It's absolutely better than I expected. Take a look at this wonderful vid by MASS MoCA. This is my favorite museum ever.

If you haven't been it's worth a trip. Drive and enjoy the wonderful mountains and nature.

A new pair in my continuing series the long and the short of it. Spring has taken hold of my eye and this yellow pair are getting some well deserved attention. The series as a whole is begining to look garden like with a spring explosion of color.

The bright white paper stared directly at me yesterday. I took my used blue tape and masked out an area to begin laying doen a background color. I reuse my blue tape, it gives me more organic line.

After sipping a cup a joe I began applying the ground. It took three passes to get a coverage. The two panels are ready to be drilled and bolted together. Then I'll start creating my graphite grid.

So pleased with the results so far. It's almost enough.

Got the spring green on all my new surfaces. 

This is a surprise color for me. Not a natural choice for mt but I'm working with it. Eight new pieces to start drawings. I have them all set up on one of my side work surfaces so I can work on small pieces in between working on my larger two commissions. 

Looking forward to loading up some pens and laying down some marks this coming week. I'll be posting images or progess here in the journal.

Lot's of prep work in my studio this week.

I took out a saw to do some cutting.

Here's a peek at 8 new 4 x 5 inch basswood panels gessoed and drying. Can't wait to get making drawings on these pieces. I first used this material for my radical warp series of drawings.

Mounting paper to panels I was rusty. But now I'm back up to well oiled machine. These two panels are ready for me to begin my new commission. I'll bolt the two panels together and draw on them as though they are one contiguous piece. The two panels are really to make them more managable for transportation.

My color tests and ink viscosity proved my thoughts to be true.

This weekend I lay down a colorfield and wait for it to dry. Then the drawing will begin.

Got another sheet of paper mounted.
Now to wait for it to dry and then trim.
Then the drawing can begin.

I made some adjustments to the mounting process and got excellent results. I also didn't get impatient. Waiting for it to dry. One more sheet to mount this week.

When you have lots to do and no idea where to begin it's time for a cup of java and some experimentation. I pulled a couple new markers onto the worktable, grabbed a piece of Yupo and tested some marks that I like to use in different ways. 

I layed down a group of stripes in different directions and waited for them to dry. My expectation was to drag some sharp objects across the surface to scratch out some marks. I tried using some T pins I had close to hand. Surprise, the Yupo stubbornly held on to the ink. Well, ok that was a discovery I can use in the future.

Yesterday I spent a full day in the studio.

Today I have another long day. It feels as though it's been forever since I've been able to spend several hours at a time working. Today I picked up a lovely breakfast and headed to the studio to make a latte and contemplate my next move. Here's a smap of my breakfast while get the studio set up. Studio breakfast from ICI in old city