Sunday, November 30, 2008

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!


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

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!


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

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!!




Saturday, November 22, 2008

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..........


Thursday, November 20, 2008

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!


Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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!


Sunday, November 16, 2008

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!!!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

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!












Friday, November 14, 2008

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:



Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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.


Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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.


Sunday, November 9, 2008

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!!




Saturday, November 8, 2008

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!!!


Thursday, November 6, 2008

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!




Tuesday, November 4, 2008

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!


Sunday, November 2, 2008

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!