It's been a busy few months and last week I broke my nose accidentally on my vehicle's car door (rushing too much as usual). Fortunately it was only a hairline fracture and it's much better now, but I did feel rather silly. I'm happy that I can be back in my studio busily at work once again...and back at this series of 'Fashion Plates'. There's been a lot of orange in my palette lately, which is interesting as it's not a particular favorite colour but blue is (any shade) and orange is its compliment. As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, I wonder if I've been influenced by it.
I've been enjoying this mixed media sketchbook, not to adhere anything to or to paint in (yet) but I love the fact that the pages are heavier for sketching with fine sharpees and for taking test prints of the stamps I've been carving the past few years. Heavier markers do bleed through but the fine ones work very well on this paper. Even though I used ink pads instead of print makers ink for this particular page, both work well on these pages. It's really nice to see these samples printed together like this as carving stamps is one of my favorite hobbies.
Lately I've been surrounded by a great khaki green...my main floor walls have been repainted and I knitted a wool toque for my daughter. It reminds me of green-gold in a tube of paint, a colour I love but don't use often enough. Perhaps if I focus on more landscape paintings I will increase the variety of greens in my palette. And, isn't this gal cute in her new toque?
In December, Galleries West magazine included my Nasty Women project in an article on gender and sexual identity in the arts. It's an interesting look back at last year and how so many artists bring attention to a subject that is so important to discuss in our current time. The #metoo movement has opened up so many doors to conversation, but there is still so much change that is needed. When I look at the younger generation, their sexualized social media use, how young males and females relate and the school environment in general, I don't see that much has changed since I was in high school...it's just online now, too. There is a certain appearance and behaviour that is expected from both sexes and that concerns me. There is so much to be learned on the topic of consent...it doesn't just mean saying 'yes', especially when you consider that it is sometimes given under duress, but also includes an environment of respect and safety. I whole heartedly believe in women supporting women, but that also means that women have to respect one another as well, and I am discouraged whenever I see males pitting females against each other. I often wonder when and how this will all stop.
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