Abstract Watercolor

I have been experimenting for a couple of weeks with watercolors, trying to paint abstractly. This has been a difficult journey, and I find that fact very fascinating. I work abstractly in other mediums, but I have always painted realistically in watercolor. I think my mental roadblock comes from "that is the way I learned to paint with watercolors". It sounds cliche, but I honestly think that is the issue.

In the last couple of days I finally finished an abstract watercolor that I love. The colors and shapes in this painting are evocative of the seasonal creek at my artist residency in Texas in March --- the leaves floating down the creek, the rocks just barely below the surface of the water, and the sunlight playing on all the surfaces. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment. It's almost like I have been painting in my instructor's shadow all this time, and now I have finally made the medium mine.

Review of My Work

A month or so ago, John Hopper from The Textile Blog asked if he could use some images of my work for an article on his blog. After perusing The Textile Blog, I readily agreed. John is reviewing some of the top textile artists, and his reviews are in depth and accurate.

Today I received an email notification that his article about my work was posted to The Textile Blog. I am appreciative of this opportunity, and I am flattered by his comments about my work and his understanding of my work, especially my series work. The link is below if you would like to read the article.

The Textile Blog

Frustration and Inspiration

Yesterday was not a successful day in the studio. I am struggling with technical difficulties on my new series of leaf pieces, and I'm not sure what to try next. I have this vision in my head though, and I'm not ready to give up on it.

Instead, I decided to take a break and "fill the well". When I am stymied in the studio, I switch gears, and usually photography is my favorite friend. We went out to the farm last night to pick sweet corn, and I brought my camera. The layers of greens in the fields were glorious, and I came home refreshed and renewed and ready to work in the studio again this morning.