My favorite mistake

How about a quick tour around the garden before I show you my mistakes? Besides, photography is a very healthy exercise in getting rid of a creative block (unless you're a blocked photographer ;) That's a tip Robyn let me in on. She has some wonderful info on creativity here, here, plus resources for beating the block. Here's the last of the spring flowers, all from the back yard.

When the forget-me-nots are at their peak the grass looks like a carpet of blue. I sat in the garden today with my sketchbook, colored pencils, markers and enjoyed sketching in the sun.

The herb garden.

Lastly, here's the works in progress. I'm having fun with the blue one. Part of my process ended up being taking the painting to the bathtub and repeatedly pouring water over the last wet layer of paint I'd applied. I love the way it blended things for me. Originally the plan had been to wash off a thick layer of ruination, but it turned out to be so much fun. What's that Cheryl Crow song, "You're My Favorite Mistake"? Well the blue painting is my favorite mistake.

The little one beside it has been an experiment using rust as a finish. You paint on a layer of iron particles and the next day the finishing solution. It's pretty exciting to watch the rust develop and the piece turned out beautifully. I ruined it with the tree, there's no contrast at all but it was worth the lesson. I'm going to play with it some more. I think it needs only squares, not trees. The background will have enough going on. If you'd like to try the rusting solution you can get it at craft stores or here. I don't have much to say about the little red and black one on the wall, except that the process has been a real struggle.

And the large one is a gentle disaster. Gentle because I wasn't really in love with the painting. I liked where it was headed, but the technical difficulties that ensued didn't break my heart or have me sobbing inconsolably. I've never used crackling medium, and thought it dried clear. When I read the description on the package, I thought it meant that tinting the product was optional or a nice suggestion. Not so, this is going to dry white and now I have a puzzle to deal with. It needs to cure for a few days so that will give me lots of time to figure out what to do with it. I'm thinking a nice rub of paint with a soft cloth. Something that will creep into the cracks. We'll see. If you have any experience with the stuff and feel you should issue some warnings for other possible problems, feel free :)

It's been a long sweet summer day that finished with a stroll for double scoops of gelato (chili chocolate and one scoop of strawberry :D) Now for a curl up with a good book. Have a great weekend!