Above: Mixed media page spread in a handmade journal roughly 8 inches square (TH Saunders Waterford 90 lb. hot press watercolor paper). The conure is painted in Schmincke gouache over a pen sketch I did from photos I took of this bird sitting on her owner's head! I elected to draw this bird because I'd just been to Wet Paint and it was there that I met this bird on another day—and I thought the orange feathers would work with the pre-painted background. Click on the image to view an enlargement.
I think you can read the text on this page when you view the enlargement—but just in case, it reads:
6.26.2012 11 p.m.
Gruesome Day
Then I stopped at Wet Paint to get some paints for teaching…Greg was supportive without talking; Christina helped me reach down all the paints on the top row and read off pigments for me; and Steve showed me his Grover Cleveland portraits and told me all sorts of "presidential" facts—Franklin Pierce saw one of his children decapitated. Greg and I agreed that gives new perspective.
I'd just like to add that drawing a bird pretty much makes any day bearable. (OK it wouldn't have helped Franklin Pierce, but believe me it can help in some really awful situations.)
Having a local independent art supply store staffed with artists pretty much makes life possible on so many levels. Support your local independent art supply store!
