There is something magic in the air during these last days of January.
Outside the still and silent mornings are replaced with the calls of the wild geese.
The blue of the sky is changing from pale to vivid.
The ice is melting on the rivers and lakes.
And now the water is free to move and flow and reflect its own blue.
Even from the almost discarded peppers from last nights dinner.
Something magical is happening in my studio too. I have been working on my panels that will soon be in a collaborative art show with this person.
These panels are have changed over the last week as if they have a life of their own. Watching the colors change, opaque to transparent is exhillerating.
I work inside and out with my favorite and oldest tools.
Even finding beauty in the one that keeps breaking.
Piles of textures and colors are everywhere.
On my desk, on my worktable, on my other worktable.
Doesn't every mixed media artist have piles? Do you?
I try temporarily adding things to my panels,
found objects, stitched pieces of paper.
Little books.
And I wonder should I carve more,
rough up my surface or keep it smooth?
Hide a pressed flower under the wax or attach a piece of stained canvas?
Or maybe not add anything at all?
I can really feel the colors of the landscapes that surround me in my paintings.
The damp, dark earth on the forest floor, the pale fields across the river,
the storms, the cold winds and black nights.
Still I search for more color.
The golden sun sets over the mountains.
And the blue moon rises...
promising me more magic tomorrow.
Oh I did so enjoy this and I would love to work with textures , objects and fabric ...I have never done this before. Your post really was vibrant and encouraging!
Posted by: Willow | February 24, 2013 at 05:47 PM
"I reach for color" seems so life affirming. I love love the peppers photo, all the beautiful wealth of color we toss off everyday.
The idea of the rivers and high hills around you thawing and opening sounds like such a sigh, a sound of freeing and opening the flow of life ... its a gift to me.
Posted by: mansuetude | February 11, 2013 at 10:42 AM
i just found your site, via a comment on Seth's. What a lovely tour of words and pictures. Love the ideas of find colors wherever and temporarily creating out of what is laying around. Thank you. I will be visiting again.
pat
Posted by: pat q | February 10, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Sigh... a beautiful, beautiful post. Lovely words, and images mingling together so perfectly. I have come and enjoyed it a number of times since you have posted it, and felt a need to come and see again today. Now that I have I am off to do some creating of my own.
AND YES - piles and bits and pieces of different projects EVERYWHERE! (and I love the peppers... not wierd, beautiful) xo Kim
Posted by: Kim Henkel | February 04, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Love how you see colour in the everyday making it magical.
Your work for your upcoming show looks amazing. Best of luck with the show.
Cheers Patti
Posted by: Patti | February 04, 2013 at 05:51 AM
I am so glad the peppers got to you! They got to me too. I was worried I might be a little weird but they were pretty!
Posted by: rivergardenstudio | February 02, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Love your post Roxanne. Teach me to blog like you :) That would make a great class in itself??? The peppers got me!!! I love how you see everything. xoox jo
Posted by: Joanna Pierotti | February 02, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Thanks! Spectacular is such a big word, I will try to live up to it!!
Posted by: rivergardenstudio | February 01, 2013 at 12:17 PM
So good to hear from you!
I need to drink in all your super blog has to offer.
Yes, really looking forward to the workshop
so I can glean some super ideas from you
and share some of mine too.
Have a super weekend!
Posted by: elizabeth | February 01, 2013 at 11:29 AM
What a nice winter passage...magical indeed! Your last three photos take my breath away...in a good way! More magical days ahead!
Posted by: mary ann | February 01, 2013 at 08:43 AM
what a great collaboration this will be, and yes, piles and bags and boxes... lol!
Posted by: caterina giglio | February 01, 2013 at 07:19 AM
Another magical post. So exciting for me to see the work you have done on our panels. They are looking spectacular. I cannot wait to be able to see them in person!
Posted by: Seth | February 01, 2013 at 07:02 AM
What an inspiring post Roxanne, I love all the speckle of blues in your photos. I can feel the joy of collecting and using them in your artwork - Hugs Nat
Posted by: Nat | January 31, 2013 at 01:57 PM
Such a poetic and beautiful, searching post, dear Roxanne. Maybe the search for spring, with all the vibrant and gorgeous colours she bring.
Your amazing photoes and amazing art creations-follow each other, and becomes one!
Hugs and xx
Dorthe
Posted by: Dorthe | January 31, 2013 at 11:10 AM
There is beauty in well used art tools.... though perhaps we (who create art) are the only ones who see it. Lovely images, texture and winter colours in this post. I'm drawn to a winter palette.
Posted by: robyn | January 31, 2013 at 05:20 AM
What a beautiful post - I could 'feel' your colors and your joy in working!
xxoo
Posted by: Judy Shreve | January 31, 2013 at 04:57 AM
Love love love your palette, Roxanne!
No...no piles... Neat freak. :)
Posted by: Julie | January 30, 2013 at 08:02 PM
lovely! I do enjoy what little goodies you find to use in your work!
Posted by: lyle baxter | January 30, 2013 at 06:32 PM