Winter Sun

Bitter Season...

Walking Toward The Light monotype 6" x 6" (C) gls

a bitter season

wrapped in snow and ice.

standing blanketed in the cold caustic wind

Amazing Grace echos through the valley as

someone sings to honor souls in a frozen ground

as coon dogs bayed in chorus.

nature beckons our spirits

as lacy iced mountains call to

a bitter season for us all.

(C) gls

More...

Scarlet Flower monotype (C)gls 8" x 8"

Red Sun monotype (C) gls 4" x 4"

Life Lines monotype (C) gls 8" x 8"

Winged Spirit monotype (C) gls 8" x 8"

New Works

What a productive day.

New monotypes are coming.

Fading Lights monotype (C) gls 8" x 8" $395.

Quest

I have been on a quest for a certain type of paper. I like the way the foam core surface acts when painted, but it is not really good to use due to the thickness, etc. So, I began my quest. I always start with Daniel Smith. I emailed and Larry answered me back offering to send paper samples. (I love Daniel Smith. All of the reps are actual artists and they do know their product. I bought my Ettan Press there in 1986, and have trusted them ever since.)

While I did not find exactly what I was looking for (I doubt if it exists.) I found some great papers. The Arches watercolor 140 pound paper came the closest to what I was looking for! YAY!

OK, here are my top ten favorite papers...(too many to choose from):

#1 Arches Watercolor 149lb HP

#2 Rising Drawing Bristol 3-ply vellum or 3-ply plate

#3 Fabriano Artistico extra white HP 140 or 300lb,

#4 Arches 260 HP

#5 Fabriano Artistico traditional white 260lb. HP

#6 Lanaquarelle-hot press 300 lb

#7 Arches bright white HP 140 lb

#8 Arches cover white

#9 Blotters (Cool effects)

#10 Arches Plantine

Now, as far as a sketchbook or journal goes, I would have to agree with Larry and say the Aquabee Super deluxe Sketchbook #93 used with a Micron Pigma pen is the route to take. It is the only pen I have noticed, so far, that WILL NOT bleed and remains sharp over several watercolor washes. The Aquabee paper does take a nice light watercolor wash and it would be great for sketching in pen and using watercolor pencils to wash later. YES!!

Larry, a big thanks to you!

The Night...

This is a monotype on arches...

'Night Seeker'.

I thought her appropriate to share this evening because, for the first time in a long time, I can see the wondrous stars!

Cravings

Nevada Campground at Dusk Monotype (C) gls NFS

Lately, I have been sorting through photographs looking for inspirational images to paint. One of the most 'image-filled' times I have ever had was when I travelled out west. I was able to stay for several weeks and able to roam without constraints. It was marvelous. I am getting that craving again....Perhaps I officially have cabin fever?

Poetry As An Inspiration; "those upright lines? those curves, angles, dots?"

A Song of the Rolling Earth

by Walt Whitman
(1819-1892)

---

1
A song of the rolling earth, and of words according,
Were you thinking that those were the words, those upright lines?
those curves, angles, dots?
No, those are not the words, the substantial words are in the ground
and sea, They are in the air, they are in you.

My Favorite Quote

I read a quote once saying that women 'paint in the cracks of their lives." (I do not know who said it and I can not find the reference. If, by chance, you know who said this, please let me know!)

However, 'women live in the cracks of their existence', at least that is my re-writing of the quote. I think it really sums it up for all of the artistic and creative women out there...

Blue Sky

Sheesh, it is 12 degrees here this morning!

Looking out, I see blue skies smattered with crisp white clouds, and iced over mountain ridges.

Beautifully cold!

Crisp Sky monotype (C) gls 8" x 8"

Darkness

Sometimes darkness falls....

Unforgotten Soul, monotype (C) gls

My very first monotypes on clayboard were figure studies of various sorts. Every now and then I go back and do one, mostly when there's a mood or feeling that is haunting or taunting me. This one reminds me of my father, being a viable force in my life. Although he has been gone sine 1976, he remains a strong part of who I am.

*********************

The following monotype comes from a reflection of standing at the huge picture window in my living room, watching the birds. I tried to create an aura of warmth in this monotype.

January 1st, 2010

Fresh new monotypes for the first day of the New Year.

Different, abstract...hummmmm.

Abstract 1

Abstract 2