Art du Jour by Martha Lever

Art of Your Heart

2012-01-26T07:00:00.046-05:00

I write this little saying all the time because it is just so true for me. It is so amazing to me how different (and better) my art is when it comes spontaneously and serendipitously straight out of my heart. Most (99%) of the art I post on my art du jour blog is created this way. I have had to do many commissions and other art on demand throughout the years and although I love my art and love to create it, if it is "on demand" from an outside source I feel that it is forced and contrived. I don't think the viewer can see (I hope not!) it but I sure can.

This was written quickly with my new fabulous Pentel Pocket cartridge brush fountain pen. I also got out my Pan Pastels for the sun and one of my favorite stencils. I should do that more often because that was awesomely fun!

So today was quick and fun = art du jour!

More in the Pear-ology Series

2012-01-24T07:00:00.010-05:00

Painting pears definitely makes me happy. This is another piece of 5x7 Twinrocker paper with the fabulous deckled edges. Ok, gotta go now and do my happy dance. :))

CalligraFUN in Orlando

2012-01-23T07:00:00.003-05:00

I just can't tell you how much fun it was to teach CalligraFUN to my fellow scribes. They are all such a talented bunch as you can see from the images. They had great success and I am so proud of them!

2012-01-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

OK, I think I am ready now!!

CalligraFUN Samples

2012-01-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

I am teaching CalligraFUN to the Scribes of Central Florida on Saturday and I have been really busy getting packets and samples ready for them. They are a great bunch of talented people so it should be lots of fun!
Here are a few examples I have created in the last few days to show them.

Cinco de pears

2012-01-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

This is how I practice glazing the pears. It is just on a scrap strip of 300 lb Arches paper. I never waste any scrap of this paper. I can always paint something on the scrap and make a "snippet." I love the 300 lb and even though it is much more expensive I try to watch for sales and buy it then. Dick Blick is usually the lowest but Jerry's Artarama and Cheap Joe's are great too.

My try to paint the pears so they will appear to glow in the light. A lot has to do with the paint colors too. Here are the 3 main colors I use:

Windsor Yellow---Windsor Newton

Quinacridone Gold--Daniel Smith (WN has a good one too)

Quinacridone Burnt Orange--Daniel Smith

I also mix up a shade color.

Reds in Water

2012-01-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

Here is another 5 x 7 "Burridge" style floral which I love to paint. They are getting easier,

at least for the 5x7s.

I am certainly collecting a big stack of these!

Pear on Pink

2012-01-15T07:00:00.003-05:00

This pear is on a 5x7 sheet of St. Armand's paper. I am trying different watercolor papers and still my favorite is Arches 140 lb cold press. There is nothing much better than that for watercolor. Fabriano is good too but I think that Arches beats it for watercolor.
As I told you I am on a "pear tear" so you will see lots of pears in the coming days. I try to paint one everyday. I plan to do them in watercolor and acrylic.

Abstract 1

2012-01-13T07:00:00.036-05:00

I have always been very drawn to abstract art but some abstract art is hideous (to me) but some is very pleasing to my eye. So with that being said, from time to time I delve (again) into the abstract area and try my hand. This one is on a 10x10 piece of 300 lb Fabriano paper. It's ok but I am still going to try to be a bit less busy. I guess I don't need to throw everything plus the kitchen sink into every piece. But I will say that I did enjoy painting it and watching it change and go in different directions. The focal point is guilded with 22 Karat patent gold leaf. So easy to do.
So, the question is, which way does it go? This way...

Or this way...

Hummm..I really don't have a clue. I painted it turned the top way but turned it all around when I painted. I guess it can go anyway.

Repeat Pattern Blocks=FUN!

2012-01-11T07:00:00.005-05:00

During one of my Pinterest wanderings where I sit and drool and become glary-eyed and sometimes go into an eye-candy coma (don't laugh you know you do it too) I saw this site. You might have seen it too. But I have gone crazy doodling these repeat pattern stacks. There is a help sheet in the site so you can do it. It is extremely easy and so fun so... go do it!

You'll thank me for it later!

Three Illusion Pears

2012-01-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

I called these pears "Illusion" pears because they are in the Illusion Floater frames that I got from Jerry's Artarama. They are a really great way to display different size canvases and it really makes a big difference. They come in silver, gold, black and white. I absolutely love them.

I thought I should take a picture of the 3 pears before they went into the show at the Women's Center here in Jacksonville. They are on the curb outside of the center. These were really fun to paint. Hopefully they will sell. These are 5x7s.

More on Twinrocker

2012-01-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

I have been saving this Twinrocker paper and actually I probably shouldn't gesso over it and paint with acrylic. It is great watercolor paper so maybe this is the last time I will use this for acrylic. I do like the deckled edges though.

New Flowers for a New Year

2012-01-07T07:00:00.005-05:00

I have been down with a nasty old cold and coughing thing since right after Christmas but I have gotten up to paint when I would have an upswing. I painted this yesterday. I got some new paints (to add to the warehouse of other paints I have!) It is Australian Sienna Structure Acrylic by Matisse. I know that I could easily mix this color it's nice to have it in a jar. It comes pretty dark in the jar but mixes down to almost a lemon yellow. I love it.

Since I have been in my "pear phase" I haven't painted in flowers in a far in so long I was afraid I had forgotten how.

This one is on a 6x8 sheet of Twinrocker 140 lb watercolor paper. I love the deckled edge.

Hope everyone is well and feeling creative!

Also, here is something I thought was really funny!

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T23:24:00.001-05:00

SENDING YOU MANY BLESSINGS FOR 2012!

Pears in Paradise

2011-12-29T15:05:00.003-05:00

Hi Y'all. I have been enjoying my vacation but I have been painting like crazy even though I have been out of town. You know I can't put a paint brush down!

21 Secrets will be available for purchase on January 2nd but it doesn't begin until April 1.

I will teach you how to paint flowers with a credit card. I will show you how I cut my card for pedals and leaves and we will use the easy value system to make our flowers pop!

If you sign up by clicking my button on the right side of my blog roll then I get "credit" for it.

Sending thanks to you now if you do that!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-06T07:00:00.005-05:00

I am going to take some time off for Christmas and will return in the new year.

I hope you all have a very blessed Christmas!

Bye for now.

Mother of all Pears

2011-12-05T07:00:00.005-05:00

Yep, it's a big pear for sure. I think this is 18 x 18. I sat "her" on the front porch to show how big she is.
I added some scrapbook papers first and then added the cranberry-ish background color all over. Then I drew out the pear with some sidewalk chalk (that was the closest thing around at the time) and started to layer on the color. It took quite a while. For some reason painting a pear in different colors, like blue, is pretty easy but when I start to paint a "real" looking pear it gets harder. But I love pears. There is something just wonderfully lumpy and whimsical about them. And if they are ripe--they are just about the yummiest thing ever.

Here is a journal page I forgot to post the other day.

