SOON THE EXHIBIT

The exhibit about caring for Mom, or really about Geraldine, is coming soon. I applied for this exhibit a year ago when Mom was with us. I did NOT expect her to die before the exhibit. I thought she would get to see it. 

Old Bakery and Emporium

 1006 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701

512-477-5961

“THE LONG VIEW”

 Artwork

by

 MELANIE HICKERSON

In honor of

GERALDINE CLARK HICKERSON

August 19, 1919 – March 14, 2014

THREE COLORS

Three colors are the safest. I tried one more monochrome (2 colors) which is powerful. Personally, I like the riot of colors berserk. That's next.
Why crickets? Because they sing.

COLOR GROUND AGAIN

I tried a colored ground again. Orange + green to make a neutralized Autumnal ground. Then the walnut ink for the crickets. Practice, practice, practice.

MONOCHROME

 Actual monochrome, instead of using the walnut ink, makes a different mood. These cards are so small that the one note palette might be more coherent or maybe just challenging.

Drawing crickets from photographs, dead crickets, anatomical drawings I've discovered that, like people, there is variety. Not all crickets are the same. Like everything not manufactured.

WATERCOLOR BACKGROUNDS

I think I like the Walnut ink better than the watercolor + salt backgrounds. The brown/black palette looks stronger in this project, in this venue. I've done one small cricket painting and some sketches. Next, a Big Cricket.

ADDED CRICKETS

BACKGOUNDS WITH SALT

Walnut ink with salt sprinkled over it for some backgrounds on the cards. Tomorrow, draw some bugs in the fields. Talking with friends about crickets, Sharon mentions eating fried bugs in Oaxaca. I know someday, insects may be a major food source for humankind but I can wait. They pollinate and fertilize and aerate the soil. They feed the birds. Must WE also devour them?

AUTUMN CRICKETS

There have been crickets in the classrooms and crickets singing out side. Their ears are on their knees, and their songs are on their wings. Some say they bring luck if they choose your house to sing. They are popular fish and bird food. They stand their ground against wasps and 

 such. Little toughies.

 

FINISHED VERSION OF "DAWN"

I have finished this painting, at last after changing, changing.
DAWN, (h) 24" x 36", acrylic on canvas.

DIGITAL ART I

I'm embarking on an adventure into the 21st Century. A class in digital art with an intro to Adobe Illustrator. My first efforts. It is a foreign language!!