I've been working on some studies for something much larger recently.

I seldom make more than a simple line drawing to indicate my process for making any work in progress. But the scale of the final drawings and the number I would like to make in this series asked for some testing of hues and marks.

It's wonderful to be able to make these studies anywhere I can carry my pens and small paper pad.

This is what it looks like when I use Nori to mount watercolor paper to a panel. My long and short series is on 12 x 12 inch panels. Each drawing is a pair of panels and one has mounted watercolor paper for the surface. As you can see I am using the latest technology here to press and secure a sheet of paper for one panel.

Nori is slow drying so I usually wait 48 hours.

Time for some fine sandpaper a chamois.

Then the gesoo, then the sandpaper, and a brush. Dust away.

Then the gel, squeegee.

Paper and brayer.

Weights and wait.

Today I worked on this card to determine hue for the ink in my most recent drawings. I use this often when I work with new pigments and materials. I keep the cards sometimes with annotations for reference.

I look at the marks now and again just for the joy of it.

These images show the one result in the circular rhythms of creating and waiting. An empty ordered space allows the making of new things. Clarity comes from this sense of order. The process of making is messy.

My studio and I are now in the waiting place. 

Today I spent most of the day cleaning up after the mounting matting and framing of work for the Heron Show.

I took all the finished drawings off the walls. Everything has been put away and now I'm ready to begin with something new. Another ink gift, orange sumi.

In the studio tuesday I continued work on my lone wolf.

I custom mixed the green and began to make tonal marks in a path around the perimeter of the sheet. I added a layer of marks, white caisen paint tapped on like a stamp. It is one of the marks I have added to my vocabulary for these larger drawings.

I mixed a transparent yellow ink and sliced the vertical space with three stripes. This is where I am right now. It's hanging waiting for me to return.

I've been in my studio early the past few days.

I have been very productive and extremely excited about the new work I am making. But yesterday I felt like a spinning top. Bumping into and spinning off of each idea.

Today I decided to move into the day more slowly and deliberately. To quiet myself.

Today I stared these drawings down.

Deciding to make some marks today — i pushed forward. Took out acrylic ink and made some new marks. I must admit that I played it safe by experimenting on only two drawings. One of each tonal fields. I'm happy with the dots created by using the dropper. The ink made little pools that hold a sheen. I'm pleased.

A long day in my studio.

It was a very long day in my studio but it felt all too quick.

I spent a good part of the morning cutting and punching papers. Then I began arranging. Then attached several pieces using tape or staples. Some very delicate pieces were attached with a double-stick material.

Now I am investigating some of the other materials I have saved over the years to add to the collages. I have some tapes and fasteners that may come into play. I have several papers I will punch with little round holes. Much more to do to extend the vocabulary a bit more.