In the Ides of March we see winter and spring locked in a duel, with dampness and chill, wind and rain allowing only brief periods of almost warm sunshine. It is a dispiriting time, a time to remain grounded in the certainty that spring wins the battle. I fear we will go right from winter coat weather to humid hot days.
On a personal front, there are still some health concerns for immediate family members, and a first cousin has died. In mourning that loss, I can’t help thinking about the preciousness of my remaining years. I am clawing back my creative time from the quotidian tasks of cooking and cleaning. I am working to tame my screen addiction. I spent the better part of my morning coffee time reading an actual book and took a time-limited peek at social media before settling in at my desk to write this brief update.
My 50 states gouache project is coming along; I only have ten more to paint due to some good sessions this week. The eastern half of the country is now complete.
I am using a 4 x 6 Fluid 100 100% cotton 140 lb hot press Postcard block and a nearly spent HiMi jellycup set that I am about ready to toss. The paint seems somewhat slippery on this paper and I paint over everything twice.
I hope to finish a larger watercolor in my adult ed class this week and devote more time to watercolor for a while. I feel so much pent-up urgency to do all kinds of art, and am struggling to simplify my daily schedule to find the right pockets of time. Small paintings are easier to accomplish in an empty hour. The larger quarter-sheet watercolors require space and enough quiet time for focus.
Abundant thanks to all the new subscribers and everyone who posted congratulations on my note about getting in to the art show. It strengthens my commitment to make more art, to study, and practice and log the brush miles. Brush mileage with attention to basic skills and composition is important, but brush time is also self-care and therapy.
So how are you doing? Does your creative practice need a tune-up to get past winter sluggishness? Do you have tips and techniques that help you protect and expand your creative time? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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