Rocks

7" x 10" Watercolor

Today in Pat's class we painted rocks. I kinda liked the way these rocks turned out. Not too sure about the rest of the painting, but it did feel good to paint.

Finally, a clean Studio!

After much work and very sore arms, legs and back, I can finally start to paint in peace! This poor room (which is really a pretty good size) has to house everything that I do, plus everything that doesn't have another place to hide!

I have a little corner for my computer and office stuff.

And another space for everything else! As well as a miniscule closet that is filled to the brim!

It's so funny to watch the progression. When we moved into this house in 2002, the sole purpose of this room was for my quilting and sewing. I even had empty shelves in the bookcase! Fast forward 7 years, and I'm like a packrat, squirreling away everything in little boxes and cubbyholes!! But this weekend, I did purge a lot of "stuff", and I feel very clean!

Rainbow Springs Canoe Dock

12" x 16" Watercolor

I'm in a very uncomfortable phase in my painting adventure. I hate the way I'm painting now. In my mind, I can see clearly what I want my art to become -- I just don't know how to get there!

This week has been a struggle -- class on Friday, Monday and today. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed, and at the same time inspired (to do something more)! I think that my problem has become that I only paint in class, and not anytime else just for me. I remember back in the beginning when I had no classes and I spent part of every day painting. I need to get back to that. I need to figure out how to get to where I want to go -- and I truly believe that it means getting out the paints and just painting - and then paint some more!

The Start of Something New

Today, I went to my first class with Sue Primeau. Would you believe that she just got back yesterday from a 2 week painting trip to Italy! And still managed to teach a class today! What a trooper!

Anyway, this is the beginning of one of two paintings. It will be a painting of my African Violets. I think it's going to be fun to see this one come to life. You can't see it on here, but it has swirls of gesso as an underpainting. The other one is of Water Lilies -- it has a loooooong way to go! We won't be able to meet again until June 12th, and we're going to start painting on watercolor canvas then. Can't wait!

Just Finish Them, for Crying Out Loud!

12" x 16" Watercolor

"In the Woods"

So, I've had these two half-finished paintings taking up valuable real estate on my watercolor blocks. In Pat's class today, I decided to finish them. I usually try to start and finish a painting in one setting. If I have to go back to finish, I have a hard time cause the mood has gone. The top one has only been sitting for a week -- but the other one has been staring at me for a couple of months! Weird, though, I think they look like 2 different people painted them! Oh well -- They're Done!

12" x 16" Watercolor

"Sunrise on the Marsh"

Lunch & Herbie

Today, was the Citrus Watercolor Club's annual Installation Luncheon. Our featured artist was Herbie Rose. Check out his website, and see the colorful paintings he does!



During his demo, he kept us laughing! Starting with a blank page -- no drawing, and claiming that he had no idea what he was going to paint -- he just started. First with the sky, and then making marks for trees and the waterfall. He left a lot of white, and then started glazing wherever he needed to. It was something to watch it all come together!

The finished painting (done in about 1-1/2 hours)

What a treat!

Potted Cyclamen

9" x 12" Watercolor

Today, Pat brought us a potted Cyclamen to paint. It's always a challenge for me to paint from life -- I tend to get too caught up in the details. But, I do think that this one turned out ok. She also gave us a photo to work on at home. I think I can use the splatter technique on it -- we'll see.

It's been unseasonably hot this week -- into the high 80's. I need to carve out some pool time! Maybe on Thursday!

Spatter Trees

12" x 16" Watercolor

What fun we had in Marilee's Class today! We flung paint left and right (and all over ourselves and each other) making these cool tree paintings. I love the loose look of them! I'm trying to come up with something else I can paint using this technique. Maybe a wildflower meadow?

Jane Market Bag #2

OMG -- this is as bad as a bag of potato chips! I just can't stop!! But, since I sold most of my fabric stash, I don't have any more fabric that matches up. Guess I'll have to go back to painting!

Jane Market Bag

I visited Alicia Paulson's Blog yesterday, and downloaded her pattern for this cute bag -- and it's the size of all those dreary grocery bags that you can buy and use instead of plastic or paper! I sewed it up this afternoon (very easy). I've got another one cut out, and will be sewing it this weekend. I think it will be a trip to use these instead of the Walmart ones!!

Artfully Yours

Here is the cute little gallery that I put some of my paintings in yesterday! It's really tiny, but they are thinking of expanding into the next space.



Meet Tristan Peterson, owner of the gallery! She and her sweet baby boy, Mason, welcomed us warmly! Behind her are some delightful glass pieces from another artist.




Some more art pieces from some other Florida artists. Tristan's mother, Helen, and her brother make the fabric bowls - and purses. I also discovered some wonderful paintings by Barbara Kerr, another Citrus Watercolor Club member! I hope we do well!

If you live in close proximity to Dade City, Florida, I hope you get (or have gotten a chance) to see this cute little town! So many Antique Shops, Restaurants, Quilt Shop, and many other cute little stores line the renovated downtown. I plan on going back with Donna, when we can spend the day looking around! (My hubby doesn't have my shopping gene!) Oh - the Historic homes have a brick road! Not too much fun to drive, but gorgeous homes to see!