En Plein Air

Outside Hagerstown, Maryland, February 21, 2021. It was cold. I had to go in for coffee while the water/wash dried. I took it in with me because I was afraid it would freeze. I took some liberties because I chose to use analogous colors (yellow, green, blue). One of the houses in the scene was red. 

 On the mask theme. This one is Mayan during the pandemic. 

This week was a monochromatic version of our object as metaphor. I chose blue for sadness as an emotion to hide behind a mask. Usually the mask is a sunny smile, but the emotion it hides is blue or sadness.  

I tried to "loosen up" but it is still a bit fussy (overworked) for a watercolor.  I'll have to keep working at relaxing and trying to be quicker and more free with this medium.

I used quite a bit of masking for the dots of metal.

Here is a detail of the lips.   
 

 First watercolor in ages. I used a lot of techniques, like salt in the upper background, scoring for some of the wood texture, splatter, different washes, dry brush, etc. Fun, but a bit to fussy. It is hard for me to just flow with the water. I hope to loosen up. Breathe. Relax, Breathe. Laugh.

We are working on metaphors.

She hid her feelings behind a mask.

AVT 692

This is the start of a new blog for my AVT 692 Class at George Mason University.

AVT 595

Starting a new blog session for my AVT 595 class at George Mason University.  I will be experimenting with at least three of these various media:  
1. crayons
2. chalk pastels
3. Oil and/or water soluble pastels
4. Colored pencils (Prismacolor)
5. Tempera paint
6. Watercolor pencils
7. Charcoal

Looking forward to some fun adventures.

The Adventure Continues During the Pandemic

I haven't written in a while. I passed all my classes in the Spring semester at George Mason University and am taking a summer course now. Not working and the pandemic has allowed me to get caught up on projects started long ago or had been in the "To Do Someday" bin.  Some had been in my mind but not started for 20 years or so.
I've been cleaning, organizing and down-sizing. I've also been crocheting baby blankets and making masks.
I bought a sling shot and am improving my aim. I started knife throwing, but it's still new and I need a LOT of practice. It's fun to take a 10 minute break every so often and throw a few. I'm so happy when they stick. I had no idea there were so many techniques to try. Watching the world champions do their tricks are so impressive. 
The garden is going well. Tons of cucumbers. Poor Keith had to plant them 4 times before they started growing. The chipmunks seemed to love them. I had to spray them twice a day with dish-soapy water every day to keep the vermin away.
My class this summer is Child and Adolescent Development in a Global Context. My professor is living in Indonesia, but another benefit of the pandemic is online classes. Learning so much.