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!