Summer Residency: update 01

My mornings remain slow and quiet. I wake to sunshine (Central Oregon!!), freshly made coffee, and Tepals belly rubs. I putter around on the internet or read a book while finishing my first cup of coffee. Then I get up for a refill and make my way back down the hall but to my studio/office to paint. It doesn’t matter what, the act of painting itself is pure joy. It’s surprised me to be so consistent with something; routines are usually a struggle for me. But, each morning without fail, painting has been something I want to do and so I do. And with watercolors, anywhere from two minutes to 15 is enough to complete a wash, a layer of detail, a sky, or a gradient. I’m working in a small format (~ 5” x 5”) because that was the size of this sketch book made of Arches paper we found in Reed’s childhood room that he never used and didn’t want.

I’m just about worked through Painting Woodland Watercolors by Rita Gould. My brush strokes, especially when it comes to details, are not as practiced and I realize I’m working in a smaller format that doesn’t allow space for some of it. I am wanting to work in a larger format, maybe an 8” or 10” sketch book once I complete this one.

I’ve learned to use complementary colors for creating shadow and mixing neutrals. Most of the paintings are 3 to 5 layers—a wash, the shadows, texture, and then details. I’m still quiet messy when it comes to glazing, some how always having harder edges than I’d intended, clumsy shapes, and blurring or disturbing the layer underneath.

But, even with the imperfections, I feel satisfied when I’ve completed a little painting. I visited the library again a couple weeks ago and came home with an armful of books:

• Gold from Newton’s Apple: Historical Recipes for Natural Inks, Paints, & Dyes by Nabil Ali

• National Parks in Watercolor by Kolbie Blume

• Colors of the West by Molly Hashimoto (I liked this one enough to buy a used copy to keep)

I heard back from HDTS and didn’t get a spot for the work trade residency this winter. It’s disappointing, but I’m aware that demand is higher than space at almost every residency program. I’ll keep applying to wherever peaks my interest and likely work in smaller, maybe less competitive residencies &/or book a self directed one to guarantee I’ll have time dedicated to art, wandering outside somewhere new to me, and hopefully, have a chance to connect with other artists and community.

That said, I’m glad to continue on my own summer residency and I’m also looking forward to attending From Plant to Pigment with Amanda Lee in a few weekends at Pine Meadow Ranch.

And, I’ve been working my way through the video library available from Pigments Revealed International (if you are a pigment maker or enthusiast, consider joining as a member too!). Here’s some of the “homework” completed as I continue my study of natural pigments:

• Color, Curiosity, and Learning from the Earth with Nick Neddo (author of The Organic Artist)

• Lucy Makes Lakes with Lucy Mayes

• Binders Hold Pigments Together with Elisabeth Heying

In other updates, spending time outside, in water, and in the sun with Tepals, Reed, and friends.