This is so funny, I was cleaning out some shelves and found my very first painting submission back in April, 1993. I was so delighted that they made the cover! Just wanted to share with all of you a little bit of nostalgia... (hee hee, check out the hair!)
(PS., no, Cupboard Distributing doesn’t carry the big snowmen anymore, sorry!)
Wow, it’s been a while since I posted on here… here’s my latest video though about our upcoming Spring Fling festival here at the store 
What is cheesecloth anyways? It is a loose, woven gauze -like 100% cotton cloth used primarily in cheese making and cooking. Because it is so soft and absorbent, it has many uses outside the kitchen.
These are just a few suggestions:
1) Dampen cheesecloth to easily remove dust and lint cleanly.
2) Try using it instead of a sponge to apply color. Because it is so soft, it makes a great tool to apply colors and blend them gently with no scratches.
3) Use a small square instead of a mop brush to soften or blend. Sometimes we need a little more control than a mop will offer.
4) Color washing is quick and easy with cheesecloth.
5) Take a piece of cheesecloth and lay it over the surface. Apply a layer of paint and carefully lift to remove. It will leave a wonderful texture imprint.
6) Another variation would be to paint first, then press the cheesecloth into the paint for texture.
I keep finding new ways to use this old product. I am sure you will be able to find even more wonderful ways to re-invent the amazing cheesecloth!
Well, the proofs are here anyway, we won’t see the whole shipment until we get to Vegas, but I’m SO EXCITED! They came out even better than I expected, Viking did a fabulous job! Check out the sneak peeeek!
I have been furiously painting and so proud of the progress. New book, new patterns, new travel teaching projects, new magazine articles, all is in order….that is until this morning. As I was bustling about my morning routine getting ready for work, I went into my studio to let the dog out. I placed my hand on the back of the loveseat…it was DAMP and a drop of water hit the back of my hand. YIKES, with all the endless rain we have had, the roof must have sprouted a leak. Needless to say, I now have a rhythmical water feature in my studio! Drip, drip, drip, maybe I can synchronize my brush to the rhythm of the drips! Bummer, we never had any leaks until we had a new roof put on the house. What’s with that?! Now, in addition to my long list of new projects, it looks like I will be painting my ceiling as well. I think that project will go to the end of my list. Any guesses on how long it will be before that task is completed? Hmmm…maybe a skylight would be nice…
What is drybrushing? It is a technique using a dry brush and loaded with just a little paint. Lightly load brush, remove any excess paint by brushing over a paper towel, then stroke on the surface for a smooth blush of paint that resembles washes or blended effects. Perfect for highlights and shadows!
Two of my favorite brushes are the crescent brush andthe scumbler. The crescent brush is flat with an oval or crescent shape tip which provides more precision. It’s bristles are a combination bristle and taklon. The taklon is soft which holds and carries paint easily, the bristle is stiffer, allowing the paint to be applied evenly and sparingly.
The scumbler brush has round goat hair bristles that dome in the center. The goat hair bristles have spring and strength which is great for dry rubbing in any direction. The dome shape can also be used to create texture such as stippling wet or dry. The brush is durable enough to scrub paint highlights and soft enough to blend or enhance floated strokes without leaving scratches in the paint.
With these tools, your ability to create textures, highlights and shadows will be greatly expanded. While many have difficulty with shading and highlighting, these brushes provide another option to creating easy, impressive results. Play, play, play and have fun!
Brushes used: #10 Flora Brush, #1 Liner Brush, 1/4 in. Angle / Shader , Double-Ended Stylus
Paint used: Avocado Green, Celery Green, Soft Black, Terra Coral, Antique Rose, Deep Burgundy, Warm White
