As I wrap up a month in Vancouver, preparing to head to Seattle for a quick visit, I want to leave some projects calling me back when I return. And not the kind that looks like a science experiment in the fridge!

Experimenting

How about vodka? I teased a mention last week — for art, of course! Someone said in passing that it could be used with watercolour to create texture. Sounds like an experiment to me…

Well, so much for just diving in: it was like painting with dry brush techniques, while not expecting to. Not ideal. Now that I do further research on the youtubes, I see I should be spraying or dropping it onto my wet surface. Ok, twist my arm; I’ll be leaving the vodka out for when I get back.

Meetings & Making

I’m continuing to swish paint and crayons over my large manila sketch paper. Once I scan this week’s (brown) & last week’s (teals), I’ll get more textures layered up, and add the papers to the collage fodder pile.

On the Arizona Collage Collective studio call, I worked on two more spreads, while enjoying banter and cross-pollination between the southern group and our northwestern gang.

It’s really delightful to work & chat — I’m so grateful for these virtual sessions. It was time for the end-of-month Northwest Collage Society call, too, and we had a guest from AZCC, yay! I worked on a couple of weird ideas that I don’t think worked out.

Does photography + texture = minimal? Nahhhh, don’t think so.

And then, with a tip from a friend (use a needle threader!) I revived my watercolour embroidery. I added sewn details to a few more, and with 6 done, it was time to get out the gel plate and print.

Here’s the sequence from just one of the pieces. The effect really is only in the thread, so: more stitching? Probably… when I get back.

Viewing

I did get out to a few places (Kasko Frames and Outsiders & Others) but neglected to grab photo evidence. Both Kasko and Outsiders are part of the Vancouver Art Walk galleries, open on the first Saturday of the month, along with artist studios associated with First Saturday. Both of those sites give me lots to see each month. What art venues are a regular stop for you?

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