Should we talk about the weather?

Little Red Riding Hoodlum in her habitat

The weather has made a brief detour into Chillysville. Perhaps just to give us a taste of what's to come in Dallas. The temps will be cruising back up to 80's this week though so I haven't stocked up on hot cocoa and wool socks yet. However this little blast of cold was enough to make me feel a little like a squirrel who forgot to stash his food for the winter. Let me explain...

Some of my work has to be done outside due to the nature of what I'm using- that being krylon. I don't have  a garage or any covered space outside to work so I use my porch and hope the conditions are fair for it. However when winter comes around and especially if it's a wet winter or brutally cold- this is not ideal. At. All. I got a good reminder yesterday trying to spray paint outside and only after 10 minutes feeling like my hand was wounded and deformed into a bitter cold claw. OW.

Aside from physical discomfort there is the pure science of paint and temperature and humidity. Sometimes the weather is just too much for the paint and you get a sticky uneven mess, you get bubbles, weird textures or the paint stays translucent and drying times are increased. Theres ways around all that of course but perhaps it is best to take a cue from the birds and squirrels who prepare for the winter and get some stuff primered NOW. So this week I'll be pre-primering a whole big stack of wax for record commissions for the winter. That way I can just slide the color I want off my wall and forego the hassle of spotty paint jobs and records that take 2 days to dry first.

As you can see in that photo I have started a new canvas in the "Path of....." series, what you can't see in that photo is the giant 36" x 48" canvas that I'm actually going to be starting on next. It's time for a big one. I made this decision when the gallery who wants to meet me in person and see my works gave me about 2 weeks before our meeting. I saw this as an opportunity to pull out my A game. Next level it and Wow. If anything I need a big piece in my reportoire and if anything I need more work just in case I make any sales this weekend at the Orisons Fine Art gallery night.

Things are popping and opportunities are coming up- Year of the Dragon is my year to shine and I have to do everything in my power to push my art to it's highest.

So Monday is off to a good start with me making the resolution to BE A SQUIRREL and PREPARE

And with that.....away I go!

I took this photo with my phone while out jogging this Summer, the little guy was carrying that horseapple in his mouth and when I stopped to shoot him he stopped and posed for me!