I'me working on another artwork inspired by my hike the other day.  Watercolor, oil paint, and chalk pastel are the medium this time.  I'm approaching this one with less of a realistic intention, and more off of feeling.  With the watercolor I've used the techniques of wet on wet, salt, blotting/pulling, and glazing.  Thinking about colors, I found myself drawn to a box of tissue, one I purchased in an attempt to stock up on supplies during the Coronavirus.  I liked the combination of the blue with the pinkish tone.  I've envisioned in the painting having this same pinkish color for the trees. Initially, I planned to try and do the trees by blowing the paint with a straw. However, after trying it on scrap piece, I didn't find it worked too well.  So, I then decided to use a brush.  I also thought I would do the white water swirls with a squirt bottle with a fine tip on it and sort of drip the paint from it.  Again, after trying it on scrap paper, I wasn't happy with the results, so I used the pastel instead.  I've tried to look at the painting upside down too so it appears that the trees are standing up and not as a reflection.  I like it both ways, but for now I'm sticking with it in its original state.  My son said the white swirls makes him think of wind. I agree.  As a finished work, I've not yet decided whether I'm satisfied with the pink trees, but just as I ask you all to sometimes take risks in your work, this one was a risk; deviating from my original photo and getting color inspiration from something mundane like a tissue box. :)

I was scrolling through my phone's camera roll today and found this picture my daughter drew a couple of weeks prior to school closures.  Seeing it again now, amongst the news and cases of Coronavirus, it feels that much more powerful of a message, as there seems to be a greater impact on those who already have compromised lungs due to these habits.  Her picture is also a reminder of the way an artwork can speak, using visual symbolism.

Just before school closures due to the Corona Virus, my students had started to brainstorm ideas for the next project.  In drawing I gave the students the theme of 'Take a Hike', and my painting class, 'Sacred Space'.  Now being on this extended leave, and with these stay at home orders, it's been really helpful to get outside, walk, or hike each day; something very sacred to have in these social distancing times.  Today I decided to go to Quail Ridge Park.  Thinking about extended learning opportunities to provide students while not in the brick and mortar classroom, I'm hoping this hike will give me some ideas.  Here, I used an app called Unfold to create a little album.  I like how it allows you to create a story with both pictures, video, and text.