This week was the start of the 100 day project on Instagram . The challenge is the process of creating something everyday for 100 days, any style, shape, medium of your own choosing.. If you are interested in joining the challenge visit Elle Luna for all the details.
Many moons ago I attempted a challenge, creating mixed media art everyday for 100 days but unfortunately I fell short. This year my goal is to accomplish 100 artworks of my cat Cookie #100DaysOfCookieCat . I will be working on 5×5″ watercolor cold press paper utilizing any medium.
1/100 watercolor markers
2/100 The watering hole… watercolor & graphite
3/100 Rainy days…. Watercolor and graphite
If you would like to view more of my cat art, follow me on Instagram
A little backstory.. We adopted Cookie 2 yrs ago from Spay and Save, Inc. The moment my daughter met Cookie, she knew the cat would be perfect for our family. My daughter was correct, Cookie is a wonderful cat, quirky, boisterous, loving, sweet natured, and a great cuddle buddy.. When anyone is visibly sad or cries Cookie will appear to comfort that person and sometimes she will run over to the person to give a kiss on the cheek.. true story!
The East Coast experienced many mild weather days this winter, which drew me out of my studio hibernation to paint in nature. Once upon a time my outdoor painting would consist of small watercolor sketches or pencil drawings. This time around I decided to try quick paintings using acrylic paint and graphite on paper, spending about 45 min to an hour on each painting.
A recent purchase and a new love, the Sta-Wet handy palette, helped make outdoor painting easier. This palette box preserves paints for an extended period of time.. The smaller version was easy to transport and keep paint fresh. My preference of paint brush is more scrubby in texture, short bristle brushes.. Sometimes you just have to make adjustments, when you can’t find what you need, I gave my brushes a hair cut..
Since I am painting on paper, I don’t need an easel, just a hard surface to paint on.. Most of the time I use picnic tables in parks, and or invert the lid to my sat-wet palette to place my paper on. Working small 8″x 10″ or smaller means less paint needed.
Reserve your time in nature……
Supplies I bring for outdoor painting: Reusable bag to transport my supplies, water bottle, water cup (I use an empty yogurt container) brushes, pencil, pre-cut watercolor paper (small various sizes) rag, clips (to hold paper together) Palette fully loaded with paint colors (I try not to bring extra tubes of paint) large ziplock bags to package up my palette and any loose materials. I use a rubber band to wrap around my palette to keep it from accidentally opening in transport.
Yes I have been neglecting you old buddy, missed out on your ever changing landscape, your colorful words, exquisite taste of imagery, and inspiring ways.. You always had something new to say and I can always find an adventure or two at my fingertips…
Forgive me darling, my attention played on other playgrounds, it kept me away from hanging out with you.. I couldn’t resist your algorithm charm, I knew one day this gal would return to you with a spark of enthusiasm…
Have you missed me..WordPress? … huh?
Oh your silence is cruel..
My choice of play has been Instagram, and Facebook but I did miss writing… My goal this year is to get back to writing and posting regularly.. I really did miss reading my favorite bloggers posts, such a great community of talented inspirational people on WordPress.
A year ago at this time I participated in my first art drop, randomly placing small works of my art around the city to be found. I had so much fun with the art drop last time, I decided to do another one. On my birthday, carrying 4 small paintings, I scampered around the city of Philadelphia, leaving my art behind.. This day I felt like a tourist in my own city.
The power to truly listen to that which wants to come through you can be a tough thing to accomplish. Life happens, distractions occur but finding a quiet spot to sit and let your mind wander works wonders…. When words find you in that space where your mind fades, magic happens. Sometimes we just need to get out of our own way.
Writing my morning pages brought forth this intuitive sketch..
Thank you for stopping by to view my work and videos..
Go do that thing that is always on your mind and in your heart!
Just going with the flow, I let the watercolor paint form and take shape on paper until I found the image, The idea for a haunting formed during the process. – watercolor, pen on Canson 140lb paper
