Often when I'm working smaller I like to begin by drawing on the canvas with an acrylic paint pen.  This is especially convenient when I'm transferring an image from a sketchbook to the canvas as it feels much like the marker that I use to draw the original image.  I've always drawn, though I don't tend to share my drawings very often, and like to use any implement including pencils, pens and markers to sketch and doodle with, but I still view these drawings as the basis for paintings rather than completed works in themselves.  I always view them as my preparatory work.  For as long as I can remember, I have drawn, which makes this a natural part of my creative process.  Plus, using paint pens means I can use a damp cloth to 'erase' any marks to make adjustments as I go while the paint is still wet.

I've recently completed this painting, which is a bit of a departure for me, for the upcoming VIM Future Oceans fashion show that will take place in Victoria, BC on July 1 and in which my daughter, Katherine, is one of the designers.  

The Future Oceans Design Competition is an innovation challenge presented to international fashion designers by Victoria International Marina, in Victoria, BC, Canada. The Ocean Legacy Foundation, and Natural Talent Alliance. The mission of Future Oceans is to inspire hope and promote positive activism toward environmental conservation and recovery.

“Five trillion individual pieces of plastic are estimated to be floating in our ocean. More than a million seabirds and over 100,000 marine mammals die every year from plastic. Small weathered micro-plastics are now found within digestive systems of sea life, birds and mammals globally. Over 220 million tons of plastic are produced each year, we must choose to reduce our need.” – www.oceanlegacy.ca

“Our journey is one of passion, purpose and action. The Oceans need our attention and we are answering with action led by a community of artists, backed by well-thought-out strategy and some of the smartest and most proactive people in the world. Our Designers and Ambassadors will help spread the truth about the health of our oceans while stimulating positive discussion on solving the issues that plague them. Communication is more powerful and effective when it comes from leaders, especially when told through the lens and in the vernacular of their professions.” – Craig Norris, CEO, Victoria International Marina

While I've been living with the Fashion Plate series on my wall, I've begun to see a few things that I'd like to change, beginning with this piece. I've added a creamy white over the entire dress as the original dress is unbleached muslin, but also want to add some more washes of dark shadows and perhaps some stamping using the images I had carved for my daughter to stamp the fabric in the first place.  I've been wanting to use the sugar skull I created for her for some time and wonder if that is what would complete this piece for me.  It's always a challenge...to leave things as they are or to alter them slightly.  That is probably my greatest difficulty when I live with my work too long, I become more critical and want to make changes.  Sometimes it's successful, other times it's not.  Hopefully this is a good decision.

I've completed two more pieces in the Fashion Plates series, both measuring 24x24 inches, which brings me to fifteen paintings.  Only seven more to go.  Of the final pieces, I have a larger canvas prepared which will be the largest of this series (36x48), and a couple of smaller ones.  The squares have been interesting in this series, the smallest measure 20x20 and the largest 36x36, so working on composition has been a happy challenge.  In every painting I like the idea of challenging myself in several different ways, and one of them has been to center the image while still making the composition interesting.  I think the movement of the fabric and placement of the arms helps.  It's also been interesting to have a variety of shapes and sizes of canvases prepared as I often work in series on one size at a time.  I also have no idea what I'll be painting on each canvas until I get to it which has been very compelling for me.  Anyway, still plugging happily along, not sure where this will head once it is complete, but definitely enjoying the process.

Years ago I began minimizing my footprint by being a smarter consumer.  I reduced my wardrobe, borrowed books from the library instead of purchasing so many (I love to read), ate homemade meals and canned.  Lately I feel like I've fallen out of that practice with daily trips to Starbucks (and not always bringing reusable cups), jumping into the vehicle and driving instead of walking (which is also reducing my physical activity), and purchasing extra art supplies instead of using what I have first.  So, I am making a public declaration to be wiser and kinder to the environment.  In the past I found that sharing my goals online helps me to keep myself accountable so this tends to work well for me.  Fingers crossed!