Sticky Business

 Every year about this time I begin to get crafty and design an outdoor Halloween project. This year I am repurposing cardboard shipping boxes into paper mâché monster masks. Origami folding techniques can transform cardboard into 3-D forms. Instead of folding paper, scoring with a sharp mat knife along pre-determined pencil lines helps to bend the cardboard into a creative form.

An old method of making paper mâché was a goopy mixture of flour and water and shredded newspapers. Getting your hands on old newspapers today is problematic. At the hardware store I was hoping to purchase a box of methyl cellulose which I have used in the past. This is no longer available but I was shown a new product, a pre mixed sticky solution of water and glycerol. Great.

To replace the newspapers, I purchased a roll of craft masking paper which I sliced vertically to make strips of paper. This item can be bought at the hardware store as well. Other supplies needed were masking tape, hot glue gun and a four inch brush. I had in storage Styrofoam balls and a 12" ring for creating interesting details

So here are my cardboard designs. All scored lines in cardboard have been re-enforced with masking tape and a few areas were held together with hot glue.

For the next few days, I worked covering the cardboard forms with adhesive and paper strips.  Work in sections brushing the glue in a small area, then place the paper strip onto the glued surface reworking with the brush. Continue working in other small areas until the form is completely covered. Leave to dry for a couple of days before painting them with a white base.

In a few days, I will begin designing the patterns and choosing colors to finish the creatures. Stay tuned.

Gloucester's Schooner Festival 2025

 The day was picture perfect with lots of wind for the Schooner Race from Gloucester's Harbor.

Cape Ann Plein Air group held their annual plein air paint out with lots of eager painters setting up their easels along the waterfront park to capture the beauty of these wooden sailing vessels as well as the many gardens filled with colorful dahlias.

Last year I painted a scene of the sailing schooners but this year I was attracted to the Bocce courts at the other end of the park. As the morning continued more and more people filled in the empty park to view the race.

 

It is a first. solo show of plein air paintings

 

The thirty four oil paintings on display were all painted outdoors. They are called en plein air paintings. This French term was given to the Impressionists of the 1800’s who took their transportable paints and easels out into the open air to paint the changing light and color of the landscape.

Most of my oil paintings were completed in two- or three-hour sessions in the fields, mountains, woods or shore line.  While I try my best to finish the painting in one session, there are times when it’s necessary to finish it in the studio. But in essence, capturing the scenes in one session with quick, intuitive brush strokes is both a thrill and a challenge for me as a plein air painter.

My love of painting outdoors has many personal benefits.  The sights and sounds of being outdoors are truly astonishing, enjoyable experiences.  While standing and painting in one spot for a couple of hours, it’s like being a quiet and noble tree in the forest.  It is that gentle solitary figure standing in front of the easel, focused on interpreting the landscape that gives me the knowledge I am part of all that is seen.  That I belong here in this beautiful world. 

Because of the stillness and concentration needed during a painting session, occasionally a deer or two as well as ermines, Fisher cats, coyotes have crossed my sight line, seagulls have dropped live clams from above onto the rocks near me. I have stood in amazement as Canada Geese fly over my head and I hear the sound of wind whistling through their feathers.  My God, what a privilege to be alive and to experience these sights and sounds of Nature.

Not everything about painting outdoors is so pleasant especially during the summer and winter months. There are the obnoxious bugs such as ticks, mosquitos, gnats. And the weather can be a bit challenging too with sweltering humidity, blazing hot sun, intermitted sprinkles and fog, frosty temps with snow and ice. A few times I failed to notice the incoming tide and have had my boots soaked.

Getting out there in Nature to capture on canvas the color and changing light absolutely makes my day worthwhile.