Showing posts with label watercolor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label watercolor. Show all posts

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Marlins, a rose, and baby turtles!


Marlin fish.
Friday night.
A very simplified version, but I was exhausted.
The one on top was my grandson's attempt at watercolor.
Needless to say, he tried very hard, and I like the result!
We will be working on his drawing skills in the next few months.
We also went camping this weekend, to check out the camper.
We drove over to Pensacola to tour both the Navy Museum and the Lighthouse.
We are all a little sore from the 177 steps to get up to the top.
My grand didn't want to go, but he conquered his fear and made it to the top!
He did not, however go out on the walkway around the light.
I'm still so proud of him!



The Peace rose is for my grand daughter's birthday.
We had just come back from the mission to Africa, and I jumped right into the VBS at church.
I totally did not do her painting on her birthday, but it is still for her birthday.
Why a rose?
Last year I painted a purple Dahlia as this is her name.
Her middle name is Rosalie, and her Mannas (my mother) favorite flower was a rose.
This one is for Saturday.



"Follow the leader" 
Baby turtles
I just love painting them!

Marlins, a rose and Follow the leader (baby turtles), Acrylic on canvas and watercolor
Follow the Leader 5 x 24 inches, Days 32,33,34 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2023

 

Monday, July 22, 2019

What an amazing and hectic two weeks!



It really is hard to post when your 
internet is sketchy, 
your phone does not cooperate, 
and you're too tired to work everything all out!
Needless to say the past couple of weeks have been a roller coaster with a rocket attached.
When I began the 100 days for the fall, I was full of enthusiasm and optimism.
Those of you who know me, know that I can pack a lot of activity into a day and pack we did!
The first few days were filled with a recycled class at the Eastern Shore Art Center for kids.
My grandson was also staying with us and going to class with great enthusiasm. 
We had an Artwalk in Fairhope on the first Friday before he arrived.
Our Daughter in law had a birthday party in Mobile that week.
We also went to a movie with the grandchild, family, and church.
Then we spent long periods of time in the pool with our grandson playing long and hard.

The weekend was spent getting ready for the following week's classes at the 
Mobile Museum of Art all day. I left the house at 6:30am and got home at 6:00pm every day.
Thoroughly enjoyable, but exhausting between an average of 19 children for 8 hours, and 2 hours of driving each day! I have a profound respect for teachers that do this day in and day out, molding the active minds of active crazy children on the threshold of raging hormones!

Anyway, we created a lot of art.
I also managed to get a brad nail that shot partially into my finger while 
putting together wood sculptures on the first day!
We had long hard hours spent on our impressionism project of the Flamingo at the top.
(I LOVE THIS PROJECT!)
Crayons, wood, cardboard, paint!
Several other projects managed to find their way into my portfolio as well, 
all while demonstrating to the kids!

In the midst of this, I was cutting, packing, and repacking for my mission to Africa!
There are three bags now, all stuffed to almost capacity with art supplies and surprises for the people there.
I want to bring more, but there is always next year!
MY clothes have for the most part, fit into a rolling backpack weighing less than 15 pounds. 
( per Qatar Airways requirements)
The internet, and electricity have been iffy over in Chidobe, 
so posting anything from Africa may be wishful at best!
Rest assured, I will be creating, and trying to post to blog and Facebook.
Let the adventures in Africa begin at 4 am Tuesday morning!







More of the kids creations on Facebook!

Much love to all, 
100 days~100 paintings Fall 2019

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Independence day sketch


Have Watercolor pencils, will travel!
This sketch is for a painting at a later date.
I worked on this sketch until it got too dark to see.
Watercolor pencils are fun to use, either drawing with them or pulling color from the tips with a wet brush.Sitting in a chair, listening to the conversations around us,  seeing friends and catching up, families winding down their day with tired children running freely around the crowd for the 4th of July.

