Every Meaningful Thought -- Blogging Challenge A to Z

"Tangled" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Every Meaningful Thought". The words came to me in a flash as I pondered the phrase for "E" in the A to Z Blog Challenge for today. Then I remembered the perfect painting to follow the words.

When I painted "Tangled", I first cut a sheet of Yupo to fit an 18" x 24" gallery-wrapped stretched canvas, then I applied matte medium to both the canvas and the Yupo and adhered the two together. Since I love working on stretched canvas and I love working on Yupo, this gave me the best of two worlds. Next, I used my favorite Robert Doak intense watercolors in spray bottles to apply layers of paint. Later, I used Derwent Inktense pencils and blocks to draw and emphasize sections and parts of the image I had created.

In studying this painting, I have many thoughts run through my mind. Where is this place? Is it on Xanadu? Are there shells on its beach? A sun in its sky? So many tangled thoughts flutter and vanish. I study each section and more meaningful thoughts arise. There is wonder of a new world and places in the universe and beyond about which we know nothing. I wonder and wonder and wonder.

Dreaming Good Thoughts - Blogging Challenge A to Z

"Dreaming of Xanadu" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Dreaming Good Thoughts" is my phrase for today's A to Z Blogging Challenge. This describes my painting on the left, "Dreaming of Xanadu". I love working with the intense Robert Doak watercolors on Yupo. The slick surface lets the paint move in special, often unexpected ways. That is the case with this art.

The turquoise color is one of my favorites, so you will see it often in my work. One turquoise section appears to be open to an unique view of some mystical place we don't really know. My painting features a surreal surface that describes Xanadu and my dream of it.

Trees are special images for me, and you see them on the right. I often wonder what the old trees in my woods have witnessed over the years. These trees see and know all. This painting is another in the series as I search to find Xanadu.

I would love to know what you see in "Dreaming of Xanadu". Does mystery abound in this unknown destination?

Caring for All Creatures - Blogging Challenge A to Z

"All Creatures Great and Small" ©Mary Montague Sikes

For today's A to Z Blog Challenge, "Caring for All Creatures" is the phrase that came to me. I selected this watercolor painting, on Yupo, as the image that denotes my thoughts for this subject.

"All Creatures Great and Small" tells the story of the tiniest microbe, invisible to the eye, that lies hidden in the rocky terrain of Xanadu. I think of the endangered animals, hunted by lost souls, who care only for the prized horns or antlers. On Xanadu, that would not happen. Even the rocky roads and ledges are beautiful there where all creatures are treasured.

Be Not Afraid - A to Z Blog Challenge

"Visions in My Heart" ©Mary Montague Sikes

In today's A to Z Blog Challenge for "B", the phrase "Be Not Afraid" has come to me as I write about a painting I did with watercolors on Arches 300# paper. The painting is titled "Visions in My Heart". As I study it, I wonder about some darkness that must exist within, darkness that delays the search for Xanadu. I feel the heavy texture of the paper and remember that I do not really like to paint on Arches. The slick and slippery surface of Yupo is far more appealing to me as are the bright Robert Doak watercolors. Perhaps the phrase, "Be Not Afraid", is warning me against the fear I have about working on this surface. Perhaps it is encouraging me to explore more in my journey as an artist.

Study the image. Is that a window in the center that looks through into another part of the universe. What is the dark image nearby? This painting provokes a multitude of questions. What are yours?

Writing about Art - 2018 A to Z Blogging Challenge

"Searching for Xanadu" ©Mary Montague Sikes

For a few years, I have participated in the A to Z Blogging Challenge, so once again I have signed up to write 26 blog posts in April. It is productive for me and, of course, challenging. My plans are to pick one (or a part of one) of my paintings and write about it each day. It is fun and intriguing to know some of the artist's thoughts as she creates new work. For "A" I have selected the word, artful to describe today's painting.

As an artist, I wish to explore beauty and hope in a troubled universe. I am forever searching for Xanadu and believe it exists as the first of the heavenly planets that lie just beyond our universe. We must take "an artful journey" to find and understand this exotic place where color is beyond description and there is only love for all living beings.

I hope that we will learn to understand and appreciate all things beautiful.I will share what I learn while "Searching for Xanadu".