Also--> Check this out!
I will be teaching how to paint Credit Card Flowers in the upcoming "21 Secrets" workshop.
It looks like it's a great group of artists this go-round!

Saturday Pears

2011-12-03T07:00:00.003-05:00

You know how much I love pears so I thought I would torture myself a little bit this morning and paint from a "still life". My lighting was not great but I just needed a reference. I taped it off, drew it out and started painting. I do love watercolor and I think I have gotten the hang of painting a pear. The secret is laying in the shadows first as I indicated on my last post.

I threw in a little table salt on the blue

and used one of my favorite stencils from Mary Beth Shaw.

My stencil was actually smaller than this link I have added but that's the stencil that I love. I probably should get it larger too.

Here is another pear with many layers of glazing. I added in a purplish shadow first and then starting the glazing process. I never understood the glazing process very well until I took Karlyn Holman's class. Now I understand. It's all about harmonious transparent watercolors. Pretty simple once my pea brain got it. I also used the same stencil and grundged it up a bit.

She swears by Arches 140lb cold press paper and I love it too. But I was here at the house with only Arches 140 hot press. It is much harder to work with because of the waterlines it constantly makes.

I need to bring some hot press home with me.

I love pears...

Just doing a little pear paintin'

2011-12-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

I love to paint pears whether it is with watercolor or acrylic. This is watercolor with some writing and doodle-y lettering with it. I learned a new technique about the shadows today. They are laid down first in the contrasting/complimentary color that the pear will be, let it dry then paint the pear. And lots of fun. I learned this technique from http://www.karlynsgallery.com /Karlyn Holman at Art of the Carolinas. She is my new favorite watercolor artist. Check her out. She is fabulous. Maybe I will do a little tutorial project class on pears sometimes. They are so fun.

Wood Icing Flowers

2011-12-02T07:00:00.006-05:00

This is a 5x7 on watercolor paper and acrylic. The texture is made with Wood Icing and a flower stencil. I really was very pleasantly surprised how the texture added so much interest. Maybe I will try this bigger.
All of these florals are painted first with just a messy all over background then the floral shape and vase is negatively painted. My brain is still trying to adjust to the negative painting because I have always painted positively. The trees are all done this way also. It's a fun way to paint---when it works! Some of the time it doesn't.

Credit card flowers and journal page

2011-12-01T07:00:00.013-05:00

I collaged some scrapbook paper first but not much of it showed through. Sometimes I put it down first just for the texture it gives and maybe some might show through. This was another late "nighttime" creation in the art closet here at home.

It's a bit cheesy but I think I must like cheezy sometimes.
I will be teaching this technique but I am not sure if I am suppose to say where yet.
I will show you how I do it and you will "slap yo momma" as to how easy it is.
(My momma used to say expression so to all you non southerners--please excuse me)
I think that maybe we will even make a little mini masterpiece like this one but I haven't filmed it yet so who knows.

And here a journal page in my big journal. I haven't journaled recently in
my big journal. I am going to need a new one soon.

When all else fails... simplify

2011-11-30T12:25:00.002-05:00

Well, I just couldn't stand it. The painting in my previous post was bugging me so much that I just had to paint over it. I know simplifying sometimes works so as I was painting over all the flowers this kinda caught my eye. Maybe I will just add the stems and call it done. I have fiddled way to long with this one. Maybe add one more flowers to make it an odd number????---there I go fiddling again. See ya later painting.

More paintings...

2011-11-30T07:00:00.010-05:00

This was the last of my beveled canvases that I have had for a long time so I am glad I finally used them. This was a floral that didn't get painted over but it got worked and worked and finally after adding the white over the red flowers I liked it even though as I am looking at it online my light source is wrong. Maybe I will fix it and repost it later. I have to let them sit for a few days and see if it is finished. I am still working on glass. It's pretty tricky.

These are called drip trees and Bob Burridges taught us to do this in his landscape class. They are fun to paint. Not much control here. That's what I think is hard about Burridge's painting style, It's controlled chaos. So far I have the chaos part perfected. I might try some more of these. This one is actually a big one. I added some Nova Color fluorescent paint to the edges of the trees to make it have intense backlighting but I don't want it to look like it's a forest fire. It might be too much so again, I have to sit with this one for a few day and decide later whether to tone it down.

Surreal Trees

2011-11-29T07:00:00.007-05:00

These two started out as florals then I painted over that and tried florals again and painted over that so now they are trees. I think they will stay as trees but maybe they need something else. I have to look at them for several days. I was painting out in the red shed in the back so I was able to sling paint everywhere. The weather has been so nice here. I love November weather here in Florida. These two canvases have a beveled edge so I thought I would hit the edge with the sander for some interest.

Blue Pear etc...

2011-11-28T07:00:00.005-05:00

Yes, it's a blue pear. I was feeling adventurous today. Maybe I will paint a pink one tomorrow. This one is 12 x 12 and the sides are black. The pear below is just a practice pear on gessoed watercolor paper because I have a larger canvas prepared and I was trying out colors. So maybe I will go for it on my larger canvas.

This painting below is one more that started out really terrible and actually came out ok. I really painted some bad ones today and had to paint over them and start again. I keep telling myself that we only learn by our mistakes.
We only learn by our mistakes...we only learn by our mistakes...we only learn by our mistakes...

Definitely sweet

2011-11-26T07:00:00.005-05:00

I have some new Letraset Markers that I used to color the faces. I am not sure if I like them better than Copic markers but they are really nice and blend really well. As you see I am using my grid paper because sometimes it's great to draw a face with a grid. It helps to get the features straight.

PS to Anonymous comment:
These girls are drawn in a fanciful manner. They are not intended to be realistic.

2011-11-24T08:18:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

She's a redo--

2011-11-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

I am not really sure if I really make these girls better but I really have been wanting to change her face for a long time. Sometimes my girls come out really happy but sometimes they tend to smirk at me and I can't make them stop. She is one of those that has a little more of a smirk than a smile. Just like children sometimes my girls just have a attitude. I do like her though. And her little bird friend is saying, "I think you look beautiful with your new face."

Here's a good tip...

2011-11-22T07:00:00.002-05:00

Well not only did I spill gesso on the rug I also left one of my favorite brushes in acrylic paint for several days and you know what that does..it petrifies the brush as we all know and have probably done. Well don't throw it away so fast. Bob Burridges has great tips and this is one that works! He washes all of his brushes with Murphy's Oil Soap and makes them all like new. If you petrify a brush just soak it in Murphys for 24 to 48 hours and it dissolves all the paint and makes it like new. This brush is like new again. Good ole Murpheys! It's magic stuff!

Worst nightmare realized...

