Chasing the Desert Sky: November 2013

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Busy November Days

I've been neglecting my blog lately, so I thought I'd share what I've been up to this month. I've been very busy in the studio and doing lots of creating. I'm in high gear painting and very excited about my current work. I don't want to post much until it's done and now that we are getting into the holiday season I am nervous that it will take longer than I anticipated to complete the series. So I have locked myself away and have become very caught up in the art spirit, much to the annoyance of my family. Laundry? do we really need clean clothes every week? Dinner? Groceries? do we really need regular schedules and bills paid? Luckily my husband has been a dream and often picks up where I drift off, literally! I don't often ask for help--I'd rather run from sun-up to sun-down meeting the needs of others before my own, and I know how lucky I am to have such a great and understanding family.

Above you can see an example of my new studies, in between painting I've been trying to spend a little time every day getting back into my drawing practice. Lately that's been in the evenings before bed. Since I am a self-taught artist I have to be very disciplined to move forward with my skills and there are constant issues I feel I need to improve. Portrait study is something I've always wanted to master and I am starting to copy Bargue plates and really enjoying it! I love slowing down and being very methodical about my lines and angles. I tend to move so fast in life that I become impatient when it comes to drawing, this is teaching me to slow way down.

What else is new you ask? Well, my husband spent some time making a drying box for my oil paintings this month. I've had directions for the box for quite a while, which uses black lights. Apparently black lights give off a different type of UV ray, it is to imitate natural sunlight which greatly increases the rate of drying. Artists have been using the power of the sun to aid in drying for centuries, but I find these lights very gentle and they do not generate much heat. My paintings dry to the touch overnight. I predict this box will see much use over the winter.