The process

 (all recent sketchbook pages)

I've been riding one of those massive creative burst for a while now. Although it makes me feel a bit manic and distracted, it is awesome. I know it won't last at least at this level and that's okay. 

I felt it sort it wind down yesterday in the studio. My palette seems confused and my ideas weren't translating well. I've been doing this long enough that it usually means a transition is coming and it's working itself out. So this week I'll let my subconscious work it out while I play with the littles and get the house ready for the back to school rush. Perhaps if there are quiet moments I'll work on my small canvases. 

It feels like I'm standing on the edge of what's next. Hmmm... kinda like the start of a new school year. 

So Many Ideas, So Little Time

I am in the midst of one of those rare and amazing times where the influx of ideas is almost frenetic.  It seems right now everywhere I look there is inspiration.  I know all too well that these moments are fleeting and I am trying my best to capture them so that when studio time presents itself I'll be prepared.  In an ideal world that would mean sketching away, making color studies capturing images with my camera.  In my reality as it is, it looks more like this...
While doing this...

 

I use my phone to do this...

 

 Honestly, I tend to write more than actually draw at first. So, this works for me.  In fact corralling the scraps of paper that include both grocery list, to do list and notes on my artistic ideas is a lot worse. 

Now that we are on vacation, I've been able to translate this into a sketchbook where I still write out descriptions, and a little bit of my thought process before I can capture them visually.

 Briar Patch?Lonely?Alone?

Castle?

 

 Nomad?

 Homestead

My plan is to play around with some color next.  I've packed some watercolors and oil pastels.  I'm curious to see if working the same image through so many incarnations with help or hinder the final painting.  There is such a spontaneity when I actually approach the canvas that I am confident will stay in tack.  The behavior of the medium tends to influence me immediately.  Either way I'm excited to see.

Sketches

I've been flipping through sketch books lately to wet my appetite
and feeling better knowing I at least have time to sketch a page or two.  There is a quality to the sketch that never comes across in a finished work.  The speed in which it is produced makes it feel fresh, and for me the idea that it's not so precious.  I can play and experiment with imagery that doesn't always come out in my paintings.  I do find that same feeling when I learn a new medium and allow myself to be an "amateur" in my own mind.  I don't judge myself so harshly because, hey I'm just learning, right? I would love to be able to bring that attitude to every new piece, just haven't quiet mastered that yet!

It's been so nice to revisit and play again. I feel like I have all these images just waiting to become more than a sketch when I am back in the studio.  It's making me feel so much better during my hiatus.  I may just explode on that day in the near future when I can sit down at my easel or heat up some wax.
Until then enjoy my musings and doodles!

Sketchbook

It looks like I may have a studio day tomorrow.  Hooray!!  Of course it will be book-ended by errands and a party.  Not too bad :-)

I am testing my geographical boundaries this year.  Although I have traveled extensivly, I rarely show outside of the mid-atlantic area.  Mostly due to the cost and logistics of shipping.  This year I am going for it.  And I am going to figure it out as I go.  Wish me luck!

First up is entering a show "Blind Proxy" at Desotorow Gallery.  The concept is hanging all 10"x10" artwork next to other artwork and watch how they play off each other.  The only downside is that I won't be able to see the work hung.  I've been working on sketches at my kitchen table.  I am hoping to pick up some wintergreen oil today, and experiment with doing some transfer's on encaustic.  I'll post some pictures of my progress tomorrow.