Things are happening in the studio as well, I started a major canvas day by setting up my compressor and staple gun. Trouble was, I could not find my canvas pliers. They were not in their regular place, in the drawer with my supply of staples. I am not real certain where they are, possibly at our oldest daughters house. I may have taken them there when we were working on her dining room chairs. Any way, she cannot find them, I cannot find them, dead in the water as far as canvas stretching goes!
(we did stretch one by hand, but I cannot do that for the other 17 left to go.)
 I did get the canvas cut and ready for the next step. One large 6 yard roll of canvas just about makes 18 complete shadowbox canvases along with scraps from the studio.

At any rate, I still accomplished getting a new hose for my compressor and eyes to replace the ones lost on our grandson's "turts". Their dog has chewed the original eyes off, after our grandson scratched the paint off the pupil. Our daughter keeps replacing them with glass beads, but turts hits the floor quite frequently. We also shopped at a sale our local Goodwill had, 50% off everything. I managed to find 2 pairs of cargo pants to take to Africa, as well as an animal print coat and black swing top.

 Another day starts tomorrow, I borrowed a pair of canvas pliers and managed to get 2 more canvases  completed before stopping to cook dinner and go to fireworks at the bay.
Another day in our home and country, free to celebrate, free to worship, free to gather in large crowds without fear. I 'm glad we live in the United States!
I pray the rest of the world can have the freedoms we have as well!

Independence day sketch, 11x17, watercolor
Day 3 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2019

Then, I must paint them all white, in preparation for paintings coming soon. 
Thanks for visiting

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

For the love of trees


"For the love of trees"

This watercolor is the simple sketch for a commissioned piece.
She loves the view from the front of her home that faces one lake and is backed by another. 
It will be on two custom canvases that are made to fit above the 
cabinetry in the kitchen for my clients home. 
One canvas measures 43.5 x 21 the other 55 x 21 making for a total length of 98.5 inches.
The design calls for the largest tree close to the mid way point to be the bridge between the two canvases. There is also a bit of lake on the right side not visible in the photo.She also wants it done in sepia color on the white background. 
I am so excited to begin work on this beautiful addition to her home!

"For the love of trees", watercolor 
Day 37 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2018

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Commander of the sea



Well today was a  first! Lisa (Our share the beach coordinator was confused) When she called to bring the team to the water, she didn't know if they had one nest or possibly two! 
Apparently there were a LOT of turtle tracks. 

I could not go and help as I am teaching full time at the Mobile Museum of art this week. My week has been interesting to say the least, with preteen boys and girls in tow. We've gotten a great deal of work done, but we still have an incredible amount more to complete.
 Me and my grandiose plans!
 I always have dreams of everything going perfectly and that is never the case! 
We have two days to finish two rather large steampunk projects.
 At least the Acrylic and watercolor class are going swimmingly.

Commander of the sea, acrylic on canvas 12 x 12
Day 10 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Watercolor turtle winner
11x15inches
Bonus painting for day 10

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Biloxi Blue


Today, a watercolor............
Biloxi Blue is from a photograph I took years ago when we made a day trip to Biloxi, Mississippi.
There was this wonderful little harbor behind a casino and it had the most beautiful shrimp boats. Along with shrimp boats, there was this little guy, posing for all the world to see. He just simply adjusted his position on the piling as I moved around him shooting photos. I got several nice shots of him, in front of both a red and a blue shrimp boat. I used this particular pose as a demonstration and painting project for my beginning watercolor students. The students learned a lot in the past 6 weeks, but most of all, they had fun! I love to think of this group of ladies joining me in the winter quarter for ESILL as well. Some of them already said yes to moving on to intermediate watercolor.
If you look carefully, you can see the out of focus shrimp boat behind the seagull. This class used both very loose and very tight techniques combined, along with a little masking.

Biloxi Blue, Watercolor on paper, 11 x 15
Day 95 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2017 

Monday, October 2, 2017

Some watercolor please!



These three paintings are some of my demonstrations I do during my watercolor classes. We are winding down the ESILL class for watercolor and I will miss these energetic and lovely women! They are all delightful to be around and really encourage me to embrace my later years. I am convinced that we stay young by constantly staying active and learning. We can all learn from each other, even if we don't take a class! Join a small group, take a class, find a neighbor! Don't just sit your life away watching television or the computer. (there is also more to life than our phones!)

