B+W Study No. 6

©2013 Kristen Davis/ studio pano

B+W Study No. 5

©2013 Kristen Davis/ studio pano

B+W Study No. 4

© 2013 kristen davis/ studio pano

Mark Making

A late Friday night. 
Some Sweet Marcella wine from Huber's Winery. 
And some gouache paint. 
Ingredients for a fantastic mark making party of one.

B+W Study No. 2

B+W Study No. 1

I'm picking up where I left off a few months ago, with creating every day. But this time, I'm doing things a little differently. 

I'm still creating patterns, but I want to do a more focused study. Perhaps it's the need for focus, or it could just be the beginning of the school year is in the air. Either way, let's try an experiment. Each month I'll focus on one theme. For August I happened to select 'Black and White: A Study'. 

My drawing for 08.01.2013 is a simple one. It's a shape that I've been drawing since before high school. And it hasn't really changed much. Although, this one is a lined example, and is formed into a circle. 

'Til tomorrow, 

kd

Experimentation

Recently, I've been experimenting with a concept called 'mark-making', which has turned into a bit of an art journal. I'm enjoying this process so much - it's the perfect end to a long day of my very detail-oriented day job. Here I just get to be free and not think too much. So cathartic. 

I've found that my fave medium du jour is gouache paint and super heavy drawing paper (much cheaper than watercolor paper). It's similar to acrylic paint, but can be watered down significantly, in order to create a watercolor effect. It's really the best of both worlds.

I strongly encourage you to give it a go!

mark making 07.25.13 © 2013 Kristen Davis/ studio pano 

mark making 07.25.13 © 2013 Kristen Davis/ studio pano 

mark making 07.25.13 © 2013 Kristen Davis/ studio pano 

Day 94 - Stripes and Seagulls

Late last night I did a little block printing.

Sunset at the Pier

Stripes

Day 88 - Cartwheels

Day 80 - Playground

Day 73 - Gettin' Egg-y With It - Part Deux

I'm not a big Easter-fan, but apparently I have a thing for eggs.

Day 68 - Be Different

I was at my friend's house tonight and we got into a great discussion about taking inspiration, and then doing your own thing.

On my way home I did some thinking, sometimes it's hard to put yourself out there and truly do your 'own' thing - in fact, it can be downright scary. Like when I started posting my drawings for the world to see. For me, it's like baring a bit of my soul. Even on the 68th day, I still get nervous pushing 'Publish' and then posting to Instagram. But on the whole, this exercise has been an amazing adventure.

So, I give you, 'Be Different.'

Day 58 - Angles

Day 57 - Japanese Kamon

I've long been fascinated with the kamon, or, Japanese family 'crest'. Such simple shapes with such a powerful meaning. You can find out more here.This is my own take on those wonderful shapes.

Day 55 - Violets

It appears I'm a day behind... 

Sketch a Day - Day 44

Here's something a little Valentine-y, without being too much.

Heart Bits #1

Heart Bits #2

Heart Bits #3

Sketch a Day - Day 41

Clocks

Sketch a Day - Day 40

A new take on an previous sketch.

Lollipop Floral #2

Sketch a Day - Day 39

Diamonds in the Sky

Sketch a Day - Day 37

Tonight my husband surprised me with a trip to the 'brand new' old Big Four Bridge that crosses the Ohio River from my hometown of Louisville, to where we live now in Southern Indiana. The Waterfront Development Corp opened the newly rehabbed walking bridge today, converting it from an old railroad bridge that hadn't been traveled upon since 1969. Lucky for us we were there at the exact right time for Mother Nature to create some amazing sunset pictures. Lucky indeed. And the bridge was pretty nifty, as well. 

The Louisville Entrance - Big Four Bridge

I decided to use one of the photos we captured tonight as inspiration and I'd love to say this is exactly what I envisioned when I sat down with my sketchbook. This one took on a life of its own, though I like the result. Thoughts? 

Tangerine Slices