Pumpkins Batik

Tis the season for watercolor batik pumpkins!!  I love the layers of this magical process!!  I begin with a thin piece of rice paper and I sketch my pumpkins with in India ink pen.  These lines will almost fade away entirely with all the layers.  If I want them to show, I need to use a heavier line. After the watercolor goes on, I add hot wax to any areas I want to resist further paint.  And so I proceed through as many layers as it takes before I wax it all, wad it into a ball, then lay flat to wash on more watercolor.  After ironing to remove the wax, I am left with the above painting, ready to frame and hang for the autumn season!  Painting number 5169 in 5169 days. 

 

Stella and Me Batik

Come watch as I demonstrate my watercolor batik method tonight at the Silver Sycamore Gallery for the Art Walk in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, from 6:30 to 9:00!  This charming cafe is right across the street from where we're staying - and a local favorite!  We stopped by for a wonderful lunch after shopping, and will have to go back for dessert!  It is such a treat to spend a few days in a French colonial place like this!  Painting number 3729 in 3729 days.  

Jean Baptiste-Valle House Batik

I am painting the Jean Baptiste Valle House in watercolor batik tonight, with the view from the garden.  This place is joyful in bloom, and I love the formal rhythm of this garden.  It reminds me a little of the Loose Park rose garden, and I an really enjoying the process of layering watercolor, ink, and hot wax.  I am teaching this method March 24 and 25 at Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve, and will be bringing paintings to the gallery that reflect the area.  Painting number 3717 in 3717 days. 

Iris Batik

 

I'm teaching a Watercolor Batik Workshop March 24 and 25 at Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve!!  Message me to save your spot!  My method uses layers of ink, watercolor, and hot wax to achieve this effect on rice paper.  We'll work with two different papers and explore the possibilities.  Love the depth this process gives to a painting!  Painting number 3716 in 3716 days. 

Pumpkin Nocturne Batik

I love exploring watercolor batik.  Every painting is a new experience.  The rice paper is so fragile, and varies greatly between sources, so I push forward carefully.  Using translucent watercolors, the layers add depth, each one rounding the planes of the pumpkin. Hot wax serves to prrserve the masses, allowing deeper color to surround them - which needs to dry without extra brushwork - or the rice will simply dissolve away.  The wrinkling, cracking, adding more color, and ironing the wax away, brings to life something special and unique, that could never be duplicated exactly.  So rewarding, I can't wait to start the process again. Painting number 4385 in 4385 days. 

Pumpkins Four

With ink, watercolor,, hot wax and patience - the beauty of these pumpkins emerge on Halloween Eve!  I have a new gallery to represent my Watercolor Batik Paintings - the Silver Sycamore Gallery in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri.  They have three pieces already, and I will be working on a few more from that beautiful town, to take there in March, when I'll be teaching a two day workshop on this technique.  If you've not been in that gallery, go take a look!  It is a beautiful space, located on an amazing corner in the historic town.  Painting number 4380 in 4380 days. 

Bartle Hall Sky Towers

I've been wanting to work on several large watercolor batik paintings to show when I hang work in Kansas City venues.  After sketching this one in site, I've returned home for the layering of watercolor and hot wax.  The rice paper is so fragile, I must be very careful when handing it wet. It almost falls apart as I work it!  This delicate medium can be very challenging, but oh that light is luminous!  So worth the extra steps!  This one will hang in the executive offices of Blue Cross Blue Shield for the next 3 months. Painting number 3350 in 3350 days. 

Bountiful Batik

Tonight finds me painting the fruits of harvest, after a productive day prepping for dinner here tomorrow.  This watercolor batik of free flowing and a bit whimsical, as I sketched the pumpkins, squash and leaves as night descended.  Love working the layers of hot wax and watercolor, to reveal the beauty beneath at the end.  Painting number 3233 in 3233 days. 

Pumpkins Nocturne Batik

Another gorgeous day spent working outdoors in the gardens - which means I am painting in the dark again!  I've only got a couple of days to paint pumpkins, and then it will be onward to all things Christmas.  I love the watercolor batik process, it adds so much depth to simple subjects.  I'm looking forward to exploring this technique more in the coming months - when I'm not called outside to the creeks, meadows and woods!  Painting number 3231 in 3231 days. 

Pumpkins Four Batik

 It's funny how techniques and paintings will run throug my mind, unfolding as I mentally paint them. Many times, I am even painting in my dreams, so real that I feel like I've already finished my daily paint when I awake.  I sketch in ink and add the first watercolor layer before reaching for the hot wax.  Long winter days are perfect for this technique, but I can squeeze them in between all of our family activities as Thanksgiving approaches. The days seem busier than ever and I'm looking forward to some down time with the family this week!  Painting number 3228 in 3228 days. 

