Since leaving Acrylic University, my focus has shifted from acrylic to… ??
There is so much stimulation online—so many things to try, courses to take, interests to pursue that I’m beginning to feel ‘deer in the headlights.’ To still this cacophony, I often I find myself going back to the simple way I started pursuing art, with drawings and watercolour.
In preparation for our vacation, I purchased some inexpensive pads of watercolour paper to do projects with the grandkids. I ordered them online and had them sent to our daughter’s home. When we unpacked them, we discovered they were not only pads but blocks – 140 lb. paper glued on all sides (with a little slit to start the loosening of the sheet once it was finished). Though not cotton paper it’s very decent wood-fibre paper that I left with them but, once I got back home, ordered for myself as well. I love working on blocks and having an abundance of inexpensive paper not needing to be stretched has meant that WC paintings are quick to start not so precious.
This summer, then, I did a waterlily series. They take me back to the abundance of waterlilies on Abbotsford’s Mill Lake, and a waterlily pond in Vancouver’s Van Dusen Garden (reference photos for these paintings taken by me in years gone by at these two locations).
What do you think?
I’m looking forward to the weeks ahead. I have signed up for an online watercolour course by Victoria artist Marney Ward which begins mid-September. I guess I’ll keep switching between watercolour and acrylic in the foreseeable.
Violet Nesdoly 