Martha's Tibetan Clouds

I love Tibetan clouds- the artistic patterns- I search for Asian cloud shapes in Asian art in the places I have lived and visited many times in the past 25 years:

My SIngapore / Linda Xuereb book

This is a sketch up of a painting that I was working on for the Singapore 50th anniversary this year for a group show. The idea plays off the 'city in a garden' to which Singapore is to be. I added a map of the island in the background with the drawing on translucent paper above. I am glad that I experimented with this to observe the restrictions of these materials. The transparency material does buckle and paint does not adhere so well. Overall, I am happy with the results. I also included the painting for the group show created over the winter break (shown below).

 

Childhood Memories in Heather R's book: A lovely ending to a lovely exchange

Heather Rodocker's theme was "Childhood Memories." I let myself relive one for a few hours and doodled with the tools of my youth---just markers and colored pencils. It was lovely to remember a time when I never asked myself, "Does this look good?" "Was this worth my time?" It was an especially fabulous way to end the exchange. I am so grateful for permission to play!

Nobody Panic (Kelly McFadzen)

Take the time to smell the flowers, swim, or cast a line and fish.

No need to panic-

My Singapore

Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer, rooftop bars, and skyscrapers don't do much for me. But turning a corner in Joo Chiat and seeing a friendly row of candy colored shophouses makes me grateful. "My Singapore" is those quaint, hidden pockets of art and charm and elegance. I love 'em.

Heather D's Book of Whimsy

This month I was lucky enough to be able to draw in Heather's book, on the subject of whimsy. It struck me that there are fewer things more whimsical than unicorns and rainbows, and so I set about creating a drawing encompassing both. It came out much better than I thought it would, and was happy that I took the opportunity to use color in my drawing, which I rarely do.

Following are some of the pre-sketches I made before laying down my final thoughts, as well as a timelapse video of the drawing.

Guilty Pleasures for Leigh's Book

Guilty Pleasures for Leigh's book. Got this idea from an online source. I have an old iron and I burned the white background, but in the end, maybe the burns add something???

Play Is Soul Food (Erin Caskey)

So when you are out and about doing what you love to do, it is soul food. I wasn't sure on how to approach this, but wanted something that was a moving meditation. I think the action and adventure in this scene captured the essence of soulful play. There are many layers of paint, markers, oil pastels, collage, collagraphs, and the list goes on and on to make this splash of movement.

For Barbara, Always Make New Mistakes

The topic always make new mistakes stumped me for a little while, but then I started thinking that there must be a myriad of inspirational quotes about mistakes. So after sifting through Google, I came across this little gem. I have to say in my reflective times this is a quote that helps make bad situations seem OK.

Below I've added in a picture of some of the practice bits and pieces I created before starting on the final projects, because although I embrace making new mistakes, I'd rather not make too many when I produce a final product.

Life really is delicious

Enough said.

Tangled for Jill's Book