Many of my sketches were for sculptural ceramic pieces.  Organic shapes and lines throughout the sketches.  I was also trying to deconstruct objects from nature and then paint them or sculpt them in ceramics. 

Mixed media is a favorite of mine as it gives me the chance to work with all types of media at the same time.  I am not confined to just one type of medium but can interact with watercolors and acrylics and or oil paints in one painting.  There is a freedom to painting with mixed media. 

I started two new paintings this week with mixed media on different surfaces with the stained glass concepts as part of my inspiration.  I am currently working on about 15 paintings.  I am surrounded by color at this time.  The more color the better.  I am looking forward in seeing how these new paintings progress.  It feels great to be given the gift of art. 

I love to sketch and draw in charcoal.  I was interested in sculptural concepts for making ceramic sculptures.  This has not changed except that I work on canvas instead of ceramics at this time.

The artist produces for the
liberation of his soul.
It is his nature  to create as it is the nature of water
to run down the hill.
W.  Somerset Maugham

Art is the production of objects for consumption, to be used and discarded while
waiting for a new world in which man will have succeeded in freeing himself of
everything, even of his own consciousness.
~ Eugenio Montale

I started sketching many ideas in color with texture and fragmentation of lines all the way back in Art School.  I find it interesting how art is just sitting under the surface waiting to be released from a sketch to a completed painting. 

Yesterday I was asked to please start painting some realism vs. the abstract paintings I am currently working on... I answered that I needed to follow my heart in my paintings.  I could paint a lansdscape, the sky and the stars... yet... What flows within at this time... are the many colors and sculptural layers in combination with the mixed media paints.  This is what I have to paint and keep exploring.

Lately it seems that I have been exploring color and lines with texture.  There has been a focus on the combination of different media along with layers of colors.  Color and more color is where I am at these days in my artwork.   It is fun to play with the textures and colors. 

The simplicity of sketching in black and white.  It can be a simple drawing in pencil, charcoal or even pen and ink.  The eye is drawn to the positive and negative spaces on the drawing surface.  I find the need to get back to this kind of drawing in exploring my current concepts in art.