My Watercolor Madness

2011-09-14T23:32:00.000-05:00

Frog Outlook
10"x14"
Sold

I took this painting to Waverly House to be in the gallery for Meet the Artist Night. It sold before it hit the wall. This painting started with a quick drawing of the frog and then wet -into-wet painting for the background. The bubbles were made with dropping alcohol from a tipped bottle into the wet paint.

The challenges in this painting was establishing the top of the water and the and the water below. I kept the colors cool on top because of the reflection of light and sky. The waterline is not straight across here. This seems to add interest and movement. I had to work to make the uneven line believable.

Several of Daniel Smith's pigments are made with minerals from the earth. They have often have an interesting granulation. Some of them have a natural sparkle which add more interest. I have enjoyed playing with these new pigment.

I find this kind of painting difficult. Much of it is controlled happy accident. I have to push, pull, add, and subtract to fabricate the background. There is no reference material, accept for the frog. I have gotten good at painting from life. Painting from ideas in my head are more challenging. The painting has to lead me more with less planning.

2011-05-10T22:42:00.003-05:00

Old Engine
Watercolor
21"x 14"
$450

I delivered this painting to the Springfield Art Museum. It will on display in the 2011 Watercolor U.S.A. I honestly thought that I would enter this show for a lifetime before I got in, and was quite surprised when I received the acceptance card.

This painting has already won best of show twice, so it is a strong piece. I have been painting a lot more, with doing shows in Florida, this winter. When I was spending so much time caring for my parents the last few years, I felt my painting was a little rusty.

A very good photo that I took in California, Was the foundation for this piece. Then I painstakingly worked on the drawing and detail. The angle of the train was difficult and had to be right. Then finally balancing the wet-into-wet areas and with the detailed areas was what makes this painting work. The strong value pattern also makes it stand out.

Wish they all could be like this one.

Dr. Sketchy's Award Winning Sketch

2011-05-05T19:51:00.002-05:00

This is a painting sketch from a Dr. Sketchy's pose. Dr. Sketchy's is similar to a life drawing session, only the models are burlesque dancers. The model is never totally nude, but at times can have little on. I find it interesting to add the clothes. With music, drink and food this evening is party-like.

This was a 15 minute4 pose. I started with pencil on a piece of rag mat board. This is a good use for left over pieces, too small to use in framing. Then I painted, with a round brush that points really well. Then since there is not time to let things dry, I go in with a little colored pencil to add detail or firm up a line.

I then I throw the sketch on the floor. Often I see something that does not read from a distance and pick it up to add touches.

There is usually a contest in the evening, where artists put their paintings on the stage to be judged by the model, after a series of poses. I have never won before, and was surprised when my painting was picked up as first place. I won a breakfast at a local Kansas City Restaurant.

2011-04-18T18:20:00.002-05:00

Stone Crab on Ice

This one look fairly good in the photo, but still lacks a punch from across the room. Maybe a better shadow between the crab claws and the ice will do the trick. Now the question is, warm or cool?

Windboats

2011-04-13T16:42:00.002-05:00

Wind Boats watercolor $450.00 This painting, I have attempted twice in different formats. Each time, it has been a struggle. I have discovered cerulean blue (red shade). This color should help me with the skies in Florida in the future. The boats were difficult. I thought the shapes of color would be a snap. Again, I was having trouble with the blues. A wash of red on the small sail helped push it behind the other sail.

2011-04-12T16:50:00.002-05:00

This is an example that a painting can be easy. The hardest part of this one was knowing when to stop. I am particularly pleased with the difference in the water in the middle and the foreground. Bodies of water often have varying kinds of movement.

I paid very close attention to detail of the birds right down to the angle of the legs. Although the birds are dark the shapes show the different stances each bird takes.

This painting can be located on the Naples beach. People in my booth this last Saturday were discussing it's location.

Finished

2011-04-05T18:22:00.002-05:00

Tall and cold (Key West)

Watercolor 14"x 10"

$250.00

I had framed this one, but knew it was coming out of the frame after viewing the photo. I worked on the straight glass edges with a ruler, strengthening the light against dark patterns. I also worked on the glass bases. Sizes and light needed to be improved. I use a rounded knife to scrape off paint not wanted. The area can then be burnished, so that it will take paint properly.

This time I did not refer to the photo. I just looked at how the painting was working. Edges are real important to me. If they are right, all is good.

This is the first of a drink series. I already have the photo for the next painting. When I was in Key West a few days ago, I took a photo sitting in the Rooftop Cafe. Over-heated and tired, the drinks that are served up first are welcome.

2011-03-18T13:51:00.002-05:00

Tall and Cool (Key West)

14 1/2 x 11 3/4

Watercolor $250.00

I just put this one in a frame, getting ready for an up coming show. After looking at this photo. I hung the painting on the wall, and decided that there are a number of minor adjustments I wish to make. Out of the frame it comes. Oh well.

My family and I were in Key West last year. We had a extremely frustrating day, after adding the fourth member to our party. Crowd control in my family can be like trying to herd cats. I made a late reservation for a restaurant that we had never tried before. It had taken longer than expected to walk to it. We were seated outside, which was fine. The inside was chaos. This was our drink order. We had a great dinner. We laughed a lot. It was a good end to a trying day.

2011-03-15T09:44:00.002-05:00

Wind boats and Shack

Watercolor $250.00

This painting is at The Artworks Gallery in Naples Florida. It is painted on a quarter sheet. This was a lot of detail for such a small space. I am getting close to finishing a large version of this painting minus the shack. Neither painting has been easy. Looking at this one I must open up more light in the second one.

2011-03-12T19:14:00.003-06:00

Palm Picnic

Watercolor $350.00

About a year ago my daughter and I visited Bahia Honda State park, driving up from Key West. I saw a picnic table with a palm tree curving over it. Seemed like a perfect subject for a painting, so I snapped the photo. The gallery owner in Naples Florida said that she wanted paintings that where narrow and tall. This fit the bill measuring 22"x 11".

2011-03-11T15:02:00.002-06:00

I was lucky. This painting had not shipped out to the new owner, when I discovered that I did not have a photo of the finished painting. It had come out of the frame for a re-do. I squared up a few of the cups and darkened the background. This was a painting of some of my favorite coffee cups. After my art show in April I think I will try a painting with my teapot collection.

2011-03-08T11:00:00.002-06:00

I sold a painting call "Coffee Gathering." Sadly I see only a photo of it in this blog, from 2010.
The painting had come out of the frame and was greatly improved. I could have a picture on my old card. As soon as I post this I will call Waverly house to see if the painting has shipped yet

2011-03-04T14:24:00.002-06:00

This painting is now finished. It is in the Artworks Shop at Naples Florida. This painting took too long to finish. Don't ask why, I don't know.

