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Me, stirring the pot of Gesso, at our 'production site' in my barn,

previously cleaned up by my good husband

I turned 70 this week.  To some of my friends that is young;  to others it's ancient.  To me it is an opportunity to greet each day expecting a grand adventure.  Monday was definitely a day of adventure.  I worked with three other artists to prepare 40 oak panels on which to paint. The adventure part involved following the processes used by the old masters as they created painting panels... materials: oak panels, rabbit skin glue (poor rabbits), zinc white powder, and terra alba (ground rock). Process:  slow and deliberate;  It was totally amazing to be learning from the traditions of our art. I celebrate these traditions.  They are not 'old', they are precious!

Becky Whight, Karston Kittlesen, Michael Vermette consulting about the process and applying one of 7 layers of Gesso.       

                The finished product, in an old barrel press

This coming weekend we will try out our product while painting on Swans Island for four days.  Two of the days will be 'intensive paint-outs'.  Our plan is to complete four to five little studies in a day.  I do this not to be a 'production' painter, but to immerse myself in painting for a full day.  Each study will take no more than two hours.  I hope the benefit comes in sharpening my composition skills, clarifying the colors I use, and making my brush strokes more bold while continuing to experience the joy of painting.  That is the grand adventure I anticipate!