Artcolony

Workshop in Bullard, TX

2012-01-27T17:57:00.005-05:00

Studio Sign

Signing the wall

Mollie and Suzy's woven Sunflower

I was invited to do a workshop in Bullard TX, and it was such a neat place! I flew to Tyler, and Mollie picked me up, and we ran around taking pictures, then headed to Bullard to the retreat where the workshop was held. Greta Faulkinberry owned the retreat, and it was such a wonderful peaceful place to be. The name was House of Peace, which it was!
It was very much an honor to be there. I had 14 students, and they all did a great job. I was so proud of what everybody did.

When someone comes and teaches, they have them sign the wall, and so I got to sign theirs.
It was such fun! I was so afraid I would mess up, and then we couldn't fix it!

While I was there, I got to visit with a friend that I haven't seen in over 25 years! That was such fun, and she hasn't changed a bit! We also went to her restaurant in Frankston, and had catfish. yum! My Favorite.

Mollie wanted to know how to weave a painting together, so she drew off 2 sunflowers, on 1/8th sheet of watercolor paper. She painted one, and I painted one. We didn't' get enough contrast going but she got the idea. We videoed it if I can ever figure out how to put it on here, I will.
It is a good video, even if we are laughing through the whole thing!
try copy and pasting this(below) and see if it will work for you...let me know. I will continue to try to figure out how to get it on here. It just won't work.

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Suzy/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/Img0283/P11104821.MOV

When I left there, I went to my aunt's home in Avinger, TX. MORE Catfish!
I haven't seen her since 2000. We are the same age, and have always been close.
It was great getting to visit with them while I was there so close.

Rook on the Rocks

2012-01-27T13:59:00.000-05:00

Rook on the Rocks miniature 4.125 x 2.375"Well it has been such a long time since I've posted anything I almost forgot how!This last week I've been locked in my studio obsessing over this tiny little format. The family has gone hungry, the mountain of laundry is threatening to teeter over and kill somebody but by golly, I FINISHED a painting! It's so typical of me to let life get in the way of my creative endeavors but once I'm in the studio the muse owns me! I have three more paintings on the desk all penciled in but I can't afford to spend quite so much time on them. I have spring shows coming up and I have to start producing!This raven is a compilation of two reference photos...one taken in Yellowstone, one taken in Yosemite. I love all ravens, crows and jays. They are so smart and cunning!I hope to do some more of their portraits.

Xiuhtecuhtli

2012-01-26T22:44:00.008-05:00

"Xiuhtecuhtli" 20"x14" watercolor

Here he is all finished, I have to say this is one of my favorite paintings. :0)

Here's a closer look at this wonderful young man, his eyes truly are tourquoise color (by the way Xiuhtecuhtli is the Aztec god of tourquoise)

I thought I had more photos of the portrait process but I must have been in the zone and painting fast! Sorry! To continue developing the flesh tones I added a few washes of the same colors and included some Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue and Sepia. For the shirt I used Aliz Crimson, Scarlet Lake, Permanent Rose, New Gamboge and Prussian Blue to tone the shadows down.

I started by drawing the portrait keeping in mind the fine ballance between drawing too much and not enough. . . . no shading because the graphite tends to dirty up the colors and I'm sure you've experienced how easy it is to dirty up the colors at one point or another! The colors I started out with are Alizarin Crimson, Permanent Rose and New Gamboge.

2012-01-26T13:30:00.001-05:00

still in progress

Portrait - Watercolor - Deb Watson

2012-01-26T11:48:00.004-05:00

I was going to paint one of the grandsons this morning from the Christmas play. When I saw his little classmate in the photo, I decided to paint her now and the grandson tomorrow. Girls have lots more interesting hair, although I think the boys do more interesting stuff (like the last rock climber...)

In February, my theme for the daily paintings is sweet young things. I like painting kids. They're young, playful and happy. www.debwatson.org

Question

2012-01-26T10:10:00.000-05:00

This came to my attention this morning and I'm wondering if any of you have used this service.
iPrintfromHome.com

http://www.iprintfromhome.com/#n

Jury Time For the Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach, CA

2012-01-25T20:56:00.002-05:00

Art-A-Fair, the renowned Laguna Beach Art Festival, will hold its 2012 Jury Day on Sunday, February 12, at the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club. Art-A-Fair seeks new artists for its 46th annual season, to be held June 29 - September 2, 2012.

Artists are invited to bring their artwork on February 12, 2012 between 8 and 11am to be juried by professional fine artists and master crafts-persons. The jury will look for excellence in conception, execution and presentation as well as high levels of creativity and technical competence. All media may be submitted for jurying, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography and wood, Artists may jury with more than one medium.

Three original works of art are required for each medium. Notification of Acceptance or Non-Acceptance will be given that day at pick-up, between 4 and 4:30pm. The Girls and Boys Club islocated at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Please refer to the attached Exhibitor Prospectus for additional information.

Art-A-Fair, one of the three premier art shows held each summer in Laguna Beach, is the only show that exhibits international, national and local artists and has no residency restrictions. Its reputation for high quality fine art and master crafts promises a diverse exhibition by approximately 125 artists that will attract tourists and patrons of the arts, both locally and across the United States.

