Paper, paper, paper! Oh my!

Thursday, I made a whorl wind trip to Redlands to see Sex in the City 2. While I was in town, I stopped by Redlands Blueprint and bought some scrumptious handmade papers -- 14 pieces! I was a bit disappointed not to find any patterns (I was especially wanting some polka dots.), but I found plenty to buy as it is. I'm hoping to use them in collages that I am making for an art festival this fall. Most of these are mulberry type papers. The light blue and pink sheets in the second photo are so sheer and soft; they are almost like interfacing. I can't wait to see how these enhance my collages! I've got them all cut up into large pieces and in a 2-gallon storage bag, because I don't have any place to store flat sheets.

Because I couldn't find any patterned papers, I decided to make my own. So, I stopped at Smart and Final today and bought a package of deli wrap. I'm going to paint it and stamp on the background to create my own custom papers. I learned this technique in a class that I took from Kristy Christopherson at the Redlands Art Association. Because deli wrap is so thin and translucent, I'm expecting my final papers to melt into my work.

These are pieces of deli wrap with the first coat of paint. I used Golden Fluid Acrylics, Stewart Gill paints, and some paint leftover from the days when I demo'd for the now defunct Home Studio International (some products are still available from their parent company, US ART Quest.). As much as I generally love my Golden's, I have to say that the Stewart Gill paints performed the best on the deli wrap. It seemed to have a longer open time than the other two, and it went on more smoothly. With the Golden's and the HSI paint, I had to use copious amounts of Acrylic Glazing Liquid, but with the Stewart Gill, I didn't have to use ANY! I was amazed. I live in the Mojave Desert and as you might expect, the humidity is very low here, meaning that paint dries very quickly. Even without air conditioning or ceiling fans, straight paint often dries as soon as it hits the paper; blending is very difficult without the use of AGL.

Here's a little something I whipped up a few days ago. I love the concept -- and the background! If I were doing it over, I'd move the "reate" a little closer to the "C" and maybe glaze the "C" with the same Burnt Sienna that I used in the lower right hand corner. Whatever -- I had fun making it and I learned a couple of things to boot! All is well ...

I'm Home!

First of all, thanks so much for all of your concern, support, and prayers on behalf of my mom and our family. They are all appreciated! Mother has been moved to a long-term acute care facility in my sister's city so that she can continue to get the medical care that she needs without being alone. It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride for all of us, but I think they've settled into some kind of routine (my sister and my mom, with the help of one of mom's cousins and my sister's family), and I've been able to return home. I'll probably go back there during the summer to see Mom and give my sister a break. The doctors say Mom can recover from all she's been through, but we have no idea how long it will take or what it will look like.

I've been home almost two weeks. Sorry I'm just now posting, but it's taken me this long to recover from the sheer emotional and physical exhaustion and get my balance back. I'm just now settling back into some kind of routine. In fact, I'm spending a little time in my studio being creative tonight, for the first time in weeks! Oh, I've been in the studio, looking around or playing on the computer, but tonight was the first time I really even wanted to be creative! I've even dreamed -- literally! -- about making art, but just haven't found the energy to do it.

I went to Michael's and JoAnn this afternoon and bought a few new supplies, so I've got a little inspiration! I've got Pandora Radio playing in the background, a fountain drink on my desk and some chocolate. I'm ready to rock-n-roll! I've glued some background paper down and I'm letting it dry. I don't know if I'll start painting tonight, or wait until tomorrow, but at least I've made a start!

I've decided to start the Mixed Grill Favorites Podcast back up in July. I'll record and edit during June, and start broadcasting again on Wednesday, 07 July, 2010. Let me know if there is anyone in particular you'd like me to interview and I'll be happy to approach them! Also, if you have any questions you'd like me to ask my guests, just leave a comment or email me and I'll be happy to work your question in to the next interview -- and give you credit, with a link back to your blog!

Thanks again for all your support. I'm eager get on with things!