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Did You Miss Last Weeks Newsletter? Well here you GO
Hola Hola!
The other day I was thinking, “dang, the newsletter is the most consistent thing I have ever done in my life!”
And it is!
I even got it done when traveling and here I am broken, still on it. haha
I was supposed to be out of town today BUT pushed the trip back 3 days so I could get a full two weeks of healing in before I ventured out again. I am not meant to be laid up. (In case you are brand new, I sprain my ankle wearing stupid shoes on our precarious street.)
Guadalajara, here I come, ready or not. I am going to hobble around this place, double up on the ibuprofen and handle it without complaint.
The only things I have to be careful about (or go slowly on) is using stairs- I have to do one at a freaking time- and going downhill. That takes more ankle stabilization then going uphill or walking on a flat surface.
I can’t wait to report back and tell you all about it.
Another exciting thing (probably only to me) is I found a canvas source that is fantastic here. I was having issues finding good canvases that I enjoy painting on. It is a very visceral thing for me and it matters a lot.
Weird side note:
I feel strongly about other items in my life and how they feel, coffee mugs, most dishware but especially glasses and silverware, all paper I use and clothing. The feel of those objects have to be just right or I really dislike using them.
Anyone else like this?
I started getting hit up by ads from the next city over about a company who builds their canvases and gesso’s them! What the heck, let me try them.
And they are good!
When I opened the box, I was so excited. They are the most beautiful canvases I have ever worked with. The feel and character of them could not be more perfect. It is not your typical, run of the mill canvas.
I am way excited for the new collection that coming.
Talking about the new collection…
I don’t have the exact date of when it will be dropping but I think it will be the end of September.
All the pieces will be debuted on my website for a very short time and then the purchased pieces will be transported to Texas where they will be mailed.
Back in canvas, baby and it feels electric.
New Tutorial Coming Up
I wrapped up the Junk Drawer Botanical collage tutorials this last week for the Paint Splatters and just in time for my next idea.
It is going to be called Phrase Craze Painting
This tutorial will show you how to take phrases that YOU MAKE UP with a fun technique that I will share and make them explode with joyful painting chaos. It’s like karaoke for your art supplies (have you heard me sing karaoke? You are sooooo lucky!)
You don’t join for the perfection, you join for the fun.
I have been making these as warm-ups before I start my actual paintings. This gets the juices the flowing.
Wouldn’t it be fun to see these in postcard size prints? hummmmm….
Sketch Book Magic (week 4)
Have you broke your own sketch books out yet?
I can’t believe how much I have learned in such a short time using my new method. I think it needs a name (though I am not the first person to ever do this).
What about Sketchbook Roulette because I change it up every week?
I like it.
Here is what I learned this week.
Royal Talens sketchbooks are just supreme. The price is right and the paper can handle my favorite tool well, the Sharpie.
I really don’t LOVE using a charcoal pencil. I would prefer the actual chalk which is SUPER messy. I am going to explore how I can do it. Maybe a small ziplock to carry it in along with a baby wipe to clean my hands afterwards?
And this white Gelly Roll pen…UGH. I want them to work so bad but they never do. I have seen so many other artists use them with no problem, but I am always struggling just to get it to write. Anyone have any tips?
I missed not having something white- so I think I will always include a white oil pastel in my box.
Last week I mentioned that I like sketching on paper that already has paint on it, so I pre-painted several pages, but I also some painted pages just chilling and waiting for me to return to them.
Here is a photo of my supplies
When I sat down to go through last weeks work- I thought I had underperformed but truly I didn’t.
I didn’t spend as much time on each piece, but I typically always go back later and add more.
I really was productive (in my spare moments).
If you would like to see any of these close-up you just need to click on them.
And here is a video of this week’s sketches along with my commentary. I always release the video on my YouTube channel the day before I post it here- so you can subscribe over there if you want early access to it.
Wish me luck as I try my best to be a gimpy tourist this week in Guadalajara!
I typically do a good job sharing what I am doing on my IG Stories, so if you are interested in my life in Mexico, check me out there.
Ciao!
For The Paint Splatters (paid subscription)
Here are your links to your tutorials that I hope brings you joy in creating!
COMING SOON Phrase Craze Painting
Part 1 of Junk Drawer Botanicals is ready for you! Torn Petals
Part 2 of Junk Drawer Botanicals- 3 Floating Flowers
Part 3 of Junk Drawer Botanicals- Vessels
Part 4 of Junk Drawer Botanical- Making it Personal and Commissions
At the bottom on this post you get a personal tour of my actual home in Mexico
Paid Subscribers (aka The Paint Splatters) get all the juicy extras - tutorials, process videos, and peeks inside my unfiltered art brain