Snippets of time...

...and small projects are so my friends right now, as I juggle waaaay too many things.  I did manage to finish some tasks this week, though, and that's a happy set of occurances.

The small ( 7 1/2" x 5 1/2") collage above is complete, I believe, and the one below is well on its way.

I finally finished the 20" x 16" canvas, titled Snakes & Ladders, and the texture in so many areas  makes me delirious to the point where my mouth waters.

You'll perhaps have seen this book before. I've been mulling it over for ages, knowing it needed further work on the interior which finally happened this week. I added a soft turquoise star-spangled sheet and a star-related quote to each of the seven leaves, and it now has the feeling of a finished work. 

Another of my hand-crafted books has been on the shelf awaiting inspiration, and that was the word that kick-started the interior contents.

I've started the process of adding colour and pattern to each of the 80 pages inside.  (What was I thinking to add ten signatures of 8 sheets each???!!!)

And I've only got eight more signatures (64 designs) to go for this stage.

When I get all the colour and pattern in there, I'll add a word to each page, to complete the three things that really inspire me in my creative life.  

 No doubt you're waiting with bated breath for the completion of this project.  🤣  But me?? - I'm waiting to hear what you've been up to this week, so I'll head over to your blogs to catch up with you, because you're the fourth inspiration!  Happy week to you...

Experiment, play, repeat...

The life of an artist is pure bliss, in my opinion.

You may have seen this piece last week with the shocking change due to the glaze of yellow/orange on the magenta.  It has changed yet again, and may sit for a while as it waits for further inspiration.

The flowers from this piece, also started last week, are starting to get a rather rakish look.  More to come?  Perhaps!

This piece is really getting on my nerves, and I can only manage a bit at a time, cursing every moment.  Do you have pieces like that?  Please tell me I'm not the only one!

A meditation inspiration had me going back to a star book created in 2022; I've found a number of quotes that have spoken to me over the years, and they'll be added sometime in the next while.  That turqoise paper has some lovely sparkle to it, which really speaks to the theme.

I've started another small collage, just because I could, and I'll be adding to it this next week, I suspect.

And another question for you...do you go through phases of colour lust?  Right now I just can't get enough of this combination and I keep finding a need to make more painted paper using the cool yellow and hot pink.    Help me please, I'm trapped and can't get out!!  🤣

See you next week and perhaps with a new colour scheme.  Surely something spring-like should appear?

A better week means...

...more time in the studio, so I'm doing a happy dance over here.  The underwhelming 'abandoned ovals' piece from last week is looking better, and may eventually make a good background.

There is a little progress on the celebratory piece,

and just take a look at those three clean brayers.  The two smaller ones have been so thickly coated with paint that I'd forgotten their original boring colour.  

I've started a small floral collage,

and added a couple of layers to the scribble piece that was started last week.

It's looking quite different with more scribbles and a wash of diarylide yellow over all.  

With another layer or two, it will also make a good background for something or other.  😉

Happy spring week to you all, with juicy creative play!

I'm so behind...

...on things it just amazes me.  Where did all those organizational skills go when I need them the most?  :D  

I started an abstracted piece of this celebratory photo from many years ago.

It is definitely doing the abstract tap-dance, don't you think?

I saw a supposedly quick way to clean brayers online, which requires soaking them overnight in Murphy wood oil.  I suppose it would be quick had I stuck to the overnight, but they've been sitting there for four days now as they await the scrubbing of step 2!  I'll keep you posted on how it works.

I did a speedy start on a scribble piece, with more layers to come, of course.

And a piece that I'd abandoned a month or so ago finally got another layer.  So far, I'm underwhelmed.  🤣

There are three pieces on the sideboard that need resolving, 

and three tables that need clearing.  I want you all to send productivity prayers to my address, please!!

Or at the very least, wish me a couple of free days in the studio!  Happy week to you all.

I suspect da Vinci has it right...

 ...when he suggested that 'Art is never finished, only abandoned.'  Goodness knows I've abandoned more paintings than I'd ever thought possible, although none are to be found in museums.  My latest 'abandoned' painting is the 3' x 4' painting that is meant for an outdoor patio wall.

This painting started back in May of 2023 and it's come a long way, and many layers since this photo:

The scripted card on the board above is the original concept for the piece.  It's a quote by Arundhati Roy:

Another world is not only possible,

She is on her way.

On a quiet day,

I can hear her breathing.

It's next to impossible to tell where one layer starts and the other ends.

With only the last spray-on protective layers and the hardware to go, I'm reasonably certain I can get it on the wall before September.  🤣  

There are still another couple of projects on the go and at least one is near-ready for abandonment - maybe next week?  In the meantime, wishing you the best creative week ever!