Christmas Pears

5" x 7" Watercolor

Bill's son and his wife gave us the gift of "Fruit of the Month" from Harry & David. This month was pears. They were so pretty, I just had to paint them! Maybe I'll try to do that with the rest of the fruit as it comes!

I'll be leaving for Kansas City tomorrow, and will return next Tuesday, the 30th. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Paint Out Thursday

5" x 7" Watercolor

Today, we painted at Rainbow Springs State Park. Since I live less than a mile from there, I've photographed and painted several scenes from there. It's always a challenge to find something new. The Pavillion, above, is where the Watercolor Club sets up for "Art in the Park" each year. This year, it will be the last weekend in February. I plan on having some paintings for sale then. Below is another little scene from the park.

5" x 7" Watercolor

Winter Card

5" x 7" Watercolor Card

Today in Pat's class, she had us paint a little 4" x 6" card - and then we will affix it to a 5" x 7" blank card. I couldn't think of anything to paint, so I did another winter snow scene. I think this will be my last. I don't seem to have much imagination left!

Painting classes will be in hiatus till mid January. It will seem strange to keep all my painting gear in my studio for weeks -- not dragging it all over every week! I still have a plein air paint out on Thursday, though. We'll be at Rainbow Springs State Park - it will be interesting to see if I can find anything to paint!

Birds & Iris

5" x 7" Watercolor

Here are 2 little paintings that I did today in Marilee's class. Simple birds, drawn with ink and just a little paint -- so sweet!

5" x 7" Watercolor

This painting is from a photo that I have from my visit to my daughter's last Spring. These are Serena's Iris.

Noro Scarf

I've been addicted to knitting this weekend! I'm doing some other Christmas knitting, but can't show you - it's a surprise! So, of course, on top of that, I needed to start yet another scarf! (I've got 3 scarves on needles now that will probably never see the light of day!)

But this one is just too cool! Made with 2 different colorways of Noro Kureyon, it ends up fading from one color to another within the stripes. And, since it's done on size 9 needles, it should go together fast.

In painting news, we had a fabulous Christmas luncheon at Watercolor Club yesterday. And a great demo from Donna Morrison, painting on clayboard. Very interesting! I hope to get to a new painting soon!

Flowers & a Winter Pond

5" x 7" Watercolor

I painted two little paintings today in Pat's class. She brought in a lot of grocery store flowers, and some plastic cups, and we made bouquets and painted them. I haven't done a lot of painting from real life (usually I paint from photos), and I was a little nervous about drawing them -- but I think they turned out ok.

5" x 7" Watercolor

This one came out of my head! I was just playing around with a sketch, and ended up with this painting. Not too bad!

Amaryllis

11" x 15" Watercolor

This is the painting I did today in Marilee's class. I love Amaryllis! It made me so happy to paint this.

Orchid Bouquet

5" x 7" Watercolor

Yesterday, Donna and I went back to the flea market. There was a gentleman there selling orchid plants, and he had a bunch of bouquets made up of orchid branches -- simply breathtaking! So, of course, we bought some -- and I put them in a vase in the windowsill. I smile every time I look at them!

4 Tulips

5" x 7" Watercolor

I've decided that I will make these little paintings an intregal part of my showing at "Art in the Park" in February. I've framed one in a little 5" x 7" frame, and it looks great on a table. I will also mat some for use in a 8" x 10" frame. I think I'll call these "Tabletop Art". And, they will sell at a very reasonable price. What do you think?

Snow Day

9" x 12" Watercolor

This is what we worked on in class yesterday. I never thought I would enjoy painting snow scenes, but I'm finding that they are a lot of fun!

Michigan Fall

5" x 7" Watercolor

Here's another little painting I did yesterday. This is my interpretation of a photo from my sister, who traveled to Michigan this fall.

Mountain Scene

5" x 7" Watercolor

I'm still lovin' these small paintings! I do think that I'll mat them and put them in my browse box during Art in the Park. I think they'd make cute little table top art. And, they'll be at a very inexpensive price!

This scene is from an old photo that I found of my mother's. I have no idea where this is, but I think it's really pretty!

Backlit Buddha

5" x 7" Watercolor

I'm really liking these little 5" x 7" paintings that I've been doing. I have no idea exactly what I will do with them, though.

This is the challenge from the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. I wasn't sure that I was going to attempt it, but I think it turned out ok. I still might crop it some more before I send it to Karin -- we'll see.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Turtle

5" x 7" Watercolor

Here is another little painting that I worked on in class today. This is from another one of Donna's wonderful photos! Don't know how I would find enough to paint without her!!

Snowy Cardinal

5" x 7" Watercolor

Next month at the Watercolor Club, we'll be having a luncheon. We've all been asked to paint a small painting. They'll give us a number, and then number all the paintings -- then we'll get to keep the painting that is our number. Sweet! So, this is what I've been working on today. Not sure yet if it will be "the one" for the luncheon. We'll see..........