I am determined to start another Koi painting this month or maybe the water lily goldfish one from a photo taken in Naples.

Tall Drinks, Key West.

2010-12-18T10:48:00.002-06:00

I am trying to be a good blogger. Christmas...need i say anymore. I am toying with doing an art show in February. I have been working on several paintings. They are all in the stage were nothing spectacular is happening to any of them. This one has a long way to go. Looks like I still need to push and pull at the sizes and the tops of the glasses. How can something so simple be so hard. The green in the upper right hand corner does not thrill me. That can change.

I am making cookies today, but if all goes well I will post and update on this painting by evening.

November, a Dr. Sketchy's Session

2010-12-11T15:20:00.003-06:00

Dr. Sketchy's is like a life drawing session, with the models wearing more clothing, Drawing starts with 1 minute poses, progressing to 15 minute poses. This is excellent practice for artists, because you are force to work very fast blocking out spaces and color.

The models are burlesque dancers. They are very good at developing the visual. Hair makeup and costuming is part of their focus. Sometimes the model/dancer is not very experienced at holding a pose. They will use a pose that is too ambitious for the time period. By the end of the pose she is struggling not to move, or must move and recover as best as possible. I have been working on a face to have the face turned away before the end of the pose. This can create more of a challenge, leaving me to work from memory or just make it up.

All these paintings are from 10 to 15 minute poses. I start with a quick pencil sketch, to make sure all the parts are in the right place. Then I start putting on paint, establishing color and value. Since there is no time for paint to dry I use colored pencil to help with detail, line and texture.

Sometimes, during the break I can go back and add details with paint. Watercolor painters like to work with wet paint that flows and mingles. The painter develops a sixth sense when to take more control as the paint dries. I always tell my students that water is your friend, but it can also be your enemy.

The night is fun with music, drinks and food. It is sort of a party atmosphere, but there are 50 plus artist there putting in some serious work.

2010-11-09T12:20:00.002-06:00

KOI 3

11"x 15"

Watercolor

not done but close

This on is getting close. I must develop the rock on the left. I want more light in the upper left corner, as an entrance to the painting. The yellow green is confusing in the upper right corner. Do I want to deepen the darks a bit? Can I?

I don't know why is seems hard for me to finish koi paintings. Maybe I just don't have a clear direction I want them to go. They are a result of several layers and moods as I work.

The next koi painting I start, I should vow to finish in a week. They sell fast enough. I do have to get creative with names too. I may have to keep a cheat sheet on which painting is which. It is nice to name paintings so I know which on is which in the database

Never Done

2010-11-06T08:00:00.003-05:00

Reflection Pool (D.C)

This painting has not quite been there. Recently I pull this out of the frame to work on. I have put it back in the frame and will probably pull it again. It does not go far enough.

There is a mood I am after. A private morning stroll, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, at sunrise, is the goal.

Laying on the couch, sick, I decided this painting is to mid-tonal. I want more light. I started scratching out light behind the trees and darkened the upper sky. Liking this, I photographed the painting with new changes and put it back in the frame. The light hitting it on the wall is poor, but I want my paintings to look good in the dark. I need more light in the painting. Perhaps light on the ground behind the front hill is essential. I am also toying with adding the hint of yellow to warm the light. Orange? Dangerous. Hmmmmm

2010-11-02T13:25:00.002-05:00

I know that I have not posted anything lately. Back to blogging. This painting has missed several deadlines. The main deadline is Watercolor USA. That date is sometime in March. I think that it will be ready by then.
Much of the painting is finished. Now to make the different parts work together. I still have a lot of honing to do on the lens to the right. I want more green in that lens also.

I just read Tom Lynch stating that you can always tighten up a loose painting, but you cannot move the other way around. Unfortunately that is exaction the way I operate. If a painting is too tight. I start subtracting paint and adding fresher passages. Often that is the last hour I work on a painting. I call the process, "Pulling it together."

Taking a break with this one until mid November. Tomorrow. I will post what is going on with the k0i painting.

2010-07-31T21:03:00.002-05:00

The Signs on Winslow Street

Watercolor

13 1/2" x 17"

I just posted this painting to Virtual Paint Out. If I crossed all my 't's and dotted all my 'i's. It will show up on the website soon.

About a week ago Carolyn Summer, facebook friend, recommended that I check this sight out. I commented that I probably will not be able to do a painting this month. I could not figure out how to use the sight and the month was almost over. She whined and shortly posted her painting. The challenge was on.

You go to the google earth sight from the web page. Then you end up walking the streets of the given city. Find something to paint. Save the picture or sight to your computer, print and paint.

I did get a painting done. The signs stretching across the street, is what attracted me. I was cursing myself for picking such a detailed view. But I did get into painting the signs. I began to recognize the repetition of some of the characters. In the end I had to really simplify the buildings, but that makes the signs all the more important in the composition. I did a quick wash of gold ochre over much of the painting to tie it together.

The real accomplishment for me is being able to use the sight. I was painting a scene from Hong Kong by going there via internet. How cool is that?

2010-07-07T09:59:00.002-05:00

This piece was a very quick study of a photo I took of my husband. We picked up a brush to doodle out how I was going to instruct my water class on painting portraits.

They say they want to paint like me so I had to analyze how I would go about painting a face. One thing is to work slowly and start building with light washes. If a piece is over-w0rked in the beginning it is hard or impossible to get the highlights back.

This painting is done on the paper I use to do glicee prints. It is acid free but not watercolor paper. The sizing is replace with a coating to make the paper printable. This paper is softer and some paint can be removed with just an electric erasure. The paper tares instead of scratching when a knife is used. Paint does not move on the paper but it can be lifted with a light tough of a scrubber.

The hair is unique. I painted the color under the hair and scratched the actual hair into the paper. Although the paper was not cooperating I think the result is still believable.

Well this has also been a lesson on how this paper differs from watercolor paper or knowing what are the qualities of a good water color paper. I keep encouraging my students to us good paper. I give them pieces. They still resist, thinking that their work is not worthy of a piece of paper that may cost a few dollars. I even offer them a package price for a single sheet, because that is how I order my paper.

I started by just painting the lip an chin. I did not start with a drawing. I told my class to practice. Work on specific areas at a time. Expect failures, but experiment and don't be scared. I was proud of them. They ended up with finished works. One student was sculpting the angles and bones of a man's face, stating she could not draw. Another student painted a believable portrait of her mother from a black and white photo.

This painting will be matted and framed an put by my computer.:)

2010-07-03T15:28:00.002-05:00

I arrived in Florida. Set up to paint. I always carry a blooming orchid with me. I do not want those blooms to fade when I am gone. Bought the orchid on the way to Key west in May. Drove it home with me. Now it is back.