2011-11-21T07:00:00.005-05:00

THE CULPRIT

Yes, my greatest fear happened on Saturday. I dropped this brand new jar of black gesso on my precious little oriental rug. Why do I have a precious little oriental rug in my studio? Well, I just love it and wanted it there. Yes, crazy, I know---an accident waiting to happen---that happened! I am always so careful but yesterday as I was taking the gesso to the little red shed it slipped out of my hand and the top broke. I think I was actually in shock but then I screamed bloody murder and I was afraid the neighbors were really going to think it was a bloody murder.

But as you see I dragged the rug outside and quickly squirted it with the water hose and it started to wash off. Of course I had it all over me and Bucky has a black fanny.

Maybe I have saved it. I am not sure but I think so.

Then there was the wood floor. Oh my goodness--it was a mess. I finally had to call Chauncey at work to come home and HELP!

So my thoughts are this on painting big. I have to do it outside. To paint freely the way I want to I just can't do it inside.

The weather has been so nice that I could paint in the shed. Maybe I will try and make it so that I have have a little air conditioner unit out there. It would need some walls and ...well no need to discuss plans here.

Anyway, I did paint a little bit today and I have a few starts here. I am starting several and coming back to finish them up. I am going to try to have lots of paintings going at once. This is very new for me and WAY out of my comfort zone.

Here they are so far.

See what a big mess this makes??

Alpha-doodlin'

2011-11-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

This is one of the most relaxing things for me to do. I love to alpha doodle in any journal that is close by. This one is a soft bound Moleskine. The paper is pretty good for markers and pens but doesn't take watercolor too well. When I alpha doodles I use lots of different styles including CalligraFun, Elvie Cursives (Lori) and Versadoodles. It's fun and I am always trying to find words to write. As you see, sometimes I get stuck on one word! I need to keep my list of words right next to me.

Think Positive...Paint Negative

2011-11-17T07:00:00.003-05:00

I am trying to retrain my brain to paint the negative shape rather than the positive.

"Think positive but paint negative!"

This girl is one of the "starts" from one of my classes. The whole page was just a mess of paints, mostly reds on the page. I then painted the negative figure shape and "fashioned" her into a girl who might be dancing or just throwing her arms up.

All the figures we painted in the class seemed to have a personality or a story.

Painting negative is not easy so far but with practice hopefully it will get easier.

Below is just one of the exercises in painting a quick figure with light into dark and dark into light. When I sat down to do it it was confusing but it looked so easy when he did it. This fella tells a story too. He could be a tightrope walker or a dancer. These are done very quickly. It was a fun exercise and I will practice more of these. Burridges calls these our little art sketches for a larger painting or even a little masterpiece as it is.

Supplies goodies I bought

2011-11-15T10:45:00.001-05:00

I had one day of rest and today I have been going through my purchases (YIKES) so I thought since I don't have new showable art then I will show you some supplies I purchased.

First of all here is my permission slip from Burridge to create art without fear and discouragement.

"Just keep painting until it looks right!"

I think sometimes I get frustrated too quickly. Bob Burridge has 30 paintings going at once and if he feels like he is stuck on one he goes to the next. Ok, that makes me have to resolve my issue of leaving a painting "unresolved."

I have permission to do that now!

I am such a rule follower--I need permission sometimes to trudge into uncharted ground.

Below is probably the best paper for printing. I took a digital class and boy was it informative! I wish I had know these things 5 years ago. This paper is by Canson Infinity and there are many different kinds depending on the texture you like. This is a sample pack which has all of the sheets to try. These two prints are on Canson BFK and Canson Arches (pronounced "Arsh", in the French manner.)

Canson owns Arches and Canson has been around since the time of Michelangelo.

The brushes are Stratford and York Rutland (orange handle), Isabey Isaceyl, and his "detail brush"--(ha ha that's his joke) His is an Escoda Chunking #4. It's BIG. Jerry's didn't have that one but this one was comparable.

The next thing is the Holbein Acrylic paint. Here is the Acryla and the Holbein Mat Arylic. Both are fabulous pure pigment paints and I absolutely love them. As I work through all my Golden I will probably just use these. The are bright and act like watercolor also without loosing any pigment.

I had such a fun time. I know that if I want to be a better painter I need to paint everyday. It is very important to paint everyday if possible because that's the only way to learn about color, color combinations and contrast.

But as we all know, life gets in the way.

"Life" for me lately has had it's extreme ups and downs and it seems it just keep on coming.

But you know...that's just life!

Carry on!

"21 Secrets"

2011-11-14T08:22:00.000-05:00

I will be teaching a "secret" in the 21 Secrets workshop this time and we have a great line up of teachers.

21 SECRETS won't be starting until April 1, 2012--

and officially goes on sale January 2, 2012...

Click on the image to take you to Dirty Footprints Studio to see

all of the wonderful teachers.

YAY!

Landscapes, florals and trees

2011-11-12T21:22:00.000-05:00

I have had a very full day today. I started with Bob Burridge's florals this morning and Landscapes and trees this afternoon. The landscapes are very hard to do. I could watch him and think I had it but when I sat down I couldn't remember how to do it. But in the workshop setting I do have these brain drains so when I get home I can think about it and start to play around. The drip trees were a bit easier but I really need to work on them too.

Undoubtedly the coolest and funniest teacher on the planet.

Day 1 at AOC

2011-11-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

I love Robert Burridges and I think he is just about the nicest and most gernerous teacher I have ever had. He has his wonderful art all over the walls and he says to take pictures, copy it and do whatever you want to with it. How refreshing is that!? I also had Karlyn Holman today and I love her class too. Here is the start of my painting. 3 hours is just not quite long enough. I will have to practice this style of watercolor. It was about painting flowers in a shape and negative painting. It gets confusing.

Below are my Burridge paintings. I don't do well in workshops at all so I am looking forward to getting back and painting where there's lots of room. These are just a study in painting with his color wheel. More tomorrow.

Here's Bob and Karlyn.

Surely two of the nicest teachers ever. I loved every minute of it.

Here I go!!!

2011-11-10T13:21:00.000-05:00

I am very excited. We are leaving for the airport in about an hour or so. Of course I just had to do a journal page but I kinda ran out of time. I needed to go pack up my clothes and other necessities. I will try to take some picture along the way. I am not good at taking pictures when I am in workshops. I don't know why.
For the "Art of the Carolina's" title, I painted in the versals with Twinkling H20s. I wish you could see the sheen and twinkle but unfortunately the photo doesn't pick that up. So...better go now. Bye!

More Credit Card Flowers

2011-11-08T07:00:00.005-05:00

I thought I would get out a few paints and play around. I love to create these fun credit card flowers. I am experimenting with cutting the card a little differently for leaves and pedals.

It's always a surprise what I get and the more I practice the more control I have. I like the impressionistic look they have.

I am counting down the days until this weekend at Art of the Carolinas.

We are leaving Thursday.

;=))

Just a Little Yummy Peanut

2011-11-07T08:38:00.004-05:00

Well, you know Nana just has to show off the little peanut. She really is a sweet baby. She just hangs out and enjoys being alive. Her big Brother, Marc, is doing well with her. He doesn't pay much attention unless she is napping and Marc doesn't know where she is. Then he gets concerned and says, "Uh-oh, where is baby?" He's already getting to be a protective big brother.

