Gully Grove Studio

March 2020 I'm going to start with a close-up view, since it conveys better in the thumbnail. Full view is at the end. This picture was also completed, pre-pandemic, and reminds me of the calm phase I was exploring with my Geisha. Because I threw away the shackles of word prompts, and just got creative instead. There's a difference between conveying a likeness, and conveying what you're feeling in the process. Of the six pictures I had created to date, this one had the least struggle. Like we suddenly got on the same page as each other, and her image came from a place other than "just" a likeness. With parasol It also helped that I used Inktense pencils. They're a water soluble ink that goes on as a pencil. Because I'm a sucker for illustration, and mediums I can control tightly in my hand. I don't know what it is. Using paints from a tube is exciting and all, but nothing like a pen or pencil in the hand. So much so, my current WIP (

February 2020 Having a long session with acrylic paints, the day prior, I wanted something easier for my next two word prompts: Bridge and Purple. Apparently, you can achieve wonderful effects with acrylic inks, which I am yet to learn. So I just used them like watercolour paint, in the meantime. Close-up They went on really smoothly, and gave the illusion of water. This was an interesting way to convey Geisha. Rather than have her standing on a bridge, she became the bridge instead. I have no idea what inspired me to do this, but it's one of my favourites. Because it's simple, but adequately conveys the tranquil disposition of Geisha too. There is one more to come, and then I will be caught up with my challenge to date. There's another Geisha being worked on presently too, and I'll share when she's finished.

February 2020 Early in the year (before the pandemic broke) I had a few more Geisha to share. Here I am in July, and finally able to do so! The two prompt-words were: Red, and Expressionism. I probably didn't do the Art movement, any justice, because my Expressionism was very subtle. It was about covering-up the Geisha, as opposed to seeing her identity.  Effectively, she became the anti-Geisha. When every Geisha, are made to be seen. What's under the hood? Materials used were acrylic paint, and I quiet enjoyed layering it thickly - then scratching into it, with the end of my brush. It was meant to be rough and unrefined, which is quite the opposite of Geisha. It was fun to make, even if it doesn't look like, or convey, Geisha much. At this point though, I was feeling a little disenchanted with the prompt words. Did the magic of their spontaneity, wear off - or was I just ready to venture on my own? One more Geisha would be inspired by prompt words thou