This was easy to paint. Did a quick drawing. Washed in the pale yellow and then added more color where the pedals overlap. Finished this in three short sittings.

What really sets this flower off is the background. I dropped this in after the flower was painted.

Of course the flower I was painting wilted before I was done. I just started using and other flower for information.

ORCHID STUDY

WATERCOLOR 5"X3"

2010-07-01T21:18:00.002-05:00

I wish to start a painting in the morning. I will use a previous photo and memory. The sky was boiling in indigo maybe Payne's gray. The sea is lighter in soft greens. Maybe white will be needed to achieve these colors. Oops. I did not bring my suitcase of paint tubes. Must make due with what is on my pallate. The water is darker at the horizon. A strip of violet is a quarter of the way out in the water as the water gets deeper but then lightens again before it darkens at the horizon. The water is tanner with sand stirred up in the surf before or where the waves break. The foam from the waves are white. The sand is lightest where it is dry but is violet where the water has just wetted the sand. I guess this is a reflection of the sky. The pier is deep brown. Brown madder with a lot of ultramarine blue. The building half way out is deep rusty red. Three orange lights shine from the snack bar and cleaning station.

Here's hopping the vision will not fade by morning.

2010-06-24T15:20:00.003-05:00

Lighthouse Lens View

I am taking my time with this painting, but enjoying the steady pace. My plans have changed what to do with this piece. I hope to have it ready for the Hammon's hall show on July 24. Then it would fit in the Waverly house show this fall. I would love to submit it to Watercolor USA this coming year.

I am presently working on the second Lens on the right. I know that Rick's head needs to get wider to fit with Wendy's head. How the two lenses relate to each other is one of my main concerns right now. They are from two different photos. I have to put them together in a believable way.

Working on this painting seems a little like paint by number. (I admit it, I have never done a paint by number.) The visual effect of small areas of color visually working together to create an image. I think this will be one that I will miss when it is done. May be if it's price is high enough it can live above my mantel for awhile.

2010-05-28T08:39:00.002-05:00

I am a little nervous. I am in a hotel room with the rest of the morning to myself and no paints! I did not bring paint. I vowed to work on photos in my down time. Watched on short clip on flesh tones, I want paint. Awwww.

Worked at the gallery on Wednesday and found out that my painting does not have to be done until July 1. This group is informal and a moving deadline is sort of...refreshing?

2010-05-26T11:28:00.002-05:00

Well, working on another insane piece. I need to stop doing this to myself. This is an exercise in gray tones, which make the color look great. Believe it or not, this is not as bad as the kitchen drawer painting.

I have this afternoon to work on this then I have to take a 6 day break. This will not fit into my suitcase and I don't think I would have much time to work on this. If it is not storming this afternoon I will snap another photo of my progess to post.

I am slowing down a bit. This is supposed to go in a show the first of June. There is not way this will be ready. Maybe I can come up with something else for the show...Maybe it can be ready for the summer Hammons show.

2010-05-17T06:10:00.002-05:00

I have been on vacation for several weeks. have had a hard time getting my feet on the ground again.

This is going to become a painting, using three different photos. It is my job to blend these into a cohesive composition. I was playing around in Corral Draw and decided to mirror or flip one of the photos. This is going to be a challenge, but not much different than my past undertakings.

Finley River is having a competition with abstract or contemporary as the theme. I play with abstract reality. My take is to us real images that look abstract. What is this? It is photos of light house lenses taking at Key West, FL.

2010-05-05T08:11:00.002-05:00

Have been on vacation. I am in the condo, in Florida preparing to drive home tomorrow. I have taken many many photos. I can see this one being painted large-large, like over my fireplace large.

I have not picked up a brush the last three week. The one morning that I thought of painting, in Nancy's Secret Garden, I was close to heat exhaustion.

In Key West with my daughter, she normally works night shift, so we often did not head out until noon. Not a good plan in Key West.

The few times I could have painted at the condo, someone was in the guest room asleep. Maybe I need to move that art table out into the living room. I will be back here in July and I plan to paint.

'Fins of a Different Color' has sold out of the Gallery in Naples Florida. I will post that painting when I get home to my databases.

That is the second painting sold this year without any effort in marketing on my part. Maybe sales will be really good this year. I am pleased with how much I have been working, minus this vacation. Work has to be done before any thing else makes sense.

2010-04-13T10:50:00.002-05:00

I have been such a good little blogger this week. I am taking a lot of photos and putting paintings into frames. Some of the works are new, some are reworked.

New York Cotton Candy
Watercolor.
13"x 17"
$400.00

This painting was started several years ago. I used three different reference photos that were shot in New York City, just before 9/11. This was a street fair in the summer just up from Radio City. I fell in love with photo of the Grandpa and little girl. Then I really liked the cotton candy tree. I had never seen it carried that way.

This painting was worked on off and all through years. It is quite detailed and lent itself not to be finished. Finally I decided to finish it and submit it to this Springs Waverly House show, 'The Flavors of the Season.'

I did not think this painting was coming together. There was a lot of different disconnected colors. Pulling this totally together would happen after most of the painting was done. A little trick I often use is general light wash of a color. In this case yellow ochre. It tones most of the whites and pulls the painting together. Care must be taken not to go over area more than once. The wash brush must be cleaned often after going over dark areas. A light tough is important.

I also used a little creative cropping, to make the composition stronger. Watercolor artists have an advantage in being able to do this. This is one reason my paintings are often not standard sizes.
This painting did get into the show and has drawn a lot of comment. I like how your eye is drawn on down the street, but the cotton candy pulls you back.

2010-04-12T17:04:00.002-05:00

Yaaahoo! My frame order just arrived. I am doing a show in Charleston, MO, at the end of the week. It will be good to get more work into frames. I have been struggling with a change in cameras. I will survive, and maybe even develop a few new brain cells. I have not had the guts to start up the giclee printer yet. That will probably happen this evening.

Too Pretty to Eat
Watercolor
14"x 16"
$400.00

I took this photo at a farmer's market. This is another case of a really good photo leading to a good painting. I changed the configuration of the poles and the and the sign to make a better composition. After painting a few very tedious paintings, this one was a good change. There is a lot of wet-into-wet work here. I also use the technique of painting toward the wet. This makes nice fading of color when getting to a highlight.

A colored pencil was used to carve out lines in the paint. I really don't think color came from the pencil on the wet paper, but adding pressure on paper with a sharp object will leave dark lines. The drawing action, that comes with a pencil, in hand felt easy. Hmmm, I wonder if that could be a way of signing your name.
I entered this into the Spring show at the Waverly house. The show will open the first weekend in May.