I enjoy creating these little gems while teaching!
Sometimes for sale, always fun!

Shrimp, Crab, 8 1/2 x 11, Pier 11x14, Watercolor on paper, 
Day 92 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Mobile Harbor~Middle Bay


I absolutely love the way this one turned out!
It started as a demonstration for a class, and I finally sat down and finished it! 
This one is mounted a new way for my watercolors. After finishing the watercolor, you spray varnish on it. I try to spray at least 2 or 3 coats of damar or acrylic. You then mount the paper onto canvas or board using acid free gel medium for acrylics. I brush the medium on to the paper and the substrate. After firmly pressing every possible area on the painting, you put as much weight on it as possible. (At least I do!) You can then varnish again if you like! The wonderful part about it is there is no need for glass or mats. While I know my framing friends will cringe at the thought, I prefer them this way. There is no glare on the glass, no glass to get broken, and none of the weight! This one is currently at the Artists gallery in Fairhope on South Section Street.

Mobile Harbor~Middle Bay, Watercolor paper mounted on canvas, 18 x 24
Day 7 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Monday, July 3, 2017

Middle Bay and Old Glory


"Middle Bay and Old Glory"

It's hard to imagine that it is already another year gone by and time to start the 100 Days~100 Paintings. I started this series in gulp.....2009. This year will find me blogging and painting my 900th piece of art! (Actually more, but there may be a post about that later.) I never imagined it would still be something I look forward to creating and writing about. This day begins the 2017 series. 

This year the dynamic is still changing daily. My hard work as a professional artist is paying off with my pieces starting to be in demand. This spring was very successful and it found me doing more commissions than ever. "The Artists gallery" on South Section Street, Fairhope Alabama, now carries my works in a double sized space. Big Fish Trading Company on 98 is also carrying my pieces to go with their fabulous furniture. People are also visiting the studio to pick out their works. 
I also began a new series of paintings on multiple canvases. 

Fall shows applications are in and acceptances are being sent. 
The biggest change of all is my husband retired from his 40 year job at the paper mill. I am really enjoying having the love of my life at home, but we are still getting used to doing things apart. Most exciting is our new "tiny house" we use to travel and carry our dachshunds along for the journey! I cannot wait to take it to shows for us to have a place to stay. 

Now as to the surprise mentioned on Facebook, I am giving away a shadowbox painting of your choice in the 16 x 16 size. This size painting sells at shows for $155. I am looking forward to seeing how many collectors, new and old sign up to be a part of this exciting giveaway!
Feel free to share, share, share, the link please.

This painting started as a class piece for one of my advanced watercolor students. She added her husband's  sailboat to her painting for an anniversary present. 
This one is a watercolor mounted to canvas and put into a barnwood frame.

"Middle Bay and Old Glory" Watercolor mounted on canvas 14 x 18
$175.00

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Mural watercolor




These two are watercolors for a layout of a possible mural in Daphne. I am so excited to be able to use my talents to help people feel better! This is for a doctors office opening soon. Those who follow me might remember last years mural at the Hyperbaric center here in Fairhope. That mural was half the size! (8 x 24) This one will be 10 x 52 linear feet when completed. 
If I get the contract hopefully!

Reef Mural ,Watercolor, 10 x 52 inches,
Day 41 of the 100 days~100 paintings

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Did you say something? I & II


One of my bucket list things to do is to go to a jubilee. Jubilees happen in two places, the East coast of Mobile Bay and I have heard on the coast of Africa (not sure where). They may happen in other places,but we have them commonly around here during the late summer and fall. The fish, crabs, flounder, eels and everything that relies on oxygen in the water come rushing to the shore in a free for everyone catch all you can, then you either clean it or give it away. Fortunately, I have a neighbor that gives it away! We have been on the receiving end of her jubilee catches, buckets of crabs, and coolers full of Flounders. I want to watch one more than catch the bounty, to photograph and to paint the endless gifts from the seashore.
This beautiful crab is from one of those boundless catches. I photograph them before I cook them, so as to have an endless supply of references to paint. This lovely lady is part of a cabinet that Chris and I collaborated on for a Habitat for Humanity fund raiser to be auctioned off this coming Thursday, hopefully at a premium price!
Did you say something? I 10 x 20 Acrylic on canvas day 64 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings


This lovely painting started as a demonstration for a watercolor class. She is large and more colorful than the photo. 
Did you say Something? II, 10 x 24 watercolor on paper, Day 65 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings
available at Fairhope Connections in downtown Fairhope, Alabama


Friday, August 1, 2014

Elementary my Dear!






