Doing the Around the World Blog Hop

I have been invited by Barbara Benedetti Newton to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop.  Barbara is well known for her beautiful artwork and is a longtime friend.  It doesn't seem to matter what medium she chooses--the artwork is always beautiful.  The piece below is "Wild Lilac" and is done in pastel.

Wild Lilac - ©Barbara Benedetti Newton - pastel

Part of the concept of the Around the World Blog Hop is to answer four basic questions about my art, so here goes: 

1.  What am I working on?

I seem to be suffering from wanting to do everything all at once.  My bucket list keeps growing.  At this moment in time, I have a colored pencil drawing in progress, a small oil painting, and a beaded bracelet.  I’m noticing a common thread through most of these projects – an interest in patterns (similar shapes, stripes, circles).

Comforts of Home - colored pencil - ©Kay Dewar

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My colored pencil work is executed similarly to the way that other artists work, but I love to try to make the coverage absolutely smooth – without strokes--more like air brush.  I do not use any solvents as I rather like the texture of the pencil on paper. With my oil painting I’m trying to do pretty much the opposite.  I’m working on texturing the surface and applying it in a less constricted way than my cp work.

Stately Server - colored pencil ©Kay Dewar

3. Why do I create what I do?

I am never happy if I don’t have at least one project in progress.  I need to keep my hands busy, and I look forward to learning how to do more.  There is so much that seems interesting to me. 

A Walk in the Woods - oil - ©Kay Dewar

4. How does my creating process work? 

I spend some time thinking about the project, perhaps photograph or sketch ideas, then commit to it once I am happy with my planning process.  This applies to everything that I do – cooking, painting, drawing and crafts.  Most of the time I have several things brewing and being worked on; however, generally only one item in each category.  As with my current state of overlapping projects, I like moving around the room spending the time on each project until I feel myself fading or working too fast—then moving on to something else.

Small Clearing at Pt. Defiance Park - oil ©Kay Dewar

I have tapped Dianna Shyne, wonderful acrylic artist and instructor, to continue this Around the World Blog Hop and her contribution will appear on November 10th.

Edge of Autumn - ©Dianna Shyne - acrylic