The Gap. Words by Ira Glass. Film by Daniel Sax.

Film of The Gap on vimeo.

Here's a short film accompanying audio by Ira Glass.  He is talking about the gap between what you want to make and what you're making. I posted some of his thoughts on the subject a few years ago. 

This film is very cute and only takes a couple of minutes.  I love the printing on the map early on. This was mentioned in the latest newsletter from the wonderful Annamieka Hopps Davidson.

As for my own personal experience, it is taking me forever to get anywhere.  I know I need to work more and I've made gains in that area, but I don't even know what watercolor paper I like.

Anyway, here's a recent sketch on Hahnemuhle Nostagie paper, 5 and 3/4 inches by 4 and 1/8 inches.
(Not watercolor paper.)

Wishing everyone a very happy 2018.

Klea dog

Post card #10

This one came from Taiwan. It took about 3 weeks from the postmark to arrive in Portland.

"The rabbit is a rubbing from an old cake press"

 

Pretty stamps and a clear postmark.

More postcards received

Cute one from Ohio. I like the boxes.

One of a series from San Francisco

This is an affecting message from Athens, Georgia. It references a group called "Free the Girls" focusing on liberating girls forced into sexual slavery.

 

I really enjoy these swaps. Love seeing the different styles and points of view.

Postcards received in the Fall Swap

Here are two great collaged postcards. The top is from Minnesota and the other is from the UK.

Very cool paint and stencil on cardboard from Camas, Washington.

Lovely hand-colored original drawing from LA, CA.

Very interesting abstract design - paint and collage from Scotland.

A fabric postcard from Orlando, FL!  She had the post office hand cancel the card then she put it in a clear plastic sleeve for mailing.

These are all so cool and different. You can see why I love doing this swap!

Follow Hanna at http://www.ihanna.nu/postcard-swap/  She usually does two a year, so the next one may be in the winter or spring.

Postcards for the Fall Swap

Finished batch of postcards

I used acrylic paint and dark pencil for this swap. I cut some with pinking shears.

First couple of layers on 300 lb water color paper

Tests and inspiration for the postcards

Portland Audubon Society Wild Arts Festival

It's almost time for the Wilds Arts Festival held in November by Portland Audubon Society.

http://wildartsfestival.org/  This year it takes place on November 24 and 25.  Lots of art and books to peruse.

Corvus II, Corvus I, Blackbirds

There is always an open show of 6 x 6 art works to raise money for conservation.  I donated three pieces this year.  Water color topped by clear encaustic medium on 6 x 6 x 1.5 inch boards.  I love that the encaustic medium gives an atmospheric look to the art and it allows one to touch the paintings.  I struggled a little with this batch, but you can only be where you are at the moment. The middle one, Corvus I, was done while we still were dealing with smoke from the forest fires in the Columbia Gorge. Corvus II was more abstract. Blackbirds was inspired by blackbirds in the reeds by Cathedral Park in Portland.

Fall Postcard Swap

It's time for iHanna's Postcard Swap.  Follow this link to sign up! You have until October 22, 2017
http://www.ihanna.nu/postcard-swap/

Not a postcard:

My dog Klea for Inktober.

Summer acrylic work

I've had a chance to take a couple of classes this summer.  The first is an on-line class entitled "Wild Wonder" Here's the link: http://annamieka.com/wildwonder/  Another round will start in October.  Annamieka teaches a collage and acrylic technique along with a bit of botany.  She uses the Ruzuku site to show videos, as well as a private Facebook group.  Here's my piece:

Flowering Pomegranate

I'm taking the summer session of Intermediate painting at the Drawing Studio on Division Street in Portland, Oregon. Drawing Studio The instructor is always trying to get us to stretch.  His philosophy is that it is better to go beyond your comfort zone, than always stopping at 75%.

Last night we had a live model. Here is one stage:

Stage 1

Stage 2

I think I prefer Stage 1, but pushing helped me see what can happen after working it.  I'm used to watercolor where you try to get it without overworking it.  Apparently, practicing in this way can help with whichever media you choose. It's nice to have some of the white paper showing. Our goal was not to make a pretty painting, but to see what the paint can do. You can tell I'm not great with hands. I'm so impatient.

The third class is another on-line class, the 21 Secrets from a while ago called "Color, color, color!" at Dirtyfootprints Studio. Looking forward to trying out some of the techniques. The summer heat is making the garage less than comfortable.  It should break soon.