centers in the county.  I have been painting up a storm, batik, watercolors, mixed media and plain old acrylics.  Love it all, but have felt the pressure!  I had to complete several new batiks to make a total of thirteen for my 2012 calendar.  Then, of course, Christmas cards, new projects, etc, etc and so forth!

One great thing I did for myself, well four great things since I have posted, I attended four mini weekend workshops that were wonderful.  Some more wonderful than others.  Funny thing, I didn't finish one painting in any of the workshops, but I was so inspired and really had a rush of creativity as I integrated lessons learned from all of them.  Will try to post a little more often as we near the end of 2011, and show a few pieces that were the result of some of my workshop lessons.

I'll start with a few of my new batiks, as those will be the first to make public viewing the first Friday of December at the Holiday Art Walk in Anacortes, Washington.

This is from a photo taken up at Shucksan in Mount Baker State Park  "December"  8" x 8" watercolor batik

Grapes on the vine from a photo of a friend's grapes on her deck "September" 8" x 8" watercolor batik

Watercolor Batik "November" for my calendar. November is when the snow geese arrive, and, yes, they are here! 8" x 8"

I'm Done!

Have spent too much time on this already, so  I think I can call this one done!  It may not be "finished,"  but it IS done! [Until I fiddle again.]  No, no more fiddling.  It "feels" better than the two previous posts.  Another opportunity for growth!  Onto the next.  Maybe I can knock one out tonight, now that I have worked out the bugs ... sort of.

What the hey, it's only canvas!

Never to do things halfway, I got a little nuts with my fiddling.  Too little?  Too much?  Have really gotten away from what I intended to do, but isn't that the way?  Take risks, punch through to the next place.  Sometimes it works, sometimes, not so much.  Will sit with this for a day or two ...

Just so you know ...

Yes, I paint in other media than watercolor batik!  Here's an 18 x 24 acrylic I just did for a local show related to "Mother Earth."  Will enter it next week.   At this point, I am just propping it up to look at it.  It needs a few tweaks, I think. seeing the image on my computer, the violet is too much and should probably be knocked down a bit.  The good news and bad news is that Photoshop picks up everything.  Will play with it over the weekend and re-post the results.

The weather should be great over the weekend.  I hope to get out to sketch a bit, but will have enough time to work on this before classes start again next week.  Happy Labor Day to all!  Don't "work" too hard!

Which One is Just Right?

Have been away for a while ... the hurrier I go, the behinder I get.  Am trying to finish up summer classes and prepare for early fall classes, and I get "clutched."  So, I went back to doing some watercolor batiks to relax into and play a little bit.  Well, of course, I am still clutched.  Got to punch through!

So, I took an old "blah" watercolor  of mine, and copied it onto some rice paper.  Was not thrilled with the outcome, so did two more.  Like Goldilocks I am trying to figure out which is "just right."  I am thinking that none of them are just right, but each of them have elements I like, and, of course, a few parts that I am not too happy with.  But, I am not going to beat myself up, because I am beginning to figure out how much of a drawing I need to do, how much spattering I want to do, and how much paint [i.e., value] I need to use.

Talk about needing to punch through, I look at several of my most recent posts, and see that they are all watercolor batiks.  I need to get back into doing some more serious [ not TOO serious] work.  I have a couple of acrylics I am working on, and I have done a few quick watercolor demos in watercolors that are "okay," but nothing that thrills me. 

Oh well, like I say ... the hurrier I go ... shows, classes, and a couple of workshops that I will be giving, and a coule I will be taking.  Woo hoo!  THAT'S what I need, some nurturing "me" time in a workshop I will be taking!  More to follow!