I have a large and entirely useless collection of 'found things'...I think they're interesting and can generally remember where I found them and when. I have bits of Lego found while walking down the street...a very large (very dead) moth that must have traveled here on the front of someones motorhome, as we don't grow 'em that big here...a green marble and a small glass bottle that I found at an old homestead site...various rusty nuts and bolts...well, you get the idea. This information is generally of absolutely no interest to most people I know. Their loss...
And...(and this has nothing to do with the previous paragraph)...since I started painting two years ago I have only ever painted on Arches 140lb CP paper...so I thought I would try something different...new year, new stuff and all that. Fredrix watercolor canvas. Kinda nasty at first...slicker than snot (as my grandpa used to say)...took a while to figure how to make the paint stay where it was put. But I persevered...and managed to create a painting...of...found stuff! Ah you see? It all comes around eventually...
I like the way the background turned out. This painting is 8x11".
12 comments:
The background looks sort of like it was done on yupo. Have you every tried that? Talk about "slicker than snot..." I like this, and I like that you collect things you find. Those treasures will come in handy for some scavenger hunt soon, I'm sure.
I usually use Arches too, but have tried a few other papers. I had Santa bring me an Italian paper (can't remember the brand) to try this year. I'll let you know what brand and how I like it. I also once bought this spiral pad of wc papers at the San Diego Watercolor Society show. Each piece is a different brand or type of paper, and they identified each paper. Then they left a blank page for you to put your comments about each paper. I thought it was a cool idea, but I've never used the pad. I have this hesitancy to start new notebooks. I'm going to add that pad to new things I'm going to use in 2008!
Hi Joan. 2008...wow...already.
I have a few things on my list to do...mainly involving stepping out of my comfort zone. That variety pad sounds excellent...I haven't tried yupo, but I think this canvas would be similar, but with more texture. I hope to try more new materials in the coming year...there is so much to learn.
Here's to learning and growing in 2008!! Cheers!!
I like this little painting of your "found things". The background is gorgeous! I haven't tried watercolor canvas before, but Joan and I have painted on Yupo together - I love/hate the slickness and have had fun learning to let it do it's own thing.
I have one of those paper sampler sketchbooks from the San Diego Watercolor Society too. I wonder where I put it. There were some really interesting papers in it.
Tracy, In case you don't know, Michelle and I are sisters. Unfortunately we live about an hour and a half from each other. We try to get together every few weeks to have an art day, and have taken art workshops together.
Tracy,
Your work is very very good. I'm so glad you started a blog to share it with us. And try the YUPO. It's a blast to paint on, having a mind of its own. Thanks so much for the comment on my blog, too. Have a great new year.
I'm so glad you came by my blog and commented. You're doing GREAT for having been at watercolor for so short a time — here's nothing like blogging to raise the bar. Warm wishes marvelous experiences with my favorite medium in the new year!
Thank you Sandy & Suzanne!
I'm tickled that you stopped by...and I look forward to learning from you both. I'm hoping this will be a year of new directions and experiences...and cruising through all the fabulous blogs is giving me a little taste of where I could go. Thanks.
Joan...yeah, I thought so...lucky you to have a painting partner!
Hello Tracy!
Congratulation for his blog, is very beautiful.
This is a very nice display of "found things". This "slicker than snot" paper sounds challenging to work on, turned out nicely though.
Hello Tracy, I found you by tailgating on some other blogs. I know your work, not sure of your WC code name...Agent 99? I like that you're not afraid to use the paper as a compositional tool, and it really does focus the attention on your finely painted details. Have you ever experimented with sumi-e? I highly recommend it, whether you study it formally or informally, it refines that sense of space and putting things in precisely the right spot. Keep up the great work, see you around the neighborhood. kcin
Hi Jose, thanks for visiting!
Hey Tami - Yeah, it's different alright! But it's kinda fun to play with.
And as for you Nick - So glad you found my site! I'm gemineye on WC. I have been looking into the Sumi-e thing, less for the style of painting than for the use of space. But I have also been studying YOUR painting...and have done a couple of things that I'm kinda excited about. Thanks so much for dropping by!
I have to echo Suzanne and say you're doing great--and you have a great design sense. I too have a collection of bits of stuff I've picked up: stones and twigs and feathers and broken shells! Have never been able to make much of them in a painting, but this lovely painting makes me want to try again!
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