Rock Practice

7" x 11" Watercolor

Today was the final day of my waterclor class. The ladies said they wanted to learn to paint rocks - so I showed them this technique using a credit card (also used the card for the birch tree). Sometimes this doesn't work for me, but today it did! So, I made a little scene - and there you go!

And, here we are at the end! Linda, Me, Judi and Jeanne! We had a good time - thanks, ladies, for hanging in there with me!

The Bluebird Comes

Since I was feeling quite unsure about how to proceed with my little triplets (see last post), I decided to dive into some collage! I had a canvas that I had painted and didn't like, so I started covering it with all kinds of goodies. If you click on the picture, I think you can see it better. It started with the dot paper, and then I added a page out of a very old book (circa 1911). I love the look of these pages - the chapter title is at the top of the page "The Coming of the Bluebird". So, that ended up inspiring the rest of the piece.

I started another one today, and painted some more papers. I'm thinking that I like this medium!

Beginnings

So here I am - another new "beginning"! I glued some paper I made to 3 - 5" x 5" canvases. Now what? I've been looking at these things for over a week, and can't decide what to do next! I know I want to stamp some things on them, and maybe use some paint here and there.........but I just can't seem to DO SOMETHING!

I fear that I've been watching too many painting videos - my mind is crammed full of ideas! So, my goal this week is to finally make something happen! Stay tuned!

Wisteria Envy

This is the time of the year that Wisteria is in full bloom, here in Central Florida. Three years ago, I purchased a little "stick" of Wisteria from the local nursery. As the guy was taking it to my car, he told me that it's just like a weed - it'll grow anywhere, and take over everything if you're not careful. That's exactly what I needed to hear, since I'm such a loser when it comes to growing anything! And, I was putting it somewhere that it could "take over"! I lovingly watered and tethered it to the post I wanted it to go on. I knew it would take a few years for the blooms to come -- but now I'm beginning to believe that it will never bloom!

It's just not fair -- my neighbor across the street has this stuff growing like wildfire in his back woods, and my neighbor up the street has one that is massive, and grows all the way up to the top of some trees! (I must admit that I took a bloom from it this morning - the one in the photo.) And there is another gigantic grove of them up the highway - it just grows, and nobody takes care of it!

So, I went on the computer to find out when this thing will ever bloom. Well - it could take anywhere from 3 years to NEVER! Not what I wanted to hear. I guess I'll just keep it going - the nursery told me that this year they received some plants that already had blooms on it, so that's my game plan for next year!

On another note - does anyone have problems getting Blogger to give you paragraph breaks? I hit return 4 times, and it still gives me no spacing! GRRRR

Yay! Captain Elaine told me how to do this - check out her comment! Thanks!

Dogwood Spring

7" x 11" Watercolor

The dogwood trees are all in full bloom right now! My friend, Patsy, has one in her yard that is simply stunning! I must get over there and take a photo of it soon! Anyway, that's what inspired me to paint this little Tufted Titmouse sitting on a dogwood branch. We have a lot of these little guys in my yard. They're so funny - they hang out in the bushes close to the pool enclosure, and my kitties go crazy! Ahhh - Spring feels so good!

Art In The Park

Once again, we had to share the weekend with some rain - so Sunday's crowd was a little small. At least we get to be in the largest pavilion, so we stay nice and dry!

Here in Central Florida, the azaleas are popping out like mad!

It's truly Spring now!

And it's nice enough for the crazy teenagers to be swimming in the river! (It's spring fed, so it's 72 degrees in that water all year round!)

And even though it was very overcast on Sunday, the sunbathers were out in droves!

And the Rainbow River is still one of the prettiest sites around!

Collage Therapy

So, last weekend, I was watching some of the free on-line lessons at Jerry's Artarama, and I came across Sharon DiGiulio who has a couple of DVD's on Collage Therapy! Instantly, I was hooked, and sent off for her videos! They came Wednesday, and I immediately watched and had to try!


These little 5" x 7" studies were done this morning, using her techniques for practicing on watercolor paper, using maps and decorative papers. Below, I've been having such fun creating decorative papers out of tissue paper and some shell paper that I got from Jerry's. And, making my own stamps! I've still got a long way to go with composition, but I'm having such fun!

Now, I have to get my stuff ready for another art show tomorrow - Art in the Park at Rainbow Springs State Park. If you're in the neighborhood, come on down! It's from 9-4 Saturday and Sunday (but it might rain on Sunday).