2010-04-11T08:35:00.002-05:00

I am producing a lot of work and I am happy. The last couple of days have been spent, visiting with and old friend and my son. Inside the artist was grumbling. Minimal work got done. It was great to take a break for good purposes. Honestly my hair was been stretched from my pulling on it. I was Working too much. Pleasing the artist is elusive.

I cannot stand it. I have started changes to 'Night Balloons.' Even if it is accepted into the show I will not be happy without the changes. I think changes will be minor enough that they will not be noticed.

Old Engine

22"x 15"

Watercolor

$500.00

This painting was painted for the Finley River Train Show. I took the photo outside a train museum in California. The lighting and the view here makes a good composition. There is tedious detail, but not too much. I did have to grid with the drawing to make sure everything was where it belonged the first time. Got into a little trouble with the grid lines in the sky but I think I over came it. Must remember to keep lines like that light, but there is also a fight to see them.

I plan to repaint this much larger and then submit it to Watercolor USA next year. The plan is to work slowly, working out all the issues as I go. It would be novel to finish something earlier than 5 minutes before it is due.

2010-04-10T06:51:00.002-05:00

Where Is It?
Watercolor
18"X15"
This a the other painting that I submitted to watercolor USA. I think that I am through playing with this one. Yes it does happen. It was originally painted for 'The Beauty of Everyday Life' show, at the The Waverly House. The painting won the theme award. This was fun, a challenge, and hair pulling. I had to keep my finger on the item that I was painting, or I would slip and start working on the wrong thing.

I brought this painting home and tightened up a little. When the Waverly House show came about, my mom had become really sick. I was spending a lot of time in doctor's offices and the hospital. I had works so hard on this painting and was determined to finish it, I stayed up all night to finish this one. It was finished really fast.

It was good, but now it is better. I am not listing the price of this one because I did not have it in my records. I will list it after I know it it is accepted.

2010-04-09T10:32:00.003-05:00

I'm back. I am doing well. It did take me a few weeks to recover from my mother's death. Then I started painting. Producing work is one of the first steps.

I've discovered a new way to progess with my work. If I paint on several paintings at once. I don't get into hating the painting in front of me. If there are issues, or things are not progressing well, it don't stress. I just flip to the next painting. I let go, and move on to dealing with the next piece. Ideas on what to do next, or solving a problem with a painting has to percolate with me. I keep flipping to a different painting. With a different painting on the table, the mental work has already been done and I am ready to move ahead with the work. I also clean up my work area each time I switch to a different painting. It is a cleansing process.

Night Balloons.
14"X 17"
Watercolor
$400.00

I have submitted this to Watercolor USA. I will know if it is accepted by the April 17. I am waiting. It is not accepted, I am ready to change this one. I want more warm color in part of the the back ground. I may want to tweak the actual shape of a couple of the balloons. I think this piece is out of balance. This was not apparent until it was done. I think if I lighten the area above the small balloon and add a little warmth it will solve the problem. Until I know if it is accepted in the Watercolor USA, I am hesitant to make changes.

The painting sits, in the studio and I continue to mentally work on it. This seems to be something I cannot rush.

Thank you for your kind works of support and care after the my mother passed. I was silent for awhile, but I was feeling your care and it helped.

I am seem to be up and painting more than I have been able to the last couple of years. I have entered three competitions and finished five paintings in the past two weeks. Deadlines do help. I have several other painting getting close to go in the frames. You should be seeing frequent posts now.

With brushes flying everywhere,
Jane Huggins:)

2010-02-14T12:47:00.002-06:00

I forgot that I pick "Balloons in the Night" as a title for this one. Once this one is totally painted I will have to push and pull between dulled color, it is night, and the brightness of the light.

I am excited, this one should be a stunner.

This next week I need to step up the work on two train paintings due at the end of the month, but I will continue to work on the balloon and coffee cup paintings as a pair.

Working on two paintings seems to do well for me. Keeps me from hating the work that I continually stare at.

Working on more that two at at time can be hard for focus, but a good time to work on the ones that sit on the boards undone. I like to start paintings. I don't like to finish them.

2010-02-14T12:33:00.002-06:00

This painting was started this last spring. It will probably be finished some time this week. I collect coffee cups. My favorites eventally get broken, but that is only an opportunity to add to my collection. At first it seemed like this painting would paint itself, but I got hung up with making all the elipes right. The darkened room in the background is being up before sunrise. The light source is directly above the cups.

2010-02-14T10:21:00.002-06:00

My mother died on February 4, 2010. I usually do not paint under such stress. I have been painting but not finishing anything. I am pleased with my work. There is a whole in my heart, but I think painting with my mother watching over my shoulder will lead to productivity.

My father says he talks to her. I do too. I have a tendency to talk to myself a lot when I paint. I can only imagine the reaction to others I am painting with when my mother is added to the conversation.

I love you Mommy. I know where you are, this will be a good year

2010-01-09T13:20:00.002-06:00

O.K., I am back. My mother has gotten a lot worse lately. I agreed to put her hospice the other day. I am working through the emotional side of this pretty well. After the holidays I feel that I have more mental and physical time.

I am getting much better at playing the piano. Piano playing is a great stress reliever for me. Painting is another thing.

Although, I am making myself pick up the brush I do not focus well and getting little real work done is not happening. I am cutting myself some slack here. Things will flow when it is time.

This painting is one that I wanted to start years ago. Every November when the Christmas lights are put in the Ozark Rive Park, The Miracle Children's Fund sponsors this night. Hot air balloons are erected in the Night and stay on the ground. It is awesome to see this huge creations all together in the arena. You only see them when the fire is put on to keep them inflated. At times you see one or two and once in awhile several are firing up at once.

The two spectators are my husband and Nate, my little brother.

I am pretty pleased with the progress of this on so far. I wish some of the colors where clearer, but it is a night scene.

New Year Goals

2009-12-30T10:11:00.002-06:00

1. Develop a website.
2. Enter Watercolor USA
3. Enter shows in The Missouri Water Color Society.
4. Join Best of hands.
5. Start printing again.
6. Finish one painting a week.
7. Paint series: fish, tree portraits, window views, night views.

2009-12-22T13:42:00.002-06:00

One Cold Night
20"x13
Watercolor
$400.00
This painting was done from a photo taken when I went with my son's scout troop to visit a TV station in Chicago. We took the train. Eight boys on the train are a nightmare. We visited the tree just before going home. I did think we were going to freeze to death. What impressed me about this tree was the amount of space in which it is displayed. The New York tree is in a much more crowded space.

Miskit created the lights. I had to work to get the dark values built up. There actually is a lot of light in the city at night. The warmth the tree created by the tree reflects in the buildings. The cold icy contrast is expressed with the blues surrounding the tree's reflection. This was a fun painting to paint. I enjoyed the looseness. I must work on a few more night paintings. Reflections are just fun.

