DRIPS

The endless rain of the day must be influencing me as I continue to play with these works that I started in January.  This painting is reminding me of being on a beach in the late day, after a summer squall passed by.   I love how an image can transport me.

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO

Tonight is the big night. All those movies/actors/directors nominated this year will finally get the answer to who is the best.  After seeing most of the contenders from The King's Speech to True Grit; The Kids Are All Right; The Social Network and Inception, I have decided who should win.  The runaway winner, this year, for an Oscar in the following categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor & Actress, Best Sound and Best Special Effects, is without a doubt - winter.  As Best Picture it changes our world. As Best Director it changes our day.  As Best Actor & Actress it consistently surprises us with its presence, moods and ability to play a range of roles from the meek to the powerful.  As Best Sound... can you hear it falling this morning? And as Best Special Effects it reshapes the landscape into a different reality.  So enjoy the show tonight.  I am enjoying the winner now. 

 

A SPECIAL DAY

It is a special day when that call comes and a request is made.  "Is this painting on your website still available?"  Blue Dusk, a watercolor on a full sheet of 300 lb cold press paper, is now under new ownership.  Tis indeed a special day. 

SUNDAY MORNING

Sunday morning, I am catching up on the Boston Globe's Sebastian Smee's art reviews while my cat ponders Edward Gorey's drawings.   

FUN MAIL

My order from Dick Blick arrived.  Now I am ready to experiment with the Golden's Open line of acrylic paints along with their exciting products in Glass Bead Gel and the Black Mica Flakes.  I have a lot of colors in their Heavy Body line of acrylic paints and these will mix nicely with the Open line.  Can't wait to get to the studio. 

MORE STUDIES

 My stack of figure studies continues to grow as I try to do these daily.  I also have some paintings needing to be photographed, thus a good  project for the weekend.  (These here are scanned.)

In this last figure study I really like the American Journey (AJ) paint color Andrews' Turquoise over the Raw Umber Voilet.  These are two colors from Cheap Joe's that I want to work with in a larger painting.   To the right of these is the AJ color Rainforest.  Initially I did not care for this color but after some experimenting with it, this is a keeper.

UNPLUGGED

I left the studio the other night with a vague feeling I was forgetting something.  And in the late hours of the night I realized I had left an electrical appliance plugged in.  The studio rule is to unplug everything before leaving—a good rule to follow.  So yesterday morning I went to the studio with that mission, unfortunately I wasn't in the mood to work.  Why not?  Numerous other tasks at home calling for attention?  Not having a sense of direction in my work?  Waiting for supplies to arrive before I begin the next project?  These are all valid reasons but are not good enough reasons to not show up.  We've all had those days with office jobs when just showing up was the hard work yet discipline and a sense of purpose would finally overruled.  And most times the desire to work arrives after I begin.  Maybe I just need to subsitute the word "work" for "paint".  I arrived at the studio and saw the plug was unplugged as my studio mate had shown up the evening before.  I didn't need to go to the studio after all but not knowing the status of the plug was my motivation.  And with that I decided to plug in and paint.   

STUDIES

These are my watercolor studies I been doing every day.  I use these as warm ups and also to play with color, brushes and paint application.  

These are starting to pile up into a nice stack.  

TAPE

I use a lot of tape in securing my watercolor paper - full sheets of 300 lb cold press paper to boards.  The best part of the tape is peeling it off signaling the painting is finished (for now).  Lately I been adding it to a pile instead of tossing it. This may be one of the many benefits of having a large studio space outside the house.  And, the tapes are adhering into something completely useless yet entertaining.    

THREADS

More drawers of thread from my mom's sewing room. 

These so inspire me.

THREADS

My mom had a studio we called the sewing room.  In this space she created many beautiful things for family and friends.  She was taught to sew by her mother, (Grammie to all of us) and her Aunt Mary and in turn passed on this knowledge and skill to my sisters and I.  While visiting my family recently, I opened her drawers of thread and discovered the magic within.

WEBSITE UPDATED

My website marthawakefield.com has been updated with a new layout and new paintings -  22 images added.  Working with web designer extraordinaire Jeanne Williamson of Thread Media  we collaborated on the new design.  While it took me some time to round up the images, note the changes and organize all the  information, Jeanne speedily refreshed the site. 

We debated changing the home page image and in the end decided to keep the scissors.  Maybe this year new work will be painted to mark that page. In the meantime please check out my updated website.  And feedback is welcomed.

NEW LOVE

I have a new favorite color: Raw Umber Violet from Cheap Joe's American Journey line of watercolor paints.  This is a rich color that blends well with most of my other favorites such as Apricot, Peachy Keen, Orchid and Periwinkle; the blues of Ultramarine, Cobalt, Manganese and Andrews' Turquoise as well as Yellow Ochre to name a few.  Yesterday, in the studio, I had fun mixing colors with this and learning its character.  Raw umber violet is a cool, staining, transparent color with "very good" lightfastness rating.  I tested a 15 ml tube and now will order the 37 ml tube.  This is another plus of the American Journey line - 104 colors available in 37 ml tubes reasonably priced. 

Please note: No payment has been made to endorse this product.

WINTER DESIGNS

Last night we had lightening and thunder - a unique weather activity for early February.   Lots of creativity in the air and on the ground around us.   

ICE FLOW

Seen enough snow lately so now I look to the ice for inspiration.   

WORK IN FLUX

This is my 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas undergoing revisions through the month of January.  I tried to take more time observing the work, not rushing it to a "finished" state and working on other paintings also.   

I will bring this home from the studio and have a better photograph taken and post that image soon. 

STILL FALLING

Our blue spruce in last week's storm (Thursday).

Our blue spruce today...

(Tuesday's storm)

I hope to get back to the studio soon. 

The snow is continually changing the landscape, providing inspiration and endless shoveling time.