A native Marylander with a new basecamp in Traverse City, Michigan.   I think I’m going to like it here.

A native Marylander with a new basecamp in Traverse City, Michigan. I think I’m going to like it here.

Welcome!

I’ve been documenting my creative endeavors since 2014. Thoughts on the creative process, my travels, shows, new ideas and what’s on my easel are just a few things I post on. Feel free to linger…

Home stretch on "Low Tide" piece... And, please excuse the mess....

Here’s where I’m starting today. Things got quite busy at the beginning of the week so I’m playing catch up.

Please excuse the mess in the photo above. I am currently painting on an ancient radiant heater topped with some plywood. And it’s neither plumb not stable so if this piece turns out a little lop-sided, that’s my excuse. My easel is not accessible and my paintings are all over the place (read: the floor) because on Friday, my little studio is getting overhauled with new paint and storage so my work space today is even more space than usual. I also plan to put in some better light and a new layout as storage is limited. I am normally a neat freak and all this clutter is making me nuts. I can’t take it anymore and it’s dark in here. But, it’s nothing a little paint and task lighting can’t fix! :)

I was planning to move downtown in the fall/winter and share a space with my fella, but having my studio off the kitchen seems to suit me better for now. Getting in the car to go paint simply isn’t as convenient as slipping on my smock and sneaking in my paint slinging after everyone else is asleep. Maybe I’ll reconsider next year.

I picked up three new canvases to begin med/large works while I wait for a backordered shipment of a very large canvas to arrive at the end of the month. Funny, they tell you things are in stock until after you pay…

I’m putting a last layer on today before it’s officially done. There are about ten layers of washes/paint on this piece and some really nice brushwork and palette knife textures. This piece really feels like spring to me and I am having a great time mixing colors that I normally wouldn’t. There’s a layer of Cobalt blue, for instance, under the teal/turquoise waters, which really intensifies the hue. Adding parchment rather than titanium white allows for a creamy look that is really hard to achieve unless one is working with oils.

I’ll have this piece posted for sale tomorrow and may also post on Chairish.com. That site has been wonderful as I’m been able to connect with new clients and forge long-term relationships with art-lovers across the country.

But first, I’ll be adding back in some of the salmon color and warmth of a blended Indian Yellow as well as a touch of Cadmium Red (Med). to warm it up after cooling it off quite a bit with a cobalt wash.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cleaning Day...

Just a quick update on “Low Tide”