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!

First Place in WAG Truck Challenge

8" x 8" unframed $100 for the pair or $60 each  plus $8 shipping for one or both

 8" x 8" unframed $100 for the pair, or $60 each plus $8 shipping for one or both

Woo hoo!  I had no idea that I would win this challenge, because I really don't "know" trucks.  I did them more to practice watercolor batik than to compete in the challenge. 

Another nice thing happened.  I sold two paintings this week ... one from the Daily Paintworks Challenge's Weekly Challenge and one from our co-op gallery in Anacortes.  Either the economy is turning, or my art is getting better!  I want both to be true ...

Koi Batik

Watercolor Batik Koi Approximately 18 x 24 inches

Well, I couldn't wait.  Had to finish it.  Lately, with these batiks, my iron is getting more of a work out than it has in the last twenty years!  As I mentioned in my early koi post, I was concerned about a few little tears in the paper, but have solved the issue by cropping them out!  When in doubt, crop it out!  Am sort of pleased with the outcome of my first "larger" batik piece. 

Koi on rice paper ... soon to be batiked

Watercolor batik koi painting WIP 24 x 24 inches ~ Two waxings so far

Initial drawing in pen and ink with ultra fine sharpie

Am continuing to explore and experiment with watercolor batik ... a few steps forward and a few steps back.  One of my forward steps was that I sold my batik reflective glass set-up from the Daily Paintworks Challenge [linked to Daily Paintworks in a previous post].  This is an incentive for me to join DPW.  I love that site and love the challenges!

With a tad more confidence, I started a koi painting in watercolor batik on a larger piece of rice paper than I have in earlier paintings.  This is 24 by 24 inches, and the paper is much more fragile and thinner than what I have used up until now.  I am only half way through the process, and I have a few small tears in the paper.  Am sure they will seal when I apply more wax, but would sure like to know how to avoid the tears!  Really, I have been gentle with the paper, moving it gingerly so as to not tear it, but, there you are.  And I drew the koi so large, that a crop may not work.

Would love to hear from some of you batiking artists for some insights!  Have to say, though, I still love playing with batiks!