2009-12-15T21:27:00.002-06:00

Stars on Top 2
10"x8"
watercolor
$85.00

This is a small day painting. It was laying on my paper cutter from last year. Somehow it surfed to the top of the pile. Finely River was crying for paintings to fill out their winter show. I stole a frame a from another painting and slipped this into the show before the judging. Dang this little one won third place.

2009-11-21T08:34:00.002-06:00

Three Frogs Hangin' 2
Watercolor
13"x9"
$150.00

My sister and I took Mom and Dad to a butterfly farm. In the gift shop Mom saw the statue of a frog that Mom liked. Karen, my sister, is a stained glass artist. She wanted me to download pictures of frogs from the Internet so she could make a stained glass piece for my Mom.

I got an idea for a painting for the 'Think Green' Show at Waverly house. I started downloading images of frogs. Heads pocking out of the water and bodies under the water, were my target.

There is a copyright issue about painting from photos that someone else has taken. I used an eye here an mouth there and developed the bodies from several photos. At no time did I copy an image. I just used the photos for information. Problem solved.

I painted the frogs first. I had to mask the heads to do the water on the top. I did the same for the bodies under the water, but also did several layers of washes that went over the top of the frogs. As with the other frog painting, I worked to make above the water cool. (sky reflection) Under the water was done in warmer tones.

This painting was the first of the two started. I did not like how it was going so I started another painting, which I finished in one night for the competition. This painting was toyed with, for several more weeks. I finished it for the Animal show at Finley River, but I did not enter it because I had two other paintings ready for that show.

Finally I put this painting in a show this fall at the College of the Ozarks. I will ship it to St. Louis as soon as it comes home. It has sold.

2009-11-19T15:05:00.005-06:00

Toucan Watch

Watercolor

13"x16"

$150.00

I took this photo at an bird habitat in Banson, MO. I put this on my desktop as wallpaper and created a shortcut on my desktop to the picture. The shortcut was mistake. The photo was deleted and the shortcut was useless. Not being able to print this one, I ended up photoing the computer screen.

When I went to Florida with this painting in tow it got a nasty scratch across the belly. It showed up on the white and would would look worse if paint were to be applied. I eventually started to grove the paper with the back of a chiseled brush to simulate feathers. The embossing actually disguised the scratch.

I have an attitude with a painting that I believe is dead. I can do anything to them, because a dead painting cannot be killed. There is nothing to loose, being really creative begins. An artist is a problem solver.

The background is done with paint being put down on a wet surface. After that dried I lifted paint out to create the impression of foliage. As always there was not much information in the black. Photos are that way. I downloaded images of other toucans from the Internet to give me help.

This painting was punched out to enter in the Finley River Competition, wild animals as a theme. I had been stewing over this one for more than a year. It is good how a deadline can get some paintings off the board. I was shocked that this won Best of Show. I nearly spit my coffee out with they announced it at a meeting.

This bird got painted because of the colors in his beak and eye. It is now hanging in our condo in Florida, and my sister loves it and is probably trying to figure out how it could could come to live at her house.

When photographing this one for printing, the lighting must be angled to catch the grooves. I think I got the right photo. We'll see when I fire up the giclee printer.

2009-10-24T06:51:00.001-05:00

I have decided. When 'The Bug' comes home, I am removing the dark green leg. It may show up in the photo, but the painting does not need it.

2009-10-22T18:14:00.002-05:00

Bulldog Smile

Watercolor

15"x 22"

$650.00

I guess I need to get another photo of this painting when it comes home. Being 300 lb rough paper, the bumps are showing a shadow that I cannot edit out and hold onto the integrity of the image. Grumble, grumble.

This was the third painting I enter in a show and it won juror's choice award. Boy was I spoiled.

This one was painted while I was caring for my mother-in-law, who had cancer. I was spending months away form my bulldog puppy. My daughter was caring for her in my absence and the dog became the darling of the art school that my daughter was attending.

This is the largest size of paper that I can fit in my suitcase.

There is a lot of wet into wet work here. I think the fluid look of the eyes make the painting. When I took this photo of Maggie she was only three months old. I thought she had that loving look a baby gets when looking at it's mother. Actually her jaw had not grown enough for the fangs to show in the typical bulldog smile. When I had returned home her jaw had protruded and her smile, with teeth, appeared. I drove her nuts trying to get the right photo at the right angle to aid me. I added those teeth last, after the painting could have been done. People believe that watercolor is unforgiving and hard to change. This painting is proof that that is not so.

There is a another bulldog painting that I painted before this one. It also won a Juror's choice award. When ever I exhibited both paintings together 'The Bulldog Smile' would always win over the other one. This week I put this painting in a show that is displaying in our local library and it won first place again. I am not surprised.

2009-10-20T09:36:00.002-05:00

This painting is now hanging at Hammons Hall. I like the colors and the whimsy. This is the first painting I did after bringing my parents home to live with me. I had just moved and my studio still needed to be set up. There was a leak in the roof while I was in Florida caring for my mom after heart surgery. My husband and the contractor had knocked a big hole in the wall and pulled the carpet back. Everything was pushed to one side. No wonder I did not paint much during that time.

Sunflowers and Blackbird

20"x13.5"

$400.00

I have always liked sunflowers. yellow has been my favorite color since childhood. This flowers always face the direction where they get the most sun. In my old house they faced to the outside of the fence. At my new house they face my porch. Location, location. I try to do one sunflower painting a season. There is another one in this series. The next sunflower painting will be more realistic presenting the drama of their size.

This painting started out as play. First I created the centers by laying down paint and then touching the paint with drops of alcohol. Then I started creating the pedals by laying down the oranges and yellows then used a rubber spatula to move the paint around. The hard edge of the spatula also marked the paper with lines to help define the pedals. A lot of painting around the edges and additons of line and color for the background. The blackbird showed up late in the painting process. I like how the blue of the sky is in the flower's center and mixed in the stems.

2009-10-18T12:12:00.002-05:00

The Bug

11'x15'

Watercolor

$150.00

This was a little difficult because the photo was fuzzy. I was attracted to the detailing of the wings. This is a funny angle for this bug because his body is long and narrow. I am not sure the legs are right yet. This has been entered in the Hammons Hall show. It may come out of the frame when it gets home.

2009-10-14T15:40:00.002-05:00

Orchids des Rouge

Watercolor

15"X 22"

$450.00

I love painting white. I discovered this when painting white face clowns. I purchased this orchid specifically to paint. Being the first one I owned, I was surprised how long the flowers last.

The real reason for this painting was to created the riotous red background. I used gold pigment in the background to add elegance. This often hangs in my red powder room if it is not hanging in public.

