…But the lows are low.  Let’s start with this week’s low.  It’s what happens when you wait until 11pm to start your sketch.  You look around and can’t find your gum eraser.  But wait!  Your daughter’s Etch A Sketch is just within reach.  That could work, right?

Jan 8, “Thai Pencil Bag,” Etch A Sketch

I had the idea a week or two ago to use the Etch A Sketch, but I didn’t strike when the iron was hot.  Instead, I waited until I was exhausted and uninspired.  What made it worse is that a few days later, I checked Christoph Niemann’s Abstract Sunday column and he had used the Etch A Sketch for his brilliant (as usual) commentary on the life of Andre Cassagnes, the man who created the Etch A Sketch.  I didn’t even know the man had died.  Or existed.  So obviously, my idea was more brilliant, if poorly executed.

And now for the highs.  On a whim, I went to the paint store and bought some oil paints.  For those out there who are considering oil paints, read a book first.  Even just one chapter would be helpful.  Or get an artist friend to spell it out for you.  I had no idea what I was doing.  I didn’t even consider that I would need something beyond water to clean my brushes.  But somehow I managed.  My first one was of Hilton Forest and I think it turned out pretty well considering my ignorance.  I did it in 2 sessions.  I’m a little miffed that the paint takes so long to dry, so maybe I’ll like acrylics better.  At this point though, I’m just enjoying the fun of moving paint around on a blank white canvas.  Oil gives me that fix.

Jan 12, “Foret Hilton,” Oil on Oil Paper

The next two days I attempted these oils in similar palettes.  I skipped brushes altogether and used only the palette knife, which seems to suit me better.

Jan 13, “Marrakech Bicycle,” Oil on Oil Paper

Jan 14, Oil on Oil Paper

And lastly, the ambivalent.  This one looks mildly like my husband.  “You got the hair right,” he said.  Some of the features work, but don’t relate to each other well.  Overall, I gave it 5 Van Goghs because the pencil strokes are more confident and I see improvement from my last drawing of him.

Jan 9, “Matt at Computer,” 4B Pencil

These are are portion of some flowers my dad gave me.

Jan 11, “Unidentified Flowers,” Gouache and Oil Pastel on Art Paper

And this is what happens when you put brush to paper and then realize you have no plan:

Jan 10, Ink on Art Paper

That’s all, folks!