"Open Stage at The Duck" Art journal, ink, 12 x 9"
I sing and play guitar with a band called One Fret Forward. Today we were the feature act at an open stage in St. Catharines, Ontario, at a place officially called the Golden Pheasant but affectionately known as The Duck.
A while back, an artist acquaintance of mine posted on Facebook this quote from Andy Warhol: "Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art."
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"Get to Bed" mandala, art journal, watercolour and ink, 6 X 6"
"Cardinal" Watercolour, 6 x 12"
This piece kind of combines the robins of a few days ago with yesterday's snow scene. Kind of.
I was delighted that yesterday's "Into the Woods" was very well received, and I was encouraged to do "more like that." But I have discovered lately that it's easier said than done. I get too attached to the outcome.
The trick is to create each painting as if it doesn't matter, as if no one is ever going to see it. "Dance as if no one is watching." That's when magic can happen.
I started a couple of new pieces today (finally)! I'm trying a different technique, so I gave it a test run in my art journal and made this little sketch. This is inspired by a photo posted recently by a friend on Facebook.
"Into the Woods" Art journal, watercolour, 6 x 7"
It's a propos, in a way. Starting a new piece feels a bit like heading into the woods. The process can be pretty mysterious. But in painting as in snowshoeing, it's good to keep moving.
"Alison's Birthday Bouquet" Art journal, ink and watercolour, 7 x 9"
"My Left Hand" Art journal, pencil, 6.5 x 7"
When I went out and performed the other night, a good picture was taken of me on stage. I was particularly struck by the left hand, which seemed so typical, somehow, of my style of playing guitar. So I drew it today, in a style which is, inevitably, also typically mine.
Today, a funny page in my art journal in honour of its being the 4th anniversary of the day I took possession of my house. Those in the know will get the connection. ;-)
"43 Robins" Art journal, ink and watercolour, 9 x 12"
The title of this post is my name for one of my favourite art journal exercises. I find some old piece and change it somehow, usually by cutting it up and reassembling it.
Read MoreYesterday was my nephew Malcolm's 19th birthday. I did this sketch today from a photo I found via Facebook. (Doesn't do him justice at all, though.)
"All Growed Up" Art journal, pencil and water-soluble pencil, 7.5 x 5"
Today I finished this little watercolour, the last of three that I had put aside a while back. While I was working on it, the shuffle on my iPod served up Michael Jackson's "You Wanna Be Starting Something." It was a timely reminder to get on with some new work.
Read MoreThe series that I'm working on (finished this one today... I think) involves a lot of randomness, as perhaps you can tell. I keep having to remind myself that I'm suggesting, not depicting. It doesn't have to be logical; it has to be beautiful.
Read MoreI spent the day in the studio trying to resolve some pieces I abandoned in frustration before Christmas. I'm declaring this one finished. I think.
Title TBD. Watercolour, 30 X 22"
Today, an odd little collage, a propos of nothing in particular. But then again, maybe I'm trying to tell myself something.
"Get Busy" Art journal, collage, 10 x 8"
Today I tried to express the emotions aroused by watching "Making a Murderer" on Netflix.
Read MoreI am forever grateful for my sisters, whom I love very much. My elder sister, Alison, is celebrating a milestone birthday today. Seemed like a good excuse to draw her portrait.
"Alison" Art journal, pencil, 6 X 7"
Just under the wire.
"Bedtime Mandala" Art journal, watercolour and ink, 5 X 5"
Just a doodle today.* I was thinking about the things that have been rendered obsolete by the smart phone. I can't even remember what some of these things really looked like.
"There's an App for That" Art journal, ink, 9 x 12"
* P.S. I did work on an actual painting today (yay!), but it's not ready for prime time.
Finally, a proper snowfall... the kind that makes everything look pretty. Like the boxwood plant at my front door, all cloaked in white except for the edges of the leaves.
This was quite an exercise for the old right brain.
"Boxwood in the Snow" Art journal, watercolour, 6 x 8"
