Splashes of Colour
Inspired spuddle plashing
A fellow watercolour artist - Elise Aabakken, the Creativity Janitor. I haven’t told her this yet, but I love the title she gave herself. I often say I’m a window washer, just helping people clean all the unnecessary judgements off the windows of themselves.
Elise also taught me a beautiful Norwegian verb that means “to wait in joy”. Rather than saying you, “can’t wait for this”, you say the verb. Because often, this Norwegian word that I can’t find now, is much more appropriate. Usually I CAN wait. And it brings me such joy in the anticipation.
Finally, Elise teaches courses and creates beautiful splashes of paint. So here is a tiny collection in ode to Elise. She is one of the most delightful and approachable watercolour teachers I’ve seen, although I have not taken her classes. I just know this from observing her over the years. Honestly, I don’t really know Elise personally at all, we’ve only exchanged a few DMs, but here’s a big thank you for all you share with the world!
Most of these are done with Deep Deep Light Watercolours. The brightly coloured mountain is done in Daniel Smith Watercolours (and the reference photo was from my friend Chelsey). The one furthest to the right in the first photo is Mount Yamnuska, the first cliff face as you drive towards Banff from Calgary.
These have been my little project while sick with Covid and unable to work. It’s like my body is going through it’s own janitorial clean. Second annual New Year Covid deep clean. And I’m finding a lot of gross stuff amongst the treasure hoard hidden away under the bed and deep in closets.