Pumpkin Batik

I've been thinking about this medium lately, with paintings forming and rattling around in my head. I like to sketch out my subject first with archival or India ink on very thin rice paper.  The paper is so thin, one can almost see through it.  I clip it to a wax paper covered piece of foam core, then paint the first layer of watercolor.  After that layer, I go in with hot wax, essentially covering what I don't want to receive more paint.  After several layers, I wax the whole thing, cracking it all up when cool, then floating a darker wash of paint into those cracks.  When I get the desired look, I iron all that wax off between layers of brown paper, working carefully because the rice paper is fragile.  The media is unpredictable and so fun!  I can coax it where I want it to go, but it still has a mind of it's own!  Painting number 3227 in 3227 days. 

Sunset Meditation

Pilates and yoga are important parts of my weekly practice, sprinkled in amongst running, weights, zumba and high intensity classes. I love them all, but nothing centers and balances me like yoga, with it's very deliberate moves. Just inking and painting a pose brings the feeling of that position back to me.  I'm working on this one for an upcoming show at the Buttonwood to benefit the mental health community.  I think I'll do a little yoga now to finish the day!  Painting number 2301 in 2301 days

The Roasterie Batik

Oh how I love the unpredictable nature of watercolor batik on rice paper!  I can remember when I first started this technique years ago, and I was aggressive enough with that soft sable brush to wear a hole right through it!  It happened so fast, I simply couldn't believe it!  There are many, many times where painting experiments go awry, and on each one, I just try it one more time. Perseverance has perks!  Painting number 2281 in 2281 days.

Boulevard Brewery Batik

Oh, my, these urban watercolor batiks are fun!  With all those angles and edges, the line work sets the perfect stage for the loose and unpredictable batiking!  The watercolor flows at will on the delicate rice paper surface, often spreading all willy nilly!  Then comes the moment of truth when the wax is removed, and the brown paper lifted...... it is just like Christmas!  You never know what you have until the painting is unwrapped!  This one is a good present!  Painting number 2269 in 2269 days.

Kansas City on Main Street

I'm finishing up a couple of large watercolor batik paintings, and the days are growing warmer.  It is SO hard to stick to it when the hills and streams are calling....!  Tonite I complete my work - tomorrow I'll be outdoors for sure!  Painting number 2265 in 2265 days.

Milk Barn Sunset

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Delicate rice paper is a tricky paper to work with.  For the batik effect, it is important to paint on the rough side.  I begin with an India ink drawing, filling in with watercolor.  The paper is extremely thin, and the paint spreads quickly, so one must stay on the tip of the loaded brush.  Use only the thickest, softest, finest watercolor round brush, because softness matters!  If the brush is anything less, it will abraid the surface, quickly wearing right through the paper!  I have seen this happen!!  When the paper is very wet, do not shift or move it AT ALL - or it will split into tears!  Once one navigates all these obstacles, the coolest, unpredictable effects can be attained.  All it takes is a light touch and a careful hand!  Painting number 2264 in 2264 days.

Purple Poppies in Batik

I like to keep a few sheets of rice paper in my sketch bag, for those impromptu paintings in the field. This is Kozo rice paper, which is long fibered and stronger than some of the others I use. When it comes to adding watercolor to the India ink, I must use a soft watercolor brush instead of my water brushpens.  While perfect for my khadi paper, they cause damage to the surface of the rice paper very quickly.  My watercolor pans are wonderful here, the high pigment really pops.  This is only the second time I've used those paints in this application, and I love the results!  I wax and add the final batik color back at home.  Painting number 1633 inn 1633 days.  Now to get ready for Family Game Night!

Starry Night on the Plaza batik

I really like the way this batik method works with cityscapes! As always,  the results are unpredictable and paint moves freely on the rice paper,  but oh the rewards are many!  The striking thing about batik is how dramatic it can be!  In a few steps,  a simple scene can become magical.  The stars are knocked off the tip of a bristle brush dipped in hot wax at the very beginning!  I can't wait to teach these upcoming workshops!   Painting number 1538 in 1538 days :)

Eiffel Tower in Batik

I love the unpredictability of watercolor batik on rice paper.  Every stroke moves and mingles at will.  For this painting,  I've used masa paper,  which is a heavier rice paper.  It has a slick side and a lightly textual side  - and that is the one you want to paint on.  I start with my Pitt pen by drawing out the composition.  Pitt pens are India ink, so they won't run when paint is applied.   All light values were painted first,  then hot wax was applied over these areas with a natural bristle brush.  The rest of the color is added,  then waxed,  then all is crumpled up.   Into these cracks in the wax more watercolor is applied,  I used sepia.  All wax is then ironed off between layers of brown paper,  or newspaper.   Voila!  That completes the process!   Painting number 1533 in 1533 days.

Starry Skies in Batik

Surprise!   How about a wild and crazy watercolor batik fit tonight's painting?   Inspired by some of the amazing photos of deep space, this painting was a blast to paint!  The stars are flicked on first in hot wax and a small bristle brush.  In layers, I paint from lightest to darkest, allowing the paints to mingle.  This is nothing like my regular batik work - thus making it super fun!  I'll be doing more of these as I prepare for a couple of upcoming workshops.  Painting number 1516 in 1516 days :)