I’ve been wanting to tackle the next stage of this project, but it’s a bit daunting. I have started four different muslin pieces with very subtle background splatter colors on them. Each will become printed/painted fabric in a different palette.

This one is pinks-reds-yellows-yellow/greens. (Not a normal palette for me.) I have an incomplete vision of how I might use this, but I’m waiting to see  how it evolves.

So today’s the day. I put on some Classic Elton John for energy and courage.

“Burn Down the Mission” is filling the studio.

Here’s where I was prior to today’s print/paint session.

I’d done enough to define a direction for the colors. Now I wanted to add more layers and deepen the palette,

Earlier this week I created a few new stencils to add to my regular vocabulary.

Circles, mixed-size-squares, rows of alternating bean-like shapes with sticks, and a cut and sliced box from cream cheese packaging. The first three will function as openings: Paint will go in and those shapes will be printed. The cream cheese box will function as a block-out: I’ll put paint around its perimeter. (I also ended up pulling a large circle shape from my stencil stash and using it similarly.)

But first I wanted to stencil some donut shapes (an existing stencil from my stash) in a deeper green, because I already had bits of that on the fabric in goldish tones.

I printed over these oval donut shapes with a large natural sponge for a loose image.

“Madman across the Water” playing.

Next I blocked out some areas with the cream cheese package. I’m trying to think in positive-negative applications of color. This simple shape is a way to define areas.

Now trying out the new bean-with-sticks pattern with some deeper red.

“Tiny Dancer.” I’m singing along.

I kept working over the surface. I added some areas with the new squares pattern and the new circles pattern.

Here’s where I ended up after a few hours.

I think I want to add a wheat paste crackle to the whole surface to unify all the parts. That will take time to dry and apply. Stay tuned next week for the results!

“Crocodile Rock.” Goodnight Elton.

For all the artmakers: Happy creating
For all the art lovers: Happy appreciating

Thank you for reading. I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi

bobbi@bobbibaughstudio.com

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