Little Bird

"Little Bird"

8" x 10" Watercolor

Here's what I've been working on in Workshop. It's also for my sister, for her birthday. I'm pretty happy with it, but I really would like to learn how to paint "looser". I really like the watercolor paintings that aren't so detailed, but more of a "Feel". But, of course, the answer to that is to practice more!

This coming weekend, Rainbow Springs State Park will be offering "Art in the Park". It should be a terrific weekend for it, weatherwise! I'm anxious to attend -- I remember going the first year we lived here, but now it will be even more interesting for me. I'm hoping to find a painting group that I can join locally.

It's really feeling like Spring here -- in the 80's and Sunny! YAY!

Knitting, not painting

Well, this could become a painting someday! The Azaleas are out in full force! I think it's the one time of the year when there is riotious color all over this part of Florida! Just wish they had a sweet smell to go along with the beauty.

So, I've been doing some knitting, instead of painting. I am working on a Watercolor that I hope to finish in tomorrow's workshop, though. The socks pictured here are "1st socks" (the second socks are on needles now!) On the left is the first of a pair for my Dear Husband, Bill -- and the other is the first of a pair for my Sweet Stepdaughter, Cathy. Hopefully, both 2nd socks will be finished in time for next Winter!!

And, here is the progress on the "Waterfall Scarf" that I started a long time ago! Scarves are so fun to begin, and then take FOREVER to finish!

I'm finding that since I'm home all the time, I'm starting to get itchy to do all sorts of creative things. Who knows, maybe the sewing machine will get dusted off next!!

Cool New Stuff!

How Cool are these! One of my awesome instructors, Carlynne, has this incredible painting hanging in the art shop where I go for workshop. Today, she showed us these wonderful mousepads and cups (and she also has coasters) that were made with the image of her painting. So, of course, I had to have some!

I wish I had a painting to show, but I'm not quite finished with it. It's a little more intricate than I've done, so I have a lot more to do with it.

I must tell you that being retired is absolutely terrific! I'm actually starting to sleep in - sometimes as late as 7:00! And, for those of you who know me, that's really late! It's amazing how good I feel -- the stress has just melted away! It will be better, though, when I can start getting some Social Security $$. That will help pay for my painting addictions!

Practice and Patience

This has been a very long week -- I've had a cold! It seems that all I've done is sleep, eat, sniffle and cough. I haven't been able to do much of anything else.


So, today, I felt a little better (which is good, since I really want to go to workshop tomorrow!), so I decided to practice a little. The painting above is a demonstration about reflections (watercolor) -- I really like the way it looks. Below is my own rendition of a landscape, trying to depict clouds. Don't think I nailed this yet, but I think I can do better next time. I'm hoping tomorrow to do another bird painting - this time in watercolor!

"Summer Sky"

7" x 10" Watercolor

Wedding Gift

"Wedding Flowers"

9" x 12" Framed Watercolor

What fun I had in Workshop today! My sister, Barbara, is getting married later this month -- and she asked me for a painting as a wedding gift. So, here it is! Sorry for the glare - I didn't have my camera with me to take the picture before it was framed.

Watercolor is so wonderful! I spent only about 2 hours painting this - and of course, it dried quickly (with a hair dryer) - and I had it matted and framed - and it's done! I'm taking it over to her later today, and I hope she likes it!

Can't wait to do some more!

Sweet Heidy

"Sweet Heidy"

7" x 10" Watercolor

This is the first watercolor painting that I've done from a photo - on my own. I found this pretty flower picture in a Wayside Gardens catalog. It's a new kind of Geranium - so sweet!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

So, today was spent practicing on Watercolor. It is soooooo much fun! Harder than I thought, though, without my wonderful teachers by my side. I'm just playing with some things from a watercolor book.





I really kind of like this one -- the way the clouds appear and the vibrant colors! I'm going to try a floral next, I think!

Ziggy says:



"All this practice is wearing me out!"

Oh, What Fun!

"Simple Flowers"

11" x 15" Watercolor

Well, I think I fell down the rabbit hole! Went to workshop today and had them teach me about watercolor. Now, I know this painting is very simplistic and childish, but -- What Fun! I can't wait to play with some more!

What's so interesting to me is that painting with watercolors is about the exact opposite of painting with oils! You paint light to dark, instead of dark to light -- you want all the paint to run together -- and you can dry it fast with a hair dryer! And, you know how I love Instant Gratification!!!

Must go now -- the paint is calling me!

Another Bird

"Goldfinch on Redbud Branch"

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas Panel

I've been browsing through a lot of "Birds & Blooms" magazines lately. They have the most amazing photographs of birds in them. I think I might paint some more!

Yesterday, my friend Pat and I went to the Mount Dora Art Festival. What a treat! I haven't been to an art festival since leaving Kansas City 6 years ago. This one is huge! Street after street of amazing artists, all with very different visions and mediums. Believe it or not, I didn't purchase any art -- just a cool pottery piece. And, I discovered that my body just won't hold up anymore to walk up and down the streets all day -- after about 3 hours, I was done! That was a real surprise (and not a pleasant one, for sure!).

Today in Workshop, I was watching another artist working on a watercolor -- and decided that watercolor looks like something I just might need to learn! Oh No! More $$$ to spend! I think that I'll try something next week, using one of the instructors equipment, and see if it really is as much fun as it looks.

The weather has been spectacular the past 2 days! Sunny, and in the high 70's! Soon, the azaleas will be in full bloom, and Spring will be right behind! As much as I miss living near my kids and grandkids, during the Winter -- it's all worth it!