REALLY!!!

Started snowing last night and hasn't stopped yet. I'm not quite as excited with new snow as I was thirty years ago!!

INSPIRATION

My newest pastel drawing plus a video of the art from The Pastel Journal's 12th annual pastel competition. Very inspiring paintings.

IN PRINT

The new 2011 McClain's print supply catalog is out and they put my Linocut 'Who's There' in it. McClain's is the best place in the world for printmakers. If they don't have what you need, they will find it for you.

MOTIVATION

Soothing music plus neat art work. Can't beat it!!

PASSING PASTEL

Seems like sitting down and working on a quick pastel has become my easy fix for creating something. I have a limited assortment of pastels so I can't overwhelm myself with colors combinations, just values. Going through my old photos taken when I lived in Thailand, sent me looking for newer pictures (mine are all black and white). Very picturesque land.

SAND ART

A short time ago Betsy Grant had a link on her blog to an artist who paints on water. Not watercolor painting but really painting on water. http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=2174  I really found the art fascinating and remembered something that I had seen quite a while ago that I found equally fascinating. Sand art preformed by a talented artist is almost magical. Below are two links that are beautiful to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k43xQ7VfmTQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cri7aQHRT7k&feature=related

CHICKENED OUT

About a month ago, with good intentions I started a new watercolor painting. I really told myself that I would see this one to the finish. That resolve lasted through the first two washes. I am such a wuss! As soon as things started being uncomfortable for me I broke out the acrylics. Out of all of my attempts at watercolor (and there have been many) I have one painting that I like.  

THE OTHER HALF

One of my fellow bloggers (Wm Cook) pointed me to a link on his blog for Charlie Mingus. This reminded me of the second use my studio gets. One half of the area is set up with my drums plus guitars, keyboards and various other instruments. Some teacher friends of mine join me at every oppotunity to play what we think sounds like blues and other types of music. With apologies to my wife, who heads to the farthest reaches of the house, we do have a lot of fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0UjfkEo-0M

NICHOLAS SIMMONS

Nicholas Simmons is an artist and musician who lives in the D.C. area. I happened upon his blog after seeing some of his fantastic watercolor paintings on a different site. His art is what I wish I could do with watercolor and has been featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine. His blog also introduces art from many other artist around the world.

http://nicholassimmons.blogspot.com

LINO PROOF

I finished the final cut (except for proof changes) on the Linocut I've been working on. Seems like it's been a year long project, but probably only about thirty hours in real time! Pulled a proof last night and I'll make a few little adjustments then pull a seven print edition. I need to be a bit more attentive to my baren pressure as this linoleum is glued to a block of wood which seems to have a warp in it.