Mediums & Mondays

Happy Monday! 

I know many people dread Monday's as we go back to our routine, to our work lives, and responsibilities. I like to think of Monday's as a fresh start, the beginning of the week is a new opportunity to shake things up, and be thankful for what we have and the people around us. 

This week, I'm changing up my routine by trying out Acrylic paints again. For almost a year I've been hooked on oils, and have stayed relatively loyal to this medium. There are many reasons that so many artists stay true to this type of paint: the results are highly pigmented and rich, the time to dry is long, taking patience, and for many this time is rewarding and helps determine the direction of the painting. 

My oil palette is out of control! But I love the colors and texture it builds over time.

A couple summer's ago, I painted acrylic longhorn skulls on wooden blocks and was recently inspired to incorporate this study back into my collections after a visit to The Grove Vintage, a boutique in Claremont with a bohemian, southwestern vibe. 

Longhorn skull paintings are in progress, & I will post the final products once finished!

Acrylics have their own set of perks: with the quick drying time, the use of water instead of turpenoid, not to mention they're so much easier to clean up! I think once you learn a new medium it's ok to go back to your old one, you don't need to be loyal to any kind of medium. As an artist, it's alright to have tools in your kit that are fit for the creative idea that strikes. It all comes down to being well prepared. Think of learning mediums as building your artistic arsenal, and it's ok to have more than one. 

xx Solveig