DIY Art Drying Rack Cart

I built this drying rack on wheels to store my Grafix Incredible Art Foam Boards. I stretch my watercolor paper on these boards to prevent warping, which happens when the paper gets wet. The fibers on a sheet of wet paper contract unevenly while drying. Stapling and taping the watercolor paper to the board keeps it flat. The uneven surface of an unstretched paper causes the new layers of paint to pool and puddle in the low spots, and the bumps show up as shadows on the scan. https://www.aliciaschwab.com/illustration

I replaced the top sheet of plywood with a thicker panel that can support much more weight when I use it as a moveable table.

Handmade Paper Craft Flowers

Brighten up dark winter days with paper craft flowers that dazzle!

First, I created a geometric flower template in three sizes in Adobe Illustrator. This program makes it super easy to line up or center shapes.

Next, I cut out the flower shapes on different handmade papers that I bought at art and craft stores. I painted and stamped patterns in acrylic ink on some of the papers to add a dark blue color. Then I layered a bunch of cut-out flowers from small-medium-large. The flower layers are sandwiched between two, one-inch wooden beads to hold the flower together. Each flower is taped and glued to a wooden dowel and placed in a pot.

Organizing Art Supplies - Soft Pastels

I create my artwork primarily in acrylic paint. But I often use additional mediums such as pastels and Caran d’Ache crayons to add to my painting on Arches Cold Press 140 lb. watercolor paper. One of the joys of working with traditional mediums is opening the boxes and seeing the supplies shine like little jewels. The pastels are neatly packaged in small boxes and lovingly protected with foam.

While storing one box is not a big deal, what do you do when you have a lot of different brands, box sizes, and box shapes? I found these IRIS USA clear flat 5x7” photo storage boxes for storing my pastels, watercolors, and oil pastels. Now I can store the same amount of multi-media supplies in 1/3 of the previous space.

Be still, my beating heart. I can’t wait to make some new art!

Hello from Alaska

I recently visited my family in Gustavus, Alaska. The sky cleared to unveil all of Alaska's treasures. We took an 8-hour boat tour through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve that began in spring weather, driving deeper and deeper up the bay that ended in the belly of winter, where the water was filled with icebergs. We passed countless snowy peaks, sea otters, whales, porpoises, sea lions, and wild mountain goats. The boat ride covered approximately the same square miles as the state of Connecticut, with mountain peaks rising high above the sea.
"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here's where to find me on social media:

www.aliciaschwab.com -&- LinkTree http://linktr.ee/AliciaSchwab
Instagram & Threads @schwab.alicia
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciamschwab/
Mastodon @aschwabart@mas.to
X-Twitter & HIVE @aschwabart

To the Edge of Our Galaxy

I was inspired by the James Webb telescope launch to make this art. The telescope was designed to unfold like origami and travel to the outer edge of our galaxy. It is hard to imagine how far away that is. But I wonder what is out there.

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/JWST.html

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/16/1036600340/nasa-is-launching-a-new-telescope-that-could-offer-some-cosmic-eye-candy

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/the-long-awaited-james-webb-space-telescope-has-a-big-to-do-list

October is magical!

The leaves are changing color. Animals scurry to prep for winter. Pumpkins are carved and lighted. October is magical! http://aliciaschwab.com #scbwiARTober #kidlitart #art #design #artistsoninstagram #inspiration #amillustrating #portfolio #digitalcreators #drawtober #work #digitalart #DigitalArtist #multimedia

STEM/STEAM: Earthquake Book

I feel for the people of Haiti. They were recently hit again by a major earthquake and are suffering. To better understand the situation, I illustrated, designed, and heavily edited an earthquake book from a public domain book to make it an up-to-date STEM / STEAM middle grade book for kids.

IN ONE DAY

On August 25, 2021, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported 140 small earthquakes (1 to 3.3). Fortunately, no-one was hurt. But it may indicate that Mount Kilauea will start erupting soon.

THE CARIBBEAN PLATE PUSHES EASTWARD

But earlier on August 14th, 2021 a major earthquake (7.2) struck Haiti. The small country lies on the western end of the island of Hispaniola. Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010 (7.0) from which it still hasn’t fully recovered.

There are two faults in this region of the Caribbean, one is “dominantly strike-slip and the other is a small component of subduction plate.” This strike-slip fault is extra destructive because as the two plates slip past each other they get stuck. However the Caribbean fault continues to push east while the tension increases until it breaks free, (like when you snap your fingers). The people in Haiti are starving and desperate for aid. There’s lots of ways to help. Google “how to help people in Haiti” for suggestions. Educate yourself. It’s always good to learn something new.