       The age group of 8-11 year olds got to paint in two classes as well Watercolor and Acrylics that pop! were on the menu last week. The kids had a lot of fun and I am sure that the  Pop Dachshunds will end up at Art Party to you in some form or another!
Initial white crayon on paper with watercolor, Sunflowers watercolor on paper 8 x 10, Pop Dachshunds 18 x 24 acrylic on canvas, watercolor crab and shrimp 12 x 16 each. These pieces are days 24 through 28 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings. I will post more later on these kids and their wonderful art work created while at Art Camps on the Gulf Coast!

Painting with the "tweenagers" En Plein Aire!






" En Plein Aire" one of the classes I taught at the museum during the past three weeks, This class took the children, ages 12 & up on an outdoor adventure into the world of outdoor art. It is always interesting to see what the kids come out with in this class. In the beginning, a lot of I can'ts, by the end of the week, I can't believe I did thats! Always enjoyable, always changing, sometimes unpredictable. Outdoor painting is a challenge for adults and children alike. We battled heat, rain, bugs, and lawn maintenance!
A wide vaariety of sizes from 5x7's to 12 x 16's, these 6 paintings take care of days 16,17,18,19,
20 and 21 ! of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Fairhope Sunset


       Fairhope Sunset came about as yet another demonstration for a student. One of my watercolor students from the beginner class is very keen on learning all he can! He has come to several classes here at the Raccoon Retreat studio and we both have a very enjoyable time. He is very inquisitive and constantly asking questions, and I love it. He always leaves telling me he learned so much that day.

       Today's lesson was brought about by his query on how would you approach this piece? He had already attempted it on his own, and had muddied up the colors in his sky quite a bit. We had a discussion on color and the use of either transparent or opaque colors in a painting. We also talked about complementary colors and how they gray down or neutralize their complements. I suggested using the warms only at the very end to add pops of color. This piece does not have any warm color added at all. I painted it in three colors, Hansa Yellow PY3, Ultramarine Blue PB 29, and Permanent Rose PV19(also called Quinacradone Violet).
These are all three transparent (at least to me) cool (to me as well) and mix well with each other. Toward the end, I wanted a little more richness to the sky blue and added a touch, (a touch mind you folks!) of Pthalo Blue PB15.

     So four colors, lots of layering later, (and a lesson in patience! I'm getting a lot of those lessons lately!) Waiting for mine and his to dry while working on another at the same time. I always advise my students to have more than one piece if they are impatient. Wait for one to dry while working on another (this is so you don't end up with mud, folks!)

       Patience, I'm learning a lot of that lately............... The internet shut down for me no less than 14 times today while working in the studio! (I know this only because I have Pandora on and I put a tick mark every time it happened!) Repair day, July 10th cannot come soon enough!

      Ah lessons in patience... pray for me tomorrow in the morning, I am having a paddleboard lesson from the same student to see if I like it before we invest in the time making one! I'm excited to learn a new skill, I just hope I don't embarrass  myself falling off a dozen times!

