HAPPY JULY 4th!!

The extraordinary Heather Murphy created this video for a YouTube Type in Media Project, using text from this blog entry I posted last November after participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day.  I am honored my words were chosen for this very special project.  Thank you Heather!

P.S.  If you are interested in supporting a walker for this year's San Diego walk in November, support my friend Ann! 

These Destination Dinners International Recipe Kits might even get me in the kitchen...

"Recipe Kits are easy to make gifts that share culture through food. Each kit beautifully displays the pre-measured hard to find spices, sauces and dried items as well as step-by-step instructions, a shopping list for fresh ingredients and fun facts and trivia about the destination you are 'traveling' to."  -Destination Dinners website 

I have jars of these pens, JARS I tell you!  I love their 005 and 01 sizes in particular.  They have very soft tips so it forces you to keep a light touch.  Love them!

You'll never see your garden the same way again after seeing the Maria Sibylla Merian & Daughters exhibit at The Getty in Los Angeles.  This exhibit runs through August 31st, so make an appointment with yourself this summer to check it out. 

Yes, I own Artist's Manual:  A Complete Guide to Paintings and Drawing Materials and Techniques and I've read it.  A great resource! 

I have been shopping at art supply stores for years, and I still get overwhelmed at all the choices within each category, particularly with paints.  Over time and the recommendations of other artists and those working wherever I happen to be shopping (my favorite spot in Santa Monica is Blick Art Materials on Santa Monica Blvd.) I have developed quite a collection of Golden paints.  I like their rich colors and consistency, particularly for bigger pieces.  Keep an eye on the prices, as different colors have different prices.  For the more expensive colors, I usually opt for smaller sizes and splurge on the largest tubs of neutrals like my favorite - Titan Buff. 

I use the heavy body paints for most larger creations, but also love their fluid acrylics for a softer touch of color and creamier consistency.

And I LOVE their glazes (especially aquamarine)...wipe this over an entire piece with a paper towel for a beautiful color wash.  You can add water to lighten the color...it is so much fun to play with and easy to wipe off (quickly) if you decide you don't like it.  Try a small area of your piece to test it out.

I use these paints for my larger pieces and show pieces...I'll go ahead and say it, for more "serious" work.  This is a subjective term that is different for everyone, but I am a bit stingy with my Golden paints simply because they aren't on the cheaper side of materials.  When I use them, I go crazy with them, but I don't dip into them if I'm just messing around with smaller ideas or say, journal collages that will always remain in a notebook.

For smaller collages, trying out new ideas or the first layers of a multi-layered piece, I use more craft-oriented acrylics as they are much less expensive and it is therefore easier to try a variety of different colors.  I've been using Delta paints for years and I love them.  A zillion colors, easy to use and easy on my finances!!!  I have big plastic tubs full of these paints, and I get a particular thrill using an entire bottle at once for a new layer in a large piece. 

Have fun!