In the good old summertime!

Popsicles are in progress and the mini jars await the salt that’s soaking up those beautiful neon colors!

Ta da! Gorgeous colors of salt, fun textured colorful paper, and one popsicle cut out from the salt cured painted paper.

Artwork © A. S.

Now, that’s one awesome, happy popsicle!

Well, summertime is definitely here!

So, while we are all focused on summertime, I thought I’d share what I am working on right now. It’s hot in Arizona - really hot! That has me thinking of ways to cool off. What better way than a nice summer treat? Something like popsicles or ice cream cones, watermelon, iced tea or strawberry lemonade, Yes, please!

Well, you guessed it. That’s not only what I’m enjoying — it’s what I am painting. I was working on making some refreshing-looking popsicles that had lots of soft colors swirling around.

While I was experimenting, I remembered the blooms paintings where I used salt that released speckles of soaked up color (from being used on another painting) back onto a new wet painting. I figured I’d give it a try on some freshly painted popsicles.

So, I decided I wanted to make lots of colored coarse salt crystals using my neon watercolor paints that I had just purchased. Not only did I get great salt crystals to use, I got some pretty cool papers that I can use later in collage. You can see all those things in the photos.

While I was having fun experimenting, I was lucky enough to chat on the phone with my granddaughter in Pennsylvania. She is very artistic and likes to spend time creating and recently had the same idea to make a picture of a popsicle!

She created a bright and beautiful striped (and very happy, I might add) popsicle on a fun summer background. We decided it would make a great postcard, so I created an order for those and I cannot wait until they arrive in her mailbox!

So let’s all beat the heat by safely enjoying activities both inside and out. Of course, don’t forget to treat yourself to something cool and refreshing. And maybe create some great art using whatever you have on hand.

In the good old summertime. Stay cool!