The Pulse 2016: Week 2

 Welcome to the 6th edition of The Pulse - a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, further your own artistic expression, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. Stay tuned for a new post every Wednesday.
-------------------

What is the one technique or tool that you cannot live without?
Annie Coe Venetian plaster. I discovered it about 9 years ago and never looked back. There are a few other tools that I love but this tops the list.
Sue Marrazzo Palette knives. I use them to mix and blend paints, mediums and more. I build up texture in layers and use them as mark makers in my mixed media work.
Janice Paine Dawes Stitch. Stitch can be a mark making device, it can hold layers together to be an embellishment. Stitch can be real by the use of thread or implied by painting/drawing.
Kathy Fritz My awl. As a compulsive bookbinder, I get the shakes if I do not have it by my side and at the ready. You can make a book with just about any materials but when it comes to binding, if you don't have the useful awl, forget it. It is not the prettiest of crafting tools, but it is tops in my book.
Darlene Campbell Watercolors. I must use watercolors everyday in a wash, glazing or wet on wet techniques. This process also includes line quality with black ink.
Nancy Lefko Clearsnaps ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inks - specifically their Cat's Eyes. Seriously I dread the day they decide to stop making them. I use them on virtually every piece on the outside edge, as a frame; to distress or add a touch of color to cut out text; and always with stencils. It is my go-to ink.
-------------------
If you would like to be a participant in The Pulse, please email me (shap97@gmail.com) the following:
1. Your response (which I might need to edit to keep all answers relatively consistent in length)2. ONE photo that somehow relates to your answer3. A link to ONE of your online sites
If you would like more Pulse, check out my books from North Light Media: The Pulse of Mixed Media and The Mixed Media Artist.