Full Harvest Moon

This is a detail from a recent painting that is currently hanging in my studio while I decide if it is finished or not. I have included full moons in many paintings, but this Harvest Moon has a barn in a moon play on the man on the moon theme. Or has the moon harvested this farm? I am not sure I know the answer to that question yet!

An Unexpected Pleasure

Monday morning bought an unexpected pleasure my way, an impromptu mini Sketch Group meeting at the Art Institute. An opportunity to meet with a writer interested in learning more about our little group gave me a chance to get out and talk about what we do and then sketch for an hour before moving on with the rest of my day. I added a little color after returning home. What a great start to the week!

Experimenting

I read an article recently in Watercolor Artist Magazine about covering failed watercolors on paper with a mix of gesso, matte medium and water. This gives a new, textured surface that allows some of the previous design to show through. Having several discarded paintings on hand, I decided to try it. The effects are very different, paint sits on top and color can be lifted easily. I saved a few elements from the first painting but most of the shapes emerging now are new. This is definitely a learning experience!