Painting with Plaster

One of the items I bought at the hardware store the other day was a tub of plaster for mudding/patching drywall. I've experimented with both spackle and Golden molding paste for adding texture to paintings and wanted to compare. I'll post pictures tomorrow...I'm interested not only in the texture of each substrate, but also in the translucency of it and in the way it absorbs paint...

Finally fixed...

My internet connection, that is.

I've taken a long break, both from the blog and the studio, partly because the 'end-of-school/beginning of summer' is so hectic around here, and partly because I think I needed it. I'd liken it to the nap I just took, a siesta, if you will. I am infinitely refreshed and ready for action!

We've had a nice summer around here so far--Joel attended California Boys' State in June, and loved it. He's been playing all three sports with the varsity coaches, which has turned into a full-time job. Thank goodness he can drive, or the twice a day drives down to town would be killing me! Katie's spent time with friends and she and Jenny have spent oodles of time just messing around together--

I haven't done much artwork--haven't even spent much time in the studio--but today I hooked up a new (and undamaged) ethernet cable out to the studio, and I'm recommitting myself to my art. I really am most productive if I spend three or four hours a day out here, treating it like a job, almost. I also need to remind myself that a) art is a process; b) art is not perfect; and c) this is supposed to be fun...

so I'm ready to go! I took a cruise through the hardware store the other day, and picked up some new (to me) tools and supplies--so hopefully I'll have plenty to share!