Who knew that 2020 was going to be full of chaos, mayhem, worry, enforced solitude, frustration, worry, anger, helplessness, intense faith, worry, renewed focus, and a partially overhauled studio?
So many emotions exist in limbo. I speak my emotions through my art when I'm overwhelmed. I also tend to head further into the whimsy spectrum as a brief getaway.
In between searching for toilet paper and Clorox wipes, I've spent about 75% of my time in the studio, sometimes working and sometimes decluttering and reorganizing. I also had some deadlines and commissions to keep me fairly focused. Some of you may have noticed my return to watercolor. I've become obsessed with improving my technique and upgrading my paint stock. Some of my recent adventures can be found on the StencilGirl blog today. I won't spoil the surprise, but here are a couple of my recent meaderings.
Who are these masked marvels?
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| Matchy Matchy |
In the midst of all of this world chaos, I had my six month oncology visit with Giancarlo in May (yes, that really is his name) and yearly cancer check this month. I am happy to say that I was cancer free and we're all working together to help me with the drug side effects. While I was waiting to hear, I headed back into alcohol inks with a trial of a relatively new manufacturer, T-Rex inks. I was really pleased with the movement, saturation, and price point. It was a nice distraction for me and I can't wait to play with them some more.
I also have taken a lot of time during the pandemic to work on my Citra art for an art show later this year. I postponed and then taught two classes (social distanced w masks) this month and it was so much fun watching them discover how interesting it is to work with the random backgrounds. All went home with extra papers to play with, too! I hope to teach the follow up collage class later this year at Checkered Cottage here in Kirkwood, MO. A reminder to those in my classes (online or in person, contact me to be added to the Citra art facebook group. More shameless plugging:
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Stencil by Cecilia Swatton
Art Foamies stamp By Nathalie Kalbach
I plan to teach at Stampaway this year again unless something changes in the newly open Ohio. Class size will be limited to allow for social distancing. As always, for daily art, follow me on Instagram. I also put art on my facebook personal and business page as well or go to my website for all my links. I plan to continue with the last 20 days of #the100dayproject and flow into World Watercolor Month on July 1. Lots of art coming your way. Stay safe this summer everyone.
