Am I Blue?

7" x 10" Watercolor

Today in my painting class, we painted flowers "close up". I got this image from Wet Canvas. I love painting flowers this way - it's so dramatic and fun. I'm planning on doing a series of them, and then matting and framing them alike for my wall. Tomorrow, we're going to Watercolor Club - they're doing a "Paint Around". Anxious to see how that goes!

Pepper Fiesta

7" x 10" Watercolor

My watercolor class was dedicated to painting produce yesterday. I had everyone come in with at least 3 pieces of produce. We made little still lifes, and painted! Fun! I picked out these peppers just because they were so colorful! I must admit, though, that I gave them away at the end of class - I just don't eat them! One gal brought in broccoli, and another had some parsley - they both did an amazing job of painting them (and I think they're very hard things to paint).

Lake Scene

12" x 16" Watercolor

My class wanted to paint landscapes with water, so I printed off a few photos from Wet Canvas for them to try. This is the one I picked. I swear - since I started teaching this class, I haven't painted one thing that I think is ok! Maybe I'm trying too hard or something, but I'm really emabarassed that my paintings aren't better than this! So, of course, I always bring in one that I like (that I painted much earlier) so that they can see that yes, once in awhile, I can do a painting that's presentable! Arghhhhhhhhhhh.

Lily Fair

11" x 15" Watercolor

Painted this little lily study last week during Pat's class. It's from a photo I took of some beautiful lillies I had in a vase. Today, I went to the Ocala Art Festival. Got there right as it opened at 10:00, and in a very short time, it was so hot outside that I wanted to leave! Sometimes, living in the Sunshine State sucks! But, I saw some beautiful things there - and I purchased a gorgeous piece of pottery. Tra-la-la!

Acrylic Practice

12" x 12" Acrylic

I found this fabulous book on acrylic painting: "Dynamic Acrylics" by Soraya French - in Barnes & Noble in Kansas City last week. It really speaks to me, since she paints rather abstractly with bright, bold colors! This is me trying to copy one of her amazing paintings. Mine looks like 1st grade next to hers, but I learned a lot from doing it, and have begun to think about doing something on my own. Love, love, love this book!

Peace Tree

11" x 15" Watercolor

I'm finally home! I do believe that 10 days is just too long to be gone - but I had a wonderful time with my kids and grandkids. My daughter & I drove from Kansas City to Liberal, Kansas for my class reunion - that was a looooong 8 hour drive each way! But, still - glad that I did it! Now, though, I can concentrate on painting things. And, cleaning out my closet for winter (Ugh).

This painting was inspired by a photo I had taken a couple of years ago of a tree leaning into the Rainbow River. Everything was misty, and hard to paint, but I hope I did it justice! And, of course I call it the "Peace Tree", since it makes a perfect peace sign! Peace to you all!

Gourds

7" x 10" Watercolor

Today in Pat's class, we had about an hour left, and she put these gourds out on the table, and said, "Paint them!" - so we did! Not the best thing I ever painted, but not the worst, either. Sometimes I think it's rather fun to just work quickly, without much thinking - and see what happens! Lots that I would do differently with more time, but, "Such is Life"!

This Saturday, I'll be flying to Kansas City and visit for a few days, then my daughter and I will be driving down to Liberal, Kansas (in the Southwest corner of Kansas) - to attend my 45th Class Reunion. I know that it's getting nice and cool in KC, so I'm looking forward to that! These days of 90 degree heat have just about worn out their welcome! Maybe some of the trees will have color, so I'll take some pics!

Anyway, I'll be away for 10 days! See you on the flip side!

By the River

11" x 15" Watercolor

So my class on Thursday wanted to paint trees. Well, trees aren't usually the main subject in a painting, but I decided to come up with a little scene for them to paint. It was good enough to incorporate a few little lessons - and they all did very well with it. I think I'm starting to run out of steam - and new things for them to learn. They need to just practice, practice, practice! Next week, they will all bring in something that they want to paint, and we'll see how that goes. Even with all the stress, I'm loving this class! Lots of warm, funny, amazing women - we have a good time!

Another Bouquet

12" x 16" Watercolor

So in my class today, we made bouquets out of all the pretty flowers that I brought in, and painted them. As the instructor, I was hoping that my painting would turn out better than this - but it did turn out to be a teaching moment. I showed them what I didn't like about it, and what I did. I think it helps sometimes to show them that I can have problems with a painting that I did, too! (What was I thinking about putting that little leaf "skirt" around the top of the vase?!) So, next week, they want to learn about painting trees. Oh Dear.........!

Pat Kelly-Sistrand

I'd like to introduce you to my wonderful instructor, Pat Kelly-Sistrand. I've been taking her watercolor class for a couple of years now - every Tuesday afternoon. She has taught me so much about this craft, and I want to publicly thank her for that! In her class, we always do "Critique" first thing, bringing in paintings that we have done over the week. She has such a good eye for finding just "that thing" that will bring your painting to life, and make it sing! I find myself trying to figure out what she's going to say! I make sure that I have all my darks and lights in, know where my light source is, and check composition! But, there seems to be always something else that it needs!


Now that I'm teaching my own class, I find that most of what I want to pass on to my students are tricks and techniques that I have learned in Pat's class. She's truly a gem!


When we left class yesterday, she challenged us to paint something from life - so I went and got some flowers and put them in a pot. Actually, this is exactly what my class will be doing tomorrow! I'm bringing in lots of flowers, and they're bringing in some vases, and they'll be painting an arrangement from life. I'm really not so happy with this painting (who knew that sweet-smelling stock is so hard to paint?) Maybe tomorrow I'll be better at it!

12" x 16" Watercolor