it calls to mind... (all the new washes)

In thinking of what I wanted for a new series of washes, I craved burnished colors, summer into fall colors, colors of growing things that are then harvested. Ripe berries, earth, summer green grass, pale golden wheat, turquoise stones like my grandmother gave me, deep red shades almost to brown. From my paint box I chose shades seldom used.

I am not sure where my mind is... it is busy always but now more so than most days. I am thinking, reflecting, dreaming and pining, yearning for something and nothing.... imagining, always imagining. These goddesses of deep burnished shades are not meant to be lighthearted and breezy, these will be the goddesses of hard work and strife... depthless emotion. The sacred feminine. I am coming to a new place, or returning to an old place... I'm not sure. Another layer of the onion is removed. I am humbled at always beginning again.

I got to the studio early yesterday and the table was already set up and centered in the middle of the room. I got to work on more washes, working on an abstract red acrylic when they were drying. When I begin these washes again it takes a while to get the process singing again. There is a dance between wet paper and paint at just the right moment, spattering at just the right time when the paper is ready to receive it, and salt and alcohol before too much drying has occurred. A friend dropped in to check on me... thank you my Good Friend... and stayed for a few minutes while I worked and we chatted. I am lucky to know some amazing people.

The colors of these washes, in particular, are exactly what I was looking for in my mind's eye. In all there are 13 washes.... as always on purpose... to honor the lucky #13 of my arrival at the art center as the thirteenth resident artist.

Wash 6 is my very favorite. Hop on over to Flickr by clicking on an image to see all thirteen.