October 27, 2011 October 28, 2011

On Wednesday Ken and I and some friends visited the Indianapolis Zoo to see the new baby elephant and the Dolphin Show. One of the dolphins is named Kimo which I understand is the Hawaiian word for happiness (if this is wrong please tell me!). Today Ken had his fourth Chemo treatment. HMMM, Kimo – Chemo, serendipity? I always take drawing tools with me when Ken has chemo and this time I took a 6″ X 9″ heavy duty sketchbook and my set of Sharpie markers. I used the edge of the Sharpie case as a straight edge – drew some lines, some curves, some spirals and started coloring. I stayed with primary and secondary colors because I wanted a happy, cheerful look…not that everything is going well but I was tickled by the play of words (Kimo/Chemo) and Ken and I had one of our best vacations ever in Hawaii. So a tribute to Kimo!

Kimo 10272011

 

 

October 18, 2011 October 23, 2011

A third Chemo painting from this cycle to share with you. With this painting I used cut strips of MASA to see how that would work. It was still a little tough to remove all of the mask but it worked fairly well. I like the way I was able to retain the bright spots and the water moved around the paper in a totally different pattern. A learning!

Chemo 7

Since I was able to “hold” the bright lights, I really “pushed” the darks in this one. I wanted to achieve something intense and deep.

October 14, 2011 October 20, 2011

 

Chemo 6 - Arches CP - 12" X 16"

Back to my earlier process…no experimentation or Masa here…just thinking and feeling the chemo, the cell-killing chemo. Do you feel like the painting is floating in fluid? I tried to make it look like the flow was surrounded by other fluids and the cancer cells were being destroyed and were losing their vital, life giving blood. Maybe my words are too melodramatic but I keep screaming internally – kill, kill, kill that cancer!

 

October 13, 2011 October 18, 2011

Haven’t been able to post for a few days because my camera was sick. I finally figured out, after trying several things, that my rechargeable batteries were shot. I bought some new lithiums and they are working fine.

Ken had his third round of chemo about a week and a half ago. We spent last week at home and he was able to run errands with me by the end of the week. He is still weak but was able to attend the opening of the Watercolor Society of Indiana show on Sunday.

This is the fifth in a series inspired by his Chemo and I tried something new. Leslie has inspired several artists to work with Masa paper collaged on watercolor paper. It can give very interesting effects. I wad and soak the paper before I collage it to my Arches CP paper. I don’t apply any color until after the collaging is complete but I often paint before the collage is dry. I use masking fluid on my paintings and I wanted to see if I could remove the masking from the Masa. You can if you apply it heavily but it doesn’t work very well. Ken really likes this particular painting and it has not motivated any modifications during my “living with it” phase. Hope you enjoy!

Chemo 5

September 25, 2011 September 28, 2011

As you know I am currently painting several ATC’s to build an inventory of them to give to my family with their Christmas cards. I have been working on tomatoes and geraniums and watercolor and pastel and colored pencil. Today I am posting my first abstract ATC. It is inspired by my husband’s current chemotherapy treatment program. I am always torn between the dark aspects of cancer and the hopeful side. I think I always try to find a beautiful way to present the dark and the light of things. Working this small was an interesting challenge! I used my normal method and my normal watercolors and I think the colors I’ve been working with for my latest geranium paintings predominate…must have been subliminal!

Chemo 1 - ATC

 

September 2, 2011 September 4, 2011

I am posting the fourth in a series of watercolor paintings that (I hope!) present my hopes and feelings as my husband goes through chemotherapy. He has had his first treatment and I am very grateful to be able to say he has not yet had many of the most horrible side effects. He is extremely tired and weak. With this painting on Kilimanjaru CP paper. I wanted to give a feeling of something active entering the blood stream and from there the body. To do this I did my painting and then floated the puddle of yellow-green (which of course because it had blue underneath became green…DUH!). I always think of chartreuse as a very active, acidic color so it seemed to be perfect for the task.

Chemo 4

You will probably be thrilled to hear that I am working on a couple of ATC’s of cherry tomatoes. They are and will be for you a good break from my chemo paintings. Have a wonderful holiday tomorrow. After this HOT summer, Indiana is supposed to cool and refreshing weather.

August 31, 2011 September 2, 2011

When painting this I was thinking about the trauma-filled, scorched earth nature of Chemo. The painting is done on a small, roughly 8″ X 10″, sheet of Arches. I think it is interesting that you can see the small “pools” of color covering the Arches CP surface. It is much less absorbant than the other papers I’ve been using. I am learning so much by using all the different papers that were given to me recently.  Definitely makes a huge difference in the technique needed and the look you can achieve. But then you all probably knew that!

Chemo 3

 

August 30, 2011 August 31, 2011

I just completed my second Chemo painting. I did this one on a sample of Waterford 140# CP paper that was given to me by a retiring docent. I like this paper. It held up well and didn’t ripple or buckle. For this super wet technique I don’t like the surface as well as the Lana and Kilimanjaro – too much sizing. This a small painting – maybe 8″ X 10″. The subject is scary but I think you can tell I also feel hope.

Chemo 2

Ken is holding up reasonably well. He is very tired and weak. The low point for his red and white blood cells will be over the weekend. I hope he begins gaining his energy and strength back next week. This Chemo is given on a three week cycle.

August 28, 2011 August 29, 2011

“Chemo, chemo, little cell killer…”

“Scorched earth, scorched body”

“Source of hope, source of healing”

These are just some of the thoughts I’ve been feeling. It is a real roller coaster ride. Chemo has such an intense effect on a person’s body but it may be the only hope for a decent quality of life. Anyway, again this experience with its highs and lows inspires me and, of course, the circles are back. (and Ken is tolerating his first treatment very well…thank you for sending those positive thoughts!)

Chemo 1

I like this painting very much and was struck by the fact that at its heart are the primary colors. I don’t know if this was came from my primal core (when I started painting in 2007 I did a series of 7 abstracts using just primary colors) but I know it was subconscious.

On a positive note, I received a purchase award at the opening of the Hoosier Salon Juried Show. Made me very proud.