Watercolor on Archival Handmade Paper, Framed
24" x 22," 61 cm x 56 cm, Image Size
33" x 31," Framed Size, price included frame
Accepted into the National Kansas Watercolor Society Exhibition, 2016 by juror, Dean Mitchell, Mark Arts Center, Wichita, KS
Inspired by the lion statue outside the Basilica Santa Chiara in Assisi Italy. This symbolizes the essence and spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and his great love of animals and our duty to protect our earth's creaturesand environment. The background replicating a stitched pattern is an homage to the ancient art of Assisi Embroidery.
I grew up in a small town in northern Indiana, called Logansport. Unbeknownst to me not more than 30 miles away was a small factory making handmade papers for stationary and watercolor. I drove by it many times on my way to Purdue University, where I went to college when I would drive home for a "home fix" and to have my mom make my favorite meals. She is an excellent cook, and I'm proud to say I have inherited her skills!
When I started painting in watercolor I visited an Indiana artists at his home gallery and studio, Terry Armstrong. He was showing me some of his latest work and I loved the paper he was working on. It was Twinrocker. Then he sat me straight up when he told me it's made in Indiana, in Brookston! Thirty two miles and thirty-eight minutes from where I grew up! What are the chances of that? I always go and stock up on paper when I visit my mom. I blogged about one of my visits to Twinrocker, here.
You can order a sample pack to try it!
I love this paper for a variety of reasons. It's the only handmade made paper made entirely in the United States and I like supporting this business! I love the weight of the paper, the texture, and the type and amount of sizing on it. My preference is for the rough texture, but I have also used the cold press. I can't explain it but the paint flows differently on it than other papers I use. It's slightly more expensive but totally worth it for me!