Little Waterfall

9" x 12" Watercolor

We went to Tallahassee on Christmas Eve, to spend the holiday with Bill's kids and grandkids. We had a wonderful time, and returned on Christmas Day. Believe it or not, just that short trip exhausted us! We took Barney, so much time was spent worrying about him and what he was doing - and, there were several other dogs there - most of whom he didn't care for, and spent a lot of energy trying to get away from them! It's only a 3 hour drive, but it felt like FOREVER!

So, today, it felt really good to be back to some kind of normal, getting back to painting class. I wasn't quite sure that I liked this particular painting that I did, but the more I sit with it, the more it grows on me! Now, we just have to get past this week (Happy New Year!), and then I can start focusing on getting ready for a couple of shows in February and March.

A Peony and Mexico City (Again)

9" x 12" Watercolor

Peonies have always been my favorite flower. Growing up in Kansas, my mom had lots of peony bushes that she transplanted from her home in Iowa. And, when Bill and I lived in Kansas City, I had a lot of peony bushes there. I usually grew the double kind, so I'm not sure how the singles smell! Oh, how I miss the smell of peonies! I painted this beautiful flower from a photo on Wet Canvas.

5" x 7" Watercolor

And, here is my 2nd try at the Virtual Paintout for Mexico City. I like it a little better than my first one, but I'm considering trying for a 3rd!

In case I don't post again before Christmas, I hope all of you have a Merry and Safe Christmas Holiday!

Make a Snowflake!

I just found out about this fun site! Click on the icon on the top right, and you can create Snowflakes! It's so much fun -- and you can see millions of other snowflakes that everyone else has made. And, it is so true -- no two snowflakes are alike! Have fun!


OOPs! I deleted the icon -- I'm tired of winter already!

Virtual Paintout

7" x 10" Watercolor

"Sur 116 - Mexico City"

So now I have a new obsession: The Virtual Paintout!

Artist Bill Guffey has a new fun blog for us to play with -- every month he starts a challenge of painting a street scene from a different city. You then go to Google Maps and go to that city. You then drop a little yellow man onto various streets in that city and look around (360 degrees) and find something interesting to paint! Of course, the problem is that you spend a lot of time looking around! What a hoot!

You know that I have a fear of painting buildings - so for my first time, I really simplified the scene. But, he allows each artist to post up to 3 different paintings, so I'm going to try another one, and maybe even a third. I'm determined to conquer this fear!

Another fun thing to do is to put in your own street address, and voila! Up pops a photo of the front of your house! Then, of course, you must look at everyone else's house - and before you know it, hours have gone by!

Watercolor Club Luncheon and Tom Jones

Friday was the Citrus Watercolor Club's Christmas Luncheon. We do a card exchange - if you bring a card, you will recieve another person's card - and this is the lovely card I received! This year they expanded it so that you could bring a card made from a print of one of your paintings. But, if you brought an original, you would receive an original (which is what I did).

And, we had Tom Jones back as our demonstrator after the luncheon! He's so wonderful! This time, he walked around the room showing each step of his demo.

And, the finished painting! I've been to his workshop, and I've watched his demo several times at club, and I watch his DVD's that I have -- I think I could pick his artwork out of a hundred different artists! And, he gave this original to our club, to be raffled off next year!

Hollyhock Heaven

9" x 12" Watercolor

After the last snow painting, I really needed some flowers! Barbara Joan told me about a site called Wet Canvas. This website is a great sharing site for artists. And, best of all, they have a Reference Image Library. These are photographs some of the members have downloaded, and are available for all to use as painting inspiration! It's especially good for me, since I really need something to look at as I paint! This painting was done with one of those images - as was the sunflowers that I posted last week. Check it out!

Chickadees in Snow

9" x 12" Watercolor

Well, whaddaya know! Now that I'm through with all that crafting stuff, I'm really wanting to paint! I did this yesterday in class. Someone brought in this image (I'm sure we're abusing someone's copywright - I think it was off of a Christmas card) - but, anyway, it was challenging for me to paint. Buildings are not my friends!

I'll be glad when the winter season is over. I really don't like painting dead trees and snow. It's fun for awhile, but then I remember why I moved to Florida -- to escape the dead trees and snow! Time to paint another flower, maybe!

