This blog started with small daily paintings then changed to a more personal sharing of projects, events and photos. Enjoy!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Schleich Animals IV

I've had a few pivotal dreams about giraffes. I just skimmed through my old dream journals, but couldn't find the dream I was thinking of. It was a very simple dream where a giraffe and I suddenly saw each other while in my back yard. We stood looking at each other. I knew I was looking at myself through mine and the giraffe's eyes. That was it, but it was a strong dream. What animal do you identify with?

I'm going out of town for a few days. I'll be painting again hopefully on Wednesday the 28th.
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed


For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Schleich Animals III

I painted this yesterday, but ran out of light to take a picture till today, but it still holds to say happy inauguration day!! This is one inauguration I didn't ignore. Time for the lamb (yes that's a lamb) to dance with the zebra, while the white tiger lies on its side. I didn't even set this one up, the animals tumbled into this pose.
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed


For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Schleich Animals II

There is a game where you shake and tumble out a bunch of pigs--not sure how that goes, but it's fun to do that with all these animals! I had to remind myself to paint. I did move these around a bit. The lamb is the one standing, the zebra looks stricken. It seems the lamb is protecting these larger wilder animals.
Watercolor, 7"x 7"
SOLD

Here are some of my granddaughter's paintings and drawings--she asked me if her paintings are better than mine--no doubt about it! Some of you may have noticed that I'm no longer posting collaborations. My granddaughter has started to create her own stories--she no longer splashes on the paint, baby style, so I'm leaving them be!
That's my granddaughter with me and my husband in the middle. While she was painting, she asked, "do you mind being orange?" nope!
She decorated a package being sent out to my mom--this is a princess of course.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Schleich Animals

I didn't know which animal to paint, then I saw them all in a tumble, where they'd been dumped and the sun was catching all the hooves and nuzzles. Then I thought, oh no, that's just too much, but I do it to myself, I choose to paint something I know will take me awhile, as this did. I took a few pictures as the painting progressed for those who are interested in how I paint. (I've had a few people ask). Seriously though I don't know why you'd ever want to use this technique, I'm even somewhat embarrassed to show it. Why? To a traditional water colorist, using so much masking fluid is probably a sin, it's slow going with many layers of mask and paint, you're not sure of the results, (but I like the surprise element). Lastly I don't know how healthy it is to be using that latex. I make sure a window is open if I'm inside and I use "Gloves in a Bottle", which I'm just about out of and need to get some more.
First, the sketch--playing with the composition--there have been times I've erased the whole thing after spending much time drawing. The square format is challenging, but I really like it. I've heard or read that some people won't even think of buying a square painting, because it's not as easy to find frames. Still I press on with the square. I've actually been thinking seriously about small round paintings--I'd love that, but cutting mats and having glass cut, plus the expense stops me in my tracks, but think about it------cool! I like that, even if it was crooked on the wall, you wouldn't know!
I mask out the whites and layer on some light washes, then I mask out some colored light areas and layer on more color, then mask out some lighter middle tones and layer more color--guess what I do next? Mask more middle tones--then I get lost in middle tones and flounder for awhile. Put some music on and make some tea. I have to tip my paper so I can see the light reflect off the shiny mask, so I know what I've done! This process is similar to batik, which I have always loved--it's like painting backwards--it must appeal to the dyslexic part of me.
You can see the shiny mask. I'm doing the mask and layering again. I think I like to do this because when I do put on the paint, I'll wet the whole thing with a very large brush, then lay a wash over the whole painting--it's one of my favorite parts, to see what the layers of color will do--like layering pure orange over a layer of magnesium green--seeing the particles of paint separate and settle--little science experiments. You do have to let the mask dry before putting on the paint. I use a blow dryer for that and sometimes for the paint. I say sometimes, because it's best to let the paint sit and dry, depending on what you want it to do.
OK, so I got into the painting and forgot about taking pictures for awhile, but maybe that's a good thing or you'd all be bored if you aren't already. This is after rubbing off all the accumulated mask. Another part I love to do! Under all that rich dark paint the images emerge. I've actually built up some callused finger tips rubbing off the latex! I should do it with my left hand and take up guitar! Make sure the paint is thoroughly dry before rubbing!! You'd think I'd be done at this point, but no not me! I do like that batiked look, but not for everything, plus the mask takes off some of the color. I love vivid colors and will go back into the painting to add here and smooth there and fuss--this is the fussy stage, but it's fun for me because where the paint has been built up, the pigment is so thick that I can wet it and move it around with a toothpick. This reminds me of those watercolor coloring books with the dried lines and ares of paint that you wet and spread around--fun stuff. Fun, but a bit tricky because the water is now riding on the surface of the paint and doesn't know enough to stop--it just connects to other pigments and fans out regardless of any boundaries. More science experiments! If you try this let me know how it's going! If you don't--I really don't blame you!
Watercolor, 7"x 7"
SOLD

Monday, January 12, 2009

Little Dinosaur II

I did take pictures of this painting throughout my painting process, but I don't have time to post them at the moment. I hope I can do that tomorrow. So for those who are interested in my process, stay tuned!
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed


For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Little Dinosaur


One of the little animals my granddaughter found in her stocking. This is a Schleich animal--really great solid little replicas. I have others--maybe this is the start of a whole new series--maybe not, we'll see...
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed


For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

2009 Self Portrait






I can't help but to post a few pictures--Of course I may put in one (or two or three) of my granddaughter--I liked the colors of my husband's clothes--what is it with cats and mittens? Do they just find each other?--Right now during these short winter days, I love the sunlight at around 1:30pm. It lights things in a different way. This last picture is my compost bin! It never looked so good. The daily painters are doing a self portrait theme for Wednesday the 7th. I was just barely able to get this one done in time--(school's been out and other obligations come around), but I hope to be posting at a more regular pace soon!
Watercolor, 7"x 7"
SOLD