And here she is behaving herself in church yesterday with her little lamb.

Thanks for indulging me everyone. I don't have any art du jour today because we went away for the weekend and I didn't get to do any art. But guess where I am going this weekend?

I am going to The Art of the Carolinas in Raleigh and I am signed up for back to back classes with Bob Burridge. YAHOO!

Hopefully I will be running on adrenalin and won't get tired or overwhelmed.

And of course seeing all the stuff in the Jerry's Artarama trade show will probably make me hyperventilate.

I better put a paper bag in my pocketbook just in case!

JUMP!!!

2011-11-05T07:00:00.004-04:00

I am hoping that you all get some great exercise this weekend!

Versal Pears

2011-11-04T07:00:00.022-04:00

Well, you know how the saying goes (or maybe you don't) ..."when in doubt, paint a pear" (quote from my favorite oil painter, Jeff Mahoney). I have been in a doodle mood lately and I have decided not to push myself to paint until I go to Art of the Carolinas in Raleigh next weekend for my classes with Robert Burridge. I have been working a lot lately with these fun versal letters and I am thinking that it will be my next online class. They are so fun to draw after you learn the strokes and they can be used for absolute anything; journal, finished piece, zentangles, name plates, and the list goes on. Remember this? They are so fun to do. I think I will demo in the workshop how to use 23 carat patent gold to add to the versals.
It's an ancient secret that the monks used as they sat in their candlelit scriptoriums slaving away on their manuscripts and drawing and painting in those gorgeous decorated letters. The proper term is called guilding and you just wouldn't believe how easy it is. It will probably be the first of February before I can get it up because I haven't started filming and of course--the holidays are coming. Maybe along the way I will give some sneak peeks.
And...as always...God willing.

Sweet Girl

2011-11-03T07:00:00.013-04:00

One of the very hardest things for me to do is draw a turned face. The head changes shape as well as the lips nose and eyes. She is getting better but still not quite right. I enjoy drawing a fact in face it is the most relaxing thing for me to do--even more than doodling. I think it's because you know what has to come next and no decisions need to be made---like which doodle design to do next. Anyway, Jane Davenport, does a great job of explaining the face and body. Love her!

I used Copic markers for her face.

Love drawing these versal letters and coloring them in for the titles too.

Doodle Bliss

2011-11-02T07:00:00.004-04:00

Still enjoying doodling. Haven't painted yet but it's ok. Just taking a little doodle down time.

Tools and Sources:
Zenspirations by Joanne Fink
Tombow Markers Set (Yes, I have the whole set!) I'm in heaven!
CalligraFUN (Basic letterforms)
Pilot Uniball Pen
"Project Accessory" on my TV

I won a giveaway!

2011-11-01T07:00:00.004-04:00

Jane Royal is one of my favorite artists and I won this fabulous journal in her giveaway! The cover is fabulous and also the inside cover. I have been sketching. Here is what I have done so far in this fabulous journal. Thanks, Jane!!

The images below are from Jane Davenports class "Supplies Me." If you have ever wanted to learn to draw a proper face and body she is the one to go to! This class is really wonderful and Jane is absolutely delightful.

I have used a variety of supplies and techniques and sources.

Tombow Markers

Prisma Colored Pencils

Chunky Versals (tentative future new online class)

Elvie Cursive

Zenspirations by Joanne Fink

My little Super Hero!

2011-10-31T10:01:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!

GATOR Doodle!

2011-10-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

It's a FLORIDA thing!!!

It is GA-FL weekend here in Jacksonville and it's always fun weekend.

When you can't paint...doodle!

2011-10-28T07:00:00.006-04:00

Well, I guess you could call this more like alpha doodling but I am still having trouble cranking back up to paint so when all else fails...doodle!!! And along that line...when you're feeling blue...doodle! When you're feeling lonely...doodle!!! When you're feeling bored...DOODLE! When you're feeling like you'll never create another painting in your life then...DOODLE!! Actually I am not feeling blue or lonely, just unmotivated to continue to try to paint "the big one." I'll paint again but I think I just need to recharge a bit. So when you need to recharge..DOODLE!!!

Oh, also I wanted to tell you about this fabulous pad of paper I did this on. It's called Clairefontaine Pupitre. This is a graph pad (you know how I love a grid!) and it's wonderful for markers, pen work, pencil work but doesn't like watercolor. It's smooth as a baby's behind...and I hve felt a sweet little smooth one recently! I love this paper. It comes plain white too. It's like writing on silk.
Watch this wonderful video suggested by Nita.
Doodlers, Unite!!!

Just a little diddy in my new journal

2011-10-26T07:00:00.004-04:00

Just doing some color testing in the my newly made journal. I used some Elvie cursives (Lori Vliegen's LetterLab online class) and some CalligraFun letters and some other fun supplies. And below is the cover I collaged and sewed up. It's a nice size journal with Arches 140 lb hot press which is great paper but not my very favorite.

Credit card flowers

2011-10-24T07:00:00.002-04:00

These really are fun to do, all created with a piece of a credit card. I was just playing around with ways to put impressionistic flowers in my paintings. i used three shades of color for depth. Fun!

Saturday Night Doodle

2011-10-22T21:15:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's just fun to sit on the couch and doodle in my comp journal while watching some of my saved DVR programs. I have lots of them since I have been out of town. I have enjoyed just vegging out since I can't quite get back into the swing of things yet. I want to paint but my muse must be still up with the babies so I will just wait until I am motivated again. I am traveling up to Raleigh for Art of the Carolinas to take some classes with Robert Burridge next month. I am really looking forward to that! Hope I will get painting again before that!

Thank you all so much for the sweet congratulations for the arrival of Morgan.
You are all wonderful and I appreciate each and every one of you.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Create the Art of your Heart

2011-10-21T07:00:00.003-04:00

Well, I am back home now from Greenville and I had so many emotions when I left. I know it was time to go on home because I knew Macaulay and Morgan were fine but I sure am gonna miss my little babies. Little Morgan is a very calm baby and sleeps well so far and baby Marc seems unfazed at it all and is concerned when she cries and rounds up all the pacifiers he can find. I will miss them but they are all doing fine.

I had to create a little ditty using my new spray dyes and some drawn chunky versals. This was an 11:00 pm quick ditty. I need to get back into the swing of things with my art. Hopefully I will be able to crank up again now that I am back home.

Smile!

2011-10-20T11:36:00.000-04:00

AWWW...we got us a little smile.

Here's Morgan!

2011-10-14T19:19:00.000-04:00

Here she is saying, "Hello world!" All went well! She is 8lbs 3oz born at 5:30 pm. So sweet and precious. We are feeling so blessed right now.

