I mentioned when I posted my October Etsy collection that the November collection would deal with the negative spaces created by organic objects. I was thinking of something abstracted and bold, but instead I find myself painting very delicately. Well, I can’t help my mood, nor can I keep my hands off this new Japanese paper I bought last week in Berkeley.
Parsley, 5" x 7.5"
Parsley detail
Lavender, 5" x 7.5"
Lavender detail
Huge change from BOUNDARIES, no? The funny thing is that these herb paintings are much smaller and use far less paint, but they take a heck of a lot longer. I have to use a lot more control in both my gestures and my paint-mixing and application. I love them a lot.
Lisa, these are beautiful!!
Aaahh, thank you, Alison!!
Can’t wait to do some more… but my hand is so tired. 
These are beautiful. These appeal to me a great deal because they are so simpe and yet they make me want to lean in and smell the plants and touch the leaves – and the paper! The first one in particular resonated on this gray rainy gloomy day.
I so agree with Lisa! Lovely, lovely work.
Thank you much, Sherry!
Oh thank you, Lisa! Yes, those greens sort of call out to one, don’t they? So glad they feel real to you.
I. Absolutely. Love. These.
Ah, thank you so much, Ré.
The paper is very much to blame/thank: I had to buy it off a roll, like fabric, and when I got home and unscrolled this thing I felt like I was channelling all my Chinese ancestors who ever painted or did calligraphy. 
Oh MY, these are absolutely gorgeous. And I love the close ups of the paper–it looks so nubbly and satisfyingly thick. Amazing, amazing work. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thank you, Mo!! That’s a funny thing about this paper — it does have a beautiful texture, but it’s not thick at all; in fact, it’s the thinnest paper I’ve ever painted on. When the lady at the store told me I could do watercolor on it, I didn’t believe her and said so as politely as I could manage. She then brought out a sample painting that someone had made and I was astonished. Normal watercolor paper will buckle if it’s too thin, and yet this one doesn’t. I don’t understand how it works (and I don’t know what it’s made of: wood? cotton? rice?) but I am in love with it!
Oooh, how fascinating!! I am such a paper geek–love the feel, the smell, the look, everything! So glad you found this and it’s so enjoyable to work with!
Me too!
My latest order of art papers just arrived yesterday so now I am fully stocked. I feel so RICH. 