Fall and a New Art Adventure

Fall is upon us. The trees are turning, and the geese are flying through for a stopover on their way south. I've begun teaching a Frugal Foodie Series at the higher ed, one class down and five more to go. Truly enjoying the opportunity to teach what I know about food and saving money. Enough real life, onto the art...

Art Practice

This past month I've dusted off several of my art supplies. Most recently, I've been doing a variation of Neuographic art. It's the perfect way to play with supplies and test out new ones.

To create the piece below, I did the black line work first, then rounded any sharp corners to create rounded edges forming the various shapes. After completing the line art, I used Posca paint pens to add all the bright pops of color. Along with the color, I added repeating patterns throughout the work. My original plan was to create this large piece and then cut it into smaller, mini works of art, but I loved the completed work so much I changed my mind. I signed it and hung it on the wall instead.

For the piece below, which was created first, I started with a paint clean-off sheet. Rather than wasting acrylic paint left on my palette, I take a sheet of paper and randomly brush it onto the paper; this happens to be a canvas-textured sheet. I frequently create papers like this and then stuff them in a drawer for future pieces. I drew the black line art using the same method of rounding any sharp corners, then added patterns and bits of silver throughout the design. Once completed, I cut it into nine 2.5" x 3.75" pieces, forming the Botanical Drift Collection.

Along with the nine tiny pieces for the Botanical Drift Collection, I have several other small works of art, slightly smaller than those above, at 2.5" x 3.5", making them an ATC (Artist Trading Card). Below is a random sampling of a few of the pieces. If you're the curious sort and are wondering what I'll be doing with all these little pieces of art. Keep reading.

The snippets of art I share in my monthly newsletter are just a small peek at everything I create—there are piles tucked in drawers and entire albums full in my studio. I love the making. I love the giving. I despise the marketing and selling of my work. Which brings me around to a conversation that I keep having with one of my besties, who's also a creative: What do you do with all the pieces you make?

I’ve decided to be brave and take a leap of faith with my art by abandoning it out in the world for others to discover. It’s a tiny adventure starting with tiny art. Once I make a small sticker explaining the project to the finder, I’ll be ready to set these pieces free.

The joy is in the making, the practicing, the experimenting, and the trying of new things. Whether that be in art or in life. It’s not about perfect, it’s about the doing. Go out and enjoy new experiences.

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