Me as a Papoose

 

This was quite a challenge!   I received a bound book of handmade paper--it is inspiring and also a little intimidating.  I decided to practice first on some loose handmade paper that I have.  My idea of the book was to make paintings that would capture different places and people in my life.  I am not sure I can do that, but my first test effort was to make this painting of my mother with me in a Native American cradelboard for carrying babies, or "papooses."  My dad's Aunt Duckie had a whole collection of baskets and this was one of them.  That pose was fun for the whole family and I am glad I have the picture.  Painting people on the handmade paper is hard, though!

I took this first one to my critique group and the suggestion was to do another one, using gesso on the paper to give it a better surface before applying the watercolor paint.   I decided to try the same photo and this is the result:

Both versions are interesting.  I didn't even finish the second one because I meant for them to be tests.  I think the color of the original is better in the first version, but the picture I took is not good.  I can't take another as I gave that one to Jenifer, who was visiting from Tennessee.  It went home with her.

It was a fun experiment, but the bound book is probably going to feature landscapes.  I love doing them on handmade paper.

ILLUMINATED LABYRINTH

 

Here's another labyrinth.  I really enjoy doing them and trying to make each one different.  This one started out as one thing and then just evolved into its own pattern.   The colors are vivid, and I kind of like that I used a stepping stone idea to get to the center and then back.