Helen Platt Studio

If you saw my post (on my personal page) yesterday, here it is finished! I had intended for this to have a lot less collage and more line drawing but these things tend to have a life of their own and I get taken along for the ride.

Quick study from my bike ride yesterday. Acrylic on black paper. Sun was low giving everything an orange glow but the thin cloud made the sky white. Love living here!

Perfect weather to sit outside and sketch

Some days aren't about making art but about the process, learning and experimenting. Today's experiments? What works best to mask for alcohol ink on yupo? So far good 'ole frog tape is looking good! If anyone has any hints about this I'd love to know! About to try this on a big piece!

Are you a magpie? This past year or so I’ve spent collecting new materials, learning new techniques, experimenting with new tools. I seem to get distracted by every new shiny thing, but that’s okay. It’s good to be a magpie and it’s how I’ve been my whole life. It’s why I’m drawn to creating mixed-media, there are really no limits and I can use all my shiny tools that I’ve collected. (Like this cool new chrome pen I’ve used in the photo!) I now find I’m asking myself, now tha...t I’ve learned all these things, what do I want to focus on? I think this is something that most artists struggle with, what is my style, what makes me unique? I recently saw this very simple quote which really stuck with me and suddenly made everything crystal clear. Create things you wish existed It’s as simple as that, and suddenly, I know what I want to make. I also know I’ll always be a magpie. Wondering if anyone out there has been working through these issues and what you have found that has helped you? What have you done to hone in on your style? Also, for anyone out there who is asking these same questions, the Laura Horn Podcast has a great interview with Betty (Kraus) Frank (episode 74) who talks about finding your style and the importance of trying many different things and experimenting to find what really resonates with you. Very inspiring chat by two amazing artists!