New Beginning

Today in Pat's class we played with more crepe paper! This time, I used pink colored paper, torn into tulip shapes. Added all the other stuff and paint (but didn't add any paint onto the crepe paper, since the color of the paper fades onto the paper when wet. This is the first stage, after it dries and I take all the "stuff" off of it. Now, I have to find the flowers and leaves and other stuff and negative paint into it. Note: I wish I had put some color (maybe yellow) under the pink crepe paper to get some variation of color. But, I love the texture it gives, so I'm looking forward to working on this one.

Found out today that the painters are coming on Thursday to paint the inside of my house. I thought I would get a little more notice, but I guess it's ok - they'll be done by Saturday, so I will just have to take deep breaths and remain calm! I'm so anxious to get some color on my walls! We've lived in this house for 8 years - and the previous owners painted EVERYTHING (ceiling, walls, trim) the same color - kind of a light goldy beige. I've felt like I've been living in an apartment! I hope we don't go into shock once some color is up! You know I loves me some color! LOL

Flying High

15" x 22" Watercolor

Here is my finished painting with the Sue Connor technique. I was remembering yesterday that the mere mention of "negative painting" used to give me a queasy stomach - I was certain that it was something I would never be able to conquer! So, even though I'm not a master at it, I've discovered that I'm not quite so intimidated by it, either. I've started working on it's companion piece. It's not coming together quite so easily, but I've uncovered a few little "surprises" in it.

Work In Progress

On Friday,we had our Watercolor Club Luncheon. Our demonstrator was Sue Connor. I've taken classes from her, so you've all heard about her. I thought I had seen it all, and was over it, but her demo sent me right to the studio! Here's what's going on:


First, I tore shapes out of sheets of Crepe Paper. I attempted to do Iris - since that was her demo (and gorgeous, I might add!). These shapes were then attached with water to wet paper, along with some surgical gauze. While wet, I added color all over the paper, using yellows first, then adding green made up of different blues with various yellows. Then splattering on some Rose and Sienna. I'm using half sheets of 140 lb Cold Press Arches - she used Hot Press. Then, they were laid out in the sun to dry!


When they were dry, off came the crepe paper and the gauze. Believe it or not, I intended to make Iris' - but as I was negatively painting into the shapes, it became quite clear that instead of an Iris, I had a Butterfly! So, butterfly it is!

Now, I'm trying to find flower shapes for the rest of the painting - I've found a few, but I have a lot more to go! Hopefully, I'll be posting the finished painting in the next few days. Then, I just have to do it again to the companion piece! (Kinda feels like knitting that elusive second sock)! Stay tuned!

Island View

12" x 16" Watercolor

Painting class today - so I painted another photo from my trip to Anna Maria Island. The concrete wall on the left still needs some tweaking, so I'll probably change the painting on the blog after I do some fixing. It felt so good to paint - I haven't been in the mood lately. Hopefully, that will change soon!

UPDATE 5/20: I decided to take the "wall" out, and make it into a drive. I think it works better this way. Thanks, Pat, for the suggestion!

Looks Can be Deceiving

Doesn't this look like a beautiful abstract painting? If you look close, you can see the gorgeous colors mixing and mingling on the page - swirling beautifully! I saw this photo in this morning's St. Pete Times, and immediately wondered what this art piece was doing on the Editorial page, and also if I could somehow paint it.

Well, this is a photo of the oil leaking from the site of the Deepwater Horizon rig, swirling through the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday. Beautiful but Scary! That's all I can say - this isn't the place for politics, so I will leave you with your own feelings about it.

Butterfly Wing - Yupo Experiment

11" x 13" Watercolor on Yupo

I know I've said this before -- but I really don't like working on Yupo. Now, to be fair, I've only done it twice! And, this time, it was a little better - it still is like trying to paint without any control! At least it is for me! I have seen exquisite paintings done on Yupo, and I wish I could master it, but I truly think that I'm just not that interested. But I'm glad that I tried again!

First Pool Day of the Season

Growing up in the land-locked Midwest, I was a pool kid. We had a nice public pool in my small town, and you could usually find me there most days of the summer. I wanted to be Esther Williams (am I dating myself?). Or a mermaid at Weeki Watchie (I had only read about those lucky girls).

When my mother moved to Florida in the 70's, she lived across the street from the BEACH! And, I was surprised to learn that I was drawn to, but also afraid of the ocean. It's so vast, so big and scary. I also discovered that I prefer not to share my swimming water with critters!

So, to my great delight, we moved to Florida in 2002, and live in a house with a pool! When I was a child, such a thing was too impossible to comprehend. Even now, I pinch myself once in awhile!

Every summer there is one day that is like no other. The pool deck and screen have been pressure-washed (living in a wooded area is sometimes for the birds!), the pool water has been heated to a comfortable temperature, and the sun is shining! Today was that day! Going in the pool for the first day each summer is like a religious experience -- I can feel my body relaxing, smoothing out, and coming alive! Long Live Summer!!