I’ve been saving some projects for the new year, and it’s time to review them, maybe even get a move on!

Scanning

Now that I have storage space, scanning is fair game, to start filling up the disk again. First up, reviewing my scribbles sketchbook.

I have more success with sketchbooks if I don’t have high hopes for them. But, once they’re done, it’s fun to see which pages might be worth another look. Those are the ones I like to scan, to make available as digital layers. Here’s one, ready to test as a layer.

I also completed every main page of this lovely old red spelling book I found — what a great foil for adding collage paper! If I scan it, I can start the next one, a great reward. I’ll have to show you what became of it, once I get through each page.

And here is the next sketchbook, ready for me, found in a lovely shop with a mix of old and new books, just the kind of place where you can find treasures when you’re browsing. Did I have something like this? Before my time, I think, but memories of bringing spelling tests home, the agony of getting a word wrong, are all flooding back.

Learning

I signed up for a watercolor class, that I hope is abstract enough. I just want the basics of how this odd medium works. The class, called Watercolor Workshop by Anita Lehman, is through Carla Sonheim‘s site. After reviewing my supplies on hand — I still need a few things! — I’m ready to start with the basics: a brush sampler and a color sampler. And it’s a snow day, so a perfect time to start!

Making

In looking for watercolor paper for the class, I found some , already started with weird splotches of color on lovely Italian paper. I don’t know what I was trying to do, but it’s not great, not worth scanning as is. Maybe pasting on a bit of paper will improve them?

And, as soon as I had some of those scribble sketches scanned, I started trying them with existing works in progress. The sample from the top of the post is now a layer here, on the bottom right.

Applying

There’s an online space I love, art-fluent, with a great current call, Aqueous. But none of my existing pieces feels like a great match this time. I’ve been accepted to their shows in the past, and appreciate their curator’s eye. But I’d want to send in something that’s more of a stretch, and nothing fits that call. I’ll keep an eye out for the future, but feel free to see if something works for your art.

Another call I’m eyeing wants physical work on a small panel, much more of a push. That’s going to get my attention, for the next bit, working up to the deadline next month.

Balancing all these projects — new work, new mediums, current and completed work — is why I don’t see my progress from day to day. Laying it all out like this, each week, has felt like more work, even, but it does remind me that every bit of my art is getting at least some attention. How was your week?

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