Rosh Hashanah

 

The Jewish new year of 5782 begins at sundown on September 6th (first of Tishri on the Jewish calendar). I thought it was time to start designing our annual greeting. That way if I change my mind, I have time to think of a different design and verse.

Cards and other printed items available on my website.

Playing with Gesso Part 2

 

I went to the art store and bought the proper materials for this exercise. I am much happier with the result. Now I have to figure out how to use this technique on my own composition.  The link to the Bob Ross episode is in the previous blog post.

I tinkered with it a little more and I like this version better:

Playing with Gesso

 

I decided to have some fun with painting instead of trying to be serious. I found this instructional video online, Bob Ross, Season 28, Episode 4. I didn't have all the right materials, but I had most of them. I bought some black gesso so I could start the experiment.  If you are familiar with Bob Ross, you know that this is not his usual teaching technique. Anyway, I started with black gesso, paper towels and a foam brush. It looks interesting so far.  I used a leftover piece of canvas from another project rather than wastinng a good canvas.  Fun so far.

Here is part 2. I had to repaint the bottom of the canvas because I did not like my path the first time I tried it.  The gesso has to dry before putting color on it.

I didn't have the right materials or colors for this part so I was a bit disappointed, but I still enjoyed this process.  I did go out and buy what I need so I can try it again.

Snake River

 

Snake River, Murphy, Idaho

It has been too hot to paint outside (100 F for 10 days in a row, approx 38 C) so I painted this inside my air conditioned studio from last year's plein air painting trip to Murphy, Idaho and the Snake River. Acrylic on canvas, 10" X 20". I used last year's painting and my photos as a guide.

I have not been motived to paint much lately. The heat has really affected me. We still have a few more days of this. I don't know how desert people manage. Southern Idaho's environment is considered "high" desert since it is in t he foothills of the rockies. Our elevation is around 2700 feet. Water supply comes from the high mountains and snow melt, but there wasn't as much snow this year and we are in drought conditions. Not sure how long that will last.