Spring is in the air. Well, so says the Cherry tree that dominates our front yard like a true diva. Though the days seem to fluctuate from damp and dreary to bright and shiny at the blink of a eye, it looks like we’re turning the corner. We have to. It’s inevitable, thankfully.

So along with the blooming colors come new color studies for fresh screenprints for 2014. I’m narrowing things down and finalizing the artwork while the weather contains me to the on-deck circle, but with so many beautiful colors out there it’s becoming very, very difficult to narrow things down*. Two-color is typically the way to go. And sometimes three. I always say that I’ll attempt more four- or five-color prints — last year I did manage one or two — but I think this is the year I break out of my comfort zone and try even more. I think. We’ll see what the next few weeks bring. Stay tuned.

*Choosing colors can be a daunting, yet liberating, endeavor for me. I typically scatter dozens of swatches (paint chips, colored paper bits and whatever else catches my eye) out on a flat surface and see what pairings work best (kind of like Jean Arp, but perhaps not so grandiose). I don’t typically have any preconceived ideas or favored hues and don’t really care about trending colors. I just react to what’s in front of me and go from there. It’s easier for me that way and a bit more random and fun, too.