Jet black Sumi-ink
Brush strokes capture the essence
Moment on paper.
Art Prescription: I went to a Chinese Brush Stroke class today at the NC Botanical Garden taught by Alice, her American name. With a gentle demeanor she demonstrates the ancient art of brush painting. She teaches us it’s not about the accuracy of the painting, but the feeling…the Chi, and make sure to leave room in your painting for movement of energy. We worked on herons today. And swallows!
Butterflies, skippers
Flicker flower to flower
Sweet September treat.
Art Prescription: Another astonishing North Carolina day! I packed up my “art wagon,” and headed over to the NC Botanical Garden to watercolor sketch. It’s really my garden wagon, but works perfect for field-sketching. My paint, paper, pens, water, water holder, snack, and bug spray all fit neatly, then the handle folds back to create the perfect flower-level seat. This is the second piece of work in a new collection I’m calling “Watercolor Fresh.” Each piece starts as a watercolor sketch, expressive. Then I let the random shapes suggest detail with pen and ink. It’s very relaxing because there is no right or wrong, I’m just working (as I tell my workshop participants) with what is happening on the paper!! Try it!!
Quiet day in thought
Back porch geraniums glow
Catch September light.
Art Prescription: As much as I love fall and the cooler weather, I will miss my colorful blooming garden. So I spent today capturing my back-porch geraniums with watercolor and ink. This technique allows for expressive brush work. I use a brush designed for Chinese brush painting, just one brush. I stroke in impressionistic shapes, let that dry, and then go back in with pen and ink for a hint of detail. I think this is my favorite way to paint!!
Path to my spirit
Hand laid stones to studio
Lead way to color.
Art Prescription: As I come and go from my nursing job, I look longingly at my studio behind my house. It’s adorable!! My husband hand-laid the stone path that cuts through our backyard to my magical play-house. I think one of the most important parts of living a creative life is to have a space to call your own. A place where you can come and go and leave your art supplies out, even messy. If you are short on time, being able to go to your magic spot and add a little here, a little there, art journal, dream… a space that encourages creativity, paint that waits for your brush, then you can jump right in!
Dark grey clouds rise up
Loud thunder rattles and booms
Big rain drops fall hard.
Art Prescription: During a storm is the perfect time to work in a sketchbook or journal…all cozy inside.
Home work and house work
Unpaid time spent nurturing
Clean, cook, water, love.
Art Prescription: Time does not always equal money!!!
Blue Willow china
Collectible favorite
Simply blue and white.
Art Prescription: Are you familiar with Blue Willow, a china pattern from the turn of the 19th century? I have always loved the combination of blue and white. I’ve painted blue watercolor on white paper…and now am experimenting with white ink on a dark ultramarine blue background. Ooooohh!
Fragile ego sits
Paints for two hours, color!
Smiles, pride takes over.
Art Prescription: I taught an Art Prescription workshop today at UNC Wellness Center. I took in a big beautiful flower arrangement for them to work from. A tall order for most people who say “I can’t even draw a stick figure.” The medicine of the Art Prescription is to help participants be in the moment, respond to the paper and paint, let go of the inner critic, and just express! I started by giving a demonstration of blocking in colors, and the second part was to do some pen and ink to give the suggestion of movement and shape. I could see the looks of fear on their faces as I read a couple of opening poems. By the end of our two hours together everyone was on to their second painting. Amazing what adults will do if just given the permission to play!!
Orange Cosmos spread
Stars in the night sky, random
Expressionistic.
Art Prescription: My one tall Cosmo stalk is now covered in blossoms. My neighbor said “they look like stars.” I really like this analogy…Perhaps why they are called Cosmos. Here’s a sketch done by laying down a colored background and then drawing with white ink. Playing with opposite colors, light on dark.
From seed leaflets grow
Stalk rises up, new leaves sprout
A sunflower blooms!
Art Prescription: The birds and squirrels share sunflower seeds in my garden. Fun to watch a new sprout grow about four feet tall and bloom a bright yellow sunflower. True to their name they do seem to be reaching for the sun. The real flowers are actually the tiny bits in the middle, and the yellow “petals,” are called rays. I did this plein air sketch in my garden. I’ve been taking an online class with Val Webb on watercolor lettering. A new tool for me is white ink!! So playing around I added some design in the background of my sketch. Try this in your sketchbook!
art prescription 