Weeknotes 26 Feb 8-13

Continuing my search for how I want to do these Weeknotes (having tried so far this and this), I used gouache again, but this time on 5x7 watercolor papers and I limited my palette to JUST Winsor Newton Opera Rose, Holbein Cork Yellow and black and white.

THEN I uploaded them into Procreate to write the text on top of the digital images using a guoache brush. Much easier than trying to fit all that writing on top, believe me. Maybe not super legible? But I like the visual aesthetic.

I learned so much this week! First, man those colors out of the tube are BRIGHT, but once you get mixing, you get some lovely purples and oranges. I wish I’d mixed more. I was pretty critical of the colors mid way through the week—but as happens, I’m happier now with it. Bold and bright, yes. Me? Sometimes, yes.

Second, I have so much to learn about painting. Painting takes practice and it is time consuming in a good way. It was really absorbing and satisfying to paint in this way. And yeah, it took too much time for a project that is supposed to be small and sustainable over the long haul. But painting a series like this is good practice. I felt more and more in control as I continued with it and I know if I keep work, I’ll get better with guoache.

Third, I really love to abstractify objects—and ideas. The alarm clock and the water bottle, I think, are fun—and the C for Curves and using grey as a symbol. That was fun. The egret is my favorite, though. All in all, it’s been and continues to be a journey to develop an abstractified style—but I am improving and this kind of project really helps.

Finally, it takes so little time to write about one thing that happened in a day. It’s just about making it a habit. I end up editing the few sentences I write down even further—and of course, the writing is even better as a result.

Okay - so here they are individually - with the words and a few comments:

After a rough insomnia night, I woke up at 7:07. I made it out the door and too bootcamp by 7:40. Younger me just wouldn’t have believed it!

This was Monday morning. I’m kind of proud of this alarm clock depicting the alarm going off.

Pastor Paul stood at the entrance of the chapel in robes arms and doors wide open. “You are the light of the world” was the sermon of the day.

I don’t do Religion but I believe deeply in spirt. S I went to the Presbyterian church in Sausalito with friends this Sunday because I’d heard good things about Pastor Paul. Yep, truly spiritual.

I opened the door for Oliver to go out, but the wind blew leaves and rain spit at us. He turned awa ad, I’m sure of it, sighed.

Not bad with the abstractifying. I like the orangey-pink here. Wish I used it in more places.

A nice morning, i walked a few bloks to the gym before i realized i’d forgotten my watter bottle. i had to pay $1.00 for hydration and it’s plastic insult.

That was Wednesday. I was so mad I had to buy a watter bottle—but I needed water!

“Twenty years ago,” Pat said as she shoed me the machines,” there were eight Curves in Marin. I looked around t he room full of frail women in their eighties and nineties. all who are left. and me.

Yep, I joined Curves. And yes, at least in the morning, no one is under 75 I think. Grey hair for a grey Curves…but I need to build up my leg muscles on the machines and I need the cardio and the flexibility, so who cares?

At bootcamp, the egrets fished next to us, silently, peacefully.

Thursday - I watched the egrets as we worked out by the marshes. They are so beautiful.