Soaking Stamps

Stamps often provide an introduction to subjects and people

that are unfamiliar. Finding a good stamp can be exhilarating. 

It can be akin to finding a little work of art. 

Having outbid everyone else on e-bay (accidentally), I was blessed

with several pounds of canceled stamps. At least  four pounds 

were American flags. However, I managed to find some less common

ones in the mix. I have spent the last week sorting and soaking off the

paper adhered to the back of the stamps. Below is one of the little 

miracles I found.

Next time you go to the post office consider helping out the postal
service by buying unusual stamps and avoiding the forever stamps.
Forever stamps also equal more of the same for stamp collectors.
You will be helping out collectors and artists like me who
use stamps in their art. Below is one of my watercolor/drawings
that includes stamps.


Wall Drawing, 22" x 15", 2008

Spring Training

When I consider the spring season the first thought that comes to mind involves Baseball.  I think of the Phillies practicing in Clearwater, Florida.  If Baseball has spring training I thought there ought to be a spring training for art or at the very least I thought I needed a project to spring me into action.  The image above, titled "Spring Training", is my vision of the spring time and my attempt to move forward.  It brings together and attempts to balances several artistic approaches including abstraction, collage, observation, and a bit of playfulness.  In Pennsylvania spring would not be spring without a little rain hence the little lady with the umbrella seen in the detail below. 

My spring training regiment this year involved a piece of Arches watercolor paper (16 inches by 12 1/4 inches), ink, watercolor, acrylic paint, and stamps.