My new love … mandalas created on black stock, using coloured pencils and metallic pens.
You may already know that I am a BIG FAN of coloured pencils. I think they are the most under-utilzed art medium there is. They are clean and easy to use. They are portable and much more complex than we are ever led to believe. And I would like to say they are affordable, but alas, good ones are a bit on the expensive side.
I have several good sets of coloured pencils and each set is very different. Some have a more dense presence to them, and lay down the colour in a smooth and bold way. Others are less dense and lay down more lightly, which makes them great for layering. Of course each producer of coloured pencils has their own version of colours, so sometimes you have to mix and match, which is always a surprise.
Lately I have become fascinated with coloured pencil on black stock. It is a completely different colouring/creating experience from creating on white. There are colours that work on black, and those that don’t. There are colours that completely change when put on black, like any of the yellows I have tried, turn to a greenish hue.
I am in the early days of discovery with all of this, but it is certainly getting me pretty excited! One thing that I love is that they look like a sort of chalk finish, and this is very appealing to me.
Adjusting to new circumstances … and finding joy.
The settling in to our new home is essentially complete. Aside from a few things still to hang, we are functioning much the way we did in our old place. One change that we made was to drop cable tv from our world, which was a big decision, but one we are happy with, for sure. In place of tv, we will grab videos from the library, or watch online stuff from CBC Gem , BritBox or Knowledge Network. It does cut down on the hours spent watching stuff.
Lately we wanted to watch a series on DVD that we got from the library, so I hooked up the whole tv/stereo thing in anticipation … only to find that our DVD player has died, or at least become unwilling to play with or for us anymore.
The solution was to truck on in to my studio and use my computer for our viewing pleasure. Turns out, this has been a wonderful experience. It’s cozy like a den. It feels very comfy, much more so than the larger livingroom for viewing.
So, I have decided, at least for now, that we don’t need to replace the DVD player … we can do just fine with our new circumstances!
I think we are going to have to name our new place,
The Hummingbird Ranch.
I don’t know how many we have, but there is a constant coming and going of Anna and Rufous Hummers from the feeder, which has to be replenished frequently. Who knew the smallest bird on the planet could drink so much sugar water?
And why do we feed these little wild things white sugar? Don’t know the answers, but do know they are loving it.
What fabulous little beings they are to watch! I want to know more about them, so I have ordered about 6 books from the library to become more knowledgable about this wee creatures.
I have a book about the about the attributes of animals, as told by some First Nations in North America … and the hummingbird is JOY.
This is inspiring me to think more about joy.
For many years I have had this wonderful piece by Diane Kremmer. The series is called: “If Hummingbirds Wore Helmets” and this particular one is “Egyptian”. I can certainly say that this piece has brought me joy each and every day …. as well as a definite smile to my heart.
A small art tool with some very big potential.
I have recently discovered that Avery, the company that makes labels, is branching out in to some new products, and they have caught my attention.
This one is Clear Static Cling Labels. Size: 8.5 x 11″
Essentially, they allow you to make a sign to put up anywhere, and remove without damage. WHAT? This is too cool ….
I am drawn to the clear ones, although they do have white ones as well. But the clear ones means that whatever background you put it on, will show through!! How neat is THAT?
I admit, I have not tried them yet, because I just don’t know what I want to put on them, or where I want to use them, but I do know they are useful.
I love the way industry is now accommodating small business in their products, making it easier for people to customize their look and feel.
I think this product has a lot of potential applications, and look forward to sharing what I finally do with my package of eight sheets!
photo by Wendy Morisseau
It’s been a week of opening and reawakening on so many levels.
It’s been a good week of getting things in motion. I didn’t really understand how much I hadn’t been able to tend to, until I was able to tend to it again.
I am back in flow in a new way. Ideas are percolating and things are getting done.
Today I scooped up two small side tables to refine, and I look forward to what they might become.
There are a few new projects in the works – early stages for sure, but moving nonetheless!
Wishing you a week of steady forward motion!
~sarah
Here’s to cozy evenings in the studio, hummingbirds, pencil crayons and flow!