Where the Heart Is

2011-10-14T07:00:00.003-04:00

Just a little doodling and playing around with some chunky versal lettering.

Due date is today.

We are ready to meet you Morgan and bring you home to your home where the ♥ is!

Pumpkin Time!

2011-10-13T08:51:00.002-04:00

It is getting to be a beautiful fall season here is Greenville, SC. The weather has been bad for a few days but the full moon was beautiful. We thought for sure the full moon would bring the baby on. Well, we hoped so anyway. Due date is tomorrow so we will see what the dr. says. Chauncey get here last last night so we are all sitting on ready! Come on Morgan!

GUESS WHAT???

2011-10-10T07:00:00.005-04:00

Guess who is now a part of Creative Workshops and who has a fabulous online class now!!!
LORI from ELVIE STUDIO!!!
I am so excited for her and now she can show you how she does her LV Cursive like she does in her journals. As you know she is my best buddy and one of the sweetest most supportive buddies anyone could have. I highly recommend this class if you want to make some magic with your own handwriting!
Who wouldn't want to do that??

Greenville Happenings

2011-10-08T20:05:00.001-04:00

What a beautiful fall day here in Greenville. In a week or so the leaves will be gorgeous. We went on a hike today and found some dandelions.

Macaulay had terrible back pain last night and we thought it was the baby but they sent her back home. No labor yet but she is less than a week away. She is better today. That's why we were walking--maybe that will bring on labor. We don't know what the severe back pain was but Morgan might just be sitting on her back muscles or something.

Here are some comp journal doodlings.

Pop Tart Art!

2011-10-06T22:33:00.000-04:00

The child's a genius!!!!!!!

Oh, and it's ok...it's organic!

Dreams Can Come True

2011-10-04T07:00:00.015-04:00

I was playing around with some letterforms and decided to write out this quote. I think this is so true. I have dreams for my art but it really will take some courage (and effort) to pursue them.

I wrote this in my comp journal and I managed to erase most of the lines.

I stuck it on a background below. I decided to reach back into my background archives and this one looked like Fall so I stuck the lettering on it via the magic of Photoshop.

I will be leaving for Greenville tomorrow so this will probably be my last art post for quite a while. Baby Morgan is due soon so Nana is heading up. I used to get some art done while I was up at my daughter's house but now I can't do anything because if baby Marc and just get a glimpse at my art bag he will want to paint. So I paint with him. So cute. Other than pictures of Marc and baby Morgan that will probably be it.

An art break might do me good although if I go too long without creating something I start getting the DT's. It's my addiction, ya know.

So bye, yall, I will be checking in on you all to see the lovely art you are creating...

♥♥♥

Yellow Ones

2011-10-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

This is just a little 5 x 7. I have not had the energy for a big one. I like these colors though. Maybe I will do a big one of this one---someday.

Comp journal

2011-10-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

Just fooling around with some colored pencils in the composition journal. I think I am better today so maybe tomorrow I will try to paint again. She has on a rather strange combination for an outfit. I just finished watching Project Runway. That must be it.

Cute Girl

2011-09-29T07:00:00.002-04:00

I have been a bit under the weather lately. This is about all I could do today although it was very fun drawing and painting the cute girl and writing CalligraFUN letters . She is in one of my favorite journals--the composition notebook!

Perplexing Pot--again

2011-09-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I had another perplexing pot painting episode similar to this one. I couldn't really decide what to do with it since I had it off balanced to the right a bit. I tried all sorts of things and wiped it off. Then I remembered this fabulous stamp that my friend, Rynda had made for me and it worked perfectly along with some white script to balance it off. Her calligraphy stamps says, "We have this treasure in jars of clay."
(2 Cor. 4:7)

I also opened up my Distress Rock Candy crackle paint and loved the effect that had around the edges. This is a 11 x 11 hunk of wood. I am getting through my hunks of wood!

Back to Pears

2011-09-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

I have been feeling some ups and downs about painting lately. I guess it's just part of the art journey. I felt confident that if I could just fine something I wanted to paint then I could paint it but just finding it was a big block for me. I am not good at setting up still lifes or taking great pictures that I can paint. But I decided that I would take Jeff Manoney's advice (he's a fabulous painter)

and go back to basics---paint a pair. When things seems to be falling apart paint a pair.

Good advice.

Drawing legs

2011-09-24T07:00:00.002-04:00

I am so enjoying Jane's class. We are drawing legs and bodies and she has a great technique as to how to do that. She used to be a fashion designer so she knows how to draw them. That is one thing I have ALWAYS wanted to be able to do---draw like a fashion designer. It's fun practicing.

Drawing a face with Jane

2011-09-23T07:00:00.005-04:00

I just received my new Pantone colored pencils in from Dick Blick and I had to draw a girl with them. I love drawing faces. It really is very relaxing just as Jane says. This was the back of some paper I had painted on and the texture on the paper is more than I would have wanted because it wouldn't really blend. Next time I will choose some smooth paper so I can blend the pencils. Love my Pantones---but I love the Lyra as well as the Prismacolors also. I am becoming more of a fan of colored pencils I think! I will probably put her in my new journal I made yesterday. Maybe I will blog it so you can see it. I need to sew it up.

Watercolor week with Jane

2011-09-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

This is a homework page from Watercolor Week in Jane Davenport's class. I really like the way she draws her darling faces and also gives great tips for drawing backsides! It's fun.

Working on the Saint Remy

2011-09-18T23:21:00.002-04:00

Chauncey is going on 4 hours putting together the very unsaintly Saint Remy Easel. The directions are completely worthless but when it's put together it will be fabulous. I keep telling myself that. He is trying hard to figure out what goes where by basically looking at the picture. He thought he had it together only to find out it was wrong. He is a patient man. He will gain great reward in heaven... that is for sure! I am just trying to provide moral support but I am of no use at all. Bucky is trying his best also. We are both pretty useless.

_________________________________________

Ok, so now after about 5 hours, (we stopped to eat and watch coach Eric Taylor win an Emmy for our favorite cancelled show, Friday Night Lights!)

He finished! And yes, it is fabulous and it rolls around and turns into a table and I am excited! Even Bucky feels better too.

Here's something cute for Baby Morgan

2011-09-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am actually up in Greenville with my daughter, Macaulay, and her friends are having her a little shower today for baby girl, Morgan, due October 15th. It's getting close! Here are some onesies that I painted with Tulip Puffy Paint! I about jumped out of my chair with delight when I saw it puffing up like it was lace. I got the idea from Alisa Burke because she is due just about the same time as Macaulay. This is just so cute I thought it would be a great shower gift for her and I can't wait to see baby Morgan in them.

Follow Your Bliss in the big journal

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am really enjoying Jane Davenport's "Supplies Me" online class. I even pulled out my 9x12 journal again so I could use my colored pencils. I have never really enjoyed using colored pencils because I never thought it poped enough for me but I am learning that paired with copic markers that are great. I colored the face with copic markers but then used the colored pencils to shade and enhance. I love the way Jane teaches to draw the face and the body! The body--you know I have always wanted to learn tips and tricks to do that!

