Blog Anniversary

Three years ago today, this was the first painting that I uploaded onto this blog. At that time, I had been painting for a little over a month. I remember loving painting with oils - and I managed to paint something every day!

This blog was born out of my desire to have a place that my family and friends could go to and see my progress on this wonderful journey. I had no idea that it would be the beginning of new friendships - and that total strangers would find me and comment! What a blessing! Through this blog, I have challenged myself to paint - and to show even the failures. I've "met" many other artists, and love seeing what they do! I've learned so much, and continue to do so by trying other mediums and other styles of painting. Long Live Blogging! Thank you to everyone who peeks in from time to time.

October Road

12" x 16" Watercolor

Finally painted again! I haven't been in painting class for awhile. Seems like something comes up every week, and I can't go. This is my rendition of a wonderful photo that I saw on Wet Canvas. I hope I did it justice.

Yesterday, I purchased another cool book on painting acrylic abstracts: Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists. I'm still trying to find ways to tap into my creativity and make some abstracts that I will love! Lots of great ideas in this book! Now, I just have to order more fluid acrylics, and find a bunch of papers to add to the collage. Why is it that I just have to keep finding new things to do that cost me a lot of money?

Picasa Picnik

I use Google Picasa for my photo program - and I just got an update today. Went in to see what was new, and found a new toy -- Picnik!


This fun editing program allows me to:

Add a frame around my photo - it will make it look nicer when I upload it to my blog!

"Posterize" an inspiration photo - might make it easier for me to see the values!

And, I can also turn a photo into hexes - this might help me figure out how turn a subject into an abstract!

I'm excited to try all the fun things the program has to offer! And, it's free!

Hiatus

From left: Sandy, Judi, Jeanne and Susan

My watercolor class will be in hiatus until December 30th. We decided that we all need a break during this busy holiday time. Hopefully, when we re-convene - we will have some new students, as well as some regulars that have been traveling! Today's class was fun - everyone doing their own thing. These gals have really taken to the medium, and do great work!

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!