Procreate and Persian Prints

I started painting using my iPad back in 2010. The stylus was my paintbrush, the iPad was the canvas, and Sketchbook Pro was my app. I always loved to paint since kindergarten - first crayons - then pastels, watercolors, pen and ink, charcoal. But I put all of that aside and studied a subject in college that I could find a job - nursing. It was a very rewarding career and it took me in to interesting places - even the Library of Congress. So my art interest was reignited when the iPad came around. The app was self taught, and it worked very well for me for several years. But then the original app was no longer updated when the operating systems were and the new app seemed harder to get a handle on. So after putting it off for awhile, and doing my usual considerable research, I decided to get the latest iPad Pro and Apple Pencil in the spring. But it also meant learning a new app called Procreate. It took awhile, but after many days and weeks of reading and relearning brushes and palettes and processes, I finally became comfortable enough with the app, but still don’t use half of its capabilities. It stated with doodles and getting familiar with the program, and a custom pet portrait of our new “grand pup.” Then I received a custom order for a pet portrait and dove in. It turned out really well - more watercolor than not. So I liked the end result even more that before, and the canvas size of the bigger iPad made it feel even more like painting. Rather than rely on layers, I was actually painting. So I thought I’d try a different subject matter. Using photographs from our trip to Iran from almost ten years ago, I painted several Persian subjects that were fun and whimsical to create. It was a great experience and kept me busy throughout the summer. Now it’s getting closer to the holidays and the custom pet portrait orders are starting to come in. I’m really glad I finally took the plunge and learned the new app without being rushed or under pressure. I still have my old iPad and old app available in case I need them. I can’t believe I used that tiny screen to paint all the portraits I did! Regardless, it’s a great way to continue working on a hobby I have always loved. And I don’t have to deal with all the mess of real paint and watercolor. Plus my studio comes with me wherever I go. 

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Moving Artwork Around Until It’s Right

You could say the decorating theme in our house is eclectic. Although there are consistent threads - green and turquoise glass pieces throughout, Persian carpets, and Persian prints and artwork - the furniture pieces are all over the place. When we downsized from the Midwest to Capitol Hill most everything was left behind except for a few treasured art pieces. I have switched them up from time to time by exchanging art prints that fit the custom frames and mats. One thing is clear - they can be moved around from room to room because the color scheme is fairly consistent. So when we moved to Virginia a couple of months ago it’s taken a few trial and errors to get it right. Even now I’m not quite sure. Things from one house don’t always work in another. And there are several items we had before we moved to DC that would look really nice in our new home - but they are long gone. After moving the monster mirror from the den out to the dining room and replacing it with Ikea square mirror tiles, the room just didn’t have the color punch that it needed. Then it dawned on me to swap the artwork that was in the kitchen to the den. The kitchen already had a red Persian rug that was loud enough so the print could be toned down there. The dark red mat would definitely look better in the den. What the den still needs is better lighting, probably a coat of paint of a color not yet clear to me, and a brighter color pillow for the chair. I tried to replicate the monk’s room we had in our tiny Capitol Hill condo by using the rollaway twin bed, but this room is twice the size and not as “charming.” The printer on the end table was moved to our bedroom - sometimes the smallest changes make a big difference. The den also houses  the out of sight entryway coat rack that used to be in the hallway of our old condo for much needed added storage. I’m sure one of these days things will finally fall in to place. I’ll know it when I see it but we’re not there yet. But at least it’s getting closer.