I am heading up to Greenville today to spend the weekend with Baby Marc (oh yeah, with his mama and dad too!) and Macaulay's friends are giving her a little Sprinkle they call it. It's like a baby shower but since it's a second baby and it's a girl they called it a sprinkle. So I am going for the sprinkle.

Framed and ready

2011-09-15T07:00:00.001-04:00

Here is the other frame Chauncey made for this heavy chunk of 24x24 wood. It is very heavy and the frame makes it even heavier. I think I like the black frame on it. It needs something because it would be like a big board up on a wall.

And I really couldn't stand this one and painted over it back down to the lonely pot. Oh, what to do with the lonely pot? Perhaps just let it sit and get lonelier. For some reason this one is apparently the art thorn in my side right now. Who knows what I will do with it. Perhaps nothing.

Here's my new baby Royal

2011-09-14T07:00:00.005-04:00

Well, actually she is not a baby, she is very old, 1937 in fact. She is clean as a whistle and with a new ribbon and ready to type up quotes and Scriptures for my art and journal pages. I have always loved a typewriter and why I got ride of my mother's old one I will never know. I wasn't thinking clearly at that point!

But Miss Royal was a great price and she types like a dream and I just love her.

And here is Mr. Bill whose shop is like a wonderful museum and who keeps these vintage beauties in tip top shape. Enjoyed meeting him. I had a good history lesson on typewriters and I loved every minute of it.

Mc David Typewriter Services

4304 Plymouth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205-7114(904) 384-3461

Finished and with a new framer!

2011-09-13T07:00:00.016-04:00

I never know how it will turn out and why this great paper at the bottom didn't end up in the painting I don't know. It just didn't work I guess.

Ok, all finished with the painting. I used Antique Linen Crackle paste on the pot. So check out my new framer! I bought a Rockwell Bladerunner with the intention of making the frames myself but I wasn't very good at cutting and actually it is very loud and scary but Chauncey handles it like a pro and you know how men love power tools! Also, he has some really good help there too.

All done! It's just strips of wood from Lowes. This was a canvas so he really had a time getting it plum. And it 'ain't' really plum but we made it work with some help from Wood Paste. He did a fabulous job. The problem is that the canves is not plum.

Anyway we are learning.

Now here it is all finished and painted dark brown. Now, do I really love the color of the frame around it? There was something nice about the natural wood around it but maybe I should have just stained it rather than painted it. Hummm... what do you think? Does the frame close it in? I took the picture late in the day so it's really not quite that dark around the sides. It's very shadowy. When I varnish it I also think that it will look better. We made another one too for this painting and I painted it black. I think I like the black frame on that one.

Tomorrow I will show you the "sursy" I bought myself.

sursy\sir-see\noun:

A term commonly used in the South to denote an unexpected gift given to close friends or family for no special occasion, particularly to show affection or thanks.

My note: This term originated in South Carolina somewhere from the Columbia area east and even down as far a Beaufort. I love South Carolina...Georgia too.

Just a start..

2011-09-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

This is a paint-over of an ugly painting I painted several years ago. It has two layers so far. White gesso and cheapo brown paint for a base over that. I am trying to use all of my cheaper acrylics for the under painting layer. I am not sure what this will be. I just did a little scratching for some texture. It was fun putting on the brown paint. I did it with one of those things that handymen use for smoothing something. Tomorrow---or whenever I will finish this one. I am sure not of the brown will show but it's a good warm up anyway.

2011-09-11T09:51:00.000-04:00

2011-09-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Here's the third practice 10x10 from the messy table. I think I am out of the pre-cut 10 x 10 gessoed watercolor paper now. I either need to cut more or go bigger with one of these that I like. i will have to decide which one to do.
Below is a failed one that I painted and hated it until I painted the flowers white over the ugly colors I has used for the flowers. I like it better now.I used a palette knife.

White ones...

2011-09-09T07:00:00.009-04:00

And here are some white ones from the interesting-looking vase. I think it's time for a big one after I paint the other 10x10 on the messy table.

As you see below I painted it back red but now I think the blue was better. I am wish-washy on this one. I might paint is back blue because today I'm bored with the red.

Practicing on the 10x10s

2011-09-08T07:00:00.031-04:00

Ok, well, this how the practice looks. Messy messy--yes, painting makes a mess. I actually don't mind the mess because I always start clean then quickly move toward the mess. These are three that I am just practicing on to see if anything inspired me for a big one. I have to get up my courage for the big ones. But sometimes these smaller ones can turn into a big one.
So here is the first one I finished. (It's the one on the right above)

I don't know why I have these days where it feels like I am forcing everything and nothing seems to work right but today was one of those days. I think this painting should be called, "Feeling Blue and Out of Place". Tomorrow when I have fresh eyes I will probably paint it back red but I was feeling rebellious and bored. I hate it when I spend so much time on these little 10 x 10 practice pieces but sometimes it turns out that way. Next I will practice on the middle one which I think already has an interesting vase. And the mess is getting to me now so I need to stop and clean up. Maybe my problem was that I didn't start clean today. It was a mess when I started painting. I am learning that everyday is not necessarily an easy painting day. Just part of the journey. Somedays the art road is bumpy.
Oh and also I bought myself a present last night. It's this! Now for sure I will be a better painter, right??? The thing goes horizontal! Woo-hoo!

Some Yellow ones...

2011-09-06T07:00:00.001-04:00

At some point I will paint another vase but I want to get the hang of glass vases. Some are better than others. This is a 12 x 12. I am bound and determined to start using up some of these canvases I have stashed in my studio. If i painted all of them I would have enough for a gallery show. Oh my, a gallery show. Now that would be a dream come true for sure!

Sometimes they look better from a distance. See my little buddy on the bottom right?

Red ones...

2011-09-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

I am back in the studio and I have a couple of new paintings to show you. This one is a 10 x 10. I will show you the other 12 x 12 tomorrow because I might need to do something else to it. The good thing about acrylic is that if one layer is completely dry and you add another layer and if you don't like it you can just wipe it off with a Wet One. Boy do I ever go through the Wet Ones! (get the pop up at Publix-plain no antibacterial)

I hope you all don't get tired of all these flowers. I am going to paint them until I am tired of them but I'm not tired of them yet. That is unusual for me because usually I paint something and just move on. But I am trying to teach myself to loosen up and I know that to be a "painter" I need to have miles and miles of canvases behind me. With every painting I learn something new, especially about myself. Sometimes I feel like I got it and other times I don't. It's all part of this exciting art journey. The agony and the ecstasy! No pain no gain.:))

At the Isle of Palms

2011-09-04T14:01:00.000-04:00

We had such a good time at the Isle of Palms this past week. It's so fun to be with baby Marc and his sweet mama and daddy. And around October 14th little baby girl, Morgan, will join us! We are excited about that! We are curious as to how big brother, Marc, will take to her. He is a sweet boy so we are sure all will be just fine.