A Little Beach Scene

4" x 6" Watercolor Postcard

Here's another little painting I did at the Craft Fair yesterday. Didn't have a reference photo, so I just made it up. Now you can see why I prefer to have photos! It's not too creative inside my head!!

Sunflower Power

4" x 6" Watercolor Postcard

I painted this - along with 2 others - while sitting at my table at the Art & Craft Fair. The weather outside was cold and rainy, and the show wasn't very well attended. I didn't sell much, but had a good time with Donna and met some other nice artists!

I ordered these watercolor postcards from Cheap Joe's last week, and had great fun painting on them today! I'm thinking of actually sending some out, and am wondering if they will do ok in the mail.

So, now that the craft part of my life is over I can get back to painting classes. I'm so looking foward to that!

Ready to Sell!

So, finally, I've made all the stuff I can!

I'm hoping that the Art & Craft Fair will go well on Saturday.

Of course, I've spent so much more money than I will ever see return to me!

But, it kept me off the streets for a few weeks!

Maybe next week I can get back to painting.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I wonder when I'll see my dining room table again! The weekend was full of making grocery bags (on the right), fabric coiled bowls and coasters and more cards! I hope it will be worth it all. I only have 9 more days to toil -- then maybe I can get back to painting.

The Blue Boat

12" x 16" Watercolor

I finished painting this last Tuesday in class. I really don't like it, so I wasn't going to post it. Then, I remembered - this blog is about my journey, so I post everything, like it or not! I should have made the boat red instead of blue (from a distance, you can't even tell that it's a boat). When am I going to learn to be an artist, and change things in photographs? Maybe at the same time I believe that I AM an artist! Oh well, every painting is a lesson in itself!

Road Trip

Ok, so if you also follow Barbra Joan's blog, you've already seen this photo! I'm a little slow this weekend. On Friday, my friend Donna and I drove to Dade City and met up with Barbra Joan. This photo was taken in front of "Artfully Yours", the little gallery where I have some artwork. Anyway, we had a decadent lunch and strolled the streets and poked around in antique shops. It was a wonderful day! I met Barbra Joan online through these blogs - and we've developed a nice friendship. Isn't the internet a blast!

I'm getting ready for an Art & Craft Fair on Dec. 5th, so I'm making cards like crazy, as well as sewing up some coiled fabric bowls and coasters, and some reusable market bags! You know, whenever I have some time to myself, I can really get into some trouble! So, because of all this, I haven't been painting. Keep checking back, though, I just might find some time for that, too!

Mort Solberg

Citrus Watercolor Club was on Friday. We are so lucky to have some of the most fantastic artists come and do demos and workshops! Last week it was Mort Solberg. I hope you will go to his website and see a step-by-step demo that he did in one of his workshops. This man is amazing!

These are just a couple of his wildlife paintings that he brought to share.

He starts every painting with splashes of color. For all wildlife backgrounds, he used Payne's Grey and Burnt Sienna.

This was the second one that he demo'd. Just spashed on bright colors, not knowing what he would actually finish with!

The finished product (in about an hour) turned out to be a woman with an umbrella. Then, he drew names and gave away this painting, as well as a print of the fox painting (on top). Needless to say, I did not win!

Poinsettia Love

3" x 5" Watercolor

Next month at Watercolor Club, we'll be having our Christmas Luncheon. Tom Jones will be doing the demo -- he's so much fun! And, there will be a small painting exchange. I painted this poinsettia and attached it to a card for the exchange. I hope whoever gets it, likes it!

Fence Line

10" x 14" Watercolor

I finally finished a painting today! I've been so engrossed in making cards this past week, I never got to painting!

But, I feel that I'm making some progress on marketing my cards. A local Florist/Gift Shop owner looked at my cards last week, and told me to come back this Friday, and she will purchase "a bunch" of them to sell in her shop! I'm giving her a wholesale price, cause I really don't want to do consignment for such small item pieces. I'm doing that in the gallery at Dade City, and so far, I've been getting a check every month for $2.00!

I also have a friend of my daughter's in Kansas City selling them for me! She works in realtor's office, and some of her co-workers and realtors have seen my cards, so I sent her information, samples, and an order form. I'm anxious to see how that works out. Wish me luck!

Fine Art America

I'm now showing and selling prints of my artwork on Fine Art America. I'm hoping this link will take you to my page on their site!


