In The Studio Today: Painting & Playing

I have been taking Brenda Pinnick's Color and Mixed Media class. One of the things I have most enjoyed is experimenting with products which I have not tried before. One of these products is called Yupo Paper. It is a synthetic material, and unlike regular paper, it does not absorb the paint or water- the paint sits on top of the surface of the paper. You get a really different look than you do when painting on typical paper- more streaky and "loose," less blended colors. Here is a  quick little painting that I did while I was "playing" in the studio:

Doesn't it look cool? Because Yupo doesn't absorb the paint, it does make layering colors much more difficult. I don't think I will be moving to Yupo for all of my future projects- I like a lot more details and layering in my paintings than I am able to do this way- but it's fun for a change of pace.

The other thing that is cool about Yupo is that there is a version which is translucent, like tracing paper. You can place a drawing under the Yupo paper, and do a quick painting that way, without having to sketch it out on your painting surface first.

I love venturing into nature for inspiration for my artwork. After 3 1/2 days of cold, raw rain (thanks to Hurricane Sandy), it is finally dry and seasonable again- good weather for walking and hiking. Although much of the brilliant foliage is gone, but there is still plenty of nature's handiwork to admire....

My husband and I went on a "date" on Saturday, and went for a long hike through a nearby state park. The beauty and stillness refreshed my soul....

Being outside always calms me down and relaxes me. What recharges your batteries and refreshes your soul? Is it a favorite place? Music or books? Prayer or meditation? A special person or people who make you feel warm and loved??

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.  ~e.e. cummings