"Fairhope Sunset" 9 x 12 matted to 11 x 14 Day 9 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Queen Conch


       Queen Conch is a watercolor demonstration done while teaching a class. I choose to demonstrate as well as discuss while I am teaching. I find it helps my students to understand what I am trying to teach them. I was explaining the process of layering, building washes and adding final color for details. I really enjoy teaching both adults and children, seeing the delight in their eyes when they finally 'get' what I am trying to explain. Hands down though, the best way to learn is to observe the technique, practice it in class, (if you are taking a class,) then go home and try it on your own! I learned more doing this than anything else! At home, you don't have the instructor telling you to stop, don't do that. It allows yourself to dig into a hole, (how did I get that color?) make mistakes and fix them. It adds to your frustration level, yes, but it also forces you make decisions on your own. (You really didn't want to take lessons for the rest of your life, did you?) Making the decisions yourself builds confidence, re-enforces what you learned in class, and allows you to make mistakes. You then learn from the mistakes and move on. When I teach, I tell my students every mistake I have ever made, hopefully so they will not do the same things. Invariably, there is at least one in the class that isn't listening and makes the mistake I have tried to get them to avoid. When they are blustered, the other students in the class tell them, yes she did say not to do that!

       Anyway, I guess what I am trying to tell you dear readers is:
1. Don't let minor setbacks pull you down.
2. Allow yourself to make mistakes.
3. Learn from your mistakes.
4. Don't make the same mistakes again!
5. Above all, paint, paint, paint-time behind a brush is worth more than any instruction!
6. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do that.
7. Try to do something new and challenging.
This works for everything I try, tile mosaics, stained concrete floors, tiling, designing, and too many building techniques to go into right now!

Posted today instead of yesterday because of continuing internet issues,
'Queen Conch' watercolor on paper,9 x 12, matted to 11 x 14 Day 8 of the 100 Days~100 Paintings

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Attitude


     Sadly enough, I had to get an attitude myself today. I normally am very patient and willing to wait for an appointment from our cable provider (even though it still is not for several days!). But today was the absolute last string cut from my puppet. I had worked to get my blog post ready and when I went to post it to the internet, the connection was lost yet again. When the connection was established, my entire post was gone from the screen.

      I called my cable provider, went through the automated system, and once again 'she' determined there was a problem with the line. 'She' placed me in touch with a young man that sounded foreign. Once again, I had to explain my problem to yet another person, and this time the frustration was mounting. I told him I know that this is not your fault, but this is utterly ridiculous and I was fed up with spotty problems. "I see mam you have an appointment." he said probably from the script. I said yes I have an appointment, but the young man I talked with previously had said he was going to try and get it moved closer. I need to be able to research and blog I mentioned to no avail. "Mam you have an appointment" He said yet again. He had me restart the computer and unplug the cable box,(the automated system had already done this earlier), he then said I am checking the box, can you tell me what you see? One light, two, three blinking, then 4, wait that's connected! Can you go to an address on the internet for me. I did and he said it seems to be working now. I said, for the moment, it may last an hour or a minute, then it was gone again.

       He then suggested  "Mam you could upgrade and get a new box and faster service."
(Wrong thing to say young man.) Trying to maintain civility,  I told him WHY would I want to upgrade, when what I have is not working now! Even now, as I write this, the connection is gone, the lights are blinking, and I have a knot in my stomach from the distress this is causing me. God is testing my patience, I can feel it!

        I am over technology, I bought a recharge device that overheated my phone, my phone died right after I finished paying for it in full, it was replaced, but then the screen went black when I dropped it in the road while walking the dogs. I now have a new computer (phone) that I am trying to learn about, (but I cannot get on the internet to pull up the tutorials.) The computer I am working on is about 6 years old, has the Vista program on it, and it is running slow. I could run the grime fighter I purchased from Avast! but I need to be connected to the internet. (Do you see dear readers, where this is going?) The cable box has multiple lights blinking for the moment, but by the time I go to post, there may be no "Connection"

     "Attitude" watercolor on paper, matted to 11 x 14, Day 6 of the 100 Days~ 100 Paintings

Friday, July 4, 2014

Feeling Crabby!

       Feeling crabby isn't the half of it!
     
            I am here at the computer keyboard, typing as fast as I can, wondering when the next interruption of my internet service will come. These posts were supposed to begin on June 30th, but to no avail!
 
