Your art is not bread

Freshening up another older portrait painting
with oil pastels

Hello, I’m back. The temperature went from the mid 90s down to a high of 65F today, and a frost warning for tomorrow night. Brr!! I’m sitting here writing this while wrapped up in a blanket with my chair heater turned on. Ac to heat..no break on utility bills in between. Seems like the new norm. Hm..

Gus on the iron board

I pulled out the ironing board the other day, and this boy went wild. He jumped up on the fridge and down onto the board like a ninja. The way he took command of this thing, I’m pretty sure he was a surfer in a past life. Come to think of it, he also loves playing in water, so I could be on to something here.

Kinda spooky looking.
It’s the reverse side of my art journal page
where the paint bled through.
When I get to that side of the book,
I’m gonna have fun with it.

I don’t have my art journal in front of me,
but I think it might be the backside of this page.

Reading this Reddit thread: You have permission. It’s ok.

This is so true. You don’t need expensive art supplies. Paint with ketchup & other condiments. Or make your own paint using natural, free elements like crushed up rocks, charcoal ashes from a fire pit or woodstove, incense ash, and soil.

I also found this on google: Mixing turmeric with water will make a nice yellow color. Paprika: Will create a reddish-brown color. You can also try mashing up some berries and use the colors of those juices as paint.

I made charcoal paint last winter, which was so fun, and I hope to soon make red clay paint from Kanopolis State park.

The ideas are endless if you think creatively.

More cardboard art is in the making.
The one on top has already sold,
but others are available on DPW and eBay

art journal page from June

I’ve been enjoying reading these blog posts from James Gurney – Keys to Caricature & Daumier Sculpted Maquettes for Reference

Seeing this 100 Head Project by Victoria Brace makes me want to paint with oils. I started a similar series years ago, but then a little kitten came into my life, and I stopped painting in oils. There’s no way I can leave oil paintings lying around to dry with Gus Wus in the house, so I keep putting it on the back burner. Soon?

Phoebe Gander Art

This is SO true. It takes time for the right person to find your art. Don’t lose hope just because you posted it online and it doesn’t sell instantly. There’s a HUGE difference between someone liking art & actually buying it. There are all kinds of factors that come into play..size, price, colors, whether or not the buyer has wall space. Be patient and keep painting. 🙂

Secretly Ecstatic
Gouache portrait painting of a boy
Available here