Two fun things going on at the moment –
First, I am teaching two Mixed Media Accordion Sketchbook Workshops at the Oak Park Art League, one this coming Sunday, February 25, from 10:00-2:00, and the other a few Sundays later on March 10. The first one sold out and there are a couple of spaces left in the second one. Register here.
It is a really fun way to explore mixed media techniques in a format that allows for a lot of experimentation and imagery that flows from one page to the next or done in individual pages that fold into each other. There is a basic supply list for students to bring, and I will be bringing accordion pages for you to practice on, try out different things, and to compose an intentional sketchbook. I will also bring a lot of materials to share, including collage paper packets, blocks and rubber foam to create your own stamps, textured tapes, molding paste, gels, and mixed media tools for you to try.
The second thing currently happening is that I am participating in the 100 Day Project this year! It started yesterday and goes until my birthday, May 28. I am doing this on my own and as part of a group of artists, so there is some sharing and accountability (I think I’ve come a long way since the last time this came up in 2021. Time will tell). I’m keeping it simple, making a swatch of a new and different palette every day. It will be interesting to see how this evolves. My first palette was inspired by the fog yesterday morning, not necessarily to match it but to try for a general mood.
I was using Lascaux Resonance Gouache and wanted to try the colors I have, so they aren’t that close to the photo, but that’s okay.
I’ve got notes next to the swatch with all the colors listed and whatever else pops into mind. There was a song playing on the radio when I was making this one, called “Moments in Love (Part 2)” by Art of Noise. It seems noteworthy both because I liked how it sounded, but also the name is great, both the song and the band. So we’ll see where this project goes! If you would like to see what I share on social media, look up hashtags #The100DayProject and #100dayprojectopal to find images. I’ll share it here, too, but probably once or twice a month. On Instagram and facebook it might be more frequent.