            I am by nature an impatient person when it comes to technology because it takes time away from my easel and studio. So consequently when I want it to work, I want it to work! Well the past few weeks have been spotty at best. Just when I think I can finally post, or get on to check emails, the connection goes out and throws me into fits of frustration. When I say fits, it simply means I do not even try any more to get onto the computer. I would rather be in the studio creating than fighting with machinery!                                                                              
       To begin the story, let me back up a few weeks........ We had just arrived home from two weeks visiting our daughter in New Delhi, India and came home to internet problems. My husband works full time and other than my music on the computer, I do not get on very much. (Right now, I have notifications from everyone's favorite social media!) I check emails, post on social media, then maybe research some for the classes I teach, then I am off, done... I would rather be painting, creating, making art that needs to be made for commissions, the galleries that help support my artist lifestyle,        and for my shows in the fall.

           Needless to say, I was not paying much attention to the connection problem that was lurking in my studio. Approximately  a week after coming home, I noticed the issue. I kept seeing a repairman outside on the line (several times!), so I assumed someone had called it in and the problem was becoming a distant memory. Not so for me! I finally called it in and got the automated system, "she" checked my box, and at that particular moment, it was working! "She" said there was no issue with my box and hung up. Then the internet quit, for about the 5th time that morning! So, I thought, well now they know there may be a problem, so they will check it right? I was so wrong................... and after no response from the media company, I called and got   in touch with our local provider, by their 800 number and talked with a gentleman that said there is a   problem on the line after getting me to troubleshoot   the box here. Success! He said they would call me to arrange an appointment. A week goes by, and a major electrical hit nearby during one of our afternoon thunderstorms. I am still thinking that I am on the list to get looked at. End of week, I got nothing! Called again and got a technician that told me there was no record of the previous call and I am at the bottom of the list . I explained that was not satisfactory and I needed to be moved up if possible with another person that cancels. He said he would try and would get back with me in the next couple of days. Two days later I receive an automated call to please contact them. I excitedly call, thinking they have an appointment for me! The young lady responds, no this is just to confirm your appointment on July 10th. WAIT, what! (This is July 1st!) I explain this is an ongoing problem and I need someone sooner rather than later, she then tells me she cannot move up the appointment, only the technician can take care of it as he initially handled the call. I am near the end of my rope by now and tell her make the appointment. I then talk with my neighbor, and she was told the same thing, but she told them, by then she will have a new service, (they fixed hers the next day!) Maybe I'll change tactics and get her to talk with them next time.
 
      Today seems to be better, with the line working for at least the past two hours. But you wait, I'll go to post, and it will probably be down again. When that happens there may be a small explosion coming from the Raccoon Retreat Studio here in sunny Fairhope, Alabama. These four  "Crabby"  creations are days I,II, III, and IV of the 100 Days-100 Paintings for 2014, all created in Acrylic, all of them 12 x 12


"Beautiful Blue" Watercolor matted to 11 x 14
This little guy is the painting for Day 5 of the 100 Days-100 Paintings 2014. This is my 5th year doing  
100 Paintings in 100 Days. I began July 1st 2009. (This was also the year we bought, and began a major construction project in Fairhope , Al .
I began doing the multiple paintings during the summer in an effort to get ready for shows in the fall and to provide for my galleries that so wonderfully support my artistic adventures. The galleries and collectors I have gained over the past few years have been amazing to say the least. Come with me on the adventure, that this year will see 500 paintings completed during the blog.



Tuesday, August 20, 2013

What happened to Summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Confetti Shrimp 12 x 16  watercolor  day 17






 
Bubble weave~watercolor 12 x 16 Day 18



 
Confetti Crab watercolor 12 x 16 Day 19
 
Watercolors for the children
8-12 years at Museum



Backlit Tree watercolor 12 x16 Day 20
Variegated Sail watercolor day 21
Wet into Wet watercolor 12 x 16 day 22
 



Mobile Museum of Art "En Plein Aire" pieces

The walkway across the lake at the Museum. Day 23
Bruce Larsen sculpture in front 12 x 16 Day 24





 

Magnolias "En Plein Aire" , my favorite for the week at the Museum!

Colorful Frida 12 x 16 Acrylic on paper Day 26

Is it possible for time to stand still? Apparently not at the Raccon Retreat! Summer has flown by with classes, changes, and commissions!