Cracker House

Today in class, Anne gave each of us a picture of an old "Cracker House". We each put it in a painting, using only 3 pigments -- only primary colors -- they all mix to make different colors. It was very interesting how each painting was so different -- we all used different colors of red, yellow and blue, and we all paint differently. It was a fun experiment. I think I'll try more buildings now.

And yes, I was quite sore this morning! But it's a good kind of sore!

Beach Huts and Flowers

My mind has been on Spring this week! I've been practicing on flowers and beach scenes!


Also this week, I joined a gym in Ocala that is opening another gym here in Dunnellon. Today, I went in for my tutorial on all the weight machines. OMG!!! I probably won't be able to get out of bed in the morning! But I must, since I've packed on a few this winter!

Tomorrow is painting class -- hope I'll be able to hold a brush!

And More Practice

Here are a few more things that I have been working on. I'm enjoying playing with figures right now - but I'm about ready to start doing some landscapes.

Daily Practice

I've been practicing more using figures within a scene. Today, I even tried cows! But I think they turned out ok.





For this one, I used a photo that I got off of Google Images of people shopping at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. Didn't do a lot of detail in this, but I seem to like it ok. Soooo much more to learn!

Warm Sunshine!

Some more things that I'm practicing with -- the one on the left, was painted using a live azeala branch to copy. On the right, I used a photograph of my sister, a friend and I. It looks kinda weird without faces, but it made for good practice.

Today is gorgeous! Sunny and 84 degrees! Time to do some work on the pool deck -- it won't be long now!!

More Practice

Got out some of my watercolor books, and started practicing drawing and painting excercises from them. I'm really starting to like painting people (without faces, of course!) - today I've been working on doing some from some pictures that I have. I'm having a good time -- I've never really painted without trying to make a whole picture. You know me -- just jumping in and thinking that I can do anything! Practicing this way will help me develop some skills necessary to do some nice paintings.

Beautiful day today -- in the 80's! I just may have to quit painting and go outside!

Watercolor Club

Today I joined the Citrus Watercolor Club! This is the group that sold paintings during "Art in the Park" earlier this month. Each month they have a meeting, and have a watercolorist do a demonstration. Today, Jo Miller demonstrated "Portraits the Easy Way". Ha! I don't think there will be any portrait painting any time soon! Very beautiful, but waaaay too detailed for me!
I also signed up for some great workshops -- in October and November!


I bought a couple of new watercolor books yesterday, and did some practicing this morning -- the tulip was the best of the bunch. I'm determined to practice more every day!

New Class

Today, I went to a new Watercolor class. It was great fun - and very scary, since I truly felt like a beginner. All the other students had taken several classes already, and had learned things that I haven't. There were moment when I felt totally out of my element, and others when I realized that I'm just as good as some of the others!

Today's lesson was on Figures. Holy Cow! I never thought I was ready for that! But Anne helped us discover how to paint figures without detail -- and it wasn't as hard as I thought. I've still got a long way to go - but I enjoyed the lesson!

Next week, we're going to work with photographs, and hopefully, paint an entire painting. Wish me luck!

Dreary Day

"Tiger Lily"

6" x 6" Watercolor

I guess I was a little premature in thinking that Spring was really here! Today is dark and dreary -- we're supposed to get a lot of rain and other nastiness, so I'm spending the day holed up and painting, knitting and reading!

I found this great website in one of my magazines! This guy has found letters hidden in butterfly wings -- and he's made a whole alphabet. You can go here, and even send an email card for free, using the butterfly alphabet. It's really cool!

I'm in a flower phase - I copied the flower in the painting above from some fabric that I have. I like it, so now I'm searching in all my fabric to find more inspiration there! Baby steps. I'm going to a new watercolor class next week. Looking forward to learning more!

To Kill a Mockingbird

"By the Shed"

6-1/2" x 10-1/2" Watercolor

Well, the Mockingbirds are mating! We have a lot of different birds in our yard, but this time of the year, you would think that we only have Mockingbirds! I never really see them, but boy-o-boy, do I HEAR them! From early morning till evening, the males just go crazy, showing off their vocabularies for the females! Loudly. The good thing about it though, is that it means that it's officially Spring!

I went back to the Art Show in the park today. Lots of good advice - wonderful ladies! One of them challenged me to paint something outdoors (which is something I really want to do) -- so I came home and set up outside the door and painted the painting above. Still didn't get the flowers right, but all in all, a fun exercise.

"Blue Clematis"

3" x 6" Watercolor

I also purchased a couple of notecards from 2 of the artists in the show, and decided to try my hand at that. I used a photo from the Wayside Gardens catalog -- and I think it turned out pretty good. That might be a fun thing to do once I get a little more practice in.

Turned out to be a fabulous weekend - Beautiful weather - lots of painting!

Art in the Park

This weekend, the Rainbow State Park is offering the annual "Art in the Park". Several art groups from the area display and sell their artwork. I've gone to it several times, but this is the first time I've gone as a painter.

I was so excited to find a Watercolor Club in nearby Inverness that I can join, as well as another class that I can attend. All the ladies that I spoke with were so sweet and inviting! Can't wait to learn more!

Today's painting is another practice piece from one of my books. Seeing all those lovely paintings at the park made me want to hurry home and paint!