I was asked in an interview recently about what was in my artistic future. My reply was that I really didn't know, but that what ever the case, I was going to "create and express myself in my artwork."

A pretty milk-toast answer; I think I was imagining at the time I would move into something like silver smithing or sculpture or something 3D. So I was a bit taken aback when I sat down today with some paper and oil pastels (of all things) and whipped out a quick drawing of my old buddy Herb's old Brittany Ginger furiously running through the late season grouse woods.

OK, so this isn't COMPLETELY new territory for me; I'd done a portrait  or two in school, um, 20-some years ago. So I sort of know the concept of pastels. Sort of. I totally botched the first attempt - I am a seriously bad draftsman. This is my second attempt, and I must say, there are more things that please me about the drawing than things that don't, so I consider it a success, I guess. I really like the way the dog's movement comes through - I think that was my first goal. I'm also impressed with how the oil pastel's work together as colors.

So, I think I've found my "next thing", so to speak. I'm certainly not laying down my wood blocks (as a matter of fact, I'm about half way done with the latest that I started not too long ago) but definitely on to something fresh.

For the Birds...

Deb and I have three (maybe four) more shows lined up for the rest of this year, and have been hard at work the last couple of weeks getting some new hand-colored linoleum block prints ready, for Art on the Kinni, Spring Valley Dam Days Teachers Art Fair, and the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival.

We're continuing our bird-themed prints, as we had a terrific time with last years Orchard Calendar project, and thought it would be fun to concentrate on song/garden birds as a theme. When we started Trout Lily Studios years ago, it was with the intent that it would be a vehicle for both of us to pursue our art with; these are Deb's images, from blocks that she carved. I proofed the blocks for her, and printed them, then handed them back for her to hand color.

Goldfinch (blue)

Red Winged Blackbird

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goldfinch (yellow)

Eventually I'd like to carve some color blocks for some of these and see what that will do to the over all image. But for now it's enough to concentrate on rolling out the base prints.

3rd Meadow Final

I finished my latest print today, a Moku Hanga print entitled "3rd Meadow." The view looks up through the 3rd meadow on Slough Creek (hence the title...) Slough Creek is a tributary of the Lamar River in Yellowstone:


For a print that started out with a whole lot of Easter Egg colors, it turned out exceedingly well. I'm very happy with it.