Completed Gates

I'm four into my proposed ten pieces of working with acrylic, collage and ink on Yupo. I've decided to change my approach as I cannot keep trying to layer on this 'plastic paper'. The print of the gates 'lifted' as I added layers of color.
This first piece measures 11"x11", acrylic, collage and ink print. The meditation or conversation was about openings, new beginnings and so these gates have a feeling of opening. I added the black netting so as to focus on the center area.
The next image, also 11"x11" has the gates printed over a cloth collage and the meditation was about counting...all the counting I seem to do in a day...I wrote in ink with my left hand the numbers up to 8 and the bottom lines are as marks of time for me.
I like how as an artists we ask ourselves to be inventive, to take risks and all in all I'm playing well but again I'll need to change up my approach to this wonderful opaque paper. I believe I will need to work faster and allow the 'inner conversations' to be quick one word prompts...motivation to move forward with color etc...Wish me luck!

Ole'

Yes, here I am 493 miles later....the Mexican Border, sipping Margaritas and purchasing colorful textiles from street vendors.......METAPHORICALLY SPEAKING!!!!!!!
I've been clocking mileage on my stationery bike and according to Google the miles between Santa Cruz, CA and the Mexican Border are approximately 485! I refuse to tell how long I've been at this but for me it's a celebration. Exercise on this bike most days, tracking the mileage has given me a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Have I lost weight? no, but this kind of determination gives me confidence to complete some very large artistic goals I have set for myself in the next year. What's next? I'm turning this bike around and will begin pedaling tomorrow morning...yes...that's right, I'm heading for the Canadian Border...metaphorically!!!
Happy Spring Everyone!

Conversations from Within

A couple of examples of my continuing quest with Yupo. I'm working my way through my Yupo tablet. I've cut these down to 11"x11" and "conversations from within" is my guiding statement. Typically I've written some topics to these conversations and then it all changes...the writing, the dreams, meditations and beginning imagery truly determines the direction. I'm dancing a dance and after all these years, I'm finally understanding that it's impossible for me to always lead the way...give and take...! Jo of MYSTORY asked me if I had planned any printmaking on this Yupo. The gate looking image is a relief print using a very thin piece of foam core and the one that resembles an odd looking village is a fragment from a very old lino cut. I have plans to add collage, acrylic and inks so I'm beginning to make marks on these two.

My youngest son has plans to visit this week...hopefully we will have good weather, eat well and maybe shopping too. I hope he will help me rearrange stuff in my storage shed...an ongoing project and perfect for dry sunny days.