Liberty Park

9" x 12" Watercolor

This morning I met a couple of gals from the Watercolor Club at Liberty Park in Inverness for a little Plein Air Painting. It was a little cool in the beginning, but then warmed up nicely. It really is nice to sit outdoors, listening to nature and painting. It's hard, though, to figure out just WHAT to paint -- there are so many beautiful vistas to choose from.

I did figure out that I don't like the little paintbox I have for this. It's really bad paint. So, I'm going to have to come up with new way to carry the paint I usually use. I had to bring this one back to the studio to finish - and I'm still not too crazy about it. Oh well, I still had fun and made a couple of new friends!

New Life

12" x 16" Watercolor

The class that I take on Tuesdays is in the Methodist Church here in Dunnellon. The Pastor asked our class if we would do some paintings for him to use in his sermons during Advent, using the theme of "New Life".

When Pat told us about this, I immediately thought of a seedling - brand new with so much potential, much like all of us are when we are born. How we are cared for and nurtured will determine the beauty of our bloom!

Tom Jones Paintings

Today was the final day of our workshop with Tom Jones. I don't have any paintings of my own to share, since all of my efforts today looked like crap! But, I would like to share these three paintings that Tom did for us in class - they are just magnificant! And, like the rock star he is, he gave each one of us a personalized signed print of one of his paintings! What a wonderful weekend!

This one was the final one, and he didn't have time to finish the lower rocks - but beautiful just the same!

(Donna, notice the hanging moss on this one!!)


Now if I could just soak up all I learned and paint like this!!!

Great Workshop!

Today was the first day of our Tom Jones Workshop - and what a day it was!! A lot of people told me that I would learn more in this weekend than in any other class -- and so far, I think they are right!


Tom would do a demo, and then we'd paint for only about 1/2 hour, using the techniques he just showed us.

First up was the "Colorful Building" - followed by "Misty Mountains" - and finally, "Trees"
For very quick painting, I was fairly happy with how they turned out! Much more tomorrow!

Tom Jones Weekend!

Another great day at Watercolor Club! Tom Jones (above with yours truly) was our guest demonstrator. And, I'll be attending his 2-day workshop Saturday and Sunday! He's just so nice and so much fun! I'm really looking forward to it -- even if it means having to get up super early tomorrow to get there to snag a great spot!

Below is the painting he did for us today in his demo:

Poinsettia?

9" x 12" Watercolor

This was a fun project that we did in Pat's class yesterday. First, we drew on the paper with white latex paint the outline of our subject. Let it dry, then added watercolor. Very free-form, and interesting. I tried not to overdo it - and tried to keep that impressionistic look.

An Apple A Day

9" x 12" Watercolor

This is what I worked on yesterday in Marilee's class. Donna had provided me with a terrific photo that she had taken in Washington State in an apple orchard. Looks yummy, right? Marilee helped me a lot with this, and there is still some tweaking to do, but I'm pretty happy with it.

White Hibiscus

9" x 12" Watercolor

This is a little practice piece that I painted from Terry Madden's DVD that I bought last week. His technique is very spontaneous and quick -- and of course, I don't think I did as well as I could have. But, every painting is a learning process!

Speaking of a process, I have another 2 day workshop next weekend with Tom Jones. I hope this one goes better than the last one!!

Not Exactly a Monet!

Ok, so my paintings are not quite Museum quality -- but isn't this a blast!! One of the bloggers that I read had this on her site. Go to a website called Dumpr and you can add your painting, picture or whatever onto one of these museum walls! How cool!

You Never Know!!!

Waiting to Cross

This is the photo that Karin posted for artists to paint for Week 10 of the Challenge

This is my rendition -- I like things bright and colorful!

9" x 12" Watercolor

This will be my first time posting on Karin Jurick's new blog, "Different Strokes From Different Folks". She posts a photo each week, and invites artists to paint it and post it. It's so fun to see how everyone interprets the photo! I'm a little nervous, since most of the artists that participate are much more experienced than me, but so what! What's the worst that can happen? She posts paintings on the blog all week long - so keep checking it out!

Another Barn

12" x 16" Watercolor

Here's another barn painting that I did in Marilee's class yesterday. We always have a lot of fun in this class -- and learn a lot, too!

While I was surfing the other day, I found this fabulous blog: Different Strokes From Different Folks The premise is this -- Artist Karin Jurick posts a different photo each Wednesday evening, and challenges all artists who want to participate to paint the photo and email it to her. She posts all paintings she receives onto the blog. It's a great way to see how each artist interpretes the photo -- and she links each artist to their blog or website (if they have one). What a great way to find and learn about great artists! I'm going to try to participate in this week challenge.....Stay tuned!

