White Day In The Studio

Yesterday was what I refer to as a *white studio day*. These are the days when bundles of canvasses are opened and the gesso comes out.
 

The above photo pretty well describes my world. I am in the throes of prepping these, to get them (and a few others) acceptable for paint and collage. The new gesso that is used is not to my old fashioned liking; it is nonabsorbent and many of the techniques that make my work my own will not function on a slick surface.

The backs require attention as well; being mass produced means little details like extra canvas showing from the front is the norm, so everyone gets a haircut. (I notice these things from years and years of doing my own canvas, raw, from the sizing up.....maybe I would have been better off born into this pre-made world we live in! LOL!)

And *THIS* is much more ME...color.

And MORE color. As I sit in my little world of nothing but white, I am taunted by these gaudy girls and brushes that seem to beg to be used.
Instead, I reach for the broad priming brush and keep to the job at hand.
Two coats minimum; frequently three depending on the substrate. For my box canvasses, it is many more (they require both sides to be slathered and filled) as I build up texture and air bubbles with layers of the gesso~~well worth the work for the effect it gives.
But sometimes, at the end of the day, all I have to show for my efforts is this...

.....and I suppose that is okay.
Artist's hands are not clean, not manicured.
Not when we're working.
They bear proof that indeed I did something productive all day.
I think today though......I would enjoy COLOR!!!


Pax....