{"id":2659,"date":"2019-12-16T12:44:33","date_gmt":"2019-12-16T18:44:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itsallmalarkey.com\/staging\/?p=2659"},"modified":"2020-03-16T11:10:11","modified_gmt":"2020-03-16T16:10:11","slug":"messy-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itsallmalarkey.com\/staging\/2019\/12\/16\/messy-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Messy mushrooms"},"content":{"rendered":"

I don’t know how it has become the middle of December already. It is passing by in a blur of feverish activity.<\/p>\n

The Christmas commissions are finally done and off to their new homes. Sadly, I can’t share any of the images with you for fear of ruining someone’s holiday surprise.<\/p>\n

However, in and among the commission craziness, I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to take a seminar with Alexander Viazmensky<\/a>. An incredible botanical artist from Russia, he is particularly well known for his mushroom paintings. He spent three days at the Minnesota School of Botanical Art<\/a> trying to help the rest of us absorb some of his knowledge and amazing painting ability.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I will admit that not a lot of it took in my case, but I did learn, and am trying to absorb. Here is the portabella I painted during those three days:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I did come home very excited about mushrooms, and in and around the holiday commissions I did this painting of Shitakii. Which, I will openly admit, is somewhat heavy-handed. It always takes a bit before something new settles in with what you already know. So once I recover from the insanity, I shall try more mushrooms. In the meantime, they are more than a bit messy. Learning! Always learning.<\/p>\n

\"Lentinula<\/a>
Lentinula edodes<\/em>
Shiitake mushrooms
Watercolor
6 x 8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now I am back to prepping for the February show. I have two more calligraphy pieces to complete, so those shall probably be next, and then I may have an opportunity to breathe and do something just because I want to. At this point, with the entire show being all water-based painting and nature subjects, I am feeling like I may want to do something dark and brooding with inks and resin. I am not generally good at dark and brooding, but I could probably write some very poorly done poetry or something as a consolation prize. Beware the new year! I have no idea what you are going to get!   \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

Thanks to everyone for their patience during what has been an amazing roller-coaster year. You have all been so supportive and encouraging. I know the bestest people.<\/p>\n