February 18, 2017

This morning, as I wake up and drink my coffee, thinking of the two watercolors I have to have done for next weeks class, (I haven't been slacking, I just don't like what I have done yet.) and the other things I would like to do, like get online and get some of my work copied for the upcoming art sale I have signed up for, and get some stuff framed up, etc. (The frames have been in my living room for a month or more) I am reminded by the hockey goalie helmet that stands in my way.  Although there is nothing I want to do more, than make a special kid I know happy by painting it up his way, my thoughts have to go with this project FIRST. 

First of all, you have to please everyone.  The right colors, the right design, and you need it by WHEN?

Second of all, to get a good adherence on something that will take some wear and abuse, you need enamel paint.  I used to do signs, so I have some... but even when I did signs, I didn't have the warm place to do it for the winter.  Those paints don't dry/cure well in the cold.  They have an odor and are flammable.  They need solvents with odors and are also flammable.  Not something you want to have circulating in your house for weeks/months, and breathing.  Needless to say, its an outdoor thing.  In Michigan, without a warm place garage or something, that cuts out the cold winter months. Luckily, we have a break in our February with a weekend of 55-60 degree weather.  It just might work!

Thirdly, enamels need days to dry and cure.  Then to do it right, it should be clear coated, with a nice hard protective cover. I have a friend with a body shop that can clear it for me, if he has some extra clear in his gun someday.  Again, then you have to give that time to cure.

Apparently there is a tournament we are hoping to have a nice cool hockey helmet for.... I seriously can't wait to see him in it! 



I have signed up for the Annual Art Walk the first weekend in May.  I am getting braver about selling, but its more out of necessity than actual wanting to.  Looking for a business manager:  Cheap.  Someone that can put it all together and get it out of my art room and sell it so I can keep up my habit. lol.  I have heard of people that have had to quit their day jobs to sell their art.  There is so much to it!  Taxes, and shipping, and festivals, and framing!  When you work 40 hours a week, and still have chores to do at home, its almost impossible.  Even to keep up a shop online!  ( Maybe hire someone to do the housework so I can do the fun stuff??)

For some reason, I feel the need to head to the ReStore and get a flat hollow bedroom door.  I want to paint it for a kids bedroom.  Both sides.  Don't ask me why... its just something I have been thinking about for a while and must DO.

There's always something!  .... Stay tuned...

Wednesday Feb 1, 2017

I am taking a watercolor class.  I wanted to try it.  Watercolor is a whole different animal and I think I need to be more water and less pigment because I am painting like an acrylic artist, not the pretty watery colors that are watercolors.  See for yourself:

Not to mention those little tubes of paint won't last long the way I am going.  Oh well.  Tomorrow night is critique and we'll see if they are as hard on me as I am on myself.

Happy Chinese New Year, by the way.  Did you know its the year of the Rooster? I have done a couple of roosters, (see this blog for pics) for other people of course, but when I tried to do one for myself...

I got one pissed off chicken!  I wanted to do one of those cool multi colored, free flowing birds, like what these artists did:

 I didn't want to copy them, so I did them by memory.  Granted its been MONTHS since I saw these, so I winged it. (no pun intended) lol...  you would even think I might have been in a bad mood that day, eh? Nope.

So, a work-in-progress... or I will gesso it over.

The artist reception went well.  We had a small but nice exhibition and crowd.
Well, stay tuned.