I spent all day yesterday bookkeeping in preparation for today’s meeting with my CPA.
Except for about a half hour or so in the morning, when I got my paint on.
Yep, even with an under-the-gun deadline, I stuck with my commitment. My latest experiments involve odd-shaped assemblages of canvases of different sizes and depths, as the photo above.
Next up: combining paper (my more familiar medium) with canvases.
I’ve experimented with sewing and collaging translucent vellum (see example at right), but I’m curious what will happen when I use acrylic mediums on heavier stocks, the kinds of papers I’m used to working on for calligraphic broadsides.
The goal: no framing!
Will I be forced to use toxic sprays to fix the surface? Or will I find the results satisfying if I cover the assemblages with liquid mediums?
These are the questions that keep me up at night, though so far I’ve yet to conduct the actual experiments.
Stay tuned!
Yes, I know – it’s enough to keep one on the edge of one’s seat!
Meanwhile, tomorrow I’m going to have to stack up all the partially-done mini-canvases scattered across my drafting table so I can package up the ketubot waiting to ship to their eagerly-waiting brides and grooms. Fantasies of a studio with a large, dedicated “play surface” are making me drool, but I’ll need a much larger internet empire before I can make that a reality.
Ah, well. Back to work.
PS – Walnut Ink Info
A pingback from Marie at Through Purgatory about my Walnut Ink made me realize that some of my invisible audience may be interested in where they can get some of their own.
Walnut Ink is especially wonderful because it’s extremely water soluble, which also adds certain challenges, but allows for amazing effects not available with other media.
Although you can get it pre-mixed in a jar, I prefer the dry crystals. The color is richer, and depending on how much water you use you can achieve anything from a very dark brown to the palest of washes.
I’ve only ever seen Walnut Ink at calligraphy supply stores. Here’s a link to one of my favorite shops, Paper & Ink Arts, which carries Walnut Ink.
“My invisible audience” – Well, you know, some of us are bit shyish. Or even commentofobic…
True! As a formerly shy person (hard to believe, I know), I understand the syndrome well. 🙂
And very brave of you to leave a comment, Marie — thank you!
Hey Melissa!
You can make a non-toxic homemade fixative by mixing half gloss medium with half water in a mister bottle. But rinse the sprayer thoroughly after. But no fixative protects the work like a varnish. Ya gotta make it to one of my free talks!
I teach about all this stuff in more detail. xo
(I’ll be in Santa Cruz May 21 at Lenz
SF July 9 at Flax
San Jose July 27 University art.)
Or over lunch when I see you here!
Aha! I should have known you would have the solution! Can’t wait to get more details in person (and I’m marking your talks on my calendar!)
Really loving your updates on your 15 mins a day Melissa; these new works are wonderful!
Aw, thanks so much Julie! 🙂
Wow, these are fabulous. It inspires me to branch out a little and try some new mediums myself. Just curious how long you would say you work a piece? I’m sure it wildly varies from each project you do.
Love it! Thanks for sharing.
So glad I’m inspiring you! Yay!
As for how long I work on a piece, it’s really hard to keep track because each individual canvas tends to have multiple layers, and I’m usually working on multiple canvases at the same time. They just sort of “evolve” as finished pieces over a period of days or weeks as I start to combine the canvases together….
This is a really new way of working for me. Historically, I’ve tended to work on a single piece, designing the heck out of it before ever starting on the execution. It’s a whole lot easier to keep track of how long it takes to create a piece like this! And since I’ve mostly created art for clients til now, I have to confess it makes me feel a bit “naked” not to know how many hours are going into each piece! It’s rather maddening… but I’m learning to let go and just enjoy the creation process and stop thinking about time. :}
Here’s what I know: at my 5-day calligraphy retreat, I spent a good 3 or 4 full days on art, and came away with 3 completed pieces, plus several partial pieces. (That said, none of the 3 complete pieces are actually ready to display or sell, because they need to be fixed, and in one case, assembled!)