Title: The Museum Series | Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Year: 2021
Media: Acrylic Paint, Paper Diorama and Collage on Wood Panel
Total Dimension: 6” x 6” (1.5" Cradle)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak currently in progress for today's studio closeup. Painting has been extreme therapy lately. I think working with color is what's really helping. Color and jazz. I've also been adding layers and layers and layers and layers of varnish to the middle bands of color to the pieces that are finished. I really want the shininess of the middle color part of these pieces to contrast with the chalky gesso borders (aka "the walls" of an actual real world museum). The varnish also gives the acrylic paint more depth and hopefully the appearance of an oil painting. The plastic feel of acrylic paint when it dries has always bothered me but it dries quick and works nicely with vintage papers. The varnish I am using is for acrylic paint specifically so I'm hoping for a good archival experience.