Influenced by the squirrels that live in the Moss Cottage environs, a squirrel painting party seemed like a good idea for this week’s art playdate on ZOOM. To prepare I painted a whole bunch of squirrels for anywhere between 2-5 minutes. Then I added colored pencil for an additional 5 minutes. A couple of the squirrels also had gouache added. My sister helped me work through all of this earlier in the week.
If you attended yesterday, I loved seeing you and your awesome squirrels. If you didn’t, no big deal, but this is what we did. If you’re suffering from depression, feeling blue, or just need a jolt of play in your life I highly recommend painting some squirrels. See what you can do in 5 minutes. You’re going to laugh and laugh and be very fond of your child-like creations.
Going fast eliminates second guessing. You just do your best to get the big shapes painted with a limited palette. I used matte acrylic.
Speed painting is also endorphin-producing. Kind of like jogging I think. Except I don’t know for sure, but I felt a little bit high.
I love every single one of my squirrels. Especially the ones who look troubled or awkward or scared or like bears or rats.
They also happen to remind me of Eric Carle’s art. When I taught 2nd grade for many years I had so many of his wonderful books in my classroom. he is a collage artist, but the squirrels with colored pencil made me think of him. I found this old video of him with Fred Rogers and thought it was dear.
All of this is to say that art is terribly fun. I think when you work quickly and think less your marks become more intuitive.
Does this mean fast art is better than slow art? Nope.
Is loose art better than “tight” art? Nope.
Inside the pages of a sketchbook there is room for everything under the sun. Let’s welcome all of it and say hello.
While I Zoomed, Otto & Iris were chasing each other around the house, knocking things over, sliding on the floors, opening closet doors to find the cat fishing pole, rolling in the bathtub, quacking at birds, and all sorts of other things.
Once the Zoom ended they decided to crash and take naps.
Otto was the sleepiest for some reason.
But Iris was also worn out.
Thankfully they didn’t get their paws in the paint palette, knock the tripod over, or jump on top of my head. This time.
We’ll see what happens on Sunday. We’ll be doing portraits. Thanks Joan M. from S.F. (if you’re reading this) for the original email asking about the Zoom sessions. I would never have done it if not for your original inquiry. I’m constantly amazed at how ideas are born and realized.
This morning, I awoke at dawn, checked the tides, and zipped out the door bound for the coast. I can get t0 this place in a little over an hour.
The sea air was fresh & cool. I walked and walked. Pausing in front of this house as I always do, to admire all of the outdoor seats and their collections of turbans shells.
I watched 2 big black sea mammals cavorting in the waves – seals!
Gulls, snowy egrets, pelicans, and all manner of shore birds.
I got this new usb Baseus lamp ($45) from you-know-where, to better illuminate my work space. So far, so good.
Otto has just jumped on the desk to help me type this. I am off to paint gulls and snowy egrets, shorelines, and trees. The night is young.
Over and out from Moss Cottage. Where all the women are strong, all the cats are good looking, and all the ideas are above average.
Love your squirrels! You inspire me. We have bunnies cavorting and grazing out back. I think I’ll paint them.
Thank you for your great encouragement, art tips, and fun personality!
LOVE THIS POST!! ESPECIALLY THE ERIC CARLE VIDEO. AND THE SQUIRIELS AND OF COURSE THE C A T S!!!
Oh, you had me laughing and laughing as each squirrel darted across the screen – so stinking fun is right! And then a dip into reverie as I imagined sitting under those massive cedar trees by the ocean. Your dispatches are a portal I always want to step through. Prepositional phrase at the end of a sentence be damned.
Hello Mary K.
I just visited your blog and read “Sweeping Clean.” mmmmmmm
Last month I updated my letterboard with new words for contemplation: “Our work: to be alive and a good host to whoever arrives at the door of our house.” from you know who.
Good to hear from you. I haven’t been to St. Augustine since the 80’s but I remember it with such great fondness.
From Mary Ann Moss’s very own Prairie Home Companion! Sorry I couldn’t make Saturday’s ZOOM class. A lot of stuff was going on around here so I had to skip it. See you next Sunday!
One must tend to all the things w/o apology. Another playdate is forthcoming. See you then.
I really loved soaking in your art and writing in this post, Mary Ann. Your happy and encouraging outlook on art and life is super refreshing and makes me smile a lot. Loving the Zooms! Thanks for making all of this possible!
Hi Lori,
I’m so glad you linked to your IG. I swear I thought I clicked “follow” last week, but I hadn’t. So now I have! Love your swan, and portraits, and everything you’re making. Good to connect with you on Zoom. xo
Wonderful post. I had to drive 4 hours east from the coast, (Port Orford, OR) today with my dog and cat. Back to Central Point. It was 65 degrees at the coast and 92 friggin degrees here! Wipes me out! I thought I would draw something like shells, pelicans and egrets in my new funky journal tonight, but I’m to pooped out. Maybe tomorrow, it supposed to reach 106. Stay cool and happy drawing.
I know what you mean, I have left the interior of California many a time at close to 100 and headed over the coastal ranges and dropped down into 60 degrees. Difficult to go the opposite way.
I’m so sad I missed zoom on Saturday. I was confused because the schedule says Saturday July 16 and the next one Sunday July 24th. I love squirrels!!! Please verify! Love your work!!!
Rita,
The dates are on the OMG class blog and here on this one somewhere: JULY 3rd, 9th, 17th 10 a.m.
originally I think I goofed and put the wrong dates, then fixed the next day after I realized my error.
See you Sunday!
Thanks Mary Ann!! See you on Sunday!
Terrific post…. I not only love your artwork , your writing is also top-notch!