This Week Mostly at Hospital

Our weekly RCIA Meeting on Tuesday night with Fr. Isaac and others, learning about the dignity of life in its many forms. Official Vatican Network published the gist of our discussion here; timely for the discussion.

It was my birthday Tuesday, with my husband providing some carrot cake refreshments that evening.  Thank you for birthday cards sent by Kathy M and Kathy W, Madge, Mary Kay, Pam, Sharon, Lynn and several others I cannot recall as this is being typed!

Knitting continues on two projects while sitting beside that hospital bed.  

Piper's Journey Shawl

I finished two books read aloud to Julie this week.  It makes time go by more quickly, although my voice sometimes gets froggy.

We have completed Karen Vorbeck Williams The House on Seventh Street and are rapidly getting through her other book, My Enemy's Tears.

link

Gene reads Mark Sweizer's Liturgical Mystery books to her (his second read aloud book now underway).  Gene has read them all and highly recommends them as light fun.

And Julie began her third week at St. Mary's Hospital...

She had a reaction to her antibiotics, enough to have it discontinued. It was changed to another one by IV last night. Her wound looked in order yesterday when they changed out the wound vac and put on another one. The wound care nurse at the manor came over to observe how the nurses changed it out so that the manor nurses could learn how to do it there. Julie will have it changed again tomorrow, and maybe she can go back to the manor late Monday on oral antibiotics. Maybe.

Jac Kephart Workshop Jan. 23, 24

Jac Kephart provided a two day workshop over January 23 and 24 to a packed gallery of 18 eager participants (sponsored by the Grand Junction Brush & Palette Group).  As Bob Martin said, "He is one of the most benevolent artists I have encountered," and never were words more true.  Jac taught, shared information and knowledge and was an all around wonderful presence over the two days.  Lucky were we who enjoyed and benefited from his tutelage.

Jac's work, three dimensional interpretive art, goes for about $250 per square inch.  Some of his works are gigantic, so you do the math (several pieces are upwards of $150,000 per canvas).

Below is Jac and you can find his artwork here in Santa Fe, here in Breckenridge, and a famous work "Vegas Mars" here at the Wubben Sciences Center in Grand Junction.  Jac brought that piece as a display.

Below are a few pictures from the workshop.

Above: Jack showing embellishment with foils and copper wiring

Above is Claudia Crowell hamming it up with her pastels.

Jac demonstrating using foil adhered to his canvas.

Above picture is that of Mark Chioni who shared his techniques of macro photography.  Mark uses Jac's works, among other beauty seen if one is open to looking for wonder, and photographs macro images, choosing most pleasing compositions of shadow and light for his work.

Lee Golter also shared his expertise of macro photography and picture manipulation.  I failed to have my camera when Lee presented, but hope to share some of his work in a future post.

Poured Watercolor

Brush & Palette welcomed Cheri Isgreen with a record attendance at our January meeting at the Art Center.  The picture below is watercolor artist Cheri prior to her presentation when she explained how she used watercolor in tubes, thinned with water (to consistency of cream).  She applies frisket in three or more layers, then pours watercolor in similar intensities over the frisket, removing the layers as each is dried, often reapplying  the frisket.

A few pointers Isgreen presented were:

• Draw the idea first; where will lines be emphasized?
• How will I use negative spaces?
• Develop a value study of light using three values: light, medium, dark
• Edges matter in watercolor, so use masking, also spelled "masquing," aka frisket, for sharp, clean edges
• Use lost and found edges
• Counter change space: when light hits and makes a dark or a light image
• Avoid details until the end of the pouring process
• After frisket is removed, soften some of the edges
• Do not shake or vigorously stir frisket at air bubbles may appear
• Do not expose frisket to heat or sun, do not use hair dryers on frisket; allow the product to dry naturally
• Always pour masque (frisket) onto dry paper and outline with a fine brush, filling in the frisket with more from a larger brush
• Always use good, sharp, frisket brushes (do not use fingers for this process)
• Clean frisket brushes with liquid soap first, then dip brush into the frisket while wet
• Always immerse used brushed immediately into water
• Isgreen uses 140# Arches cold press paper, but any good watercolor paper will work

 Be sure to visit her website to view her striking art.

Several new members joined B&P at the meeting, and one new member, Michael Davis, won the mini show.

Welcome to Mike and all new and returning members to Brush & Palette.  Be sure to catch up on news here.

Julie Update:

Julie returned back to the hospital in the early hours yesterday morning and spent several hours in the ER before being re-admitted for infection in her abdomen.  She is resting comfortably and is on IV antibiotics.  It was disappointing that she was able to spend only a few hours back at the manor before an alert nurse caught the infection in its early stages.  But we are pleased she has received and is continuing to receive good medical care. Thank you for all your prayers.  I know friends Sharon, Kathy, Jody, gretchenjoanna, Theresa, Stefanie, Elizabeth, Karen, Carol and others are following her progress; thank you.