J is for July

#PostcardsfromthePandemic

 Its a bleak November day. Cold and rainy on top of all the other things that make up this day in history. 

When the pandemic began last spring, I found myself outdoors as often as possible - camera in hand. This spring was an especially beautiful one; nature offering solace in the bad times. So I began to photograph all of the gorgeous and ever changing array of flowers that were growing in the park, the streets and the gardens that surround our neighborhood. This was also the time when conversation about the troubled Post Office was dominating the news.

On the suggestion of a friend, I began doing a daily postcard size painting and mailing it to a friend (to do my bit to save USPS.)

 These paintings were almost always florals - abstract, loose, very colorful and fun to do. However, as I got deeper into the process, and as the spring turned to summer, my work began to change and my flowers began to reflect the actual flowers I was photographing - until they were almost botanical in style. In July, when the poppies bloom, the available models for my postcards were a riot of color and inspiration. My neighbor is a master gardener who grows a huge variety of flowers - none more spectacular than her poppies of many types and sizes.

In hope of another summer, and in honor of Veteran's Day, Poppies from the Garden. 

Arteza Brush Pens on Watercolor paper.

I is for Intense (color)

 #PostcardsfromthePandemic

I relax by "taking a line for a walk" ala Paul Klee, and then adding colors. This is an experiment in complimentary colors as with the goal of finding intensity through contrast of light and dark. 

Arteza brush pens watercolor paper.

Simple and fun to do.

H is for Harmony

#PostcardsfromthePandemic

In these divided times, the idea of harmony, of getting along, of mutual support is on the horizon - but in no way yet a reality. 

However, there is one kind of harmony that I feel I can achieve - color harmony. And its surprisingly easy to to do. 

Before Covid arrived, I regularly taught painting and drawing to young students. One of the ways I helped them achieve beautiful work was by teaching them to limit their palette. The rule was simple - One light color, one bright, one dark and one wild card (color of their choice.)

 I enjoyed watching them sort through boxes of color pencils or markers to make their choices. As they grew in skill and understanding, I enjoyed watching the rules hold as they mixed paints. By limiting colors, and discovering the colors that can be created from only those colors - beautiful blends appear. And the entire piece is more likely to work well as a whole.

Now, teaching only adults, and only via Zoom, I am surprised to discover that my approach to color works as well with these talented and skilled artists.  

The art on this page is composed of only analogous colors (yellow green blue) close friends on the color wheel. This quiet palette keeps the image calm and serene.  The image is drawn with one line. 

G is for Grateful

#postcardsfromthepandemic 

Its over! Or I hope it is. This has been a time of stress and anxiety - not just for me, but it seems, from reading social media - for people across the country and around the world. I am deeply grateful for the hope of better times,

May this be the beginning. 

In honor and hope - something cheerful. A one line drawing in warm colors to brighten the day.

Arteza watercolor brush pens on
watercolor paper. 

F is for Failed (Canvases that is)

 #PostcardsfromthePandemic

Its Friday and still no definitive answer to the BIG question on everyone's mind ... but art must go on. 

The students in my ZOOM art class have requested that we work in acrylics. Acrylics are both a challenge and a treat for me . I've used them frequently with varying results. So - to fill this nervous time with something productive, I've been going through the collection of paintings I've done over the years with the goal of finding any work that can be salvaged or improved.

Its been fun and interesting to see old friends, and to gauge my progress. Some of my pieces, though imperfect, are too good to toss.  Some bring back memories, many decorate my walls, but I have a stack of FAILS taking up space in my studio. These are the pieces that just don't work for some reason - many are 80% good, some total bombs - but all are canvases - so, to be thrifty, and also to discover what can happen when I paint over something - I am doing just that.

I found this piece - 12x12 canvas in a pile. I liked the colors but the shapes were all wrong and the perspective. So I redid it and I am happy with the results. It felt like a warm up and opened the door for several more re-Dos. There is something satisfying about looking at something old with new, and maybe wiser eyes, and making a change for the better. We can certainly use more of that.

E is for election, energy, ennui and will there ever be an end to this?

 #PostcardsfromthePandemic

Every time I look at the news I feel ill. Everyone I talk to feels the same way - no matter who they are rooting for.

 Yesterday I was amused by the fact that in conversations with seven different women, we all had this in common - we were all unable to sleep and up at 4 AM to check the news. Bad decision - and of course, and still, no answers to be had.

I am not the only one who is edgy right now - and the one thing that helps is keeping busy. That energy was apparent in the class I teach on Zoom each week - the work was especially beautiful and the laughter and conversation essential.

The art on this page is from a series using only primary colors from a simple watercolor palette to create shades of grey. The subdued colors reflect my mood. I am trying to stay hopeful and calm - and see the light.

D is for Decision (dark or delight?)

#PostcardsfromthePandemic

We are waiting to find out what happens next. Its difficult, distressing, depressing and I need some diversion. 

I make art in these times to structure my day, for the pleasure of the colors and the moments of being lost in a creative space. And I make art to express how I feel. I try, through my florals and vibrant colors to express joy and create beauty. But not today.

Today I feel storm clouds and slashes of lightning. And darkness. So .... something a little dark - but cheery enough to contain hope and light. 

Good luck and good art to us all.