Recently I got a call from artist Lesley Mitchell inviting me to participate in a small works show. I was excited I have lot's of small works, how easy. Sure I'm in. Alas, nothing I had framed an ready met the size criterial. I've been makinging larger work it seems.
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I've been folding lots of paper into books for the upcoming RiTUAL Reading Room show. I've been pulling out found papers and papers I've saved. This will keep me open to possibities. I'm looking through drawers in my studio and pulling out sheets.
I have many ritials and I can make the actual act of making the books a ritual. Excited to investigate and think about by rituals. By thinking about my acts everyday and the act of making working I discover more of my personal rituals.
All the panels have been gessoed for the second time. Now they will sit and dry thouroughly so I can sand them the next time I'm in the studio. Then I'll wipe them down and mount the watercolor paper. Meanwhile some folding. And I'll be framing a couple of those small drawings on the wall for a small works show.
Participating in Open Studios this year was harder than previous years. My energy was low and I had to call in help from my good friends and fellow artists. They did so much hard work for me and I am grateful.
One of the most helpful ways to show my work was my exhibition of 366 iPhone project in the public space @HBHQ. I was lucky to have a good amount of new work to show and decided to fill my worktable with finished drawings and works in progress.
I was also able to display my 366 iPhone catalog/book that was just published.
Starting the morning slowly, sipping coffee, planning for the day Wonderful morning sounds.
Time for some fine sandpaper a chamois.
Then the gesoo, then the sandpaper, and a brush. Dust away.
Then the gel, squeegee.
Paper and brayer.
Weights and wait.
I've gotten serious about doing folding for RiTUAL. Reading Room. Last week and this week I'm folding several sheets and will begin drawing and marking them this week.
I'm also making some work on unfolded sheets which I will fold after the drawing is made.
The revealing of what the marks will do when they are reassembled as a folded book intrigues me.
One of my measurement drawings. It still doesn't have a name. We're having a nonverbal conversation. I thought offering it a frame might help reveal a name.
Acrylic Ink on Yupo Synthetic Paper.
The past few days I have been working on a commission. I've been spending time near the ocean to create a measurements piece that will be installed at a beach house. Being near the ocean in late september and early October is very informative. The weather conditions can be incredibly different from morning through evening and from one day to the next.
These are two images I took on two consecutive days. There was also a day where the fog was thick right through noon. I experienced so many states of light and texture so close to where the land touches the ocean.
I've got a special bag just for art supplies ready to go at all times.
Here I am by the ocean with a selection of my tools. The bag has served me well since I set up my pencil cases, brush rollups and assortment of pads and sketchbooks. I can also carry it as a backpack and it is just the right size to be light and confortable while I carry a slew of optional drawing implements.
Time to take it out for another spin.