August 2018

It has been drawn to my attention that I have not posted in a while. Lazy? Maybe so. Thinking that no one cares. Maybe so. But, I decided that for today I would add my mandala for August. I struggled with whether or not to add color. Yes, I did. But, I present before and after for comparison. For such a calming project this became a hard decision. Peace of mind to just finish it.

Yes, it could have been done in many color combinations, but wanted to keep it low key.

Wow! another new year

For all that has happened in the last couple of months, one needs to be happy that they can welcome the new year. We are safe, no fire, mud slides or excessive snow. Yeah.

There is not the challenge of a general design pattern that I used last year.

 Just that it is a seven inch circle on a ten inch square of paper. 

Naturally, the color is more intense, but hope that you get the idea.

I am doing other work such as dyeing fabric, quilting, embellishing and drawing. 

More later. Blog posting seems to be low on the list!

August and September

Two mandalas to share.

This top one is really about my favorite for the year. The background is paste paper.

Ink and colored pencils for the design.

I'm trying to learn how to handle colored pencils. I have mixed feelings about this piece.

July is gone!

We went to Ohio to see the grand kids. We left 100 degree dry heat to fine ourselves in humid 80 degree weather. Ohio is very green and California is not😎 Beauty in both worlds.  I had finished this mandala and wasn't sure about the outcome. When I came home I liked it better! It's done with ink and colored pencil. Always learning.

May mandala

Yes, I continue to push myself to create another design within the 7" circle. 

One can only learn from such challenges.

There was a fundraiser for a biker friend who is fighting cancer in his arm. He is teaching all of us so much about how to push the body and mind. This is the 18th of May and he has ridden about 1,100 miles this month!

My contribution to the fundraiser was this quilt.

               The black was fused applique and a pattern, the background is a solid piece of fabric.

March mandala

The mandala for March has been nicknamed "Discovery". I used watercolor, markers, and colored pencils. I do not plan out the design except for the fact that it is 7" on a 10" sq piece of paper. I continue to learn and there is joy in the making.

LEARNING mandala

Wow! I have so much to learn. I wanted to do a pastel piece and play with the french curves and circles templates. I did it, but there is just too much going on for my liking. To me a piece works best if there is a place to rest your eyes and it just doesn't happen here. There should be peace, unity and calm for my liking. Thus: a learning mandala.

Micron pens, Inkstense and colored pencils, patience!

New Year Mandala

After the activity of the Christmas season, I felt that I needed to center myself and chose to do a mandala. This time, I wanted to learn more about colored pencils. Thus, I spent a fair amount of time creating this piece. I only work in segments no longer than 45 minutes as I've learned that physically and mentally this keeps me in balance. Somehow this has become my "garden" piece.

May we each find happiness in the coming year.

More of Barrett

Here is another page of work copied from Pickles to Pittsburgh. Yes, I can see that I have learned!

Sitting inside to draw is a good idea as the temperatures are over 100 degrees for a few days.

Snowflake Mandalas

The next lesson that I decided to follow in The Art of Zentangle included this pattern that was provided, a snowflake that had been cut and traced.

The next step was to connect any points that I wished and then fill in the spaces.

Well, apparently one did not satisfy my need to zentangle so I complete a second version and this time I added a bit of shading with a graphite pencil and colored pencils.

The difference surprised and pleased me!

Colored Pencil Project #3

This is the last of three projects that are teaching me about colored pencils. The goal of this piece was to help me realize that the white color acts as a blender. Using this pencils smears (technical term!) the colors and gives a bit more shine to the piece.

Before I continued with more drawing, I decided to get a true grasp on what colors I do have. So, I made some color charts Here is a peek at my setup.

The holidays got real quiet for me after Christmas so I was able to have fun doing artsy stuff. There is so much more to share!

Learning about Colored Pencils

Lately I've had this inclination to learn more about colored pencil drawing. Buried in my bookshelf was a North Light Workbook on Colored Pencil Techniques by Bernard Poulin. So I decided to see what he had to say. The design was outlined in gray, which meant that one can focus on the color blending.

Naturally, I didn't have all the specific colors that he suggested. Since you can't see his version, you'll just have to assume that all my colors are correct! It's pretty overwhelming to realize how many layers are required to give the rich depth for this piece. YES, I have learned about these pencils.

Think that holiday preparations are under control, the rain is coming and I'm happy to settle in my cozy space to draw and quilt. May you all stay safe and comfortable as Christmas approaches.

Improved Mandala!

OK, the little voice said that the mandala which I showed in the previous post was just not right. Now I feel better:)

Moleskin and figure drawing

Seems that I'm doing a lot, but have little to verify that fact! I glanced at my zentangle moleskin that has been sorely neglected. So, I happened to be in the local art store and found some acrylic templates. That is what I used for this circle design. I'm not sure if it is done, but this is its current look.

Figure drawing sessions are every Friday morning and this weeks model was Brooke. There are so many talented artists in this group. Luckily I sit next to a woman who is willing to share her observations. I'm slowly learning how to use pastel pencils.

May all who live on the East coast be safe. Gorgeous weather here in California which seems strange when you see the destruction getting worse each hour on the other side of the country.

Zentangle Moleskin 2

Obviously there is something about zentangles that calls to me. I made the pledge (to myself) to do another accordian moleskin. The format will be a mandala followed by a "free motion" design. Yes, it's calming to do, but it also calms the mind and that is good for me. There is an element that helps me to work out of my comfort zone and to learn contrast, color and other arty concepts.

The center circle and the two circles to shape the outer band were done with templates and a compass. All the rest is created freehand. OK, a ruler for the bands on the side.

Each page is an enjoyable lesson. There are so many techniques and designs that can be learned and incorporated. Oh boy, what is next!