Winter Wander

A Time for Exploring

Dear Readers,

Here is the newsletter I was ready to send out last time - when conscience sent me in another direction. I am so grateful to report that we had only a few Unsubscribes because of it, more new subscribers to balance that out, and more likes than ever. My brother did point out that I said Ohio State instead of Kent State . Momentary mind blip - sorry. Peace and comfort to you all. Now, let’s talk about creating. We need art more than ever.

It is snowing today, but not like it is snowing to the east of us! Lots of folks think Santa Fe has a desert climate, but because we are 7000 ft up in the Rockies, we have four seasons. Our WInters are not severe. We do get snow, but most times, it melts and evaporates within 24 hours. We have about 330 days of sunshine a year.

This amazing photo is one I took of our gigantic Juniper tree - my allergy nemesis - which is located about 12 feet outside my studio door - inside our huge, fenced Husky play yard.

This was from the last snow storm, and the skies cleared just as the sun was setting. This kind of miracle of light is why people visit Santa Fe and are house hunting on the same trip! This photo is not edited in any way. Our skies actually paint for us.

I love the new year because it always sending me wandering - looking for new creative adventure. Here’s some of that:

Acrylic Brush Pens

I have had acrylic pens and markers around since they first came on the scene. I started with Posca and added more colors from a brand called Tooli-Art, available on Amazon, which were rarely talked about. But they became my favorite brand because of their more brilliant and broad range of colors. They also are all still good after about seven years. I do replace the tips now and then, but then, they are good as new.

I keep trying to work with acrylics and I generally make a mess. So when “Brush Tip” acrylic markers hit YouTube in a wave (because the Arrtx brand did a mass promotion - showering YouTube influencers with sets), I had to buy them. I loved the way they worked for small paintings, and they did not make a mess, but the colors were muted, and y’all know my relationship with color is not “muted”.

So, I went exploring and sure enough, the whole Tooli-Art line was now available in Brush Tip. So I got them and did this:

These are all small paintings (3”x3”), done on wood, float framed in a 6” x 6”, hand painted shadow box. They are in the local gallery at a super price because people need cheering up right now. The little wood squares tucked in there are their title cards. They are done with acrylic brushes, acrylic fine tip pens, some ink, and a little watercolor pencil. These are not in my online shop but if anybody is interested, they are $65 each and I could grab them from the gallery and create a listing for you - just email me or leave a comment.

Help for Those Sleepless Nights

Are you one of us who wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep because your brain is full of worries? There are a LOT of us these days.

My brain never stops racing around anyway and I really need my sleep. So, in one of my “awoke” sessions last week, I wrote a poem. I had listened to some sage advice from yet another Buddhist Monk on Instagram, about not carrying troubles from the day or worries about tomorrow into the in-between. Here is my interpretation.

Yesterday is over and tomorrow is tomorrow.

The hours between for peaceful rest

Are not a time for sorrow.

I actually repeat this as a mantra a few times and I am back to sleep. Try it and see if it works for you.

New on My YouTube Channel

I have added three new videos since my last update. Two are part of a series called Small Bite Art School - wherein I teach small but important things you learn in art school. These are brand new videos even though I have made lessons about washes before. This one is better.

As I have mentioned before, I use Procreate as a studio tool as often as I use it to draw. It makes so many things SO much easier when combined with analog art creation. I have a Card /Paper Goods company and I could never do it as well without Procreate. This video is about easily filling any shape with any pattern - and you don’t have to know a thing about Procreate to do it.

Great idea for making Valentine cards!

Create something and make the world a happier place.

Til next time.