Today's colour palette is brought to you by the creamsicle -  and boy, did I ever have a hankerin' for one!  This week's challenge has been in mixing new colours and precisely re-mixing previous colours for touch-ups.  It has been very rewarding to fill in those final empty spaces on the top half - almost there!  I think I should have bought shares in painters tape before I began, though.  The taping process has been time consuming but it's worth it to get the results I desire.  

Make a trip down to the gallery at MacDonald Island tomorrow night to watch me tackle the rest of Foxy Loxy's knobbly head and the method behind all this taping madness! There will be a number of us at work as well as an exhibition of finished foxes in the gallery.  You will find the opening in the Community Gallery - the hallway just off the fitness centre upstairs.  The artists at work will be in the Syne Room, the last room in the hallway.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

I painted the inside of a fox's nostril today.  True story.

The adventures with tape continue and I can finally see the end of stage one coming around the corner. Taping takes nearly as much time as painting - it's like a puzzle and as long as I stick to the plan, each piece falls into place.  I had a bit of a marathon session today, which I've been doing my best to avoid.  As I contorted my body into all sorts of unnatural angles and held it there for a while, I thought to myself, "This is why I workout - so I can paint." Today I created a system to help me remember all my colour mixing for when I have to remix and touch-up, as well as decided on a three colour maximum for reusing tape before it gets too difficult to discern where the lines are. 

Plus, I got a thumbs up from a cute little passerby, so my approval rating looks good in the 3-5 age category.  A thumbs up and a nostril full of paint (the fox's not mine) - pretty good day, I'd say.  

Foxy Loxy is a test in patience!  However, as slow as the process continues to be, I am pleased with how he is coming along and am choosing to trust the process.  It simply can't be rushed and this is a great lesson for me in our "fast food" culture.  My usual pattern is to start a project and neglect everything else until it is finished.  I am not doing that this time and it has been a refreshing pattern change.  Each work period I begin by taping off the next layer to be painted, making sure that I cover any existing paint in its path.  It is time consuming but I am getting the clean lines that I want and I simply wouldn't be able to do this freehand.  And after 3-4 coats I peel off the tape (which is extremely gratifying - what is it about peeling off tape or the plastic on a new screen that makes you feel like you've accomplished something deeply satisfying?!  Humans are odd.)  Let dry, clean brushes, start mixing paint for the next layer, and repeat! 

Some changes in plans kept me away from Foxy Loxy longer than expected but I was surprised to find that my first masking tape application wasn't a bust.  The room where the sculptures are kept is right off the pool so I expected to find all the tape to have fallen off but somehow the humidity actually helped secure it!  Right on!  (Wow, not sure if I've ever used that expression before, but I like it.)   : - )

I knew that the process would be slow but he's coming along.  It will require taping and painting (about 3-4 coats for the yellows), letting these dry and repeat with the next colour.  It's good to have a plan of attack and have the "big picture" in mind, but the secret to not becoming overwhelmed is sticking to that plan!  (A note to self as I begin to become overwhelmed with how much there is to do!)  

I don't think I've ever shared my work in progress, certainly not as I'm working on it, so this is a rather vulnerable but fun exercise for me!  This summer I loved seeing the progress of the artists in residence and I discovered that many artists feel a little self-conscious about showing their work before it's complete.  But there was so much value for me to see them at work and such a delight to finally see the polished pieces.  I do confess I took a peek at the other foxes in progress and they are looking fantastic!  

Last month I submitted a proposal for "The Miquwahkesis Project", where artists were asked to design artwork for fibreglass fox sculptures that will be installed along a public path.  (Note: Miquwahkesis is the word for "red fox" in Cree.)  I am thrilled to have been among those chosen to participate in this public art installation!  Now comes the challenge of taking my 2D design and translating it to the 3D sculpture.  

I began on Monday, acquainting myself with my new fox friend, who I have affectionately named, "Foxy Loxy".  There were challenges I expected and others that I had to troubleshoot before I begin painting later this week.  My design has many layers so careful planning is a must.  I'll be sharing the journey over the next couple of months as Foxy Loxy becomes dressed up in my design.  I am looking forward to seeing the other selected artists at work too - the designs I've seen are wonderfully eclectic.  What a great time to be part of the growing art community in Fort McMurray!  

P.S.  The red fox is a well-loved photography subject of mine.  Here are three of my favourite images: