5 x 7″ Ink and marker on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Horns honking, man yelling, tires screeching
Door slamming, dog barking, sirens screaming
Instruments in a score
Making the music of the day
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
It’s been awhile since I’ve used my X-acto Knife and so yesterday I decided I was due to re-visit the old friend. This time, though, I wanted to try something a bit different than my traditional approach. Rather than cutting into paper, I thought it could be interesting to cut into masking tape. The shapes created could be peeled off and stuck onto watercolor paper. From that point, I would be able to paint the negative space, ending up with something a bit different from my norm.
I started by laying down strips of tape to a scrap of canvas (the canvas seems to withstand the X-acto Knife cuts pretty decently, which helps in not completely ruining my work table).
After that, I simply began cutting out shapes. As I cut and transferred, I realized that not only would I have a painting created from the cut shapes, but I could create a second painting by cutting around the negative space left by the initial cut shapes.
The cutting of the masking tape was pretty easy. The transferring did get a bit tricky as some of the more delicate pieces tended to come apart at the tape seam or tear, and at times the tape would roll up on itself. But overall, the technique worked pretty darned well.
From here I began painting each 9 x 12″ paper. I finished up the first, peeled the tape off and felt pretty good about the result. I got a bit of extra help from Box, our cat, on the second painting as he spilled a glass of water over the finished piece. I have to say I think it helped it the overall look, but because the paper got so saturated, when I went to peel off the tape, it did take some of the paper with it. A simple solution: Have patience and let the paper dry (something I don’t have and thus did not avoid completely).
I’m pretty happy with this little experiment. I think the color and flow of both pieces are nice and it’s always nice for my brain to try something new.
Blue bird-like piece and red/orange floral piece are both available for purchase.
11 x 14″ Watercolor and ink on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Lines intertwine
Energy growing
Leaves reaching to the morning light
If you really like day 147’s art, you can buy it! (Prints are also available. Email me for details)
~3 x 5″ Ink and Cut paper on
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Things are finally starting to feel a bit more like fall around here and so I’ve really tried to soak up this fantastic weather. During the middle of the day yesterday, I decided the weather was just too gorgeous to not get out and enjoy. I packed up some paper, pens and markers and headed out to do some work in a neighborhood park.
As I sat enjoying the view, I saw one particular tree more majestic and seemingly strong than any around it. The tree had a full head of green leafed hair – not a touch of yellow could be seen. It appeared as though this tree was holding on to summer even as autumn quickly closed in on it.
18 x 18″ Acrylic on canvas
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
I’ve created a number of these circle paintings over the last few years (some people call them bubble, but I prefer to think they are just circles). I always enjoy the flow and feel of them, and painting them often helps me process a larger idea I have on my mind.
As much as I enjoy the works though, they are also rather time consuming to paint. Typically, as I’m about 3/4 of the way through and I’ve processed what was rolling around in my head, my attention span withers and I find myself wishing I was done. So this time around, I decided I would approach one of these paintings from a direction that would keep me interested and challenge me – even after my thoughts quieted. In order to accomplish this, I decided I would attempt to create form by building up the flat circles and incorporating a bit of color.
The process went something like this:
After creating a background, I loaded up a small brush and began making lots and lots of circles – combining them in a way to create a larger, circular shape. From there I added a layer of blue circles atop the white, and finished up with thinned layers of paint (glaze) to enhance the form.
I’m quite happy with the result and can report I never got bored. Sure this could be due to the fact that I worked on a smaller scale than I typically do. It could also be due to the fact that I had lots on my mind and so probably wouldn’t have tired of it anyway. Either way, I’ll label it a success!
~3 x 5″ Ink and Marker on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Seemingly simple
Unnoticed companions
Controlling the fate of the world
A microscopic band of superheroes and villains
A few days ago my friend and ex -husband, Ryan, gave me a call and shared some bad news. Our pup of 14 years, Beuford, was “going downhill fast”. Ryan let me know that he will be putting our boy down within the next week or two. This is sad for us both, even though we know it is the kindest thing that can be done for Beuford.
For this post I’m going to celebrate our hound and all of his fabulousness by sharing a few things:
1. He is a black lab/basset hound mix. He is as goofy looking with personality to boot!
2. Amazingly, even with those incredibly short legs, he once – somehow – pulled an entire gallon bag of chocolate chip cookies from off of the counter and ate them. All.
3. He goes into strange barking/body spasms when he wants attention.
4. His love of walks is near or equal to his love of treats.
5. He had an incredibly adorable way of slinking off of the couch when you caught him on it.
6. When he sits he looks a bit like a seal.
7. He is incredibly loving and loyal and my hope is that as he drifts off to sleep, his last dreams are filled with treats and walks and love.
9 x 12″ Watercolor and ink on paper
Yesterday I was able to get out and enjoy the amazing fall colors with some really great friends. I’ve always felt that when I am outdoors, especially when I am somewhere that is secluded and away from the buzz of the city, I feel most alive. The experience rejuvenates me and makes me thrilled to be a part of life. I am not at all religious – I’d call myself agnostic actually, but when I’m experiencing nature, I definitely feel I am in a spiritual place.
I began reflecting on spirituality which got me thinking about a conversation I had recently, with a really amazing person, regarding religion and morality. We talked about the fact that you can be moral, work to find good in others, and forgive simply because it is the right thing to do. While religions may promote these things, I believe humans’ moral compasses were around long before our current-day gods. I like to think we as humans will help people and work to be honest and thoughtful because we care about people.
I’m not one to talk about my religion – or lack there of – often, and you’ll probably not hear a peep about it again. But as killings and conflicts and wars erupt over religious beliefs; as gays and lesbians are persecuted for being who they are; as some of you become angry at me, or sad for me for questioning whether God exists; I can’t help but think we all might be better off if we focused on believing in and working for the betterment of each other rather than a god and religion.
If you love this piece, you can buy it! Please contact me if interested in prints.
~4 x 6″ Ink on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Following a very productive day yesterday that involved very little art, I sat down and with no end goal in mind, began drawing. As I progressed on the piece, I was feeling really good about how it was turning out. The detailed lines flowed through the space nicely and I felt good about the amount of contrast of black and white. I showed the little drawing to the boyfriend who noted, “You’re in your wheelhouse.” He was right. I was.
I love creating these organic feeling pieces. But, as I mentioned to him, I almost feel like I’m cheating when I make them. Why you ask? Because they are really easy for me. My goal is to push myself to get better by challenging my skills as I move along in this venture. I know that this type of drawing does not challenge me. But I do love it.
So what’s a girl to do? Well, it’s probably not all bad for me to mix in a little of what is easy – especially because I love creating this type of design. Perhaps the “challenge” I am looking for will be to allow myself not to feel too guilty about it, and appreciate that I’ve got this little drawing technique that I am pretty good at and always enjoy.
This piece will be available for purchase on etsy.com
8 x 10″ Watercolor on paper
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
For the last fourteen years or so I have lived in pretty cool climates. Summers have had high temps of about 80 degrees and winters frequently dip below zero. Coming in from the cold with a coat of frost on my eyelashes was commonplace and I was never without mittens.
Moving to Fort Collins, whose summer temps have certainly averaged a billion degrees, has therefore been a bit rough for me (although I have been assured these high temps are not the norm.) While you can layer yourself up infinitely in winter time, there is only a certain amount of naked you can get without being ticketed or arrested. So imagine my joy when, this week, temperatures stayed below 70 degrees for a few days. On top of that there was rain! It was pure heaven.
This piece is an homage to the rain and coolness that cheered my overheated spirits.
Micah Richardson 