2009-10-13T21:42:00.003-05:00

Scaffolding, City View
Watercolor
20"x 16"
$500.00

I won second place in the professional division, in the Neocho art show. This painting was done from a photo of scaffolding outside the Smithsonian Art museum. It told forever to get a clear photo in such low light. I like how you can see the city through the scaffolding. I wish that I had entered this one in Watercolor USA, but not I think the painting is too old.

2009-09-28T16:24:00.002-05:00

Where Is It?

Watercolor

19x16

$500.00

Won the Theme Award

This painting will be for sale at the Waverly House, Girl's Shelter Benefit. The theme was 'Everyday Life."

My mother went into the hospital the week this painting was due for judging. It was quite an ambitious painting for the time I had to finish it. It seemed like everything was working against me getting this one done on time. I was determined and stayed up most of the night painting. I am pleased with it, but the finished product has not been in the studio for long. If it sells in the show it is done. If it comes back for awhile, I cannot be sure it will not come out of the frame for tweaking.

I'm often asked if I am afraid of ruining a successful painting. I really have not had that problem. At this stage all changes are deliberate and I am certain what I want to do. I have been painting long enough that I can usually accomplish what I set out to do.

The planning stage for each new painting is very important, but often I let the painting lead me in the beginning. It can take a different direction that I did not expect. If I get stuck I put a piece aside for awhile until I know where I am taking it next. Often I get to a point where I dislike the painting. I guess I've been staring at it for too long. I little step back helps my attitude.

'Where Is It,' I\is one of the few that painted itself. My only struggle was time and stamina for the tedious work. I worked on a second piece ,to enter the show, just to give me a break from this one. I would switch paintings every hour or so. My head kept telling me that this was insane, because I wasn't sure that I had time to finish the first one. My gut told me this would be the only way I could mentally achieve my goals with 'Where Is It."

The second painting did not make the show and I will probably finish it this week.

Oh the games I play with myself....

2009-09-25T12:59:00.002-05:00

This is a painting that was started for the 'Beauty of Everyday Life' competition at Waverly house. Because of my mom's recient illness and hospitalization I only had time to finish the 'Silverware Drawer' or 'Where is It'.

I will be calling later today to see how that painting faired.

This painting is to be called 'Morning coffee.' I can see that there are issues with some of the cups. I will be dealing with that today. This is done on hot press paper and is more delicate to paint removal. As mean as I have been with my paintings lately, we will see how things go.

So far I am putting in the background by patiently painting around the foreground. I will have to mask the bottem of the cups to do the grantic counter top.

2009-09-23T22:24:00.002-05:00

I finished the kitchen drawer painting today. Unfortunatly, I had to put it in a frame and deliver it to a competition before photographing it. Maybe I can retrieve it this weekend for photographing.

This was an ambitious endeavor for the amount of time. My mother went in the hospital this last week, which made finishing this painting more insane.

It felt like working on a puzzle. I resorted to fitting each little shape together. I ran out of time and turned what was left to do more abstract. Maybe that will give a balance for the tedious detail.

I wish I had time to work out bugs on this one, that may happen after the show.

In the end I did a wash of golden ochre. This helps to pull a congested painting more together.

2009-09-18T16:19:00.002-05:00

Making good progress. Seven more days to paint. I think the black is actually going be what directs the eye around the painting.

My mom is better and we are done with the doctor's appointments for this week. Now maybe I can concentrate better on this one.

2009-09-13T12:46:00.003-05:00

I am pleased with how this progressing. I worked several hours on this on Saturday. I am not stressing on what is happening with this painting. This will be one thatI will really miss when it is done. I must get the entry form to Waverly House, Monday, and order the frame.

2009-09-10T19:43:00.002-05:00

I am working on the background, and am happy with the lime green of the shelf paper. Now I am ready to take a few more photos of the drawer rearranging things a little. I will remove items, to the left, to show more of the shelf paper. Some things of interest will be added to the silverware section.

2009-09-08T23:20:00.001-05:00

My Corel Draw is down. This picture is pretty crude. Making progress, but I really need to step it up. Today I am working on the drawer lining.

2009-09-03T09:19:00.002-05:00

Not the greatest photo but it important to get moving. This is a painting of my silverware drawer. It must be completed by September 22. There is a lot of work here. My idea is to put my reflection into a few of the shiny pieces and maybe put the handle and part of my body at the bottom. I am not sure of the latter idea. I think that I will change the drawer lining from beige to a lime green to match an ice cream scoop.

I should get that scoop painted today so I can start dealing with the back ground.

Titles: Where Is It? Where Is My Potato Peeler?

Happy birthday to me.:)

2009-08-20T06:34:00.002-05:00

Here is a comparison with the actual photo. I am surprised to see the front body shortened. I am still working on the positioning of the back right leg. The is the bug's leg. This is the upper right leg of the painting. The wings might get some more light or pop, or not. This is about done.

2009-08-12T19:28:00.002-05:00

I did get this posted on 'The Different strokes page.' The painting was so-so. It was a difficult subject.

Most of my difficulty is my computer. I have a new computer and am operating with a free trial of Corel Draw. The discs are missing for this program. I also can not find the disk for my giclee printer.

We moved since these programs were last installed. I have a lot of searching to do.

I am hoping that the color of my new monitor will not mess up my printing process. I guess I can adjust that when I find the software.

2009-08-07T16:25:00.002-05:00

The images are flipped here. Obviously the first one is the most developed. Grrr.

All I've got to say, is there is a lot of detail in them thar hills.

Koi close up 8/3

2009-08-07T16:10:00.001-05:00

I think that I am finally making progress here. Less paint is more at this stage.

2009-08-07T15:41:00.002-05:00

I am frustrated. My computer is down. I have jerry-rigged a laptop, with a card reader. There is no way for me to edit photos at this time. Now I just discovered that I cannot pull up blog pictures for comparison. I guess I can go back and do that later.

I think this painting may now be done. I added highlights in the center. Some of the heavy cadmium yellow was lifted. I pulled back some of the red in the flower and added red to the leaves. Now I don't have isolated color problems.

2009-08-04T08:59:00.002-05:00

This is only a part of the painting. The orange fish in the lower left is too straight. I may want to push darks. The goal is to paint more. I have been tired with my mother in the hospital. Hopefully they will release her soon.

2009-08-04T08:53:00.002-05:00

Started putting color in this one. So far I am very pleased. I added the bay in the distance. It was the first thing I painted. The actual color choice may not be a reality. More like Key West. I just wanted it notice and color punch. Have to check the shore line. I think the problem is in the photo.

