I have tried alcohol washes in landscape and plein air work and I do not like the results, preferring stronger, clearer mark-making. But I wanted to try it in abstract work because I thought the contrast between sharper edges and the softer ones created by the wash might be effective.

As I tried it with these two, I really liked the result. I also painted here directly into the wet alcohol wash for the most direct contrast. This is exciting, partly because you can’t know exactly what you have until it is dried; you have to trust the logic and process of the unfoldment instead, which creates an immediacy to these that I love.

These are both 9″x12″ and are done in pastel on dark (above) and light (below)  UART paper respectively. These are my two new favorite images for things offered my merchandise shop. A phone cover or puzzle anyone?

Coming into Your Power:

Purchase the original here.

Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.

Nervous Energy:

Purchase the original here.

Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.

What do you think? Which one do you like better?