Are any of you currently submitting work to art shows/exhibits? I have entered a few this year after not entering any last year. So far nothing has been accepted, but at least not rejected yet either since the deadlines are just now approaching for all three shows. Here's the one I just entered to OPA's online spring showcase. I entered the old shed painting in the National Exhibition and if it manages to be accepted, I might be taking a trip to Steamboat Springs to attend the opening. Aside from loving Colorado, it would be exciting to make it into that show and I'd like to see it on the wall.

I think I may have done something wrong when washing the first one. It was a pretty big rock and it crushed to powder easily. There was a lot left in the jar after the first pour. I think it still has a lot of useful pigment, and I think I will try washing that part again. I don't think I have a picture but I'll take one. It took the pigment a good while to settle. I waited 5 days before I poured the water off. I used smaller jars but not the tiny because it looked like there was a lot. Again it has taken a long time to settle, 6 days, but I think can pour it later today into the tiny jars to dry. It didn't make as much as I thought so I think a lot is still in that original jar. I've washed three different ones now. The #2 yellow has also taken a long time to settle. It's been a week and I think I will pour it later today too. The third one has settled quicker, 3 days today and it looks ready to pour. I am thinking maybe our soft water here may have something to do with it taking long to settle. I didn't want to try the alum solution yet. If I do try it, I was thinking I would start slow with just a half a dropper or less.

Hi Susan, thank you for being a part of our community here! Y'all, I met Susan in person years ago, but rarely see her or any of my friends in real life these days, and she lives fairly nearby. In these hills, 'nearby' can mean up to an hour away... distance here is measured by time it takes, not by the miles, 😆 It's one of the drawbacks to being a hermitress, I guess. But I'm glad for the internet that allows us to still make friends and interact with others far and wide. Susan, when you get a chance, introduce yourself to the group!

I am washing two pigments right now. This is #1 Red rock. I maybe should have used an alum solution you mentioned in the video. I started it on Saturday and waited until yesterday (Wednesday) to pour off the water. I decided the water was clear enough or wasn’t going to get much clearer. I think it will still come out fine. The third picture was to show the interesting way it settled in one jar. I think I could have poured off more water so I know it needs to settle a lot. You can see the #2 Yellow in the background. It is settling, you can see the layers. I’m not going to rush it but I’m wondering how clear the water should get. How do you make the alum solution?

This rock was different than the first rock. It was harder and crunchier in the mortar. I’m curious what it’ll come out to be on paper but it looks like a nice gold crushed and the water is really golden yellow. Almost like LSU gold. Lol. 💜💛