Rigor

When exploring and finding new paths, uncertainty is certain. The outcome is not guaranteed. What we can be sure of are many bumps in the road, obstacles and fears to face.

The light comes from a desire and continued will to figure things out.

Enjoy and journal the process along the way!

New finishes and fresh spins on old techniques!! Each material speaks a different language and you’ve got to listen.

And write. And photograph. And Repeat. Focusing on iteration while developing each step.

It's tempting to just “do”. Drawing and writing satisfy the immediate, but the struggle comes from when to execute. There is a point when have we recorded, tested, made enough control samples, and performed all needed tests. Then its showtime.

Starting from one end to the other, we “apply”..”apply remove”…...layer after layer. Hoping the surface will neither get too warm or too cold, too humid or dry. Each stroke flows into the next…and the next.

Camera gets dirty *again* as I force myself to pause and record!

In the world of plaster artistry, often it’s the process behind the product that shines through, giving you repeatable success along the way. Whether you are a DIYer or budding professional, learning new materials and techniques is a way to stretch beyond your comfort zone and continue to expand your creative vocabulary. What processes work best for you? What rituals help get you in the “zone”?

Enjoy these tips..Trowel On!

Stay Inspired
Do the grain patterns in wood inspire your finishes? What about works of art? Or the vivid colors in Tibetan rugs? Always be on the lookout for sources of inspiration; nature, art, interior design….anything you see. Don’t be afraid to tear out images in your latest design magazines!

Ancient Greco-Persian Relief

Sketch /Draw

If you are working on creating a new finish, perhaps using multiple colors, grab your pen or painter’s knife and start diagramming. What’s the main color you will use? Are there other secondary colors? Illustrate this in your drawings.

Stay Organized

Create a folder for your finishes, write down all steps, measurements, notes. This should give you an easy, organized way to repeat your work!

Make

Samples, swipes, and swatches all give you a record of your work. Making both swatches of the specific textures and colors you are using helps visually clarify. You wrote about it above..now show it through your samples. Make as many as you need to practice your technique!

Record

You’ve drawn it, you’ve wrote about it, you’ve tested, now it’s showtime! Photography is another way to capture your process and the end result..beautiful surfaces. Be sure to take before – during – after photos of your work.





American Clay Marittimo with a Tinted Lime Wash!



”What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears continue; those who don’t, quit.” Art and Fear, page 14.