My friend, Barbra Joan, told me about this site -- it's pretty neat! You pay a small fee annually, and a small commission each time something sells. They print the painting and send it - you get the money! I had a small problem, though. I had already dowsized the pixels in all of my photos, which meant that I could only sell cards with most of my photos (the pixels determine how big they can make the print) - and most of my good paintings are either on display, or given to friends and family! So, I managed to unframe some - enough to start a little gallery!


So, if anyone else is interested, just go to the site! All I need to do is sell a few prints over the course of a year, and I'll be home free!

Just a Quickie

I'm now in Kansas City - and the trees are still turning - so gorgeous! So, I was hoping to take lots of photos to paint, right? Nooooooo - it's been raining constantly, or been overcast! The next supposedly sunny day will be Saturday. Hope I can get out that day and do some picture-taking! Other than that, the visit is going well - my grandkids are having short days at school, and off tomorrow, so I've been able to see them a lot!


More later.............

Card Play

So here it is, the last weekend before I leave on Tuesday for KC -- I'm in the middle of cleaning, thinking about what to pack, and trying to finish a knitted shawl for my grandaughter -- and I decide that I MUST make some cards to take with me to give to all my friends! So, I called a friend on Friday, and we talked about how to go about making cards using photos of paintings (I've always just painted on the cards) - and I discover that my printer does a really nice job of printing photos!

So, then, I have to go to Hobby Lobby (which is about 30 miles away) and get colorful card stock for the little mats, and a fun tape thingy that the scrapbookers use, and some blank cards. Then, I stay up late working on printing and making cards. But, of course, I need better card stock and some more tape for the tape thingy, so it's back to Hobby Lobby! And, I need to go the "Bag Lady" from our Watercolor Club, to get the clear bags for the cards (and, of course, she lives another 30 miles away!)

The good news is, that I didn't have to spend a lot of money (if you don't count gas) to make a lot of cards! And, I'll be taking most of them down to the gallery in Dade City next month. I'll still be able to price them right - even if I actually had to make every one by hand! But, I'm lovin' them - and I'm anxious to see what my friends and family have to say about them.

I won't be posting till after I get back on the 27th. See you then!

Mary's Lily

9" x 12" Watercolor

I finished this painting yesterday. It was painted from a photograph that my daughter sent to me - one of several photos of her stepmother's garden. Mary has one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen! They live on a little acreage in Kansas City, high on a hill - and some of the prettiest photos that we have came from there.

Private Beach

11" x 15" Watercolor

We painted another beach scene yesterday in Marilee's class. I always love to paint these beautiful, calming scenes! Can't you just imagine being there, listening to the little waves (of course, this the Gulf!) - reading a book and just smelling the salt air! As much as I love living here in Florida - I must admit that I'm getting real tired of this heat wave we've been having. 90 degrees again today! But, next Tuesday, I'm off to Kansas City for a visit. And, they're having unseasonably cold weather! Maybe when I get back home, we'll be back to our normal 70 degree days -- that would be wonderful!

Carol Ann Sherman

Yesterday was Citrus Watercolor Club -- and our guest demonstrater was Carol Ann Sherman.

She does the most amazing things with Yupo! I've only done Yupo once, and decided that it definitely is NOT for me! But, after watching her, I'm actually considering trying it again. I wish I could have gone to her workshop this weekend, but just couldn't.

In her demo, the first thing that she does is cover the entire sheet (on top of her detailed drawing) with color! Just slaps it on! Then makes texture with sponges, paper napkins and even toilet paper! How freeing to not be intimidated by all that white space! I must try this! She then starts picking up colors in the painting, puting it on top of all that other color - and sometimes pulling the color off. She is amazing! And hilarious! We had a great time! Below are a couple of paintings that she brought with her. Enjoy!

Here Comes the Sun!

9" x 12" Watercolor

Painting classes were hard this week -- I'm not feeling very inspired. But, I did start a pretty floral that hopefully I'll finish and post later in the week. And, Different Strokes will have a new challenge tomorrow -- I hope it's something that I want to paint!

Last post, I mentioned that my neck was hurting. Well, the day that I went to the Dr about it, my neck felt better than it had since the surgery! Kinda like when your car makes that "noise", but it never makes it for the mechanic! Anyway, his advice to me was: "Just be patient". Obviously, he doesn't know me very well! But, he did take an x-ray, and told me that everything was healing just right. So, patience it is!