We were waiting to eat the best fried shrimp we have ever eaten. Yum! Marc called them fingers. He thought they were chicken fingers and we didn't tell him any different.

I love being on vacation but I can't go too long before my art addiction kicks in. I had to paint as soon as I got settled in back home.

See y'all tomorrow.

Small- medium and LARGE

2011-08-30T07:00:00.002-04:00

My plan is actually working I think. Start a small painting as the "thumbnail" then go up from there. By the time I get to the big one I have more confidence and it's easier to paint. This big one was really fun. I guess because it was more simple. Painting on the easel is definitely the way to go for me rather than flat. But I do see how Burridge would want to paint flat as juicy as he paints. Mine was dripping all over the place so I will still paint flat sometimes just to be in practice for the workshop in February. It kinda hurts my back though. I put wood icing on the bottom for the texture this time.

Now I have small, medium and large. So...

mission accomplie!

Today we are heading to the Isle of Palms for a week at the beach with baby Marc and his mama and daddy. We are looking forward to seeing him have fun in the sand.

I will be back next week.

Y'all have a good one!

Working really big

2011-08-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am home from the reunion and we had such a great time. We had only about 35 in our high school graduating class and we grew up from birth together. It is wonderful how time and space doesn't seem to make a difference because we just pick up where we left off. I am extremely fatigued because being part of the reunion committee we had to stay and clean up so it was probably 2:00 am before we finally were able to get to bed and then drive 6 hours today. Whew!

Anyway, below is the painting process that i finished up just before I left for the reunion.

As you see I am trying to paint a big one like this small one. The white on the painting is Wood Icing for texture. I LOVE wood icing!
There is something really cool about how it looks just like this.

I am not sure if it's finished. I wiped off some of the green paint on the right to reveal some of the texture but I am not sure if I like this or not. I think it gives it some variation though. So maybe I will leave it. I will leave it for tomorrow and decide whether it needs anything at the bottom or not. Fresh eyes--fresh mind tomorrow. I will do a better picture when I finish. The lighting in the studio is not conducive to good pictures and it's after 6pm so the lighting outside is not good either. Only around noon can I got a really good picture. Ok, until tomorrow. Go on home--unresolved---but happy about it this time.

Off to the reunion

2011-08-26T07:00:00.002-04:00

Ok, we are leaving today for West Point, GA, for our high school reunion. It's certainly bettersweet going back there because it makes me miss living there when Mama and Daddy and my sister Jane were alive. My sister died of early onset alzheimers and there are wonderful memories there and sad ones too. But it will be really fun to see everyone including my brother. He won't be coming to the reunion since he is 13 years older but I always enjoy seeing him and miss him too. So here is the Sr. picture. I wonder what was going on in my mind. Probably some mischief. :)) We will be heading to the beach for a week with Macaulay, Marc and baby Marc so I will be back in a week or so show you more flowers.

One more

2011-08-25T07:00:00.002-04:00

This one is actually my favorite one. Again, I am going to work on those every which-a-ways flowers. I might be splattering a bit too much too. Probably need to tone that down a bit. It's just so fun to splatter!

More weekend work

2011-08-24T07:00:00.002-04:00

I am busy making name tags and printing them and putting them in the badges.

Why do I sign myself up for these things?

One critique for me though...I am going to try to paint flowers that are not all facing the front. Flowers in a vase go all which-a-ways.

More weekend work

2011-08-23T07:00:00.001-04:00

Again, this is watercolor paper with gesso primer. The little strip of black and white it painted and stamped on deli paper...my new favorite collage paper.

Weekend work

2011-08-22T07:00:00.012-04:00

I painted several paintings on Saturday and I will post them during this week because I have to stop painting now to make name tags for our 40 yr high school reunion this Saturday up in West Point, GA.
Ok, you know how old I am now. And the good thing is, everybody there will be my age too! I have put this task off until this week. We only had 35 in my graduating class but we have invited other classes so I have about 50 or so to do. I will post my senior pic later this week. I have to scan them all from the annual. Very time consuming but with lots of awwwws...when I am doing it. We were all so young and perky then!

When I painted these I told myself these were my "just paint fast because it's only paper and you are just practicing and it really doesn't matter because you can always gesso over it" series. Well, the "it doesn't matter part" I am still struggling with. These are just on gessoed watercolor paper. Practicing for the big ones.

Another 24 x 24

2011-08-20T07:00:00.004-04:00

Here is the next hunk of 24 x 24 wood. It didn't go through so many stages this time. That is good---maybe I am getting a little better with larger pieces. I had a smaller painted "thumbnail" to go by where the other one I didn't. Maybe that really makes the difference. Ok...on to the next.

Next and Next

2011-08-19T07:00:00.005-04:00

I had to come back to the studio later last night to see if I could resolve it and I really thought I might have come to a finish point. But as Chauncey and I looked at it we really thought it was not quite right. I was just not happy with it and he really thought the stencils needed to not be so front and center. So I had to go home and sleep on it. As I said before, this is new for me to leave things unresolved. But to be a painter this is a must because the next day eyes are fresh and the mind is clearer.
So below is the finished 24 x 24. This is a huge hunk of wood which is heavy and I painted it flat which was hard because I had to keep picking it up to stand back and look at it. Robert Burridge paints flat and in his upcoming workshop in Feb there are no easels allowed. EEK!

I think painting must be like having a baby. You labor and labor and labor some more for the baby to come. And it's painful and you cry and writhe around. ( I wouldn't know...I had epidurals thank goodness!). But now that I know I can paint bigger maybe I can settle down and just enjoy the process. And really, I did enjoy the process---now that it's over. Ok, so on to the next hunk of wood...! Maybe it won't be as painful.

Getting bigger!

2011-08-18T07:00:00.003-04:00

Ok! I am getting there. This one is 24 x 24 and all collaged up and ready for paint. I am going to paint this one in the red shed out back so I have my fan and skin so soft ready. It's in the shade so it's not too bad before 10:00 am. After that, it gets uncomfortable but I went to Lowes today got the stuff I needed to set up out there. I am not sure what will happen but I am going to try and see what happens with this larger birch wood. At least I have gotten this far!

LATER.....that day...
The red shed is just too hot even with my new useless air conditioner that I have to send back. So back into the studio...

Oh goodness, I have wiped off the flowers again and have covered over most of the collage. I think that I might be able to get back down to it (reductive painting) if I don't wait too long but I think I might have to just put this one aside for now. I am really stuck. This is new for me--to work for hours and then not reach a finish point. Ok, I am getting out of my comfort zone now because this 24 x 24 feels REALLY big to me. But I am going to put it aside and look at it tomorrow. I think I am frustrated now and that means I better stop for now. Maybe I should just leave it as it is and call it "The Lonely Red Pot." It's really not bad but this was not my intention to leave it like this.