2009-08-01T22:29:00.002-05:00

This will sound really stupid, but I just figured out that I had comments and how to view them. It is encouraging to know there are people out there watching. I am excited to start checking out other blogs. Eventually, I will get the hang of this.

2009-08-01T12:37:00.003-05:00

I have started the new two week challenge. I think of it as my life. I must simplify, simplify, simplify. At first the San Francisco scene looked drab and hectic. As a started sketching it really be began to appeal to me. After I do this one maybe I will pull out the unfinished 'NY Cotton Candy.' And push to finish it.

I am puzzling over the 'Every day show' at Waverly house. After drawing the detail cramped scene of San Fransisco, I pulled out misc. silverware drawer and thought. That would be a challenge.

2009-07-30T23:39:00.002-05:00

This came together. I will look at it again next week. This photo is not at good as I would like. No sun. I like the indigo in the background. I may deepen it. The picture is flipped. Gosh, time to go to bed.

2009-07-28T18:48:00.002-05:00

Playing in the Shade

20"x14"

$400.00

This was painted from a photo. This white cat would come from across the street every afternoon to my daughter's yard. I love painting white. This cat hung around for quite and extensive photo shot.

The above branches was made up and experiment with negative painting.

I often find this painting turned upside-down when displayed as a matted print. It must be the unusual vantage point.

2009-07-28T18:26:00.002-05:00

Three Frogs Hangin' 2

$150.00???

1/4 sheet

Again I do not have the specs on the painting and it is at Waverly House. This was painted for the same show as 'Resting Dragonfly.' It did make it into the show.

I cut the mat with name of the board showing up on the front. I asked if I could return the next moring with the painting, for I was tied up with doctor's appointments for my parents.

The second mat was too small and I told the gallery owner that I wanted to fix the mat if it made it into the show. I did fix the mat and was told that the painting would had receive. an award if the mat had been right. I was encouraged that the judges like the paint that much. This was the first show I had entered in a year, since moving my elderly parents. At the time I felt rusty.

I started over with this painting. The first one had issues. I actually painted this one in one evening. The next morning I decided to add withe to the surface of the water. The intention was to make it cool as a contrast to the under the water. This is a little reminiscent of 'Fish Frolic.' I should up load that one next.

I got my material by downloading several images of frog heads in the water and frog bodies. I was careful not to copy, but started sketching and came up withe the drawing.

The under water and bodies is a lot of wet into wet, and then glazing. The fuzziness lends to the under water effect.

2009-07-28T18:10:00.002-05:00

Resting Dragonfly

$150.00 ??

1/4 sheet

I have not been good at keeping accurate records of my paintings lately. I am not sure of the size or price of this piece. I do know that it is at the Waverly House Gallery.

This was painted for a competition on "Green." This did not make it in the show.

This painting should not have not been the struggle that it was. The soft hot press paper made painting the leaves a nightmare. Hard edges would appear constantly after paint dried. This is the hard edge where pigment would float to the edge. I solved the problem be adding a little white to my greens. This also helped in achieving the color I wanted. The dragonfly was a challenge because of the transparent wings. This is one of my paintings that has has to be viewed up close. The wings show more than in the photo. The photo was taken on a bush outside of the Naples condo.

2009-07-28T18:06:00.002-05:00

Sunrise

7"x10"

$185.00

This painting was painted in a series of three. My goal was to paint the scene out my deck window at sunrise. Each painting had to be in a different style. This one was the most successful and was the third painting. My intent was to give the feeling of stained glass.

2009-07-28T17:51:00.002-05:00

I am submitting this to the Different stroke blog before the deadline.

The background is a kit for patching dry wall. Oh the tools we use.

2009-07-27T14:13:00.003-05:00

Another day painting. I think that I am on a roll. I let the paint play on it's own. When everything was fairly set and dry I used watercolor pencils to add some accents. They also helped in softening some lines. Now the trick is to paint on something else today.

2009-07-26T13:12:00.001-05:00

I am experimenting here. I backed the white off a bit. This is different than printing. I think the colors are truer.

2009-07-26T12:55:00.002-05:00

iThis is a true 'day painting'. I completed this in the time it took to play one CD. No cheating this is done...at least maybe until tomorrow. I used a sample of Arches Hot Press paper, 300 lb. It is was easy to use. I could control my edges easily. I got into playing the turquoise against the red.

You know that the beetle is trying to figure out if he eats tomatoes. Then he has to weigh how long would he really live if I caught him snacking on my tomato. I had a little issue because the tomato is live-sitting under my art lamp, and the beetle was a blow up of a photo.

The Bug

2009-07-23T16:12:00.002-05:00

I like how this is coming. I've been working on the legs and the under body. The top of the bug has more form. In the next painting session I want to make upper body cooler and the under body warmer. The upper left leg needs to come down. I think that I want air between that leg and the head. I also have been working on the light against dark with the background and the legs. The connection of the wing toward the eye needs work. The bug face is improving. Do bugs smile? I think I'm kidding.

2009-07-23T10:32:00.001-05:00

Hmmmm. Painting with a rhythm or variation of the literal in mind. I will visit in the Koi painting and the New York painting.

2009-07-20T15:52:00.002-05:00

Orchids $200.00 10x14

This was one of my first watercolor paintings. My family was sleeping and I sat out on my mothers patio at dawn painting this from an orchid hanging in a pot. I think that I did this in two sessions. It gets too hot, quickly. I did not know much about negative painting at the time but this is a good example. I Like painting white.

This was too cool for my tasted so the rose was washed over the painting after it was totally dry. I avoided the white orchids. Voila!

2009-07-18T14:49:00.002-05:00

TOMATO FLIGHT: 16"x19" $400.00

I started this painting on a trip to Washinton D.C.

Upon returning home there would be only one week left to finish this for a compitition.

Before we left Washington, my husband's father died. I needed to go to Melbourn, Floida. First I had to accomply our little brother home. My husband and myself are a big brother couple.

Upon returning my suitcase was filled with clean clothes and I headed to Florida. I grabbed an airplane toy and the snapshot of the moth. I sat on the sidewalk with my camera getting a photo of the moth earlier that summer. Another artist friend of mine took the actual moth home with her. That helped not feel so eccentric.

My explanation for the flying objects in a painting of tomatoes was my mood after being on 5 airplanes in less than 24 hours. Actually the color of the plane lead to many color injections into the shadows or reflective light of the tomatoes.

The tomatoes came from a few snapshots at a farmer's market. I think that the yellow or green tomatoes added visual interest.

I learned to keep the shadows cleaner here by playing cool reds against warm reds and varying the water content. Cool reds are on top, because of the reflective color of the sky. Under shadows are warm. I learned along time ago that under shadows are warm.

The painting won an award in the competition.