Janet's Kitty

9" x 12" Watercolor

Today in class, I didn't like what I was painting, so I took out this sweet photo of my friend, Janet's, cat. I feel bad that I don't remember his name, but I'm sure she'll let me know!

Bad news -- my neck is killing me! More pain now then before the surgery. I'm going back to the Dr. tomorrow morning to see just what is going on. I sure hope this is not the end -- I don't think I would like to feel this way forever!

Tulips, Squared

12" x 16" Watercolor

On Sunday, Sept. 20, Ruth Bodycott showcased this technique on her blog. What a great idea! Since I used to be a quilter (I even owned my own Quilt Shop!), it immediately spoke to me. Had to try it! So, in my Monday painting class, a few of us gave it a go. Even though the squares look a little "blotchy" (it really does look better in person!), I'm loving it. Maybe enough to try to do a little series .......... well, we'll see! Thanks, Ruth!

Crashing Waves

12" x 16" Watercolor/Gouache

I've been wanting to try to do a Flicker challenge called "Whitewater" for some time. I've also had this huge fear of painting waves! So, both of my painting instructors gave this a try - both of whom I admire greatly! Both also have different painting styles. So, I tried both styles, and came up with something inbetween! And, it looks nothing like the photo for the challenge! I'm still not sure if I'll post it on the Flicker Challenge site! I did learn an awful lot while trying to paint this, and it makes me want to try again!

River Morning

9" x 12" Watercolor

Painted this in class today -- from a photo taken at Rainbow Springs. I tried to be very impressionistic, and I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. My class is made up mostly of artists wanting to learn to paint very realistic, so I'm kinda the Lone Ranger there.

Cupcakes

5" x 7" Watercolor

I happened to check out the Different Strokes from Different Folks blog yesterday, and noticed that there was a new challenge -- Cupcakes! So, today in class, I painted my rendition. And, I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. I was happy that no one else has posted their paintings, since I'm always so intimidated when I see what others do. So, I'm sure that there will be a lot of better paintings showing up over the next few weeks, but I'll still feel good about mine!

The Rose

9" x 12" Watercolor

Last Tuesday, when I was lamenting about not being able to find inspiration, Pat looked at the shirt I was wearing, and said "Paint your shirt!" So, this weekend, I did! Below is a picture of the shirt I was wearing. What do you think?

Waterway

7" x 10" Watercolor

Another little practice landscape a la Tom Jones. Started this in Tuesday's class and finished today. More could be done to it, but I'm just too tired.

Stuck!

Went back to my Tuesday class today. We always do "Critique" first thing. Most of the time I'm happy with my work, but today - I was just in a downer mood. I do fairly well on practice pieces that I copy from other artists' books. I do my own take on them, and usually they turn out ok. But where I fall apart is when I try to paint something from life, or from a photograph. It seems I just don't know what to do with it! I feel that I'm ok with color, and some technique -- but when it comes to composition, I just fail.


So, while I was whining, my instructor was saying some very complimentary things about my painting style. But because I'm so stuck, I couldn't even hear them. Also other students were complimenting my work - and it just didn't sink in. ARRRRGHH! Does it ever get better? Do we ever find ourselves liking our own work? How can I get out of this depression and start learning what it is that I need to know? Can you learn to become creative?

Blue Chair

7" x 10" Watercolor

Just a little something that I painted in class today! It was Marilee's birthday, so we gorged out on cake, cookies and everything else! Some days, it seems that we're there for all the food and goodies instead of the painting lessons!! But, that just makes going to class all the sweeter! Couldn't ask for a better bunch to sit and paint with.

I'm halfway through my recovery time - so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I don't have to wear the collar as much now - I take it off to sleep, swim and shower, and also when I'm just sitting around watching tv. Still can't drive, though. Just 3 more weeks!

Mountain Stream

12" x 16" Watercolor

I started this painting on Monday in class -- then came home and lost the momentum to finish it. It's a practice piece from Tom Jones' latest book. Then, yesterday on Facebook, a friend mentioned that now Tom has free lessons on his website. So, I've been watching a few, and got re-inspired to finish this painting!

I love Tom Jones! I took his workshop a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed him and his style of painting. He's from Florida, so he comes to our Watercolor Club often. Such a nice man - and his wife, Bonnie - and they're so generous to our club. Always giving books and DVDs for our library, and lets us raffle off original paintings that he does in his demos!