Gelli-Arts Mono Print Book

2011-08-17T07:00:00.004-04:00

Well, it turned out ok but I am not jumping up and down over the choice of colors and design of the cover. I monoprinted the cover on 300 lb Arches paper and was just feeling a little to chintzy to print it again. I basically wanted to see if I could remember how to sew it with the Japanese stitch (similar to the coptic stitch) that I learned at a recent workshop.

So... it is what it is and I had a blast monoprinting the papers on this ingenious gel plate and will do more of this fun printing.

Now... look at the very bottom picture and look at my other new toy. It is a Rebounder and it's the best way to exercize without adding stress to the bones and with hardly any sweat. That's my kind of exercise! There is something about the bounce that is good for our cells and lymphatic system. I turn on my iTunes and jump away with a big smile on my face. It's fun...and I am getting in shape and strengthening my poor old aging bones.

Ok so here is the cover with the ill chosen colors, label and doodlings...

I hate to put stuff up that is not wonderful but hey, this is what my blog is for. It's to record my everyday art journey and not everything gives me that much desired art high. So I hear Mattie Lou muse right now saying,

"Just get over it and move on!"

PS...you don't have to believe Jane Fonda when she says,

"You have to work hard, sweat and get sore to see any results."

Gelli-Arts side track!!

2011-08-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

Detour from painting loose and big! Yes, I am distracted very easily.
Well, I am such a sucker for new toys and this by far is one of the best, most fun, instant gradification toys so far. It's a Gelli-Arts printing plate for printing monoprints. I have always loved printing monoprints but have never been successful at doing them at home. I have traveled to Charleston twice to go to the monoprint studio which was fun too but really---this does the same thing--just smaller! And for a lot less cost. You just roll on the paint, stamp, scribble or stencil, place the paper face down, press down with your hands--- and with a tingle up your spine--pull it off to reveal a wonderful print. That is, if you have chosen the right colors. You can easily make a mud print! So I have cut the 81/2 x 11 paper into strips and I am going to make a small book and sew it. I will show you the book tomorrow.

Old Collaged Canvas-->to new

2011-08-15T07:00:00.014-04:00

I am trying to use up canvases that were sitting around the studio just waiting for something. This canvas is a 10x10 that had been collaged all around with some of my favorite brown paper with black swirls. I think I collaged it a couple of years ago thinking I would paint a face on it but never did. So it called out to me ("yoohooooo...remember me???"). I started painting without a plan (not a very good idea-a thumbnail is very helpful) but it quickly went down hill so I had to wipe all the flowers off and start again. Then it worked out much better with the red flowers. I am still trying to paint one of these every day. When I get comfortable with the flowers I will go to something else. Not sure what that will be but I will know when the time comes. Thank you, Mattie Lou Muse!

Just drew(painted) this on the iPad with ArtRage. I just bought the app and tried it. It is WAY fun!!!!

In this day in time, whoever has the time to be bored? Not me!

Oops..I just noticed that the shadow is on the wrong side. Sometimes I get shadow dyslexia.

The winner is...

2011-08-14T20:25:00.001-04:00

VICKIE!!!!!! Yay!!!

Gail will be contacting you with your invitation.

Have fun painting!

And thank you all for sending your sweet comments and joining in on the giveaway.

Class starts tomorrow!

"Painting Poppies' Giveaway

2011-08-12T07:00:00.005-04:00

"Painting Poppies" online class starts Monday, August 15th so I thought I would have a giveaway so whoever Mr. Random.org picks will be able to start the class on Monday. It would be best if you have taken the "Color Drop" class but it's ok if you haven't. In the "Color Drop" class I explain the Oriental brush more in depth and a few more watercolor techniques... but no worries! You will enjoy painting the poppies either way! Mr. Random.org will pick the winner Sunday night around 8pm EST. So you know the drill, just leave me a message/comment that you would like to win the class and that will put your name into the pot. I will post the winner Sunday night.

Tulips #4 12x12

2011-08-09T07:00:00.005-04:00

Bucky says to me, "It's only a 12x12, you can do this."

I say, "But it is a very expensive Aquaboard panel!"

Bucky says, "I am bored with you now."

Ok, here goes. It's not even what I classify as the big one. I had wait on the plumber to get here so I decided to implement the plan I had which was painting a larger one from a smaller one.

I know it's only 12 x 12. Bigger---not really big.

So I started out like this with some collage knowing that most would be covered up except for the bottom part which I knew would be wiped off more.

The collage is finished now and I collaged the sides with printed tissue paper. Not sure where I got that tissue paper.

Then I did a paint sketch as to where the flowers would be in the blue background color.

At this point I forgot to take a picture because the right brain kicked in. Yay, right brain!!!

So here is the 12x12 finished on the very expensive Aquaboard. It really was easy knowing where I was going since I had painted this painting 3 times before. Monet painted many series of the same thing as did Diebenkorn who is my very favorite abstract painter. So, that gives me permission! I am a rule follower so I have to be given permission.

There is just a little bit of glare on this one but I wanted you to see the sides. I probably should always photograph before the varnish. Ok, so I accomplished one goal---to paint a series getting bigger. I guess at this point I am so accustomed to painting this one that the "BIG" one might not really be that bad.

We'll see...

Tulip #3

2011-08-06T07:00:00.002-04:00

Ok, back to Tulips... I did it. I painted a third one. This one is 8x10 on an Ampersand Gesso panel. I love painting on these panels. So, here is the thought I had. I wonder if I painted different series of three getting bigger each time with the smallest one (5x7) next being 11x14 then to the largest one. The smallest one would serve as the pattern or thumbnail. I think that has been my hesitation---starting a big canvas without having some idea of where it is going. Ok, maybe I have a plan now.

"Painting Poppies" with Absorbent Ground

2011-08-05T07:00:00.016-04:00

This is a 6 x 12 stretched canvas and I decided to try something different. I have Absorbent Grounds made by Golden that I have hardly ever used. I just love watercolor paper so much that I have never really used it that much. So I decided to layer a coat of absorbent grounds on this canvas and see what happened. It was really fun to paint these poppies on this surface. I liked it alot although it is different from watercolor paper but it really does allow you to paint with watercolor on it.

You can see below how I started it off with just a wash in the background then painted the poppies. You can learn to paint these poppies in my upcoming "Painting Poppies" class that starts

August 15th. I will do a giveaway on the 13th.

Tulips #2

2011-08-04T07:00:00.003-04:00

One thing that I heard from Robert Burridge is to paint three paintings of the same thing. The first one was this (yesterday's post) and here is the second one. Hopefully I will do a third one and if I do I will post it. I do like this one and it is different from the first one---which is the point. This one is on a panel that is 9 3/4 x 7 3/4.

I collaged some random scrapbook paper on it first them started painting. I am liking this reductive painting technique. It makes it grungy and interesting!