I just need a rest. Not from art, but from posting on social media; letting people see what I'm in the progress of doing. I'm done with working with a camcorder over by drawing table. I'm tired of narrating and editing. I'll be back but I just need to get back to basics; to creating art. I just started this this past weekend and so far I've experimented with my Pan Pastel applicators and other cosmetic applicators. In one weekend I've come to the conclusion that Pan Pastels, pastel and colored pencils (to augment the Pan Pastels) and graphite are all the media I need. I tried to use my beautiful Sennelier soft pastels and it just felt wrong. I'm not painting anymore in any medium except possibly watercolor pencils but I call that glazing since I apply the color over graphite.
This is the last drawing I did before my retreat. It is a portrait of Moose the Huskey; a gift for a coworker to give her sister. I used graphite and colored pencils on drawing paper. I'm not even going to mention brands. It matters but it doesn't matter. Some work better in different situations than others. No camcorder ergo no video. He's beautiful.
This is a portrait of Fiona, a beautiful Chorkie owned by my sister-in-law. It's not my best portrait of her and it's not my worst. I drew this freehand and used Pan Pastels and pastel pencils on pastel paper (not sanded paper). No updates on social media. No camcorder. Oh, but she does have such soulful eyes.
This is my second piece this weekend. A beautiful deer from a Wildlifereferencephoto contributor. Pan Pastels and pastel pencils on a sanded paper. Did you know you can use a fine sandpaper purchased at a hardware store? I'll have to try that sometime. I'm sure it's a lot cheaper. I love the way this portrait turned out. I used an egg shaped applicator from Sofft (yes, that's spelled correctly) Applicator Tools to create the background. The palette is limited; umber and sienna and green in the background and of course some black and white. This image is strong and beautiful and I could have done better but that's now, not two days ago. I'm always learning. Always stretching.
There was a period after library school; I think during Library School actually, that I stopped painting and drawing. And when I went to work as a Librarian (should always be spelled with a capital L per me) I did very little except create crafts for children. Later on I went back to creating, using various media and experimenting. When I was ill in the late 90s I pulled my canvases and paints to my bed and painted. In time I tossed them all. They were bandages. They helped to heal me and they did. And I was finding my way back. I often wonder if I had had the courage to stick with art rather than become a librarian if I would have been a better artist today. Certainly, I would have been a different artist. Oh well, the road not travelled and all that.
So, why am I posting on my blog? Isn't that social media? Well sort of but not. Not many people read my blog. When I post that I have posted on MeWe or FB most just like the post and never read the blog. That makes this practically an online journal where you can read my words and sometimes my thoughts but I don't have any angst over hits or likes. Read it if you wish. Comment if you wish. I'm really just writing this for me and if you'd like to tag along, I welcome the company.
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