Mudge

"Mudge" - acrylic on repurposed wood panel, 8" x 8". Ready to hang (back has been wired for hanging).  Available here.

It is entirely reasonable to be back in the studio after nine days out and find myself unable to do anything but play.

These paints call me like swings beckoning little arms and legs to pump hard and reach for the clouds.  

Also, those nine days were spent in immersive family hilarity with a steampunk escape room, outrageously ugly sweaters, ridiculous board games and virtual reality zombies.  Who could be serious after that?  And a conversation between daughter and son about childhood toys named Mudge and Mudgina.  

It might be a while before I can be serious again.

Mudge

So instead I will show you the process of this particular playdate with the paint.

An old painting on board, flipped upside down.  Boldly splat some blue paint across it and spread it around.  Want some orange?  Sure.  Some magenta?  Why not? Turn the board again?  Ok.  Draw an odd creature?  Sure thing.  Scrape through the paint with a chopstick - because it is fun to excavate texture and color. Let the wood grain be itself, because it is boldly persistent.  Add softness with gesso-blended colors.  Hello, Mudge! 

Dear reader!  You've whiled away another year with me on the blog...and that makes FIVE since its inception!  I am so grateful for your time, your comments, your encouragement and for the lovely links to all the things that are inspiring YOUR playdates in the world.  Shall we do it again next year?  Yahooooooooooooo!