Waiting on the River

9" x 12" Watercolor

I had a fun weekend! Donna and I went to the Market of Marion (huge flea market!) on Saturday, then then to "Art in the Park" at Rainbow Springs Park. I was talking to one of the members of the Citrus Watercolor Club about Plein Air Painting, and decided that I will go to their next paint out this month. So, today, I thought I would try my hand at painting outdoors, so I loaded up and went back to the park. Searched all over for something to paint -- finally found a picnic table that overlooks the river, and found these little fellows sitting around. It's my first attempt at this - and not a very good one (I might add). But it was really cool sitting there, feeling the fresh air, listening to the music and trying to capture a likeness of something I was seeing! There will be more of this in my future!

And, I found the coolest website called Uncommon Goods! Fun and interesting gift ideas -- Check it out!

Autumn Road

9" x 12" Oil on Canvas Panel

I broke out the oils this morning! What fun! I'd forgotten how much I like to paint with oils. This painting was from one of Donna's fabulous photos from her trip. I'm going to do another one, larger, on stretched canvas. This one was just for fun and to get back into the oils.

Happy Birthday To Me!

9" x 12" Watercolor

What a fun day I had today! Both of my children called to wish me a Happy Birthday early, then Donna and I went to painting class. Donna, being a terrific mother of 5, surprised me with: Balloons, Presents, my own personal Birthday Cake and even Goody Bags for all our friends in class! Talk about your PTA President! She also came back from a 2 week trip with some magnificant photos that we can hopefully turn into paintings!

My kids had given me gift cards from Michael's, so I got some stuff to start painting with oils again. I've been having the itch to play with oils, so the timing couldn't have been better. Last year on this day, I met the woman who would (a week later) teach me that it WAS POSSIBLE for me to paint! So, I've been on this journey for 1 year. I feel that I have improved this year, so there's every chance that I'll be doing even better next year! And, next year, I finally get paid for being old! Can't wait!

Cathy and the Dolphin

9" x 12" Watercolor

Today, I decided to try to paint another portrait, using the things I learned last weekend. This is from a photo I have of my stepdaughter, Cathy, when she got to swim with the dolphins. I'm pretty happy with it - even though it doesn't really look just like her. But, the "feel" is there.

The Swimming Hole

12" x 16" Watercolor

After two days of feeling totally out of my element, I decided to paint a landscape today. This is from a photo that my Tuesday instructor, Pat, gave us as homework. It's a familiar scene from Rainbow Springs State Park. I'm still not really finished with it, but after yesterday's fiasco, I really wanted something else to be on top on the blog!

My First (and probably my Last) Portrait!

Well, I finally made it through two grueling days of Workshop! I can't believe that I actually painted a portrait! Or, make that, TRIED TO PAINT A PORTRAIT! First came the drawing (which I don't do well), and then all the shadow painting (which I kinda liked), and even with Janet's help, I still think any 3rd grader could do better. This is not an area that I am comfortable with. But, I am proud of myself for at least trying. And, I have another workshop scheduled for next month! Landscapes - maybe I can do better there.

Here is one of Janet's demos. She calls it "Big Eye, Nose and Mouth". If only.............

Workshop Woes!

This is the first workshop I've ever attended, and it is Intense!!! Two full days of watching demos and painting! It's so cool to watch a well-known artist do her stuff -- and equally as humiliating to try to imitate! I am probably the "baby" of the group in terms of experience, so that alone is kind of intimidating (let's just say that nothing of mine was in "Show & Tell" today) - but I'm trying to stay open and learn whatever I can.



This is one of the practice pieces of roses. Janet Rogers actually painted the rose in the top right for me, and I tried to paint the others. She did tell me that it took her 10 years to master this! So, of course, I think I should master it today! More fun and games tomorrow - Portraits! Hope I can manage that! Stay tuned!

Janet Rogers

Janet Rogers was our guest demonstrator today at Watercolor Club. She paints some amazing portraits and flowers! (That is a mirror above her head so we can watch her paint!) I'm taking her workshop on Saturday and Sunday - I certainly hope I can pick up some tricks from her -- I LOVE the way she paints!

Below are two of the three paintings she demonstrated for us today (all done within about 1-1/2 hours!!!). Looking forward to tomorrow!

Fall Leaves

10" x 8" Watercolor

This is just a quick practice piece that I did in Marilee's class on Monday. Sometimes I miss the changing of the seasons -- but for me, Fall only just meant the beginning of Winter, which I can do without! Here in Florida, Fall is more subtle -- cooler mornings and evenings - some trees lose their leaves, some don't - and Winter still comes, just not as horrible!

Exciting weekend coming up! I'll be attending a workshop by Janet Rogers. She'll do a demonstration tomorrow at Watercolor Club, and then workshop on Saturday and Sunday. Can't wait!

Golden Poppy

12" x 9" Watercolor

I worked on this all weekend. It's a practice piece from a watercolor book that I have that's filled with large florals. I'm going to try a few more. I think it's pretty good, if I do say so myself! However, it does look better from several feet away!

I worked on several things during classs today -- none are ready to be posted yet, but if I can get some more painting time in tomorrow, they might get finished.

Lookout Point

9" x 12" Watercolor

This was a quick painting we did in class yesterday. Pat gave us a photograph, and we all painted it quickly. Of course, they were all very different.