2009-07-14T14:17:00.002-05:00

Now I need to slow down and add detail to the face and hands. The hands need to be adjusted. They are different sizes.

It is so great to finally see the sun today. Now the heat will probably come.

2009-07-14T14:11:00.000-05:00

Well I still need to do something with the right eye.

2009-07-12T17:25:00.003-05:00

This has come a long way. The body is showing up more. I like the imaginary wings. The right eye needs more definition. The under body needs more and the orange on the legs is too isolated.

2009-07-12T13:07:00.002-05:00

I have found a way to add two images at once. We will see how this looks. This painting is a challenge from a website. I first sketched the sitting man. Then I added background interest using a dry-wall patch kit from the garage. Don't tell my husband.

I wanted to remove some of the spots. Since sepia was in the mix a tan color remained. Now I am developing some of the color temperatures and shadowing in the man's clothes. I am surprised how much green is present in the man's skin.

He seems to sit on the page well. I may not have to develop what he is sitting on much. His clothes are blue. The temperature of different areas will help in modeling his clothes. Painting his skin will be fun. I wish there was more of it.

Now I must let everything dry very well, before detail can be added.

2009-07-07T15:12:00.003-05:00

This is taking form. I am really just experimenting as I go. I must make sure the bug shines, and not let the background come forward. There is still plenty of time to adjust light against dark and color saturation.

The Bug

2009-07-07T10:45:00.004-05:00

I am starting this painting. I did few
sketches, but did minimal drawing
on the painting. I am sketching more
with the paintbrush. I am paying attention to the shapes within the body. I plan to do this bug again with a different view of his body. Eventually I will dig up the bug book and identify this one

Koi Swirl

2009-07-02T13:19:00.002-05:00

I sold a painting yesterday at the Finley River Art Gallery. It sold before it was hung on the wall. 'Koi Swirl' is a watercolor on a quarter sheet of paper.

This painting was on my ugly list. I often do creative or experimental things to paintings in this category. I figure that I can not kill them because they is already dead.

In this case, that approach was successful. This is one of the rare paintings that I do not have a photo of. It looks like I need to paint more pictures of Koi. They do not stay in the Galleries long.

Work on exhibition

2009-07-02T13:09:00.004-05:00

I have three paintings at the Library Center in Springfield.

2009-06-28T12:34:00.003-05:00

I thought of adding the bug and using this photo of the leaves to develop this painting. There is not much room here unless I cut the sunflower out and collage it. Maybe this is the wrong bug or I could maybe use a different view of the bug.

I must identify this critter. It is much cooler and less humid this morning. It was great working in the garden this morning. I hate it when it is a race between my wilting or the flowers wilting before I get the watering done.

2009-06-28T12:22:00.004-05:00

I should finish this painting. Koi paintings are always popular. The highlights on top of the water are not reading. The white of the upper koi is pulling forward. I probably need to switch values.

2009-06-28T11:55:00.002-05:00

I am often frustrated with a painting at this stage. I not sure where it was going, but it is going somewhere

2009-06-25T11:48:00.002-05:00

I have been having problems with my digital camera taking hazy pictures. I was suspecting a camera problem.

It was not what I was thinking. The problem was going from a cool house into the steamy outside. The lens was fogging up. Duh....

2009-06-23T15:24:00.001-05:00

Changed my mind I am still experimenting.

2009-06-23T15:17:00.004-05:00

Still messing around. The preview does not really look like the publish. With the next post I am going to try a small first image and a medium second image.

2009-06-23T14:44:00.003-05:00

Today I needed a before and after image. I worked on the butterfly and the the orchids closet to it. I am pumping up values around the butterfly. I am not sure of the color of the upper wings.

A counter lines or lines may be needed to compliment the the strong direction of the leaves. Maybe I can do this with grass to the left of the orchids. The sky may help here too.

I don't think I like the color introduced to the right yellow orchid.

2009-06-21T12:35:00.005-05:00

I did a small show last Friday, with six other artist, last Friday evening. We were hosted by the photo department of a pharmacy in Nixa. They did a beautiful job.

The sad thing was a scant attendance. I sold a few things and had much positive attention and admiration. It is always good to get feedback from the public on what they really think about different paintings.

The public often sees painting with different eye. than mine.

Now the question is how to get them to come?

Back to Routine

2009-06-21T12:27:00.002-05:00

I was very busy last week, with a visit to both of my Children in Kansas City. I returned home to do an art show and then finally this weekend was Father's Day.

I am looking forward to having time to fuss over my garden, my house and of course my paintings.

I really should alternate sessions of fussing and then just slapping color down.

I really want my world to be full of color. Black and white is too boring. I am attracted to vibrant exciting color. Now that is really living.

2009-06-15T23:10:00.002-05:00

I have not painted in the last two days. I am in Kansas City visiting my children. My daughter works the night shift and will be sleeping until 11:00 AM. I am an early riser and will paint in the morning.

In the meantime I purchased two books:
1. A Celebration of Light
2. Botanical Illustration Course with the Eden Project

My daughter also left me a library book called "Buying a Piece of Paris." Ah, the Paris dream. I wish I knew all the French words in the book, but author has the same delima. I am sure at this time she knows more French than me.

2009-06-12T13:19:00.002-05:00

I started a painting using small orchids. One was a brilliant magenta. The other is a striking yellow with reddish purple spots.

The drawing on this one was not so hot. Composition lacks. There is a lot of fixing to do. Oh well sometimes great paintings rises from the one that needs to be saved. I may try another one if the orchids hold up.

I was having a time getting the magenta color. Every combination of blue and rose was dull. I know if I would use opera I could achieve the color I want. I refuse to do that because opera is fugitive.

I was messing around before a painting session and discovered that Rembrandt Mauve and rose come the closest to the magenta I want. Keeping the paint light and pumping up the vibrancy with background colors helps. I also deiced that the yellow orchids will be the center of focus.

Beginning

2009-06-11T12:26:00.003-05:00

Here we go. I vowed to start a blog this week. I have no idea what I am doing. The fun is figuring it out latter.

I have figured out that it is very important to linger. I get so busy. I don't want to stop. Lingering, helps to to get in a mode of gratitude.

Painting is a lingering process. An image of what to paint has to come mind. How will I achieve this image is the first question. What attracts me to the image. Then there is usually a drawing process, although I do not take a long time here. I work out just the bones.

Usually before the painting is finished there is a manic stages. At the beginning, there may be one for just applying color in the right places.

Before you know it I am back at lingering or maybe fussing. My edges have to be adjusted. Color and values have to be pumped up. What am I to do fix issues. Creativity is a process of problem solving.

Then there is the last manic stage. Finish the painting and get it off the board. I don't like to finish paintings much. This something I must correct. A deadline helps here. Now I am off to paint...tra la.