I love citrus season… good to eat and good to paint!
Satsuma Mandarins
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Category Archives: Watercolor
January 2021 Self-Portrait
Looking pensive in this self-portrait done a few days before Congress’ vote to accept the Electoral College count on January 6, 2021. Yes, I was concerned there might be protests turning violent but the level of insurrection from the riotous mob shocked me.
I look at this now and see only sorrow.
The Eyes Have It
These eyes are from the final image… notice the more rounded iris on the left… still a bit cross-eyed… but nowhere near as bad as in my first draft.
Over the summer I painted this fella from a photo in the Sktchy app on my phone. First I drew in a rough sketch in pencil and then painted a light base layer.
I’m using an Arteza Watercolor Journal – 9 in. X 12 in. This paper sucks up paint and I knew I needed layers to get the desired contrast and vibrancy.
Better. I even thought I was done. But no. I’m sure you can see it too… there’s something wrong with the eye on the left. His eyes aren’t tracking correctly… he’s cross-eyed in my journal but not in his photo. (I’m sorry I can’t show you the photo but he owns the copyright and I don’t have permission to post it. You can see it linked to my work in Sktchy.)
Anyway… it sat on my desk for months before I attempted the fix. It’s subtle, but I rounded the iris on the left hoping to separate the two irises and correct his focus. It seems to have helped… sort of… not entirely, but it’s time to move on, turn the page and select another victim.
Ol’ Paint in Paint Only
I’m still working on going directly to paint without using pencil guidelines.
Trouble is, I seem to need those guidelines to get the horse’s hooves on the page too.
(Transparent Red Oxide and Indanthrone Blue… both Daniel Smith.)
Berry Season
What a wonderful year we’ve had for fruit!
If Dad was here I’m sure he’d collect all his optimism, look on the bright side, and call this crazy upside-down year “fruitful”.
A Fitting Tribute
On Thursday I watched numerous cultural luminaries sing the praises of Congressman John Lewis during his funeral celebration at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. There were family, friends and past presidents including President Obama, each one speaking glowingly, but only one captured my interest so completely. Jamila Thompson, John Lewis’ Deputy Chief of Staff spoke so eloquently I needed to revisit her speech on YouTube.
Thank you Ms. Thompson, you did Mr. Lewis proud.
As a staff, we are heartbroken; we are lost, but we know that the work continues, the fight remains, and we cannot – we must not get lost in the sea of despair. So if asked how you may honor the congressman, I will echo the words of the greats who stood here before. You can make sure that his work, his sacrifice, his message lives on, and that there’re actions that every person can do regardless of their age or their station in life. Be kind, be mindful, recognize the dignity and the worth of every human being. Be the best version of yourself. Be informed, stay engaged, even though the work is hard. And, if you’re of age and eligible, for the love of God, please vote. Thank you.
Jamila Thompson
John Lewis’ Deputy Chief of Staff
30 July, 2020
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Atlanta, Georgia
Zysyrro Returns
Zysyrro, Protector of the Weak.
May I please have her as my alter ego?
Pretty please?
Say His Name.
George Floyd.
died 25 May 2020
8 minutes, 46 seconds.
“From my point of view, no label, no slogan, no party, no skin color, and indeed no religion is more important than the human being.”
– James Baldwin
Take the Leap!
Channeling my inner Mary Oliver… “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Tomorrow’s the big day… take the leap!
Meditation – 20 January 2020
How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Montgomery, Alabama
March 25, 1965
(… and yes, I missed the second o in Montgomery.)
