It's a new month which means it's time for a new header! This month's header features a pattern called nonpareil or French marble. Nonpareil is French for "without equal." I find the name a bit egotistical as there are plenty of other pattens that could boast the same claim, but, because this pattern is the basis for a slew of other amazing patterns, I'll let it slide. I used to hate the nonpareil. I thought it was boring on the one hand (not very complex) and annoying on the other (all those little humps can mess with your eyes). But after playing with several different rake sizes at the marbling class at the JCCFS earlier this year, I really started to dig it.

This piece was done at my home studio a few months ago on one of my favorite papers--Strathmore 500 Series, Charcoal Sheet (black). It's actually an overmarble. I originally tried to marble on it with incandescent paints. I thought they would pop off the sheet but the opposite happened--they got lost. So I overmarbled with a nonpareil. If you were to hold this piece in your hands, though, you'd be able to see a faint design in the background. It turned out to be mysteriously gorgeous!

I'm debating whether or not to have this piece professionally framed or leave it as is and use it to make cards, journals, photo albums, or whatever from it. In any case, it will be available for purchase (in whatever form it ends up) at the Peach Tree Gallery Holiday Show in December...if it's still happening.

As I mentioned in my previous post, my precious friend, Linda, passed away last weekend after a long battle with cancer. Linda is the heart, soul, energy, and owner of Peach Tree Pottery Studio and Gallery. I am hoping the Holiday Show will go on as planned. Every year, it brings together a ton of artists, friends, and families. It is as much a social event as it is a holiday shopping event. It seems like it would be a fitting tribute to Linda and a way to honor her legacy if it were to happen.