Hello friends,

It has been quite a month here, between growing concerns over the Covid variant (after we were SO excited about life starting to return to normal) and Hurricane Ida with her accompanying tornado that paid an unwelcome visit to our area! We aren’t used to storms like these and certainly hope it is not a global warming trend for the northeast. We experienced flooding and some damage to trees and bridges on our property, but the devastating path of the tornado’s fury very narrowly missed us. It is heartbreaking to see the devastation to those in our community and nearby.

I’m standing with a pile of trees from our local park that were downed by the recent storm.

As for complications due to Covid concerns, I have had one cancelled trip, one cancelled workshop, and sadly, we also cancelled my solo art exhibit that was scheduled for October at Horsham Library. Indoor gatherings continue to make many people apprehensive, so we are postponing until spring of 2022. You will be the first to be informed of any upcoming dates!

In spite these challenges, I have been steadily working on some various artistic paths, not the least of which has been keeping spreadsheets and website up to date, varnishing completed canvases and framing works on paper!

During these summer months I’ve enjoyed some time at my beach getaway in New Jersey where I have a tiny work area in my condo.

Several years ago I decided to convert the kitchen’s breakfast area into a studio of sorts, so out went the table and chairs and in came the drawing table and watercolor supplies. I just love sitting there!

While I’m unable to work on large acrylic paintings in this space, I shift my attention to watercolor and mixed media pieces that I can complete easily on my table while looking out at the ocean.

I recently completed 3 different series, pictured below, all within an 8” x 8” border.

”Carousel Series”
I started this series with playful and energetic exercises, working on half sheets of large watercolor paper divided into 6 segments

In each segment, I painted a large gestural brushstroke, followed by marks made with pencil, various pens and eyedroppers.

After selecting my favorites from the bunch, I added some touches of collage to complete each individual design.

After cutting bits and pieces out of old watercolor paintings in my reject pile, I began sorting the various shapes into colorways that appealed to me.

Arranging them, I felt like I was stacking building blocks and the glue became my mortar.

As I worked with my watercolor scraps, I kept seeing horizon lines and suggestions of earth, sea and sky, so I pieced them together as mini landscapes, adding a sun or moon icon just for fun.

A final border ruled in thin graphite lines serves to frame the layouts. I got a bit lost in the fantasy of this series!

Sneak Peek…

I’m looking forward to investing more time in my large acrylic paintings in coming months. Two very different approaches have captured my interest as seen in these details of works in progress.

…and the other features bold, bright colors on black.

One of these directions may win out over the other, but as is often the case, I find contrasting approaches stimulating to my work process.

I can’t help but feel a bit melancholy as the daylight grows shorter and my favorite season is about to hand her reign over to fall. But I intend to embrace the many beauties that autumn offers and trust that you will do the same.

Take care, and as always, thanks for reading!

P.S. Please note that my October Exhibit at the Horsham Library has been postponed until spring of 2022. Please stay tuned!