Ready to Hang

The watercolor class that I take on Tuesday afternoons is located within the First Methodist Church in Dunnellon. The instructor, Pat, is a member of the church -- so every 6 months or so, her students hang their work down the hall of the Administrative Offices. This is the first time that I've been able to "hang" with them!



This one really has a red frame! It looks a lot prettier than this photo!




This is an example of one of the sides of the hallway.





And, down the other side! We do put prices on all the paintings, and several of the pieces have sold in the past! I'm just excited to have my paintings on display!

Country House

12" x 16" Watercolor

I've been struggling all week with my painting. I've started several paintings that have ended up on the "cutting room floor". Another one of those weeks when I wonder if I will ever get it! Gads! Does it ever get easier?

So, this was the painting we did today in Marilee's class. I do admit, that she painted some on this, and babysat me all the way! And, still, since it doesn't look just like hers, I wasn't happy! But in class we discussed a lot about how all of us have our own styles, and none of ours looked like Marilee's! So there! Tomorrow, I'll take it to Pat's class -- and she'll critique (and she has no idea what Marilee's looked like) -- and I'll get more instruction! Maybe even get inspired!

The Good Life

12" x 16" Watercolor

I always thought that I would love to live on the ocean. Whenever I would visit my mother in St. Petersburg Beach (she lived across the street from the Gulf) - I would go for early morning walks on the beach, and thought that was the LIFE!

Fast forward 30 years -- now, all I can think of at the beach is Hurricanes, Rip Tides and Algae Bloom! I still feel fortunate that I was able to move to Florida - I live inland - and appreciate the great weather without all the icky stuff on the beach! Now, I only have to drive to stick my feet into the sand, and sadly, don't do it enough!

Paradise Found

12" x 16" Watercolor

I'm thinking of doing a series of beach huts. This one still needs tweaking, so after I go to class and figure out just what it needs, I'll repost the picture. I do know that this little house wouldn't withstand any hurricanes - being so close to the beach!! I'm anxious to hear from my friend, Gretchen, in Houston. It's been a week since Ike hit, and I'm praying that they will have power soon!

All our company has come and gone, so it's been kinda quiet around here -- makes me want to just sit and enjoy the peacefulness.

Beach House

12" x 16" Watercolor

Today was another fun day in class! I finally painted a scene that I designed -- not a copy of the instructor's painting! Of course, I had her help - and I think it turned out quite nicely! I'm liking using brighter colors and staying in the impressionist style.

Flower Card

5" x 7" Watercolor Greeting Card

We've been having a fun weekend! My brother came to visit from Kansas, and my husband's daughter and husband visited from West Palm with their new German Shepherd (11 months old). All the boys played golf, and my sister & I cooked -- we had a wonderful visit! Barney and the cats just tried to stay out of the german shepherd's way!

And, I still managed to find time to paint (a little) - another greeting card.

Our New Baby-To-Be!

We made a reservation for our new SmartCar in May. Yesterday, we got the email to configure our car, and hopefully, we will receive this baby sometime between May-July, 2009!

Isn't she cute? Not to mention (40 mpg) safe, (40 mpg) And economical!

Desert Rose

11" x 15" Watercolor

This is the other painting we were working on in class on Monday. I really like the way both of my paintings turned out that day! I like the vibrant colors and the techniques we used. Now, the challenge is - to paint my own paintings using these same techniques. It's always so much easier to just copy the instructor's painting! I have published her painting below. What do you think? Am I getting it?

Pears

11" x 15" Watercolor

Another fun class today! I worked on these pears, and got instruction on another "cactus" piece that I'm going to try to paint tomorrow. The thing that I really like about Marilee's class is that she always has things for us to paint! I truly believe that the hardest thing about painting is trying to figure out just what to paint -- and how to do it! I hope that with much more practice, these things will come easily to me.

Looks like my weekend with family will go without a hitch (from Ike)! I'm really getting tired of holding my breath, just waiting for the big one to hit!! And, last weekend, First Saturday Market went very well - I sold out of my fabric by Noon! Didn't sell any artwork, though. Someday....

Leapin' Lizards!

9" x 12" Watercolor

I saw this photo of two lizards on a leaf (taken from under the leaf) and thought it was too cute! Still not too sure what I need to do to it -- just doesn't look right to me. Pat's class will start up again in a couple of weeks -- I'll have her tell me what to do!

Update on Hurricanes: Hanna is no threat - we might get some rain today. Everything should be hot and sunny for First Saturday Market on Saturday! Hope I'll be able to sell some stuff! But, now the big problem will be Ike -- He'll most likely make landfall in South Florida by Tuesday next week. Depending on how strong he becomes, I'm hoping he'll be out of here in time for my brother to make it to us on next Friday! And praying that we have power!!! Fingers crossed, again!