December, the last month of 2023.

So last month I said my 9 year old granddaughter was putting the pressure on me writing my November blog. Within minutes of me posting she messages me to say “I’m not 9! I’m 10!” Where did that year go ? 😂 Apologies to you my youngest granddaughter!

I spent last week in the studio with some great results ( well I think so). It didn’t actually start that way but cutting up a bad painting into 3 smaller ones had some amazing results. Never believe an artist that says they always do a first class painting every time. It means they are not pushing themselves to do something new and experimental. My week was definitely experimental. These are the first 3 I cut from one painting that didn’t work. I should have taken a photo before I cut it up but I didn’t.

That worked for me so I thought “ I’ve got it now! I know what I’m doing.” Then the next painting also ended up as 3 small ones. 😩

I guess they are nice pieces of art but there is no challenge when there is no effort involved. That is why I do like doing plein air when you sit and draw what is in front of you. Not a lot of this done since we have come back from overseas, but next time we are away I’ll be posting plein air paintings then.

More experimental work with handmade paints I bought in France and khadi paper. The paper is recycled cotton rag and very thick and textural so I was able to put on layers of paint and scrape back into the surface. It works best with opaque paint as transparent watercolours do not give the contrast that I was able to achieve with these paints.

Today I got the khadi paper out again and made some more ghastly paintings, this time with acrylic inks and watercolour. Some of them going back in with inktense pencils and using line.

I really admire artists work that use line to bring it into a coherent picture. For some reason, unbeknown to me , whenever I put in line it does not make it a coherent painting but more of a disjointed scribble on top of a nice picture. It’s all about experimenting and learning what works. I’ll keep trying.

Using acrylic inks and wetting the page after the ink is on. Then letting it move. I didn’t feel like adding anything to this one above. That’s not to say I won’t.

The last 2 were paintings about “ if I do this what will happen?” Using inks on inktense pencil and producing line and shape.

So I have learnt heaps from these experimental works. Paintings that will never be framed and exhibited in exotic places but who knows where they will lead or what spark they may ignite for my future journey. And as I always say to my art students when they get precious about ‘ruining’ a painting “it’s only a piece of paper”

For those of you looking for a piece of original art as a gift this Christmas, check out my shop on pamsart.felt.co.nz and if there is something that interests you, please contact me through the shop and I will give 30% off all my paintings and cards to my website subscribers. You will just need to mention this blog to get 30% off.

This is my final email for the year. Have a restful holiday season and a very Merry Christmas. I look forward to catching up next year.

Meri Kirihimete. Ka kite ano. Pamela.