This slideshow "Dry Spell" contains various exploratory visuals as an escape from WFH (working from home) in a time of a hopefully waning pandemic...and to learn features of the digital image editing software used. The use of acrylic ink on the synthetic papers was a total #fail, but perhaps those might be better used on different paper and with actual paintbrushes. Alcohol inks play well themselves but not so much with acrylic. Or perhaps the experiment did not work because there was not enough focus or forethought.

1. Dry Spell
A beginner’s play in alcohol and
acrylic inks,
(non) synthetic papers,
and digital image editing… Shalin Hai-Jew
March 2021

2. 2
Reflectances

3. 3
Red Onion

4. 4
Rock Hunting

5. 5
Droplets

6. 6
First Glance

7. Dry Spell
• This series of “common art” as relief from the SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19
pandemic will one day stop.
• Optimally, sooner is preferable to later.
• There is a sense that the world may be slowly coming out of
lockdown…thanks to the approved vaccines.
• The explorations will not stop as long as they are entertaining to me, but I am
so ready for some normalcy. Perhaps by the end of this year?
• The title “Dry Spell” refers to the idea of phases when there is less
creativity. Ironically, this time has been one of focused work, which
has enabled the coming into fruition of various work. Yet,
simultaneously, a lot of life has been shut down, and parts of the
landscape are barren.
7

8. Dry Spell(cont.)
• The works here are “multi-modal,” with varying inks and papers.
• It feels somewhat harder not to give in to “go-to’s.”
• In terms of digital image editing, I am trying to explore the extremes to see
the limits, and there are limits.
• There are finite possibilities in terms of image editing. The novel outcomes
are becoming fewer. Still, I have a lot to learn.
• There is playing with forms, textures, and non-forms.
• Going from 2D to panoramic (360-degrees) is another visual experience.
• I am trying to expand what I like, too. There is a lot more to like than I
realized.
8

9. On black cardstock
9

10. 10
Fulminating

11. On translucent synth paper
11

12. 12
Chaos

13. 13
Air Brush

14. 14
Binding

15. On white synth paper
15

16. 16
Cooking

17. 17
Display

18. 18
Rock Climbing

19. 19
Scrub

20. 20
Pleasure Center

21. 21
Traces

22. 22
Sustaining

23. 23
Bullfrog

24. 24
Distraction

25. 25
Intrinsic

26. 26
Under Wraps

27. 27
Another Season

28. 28
In Place

29. 29
Thin Protection

30. 30
Downpour

31. 31
Water

32. 32
Catalyst

33. 33
Turmoil

34. On digital variants
34

35. 35
Near Shore

36. 36
Pastel Flavor

37. 37
Heart Choker

38. 38
Neon Life

39. 39
Cotton Candy

40. 40
Commensal

41. 41
Presence

42. 42
Through Looking Glass

43. 43
Muted Star

44. 44
Webbing

45. 45
Clover

46. 46
UFO

47. 47
Dessert

48. 48
Beating Heart

49. 49
Exploration

50. 50
Blindside

51. 51
Plot Twist

52. 52
Glide Path

53. 53
Feathers

54. 54
Chains

55. 55
Aerial View

56. 56
Fan

57. 57
Over Time

58. 58
Above

59. 59
Expectations

60. 60
Variety

61. 61
Where To

62. 62
Inter Alia

63. 63
Pirouette

64. 64
Strong Flavor

65. 65
Waft

66. 66
Winged

67. 67
Slippers in the Morning

68. 68
Nestled

69. 69
Arched Back

70. 70
Fresh Picked

71. 71
Shatterlines

72. 72
Shatterlines 2

73. 73
Eggshell

74. 74
Keyhole

75. 75
Black Dandelion

76. 76
Hourglass Timer

77. 77
Heat

78. 78
Cold