Anyway, it feels so good to be able to go to class again and to paint!

2 Weeks Later

Just thought I'd show you the torture chamber I'm in for the next 4 weeks! I do get to sleep without it - and shower! Today was the first day that I even tried to do anything with my hair. I've got a bit of cabin fever, so I think I'm going to plan to go to painting class on Monday. I'm so impatient -- I really need to get back to normal!

Garden Pots

7" x 10" Watercolor

After not posting any paintings for the last few weeks, I'm a little embarassed to post this one! I started it several weeks ago, and let it sit. I know that everything's a little off kilter, and there's other stuff I don't like in it -- and if I could go to class, someone would tell me how to fix it -- but I can't, so I'll just start another painting! The main thing is, that I felt good enough to paint today! YAY!

This is getting out of hand!

My sister, Barbara, and her husband, David, left today for an extended month-long visit to Michigan and parts unknown. So, these lovely and very frangrant flowers came to me late this afternoon from them - to let me know that even though they can't be here, they're thinking of me and wishing me a speedy recovery! Hmm - I'm beginning to think that I should do this surgery thing more often!! (NOT!!!!)

More Good Wishes

Wow! I haven't had so much attention since I don't know when! Today's mail brought more "Get Well Wishes" from friends and family, including another hand-painted card from my friend, Libby Rothra! This is all so special to me!




Of course, I forgot to report that my surrogate Mother, Donna, showed up just hours after the surgery - fresh from our Monday's painting class, with this adorable balloon, a card signed by all, a beautiful arrangement of Gerbera Daisies, and the most precious of all - 2 bottles of Publix Diet Sweet Tea! I swear, you just can't get better friends than these! I can't wait to get back to painting classes to see everyone!

Home from the Hospital

How lucky am I? Just got home from the hospital yesterday, and today I received a beautiful hand-painted card from my friend, Laurie Kansky! Just one of the many perks of being in the painting world!

The surgery went well - right now I have the most god-awful sore throat (from them going in the front, and moving everything around) that I hope will dissapate soon, and of course, the dreaded "collar" that has to be on my neck 24/7 for 6 weeks! Trying to sleep in it is a trick in itself!

Don't know if I'll be painting anytime soon -- we'll just have to see after this sore throat thing ends. Anyway -- thank you all for all your prayers and good wishes! It definitely helped!

Finished the Baby Quilt

Today, I finished the baby quilt I made for my stepdaughter to give to her sister-in-law. It was kinda fun, since I haven't made a quilt for a couple of years! So, it goes in the mail next week - and I am finished!


I got a call from the Dr. office today, telling me that my surgery has been moved up - so now I have to be at the Hospital at 5:30 am on Monday! Which means that we have to be on the road by 4:45. It's all good, though. It means that I'm the first surgery of the day! He'll be all fresh and rested! And, he'll be finished with me by 8:30 or so - so more time for me to get healing before I check out on Tuesday.

A little hiatus

Sorry I haven't been able to post for awhile. My daughter and grandaughter were here for a week, so I've been off playing! It was so much fun to have them here. It's the longest time I've spent with my daughter since forever!


Today, I go to the hospital for pre-op testing. Then, on Monday, the neck surgery. Not sure yet how that will affect my painting, since I have to wear a collar for 6 weeks. Bummer! But, I will be glad to get rid of the pain!


I did work on a painting this week, just haven't finished - so I hope to post it sometime this weekend. See you soon!

Lone Palm

7" x 10" Watercolor

A quick little painting done in Pat's class on Tuesday. Busy week - went to Dr. on Wednesday and scheduled neck surgery for August 3. Not too serious - dr claims it's very low risk, but will fix the constant pain that I've been in for the last 3 months.

My daughter and 11-year old grandaughter will be coming for a week's visit next Tuesday. I'm hoping to get painting with Haley (grandaughter) - she loves to do art! Serena (daughter) is looking forward to having a relaxing week, reading, swimming and doing some cross-stitch. I don't care what we do, as long as I get to be with them!

Paulie the Pelican

12" x 16" Watercolor

This is another pelican tryout for my friend. I'm afraid that I just don't have it in me to do a commission. I'm not happy with the way this turned out, and I don't think I can do it justice for her. Maybe in a few years............

Meanwhile - maybe I'll do something fabulous tomorrow in Pat's class! Stay tuned!