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.