Additional information and forms for submission, including the Exhibitor Prospectus and Application Checklist, are available at www.art-a-fair.com. Please call 949.494.4514 with specific questions. Art-A-Fair is located at 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Step by step

2012-01-25T15:22:00.003-05:00

I was looking through my photos and came across these photos I had taken of a painting I was doing at the time (quite a while ago) some people will remember this one.

I thought it would be interesting to see how this painting came together unfortunately I didn't take pictures of the very begining.

This is a full sheet done with MaimeriBlu watercolors on 300lb Arches paper.

It also show what colors go into painting white flowers this is titled "Garden Party"

2012-01-25T15:14:00.001-05:00

I got 3 Daniel Smith colors from Janet some days ago,...just because I am a sweetheart yes? Today I have started to try them in a new Iris painting, and they are beautiful to work with.
Do not mind the shadows in the corners, bad light in the evening..., to continue tomorrow, if nobody disturb me. And the chiropractor starts to work, feels so good..

Sold my sheep painting yesterday, and they wanted me to paint one with pigs, just what I had on my drawing table.

Stray Cat

2012-01-25T09:55:00.000-05:00

6x9 watercolor on Strathmore 140 lb CP, Daniel Smith paints...10 minutes to draw then 1 hour to paint give or take a few minutes, done yesterday after work. Included in the past weekend drawing event, photo ref courtesy WetCanvas! She is a stray and no one knows if she is adopted or not. What a lost and lonely look in her yellow green eyes; such a lovely lady!

2012-01-24T08:59:00.000-05:00

I forgot to post this. I remember some was talking about masking tiny things. The thing you see on top here is a scriber, I use it a lot for tiny lines, and it is great to paint with to. The stiff brushes works very good to lift out paint with, and works great for painting to.

2012-01-24T08:33:00.000-05:00

Sorry, the first photo was not good, I repost a better one for you.

2012-01-24T06:19:00.001-05:00

I know many of you have seen this on FB, got a lot of interest and nice comments. I do not really understand all this compliments, but I sure was grateful. We do have this birds close ti our cabin.

NPR story on Antoine de Bougainville

2012-01-24T00:50:00.001-05:00

Just got a request from NPR to use my "Bougainvillea Blossoms" for a story about botanist Louis Antoine de Bougainville on their blog. My image must have come up in a Google search. I'm very happy to contribute to NPR in any way I can. This 6" x 8" oil on canvas is available on my website. Maybe this will stir up some interest. http://dianemorganpaints.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=3066&subkeyvalue=195447&page=WorksZoom

Finished demo WIP: Jacque Rabbit

2012-01-23T22:28:00.000-05:00

Here is the finished piece from the reworked old dog floral started last Monday in Midland, TX at the Palette Club. (See last week's posts for various steps). I have emphasized a few key areas, enhanced with Caran D'Ache ws crayons, and added a small amount of line here and there as well as the leaves and vines in the background. I did try adding Winsor Newton green ink in a few areas but it really was not strong enough and unnecessary. This ended up being a secondary color palette. Since this fellow is quite the gentlemanly hare, I decided to name it Jacque or Jacques Rabbit to give him a little class. All in all it was fun but a lot of real work design-wise. I will be doing a 3 day workshop in Midland on June 7-9 so if interested send me an email kay1971smith@aol.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAY!

2012-01-23T10:21:00.000-05:00

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you-u-u-u,♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Happy Birthday to you-u-u-u,♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday, dear KAY ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you-u-u-u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Cuppa with Suzy"

2012-01-22T23:26:00.003-05:00

Thought I'd show you the torn paper collage from my Suzy Powell workshop this weekend. This was my first attempt at collage and it's just sooooo much fun. And...it's RED...surprised? Suzy is a marvelous teacher. We had a class of 14 at our artist friend Greta Faulkinberry's art retreat in Bullard, Texas and we were all really pleased with what we were able to collage. Suzy will be home later in the week and will post photos of the class and give her thoughts on her new bunch of artist friends. Six of us had met Suzy on our way through Plains (way the heck out in West Texas) on our way to a week of painting in New Mexico, so it was really fun to have her come here and visit and teach us in our area of Texas. I'm thrilled to tell y'all that the gorgeous collage Suzy posted earlier of the two wine glasses, "A Touch of Red", now lives at my house. I can also tell you that she LOVES fried catfish...

Starting A Painting

2012-01-22T18:41:00.000-05:00

I was wondering, where do you usually start your painting? Do you paint the background first? Start at the bottom, at the top or maybe work from a corner down? I start at the most intersting part or the part I feel best about...I rarely if ever have done the background first....I know some people who start in the upper left hand corner and work their way diagnally across the painting. If you know why you do what you do that would be interesting to know as well! I sometimes will do the most difficult area first and then work on the rest. I really have no set pattern obviously but some of you seem to have a set way of approaching each painting...tell us what and why! ha!!! This will be interesting!!

Seriously Red - Deb Watson

2012-01-22T17:27:00.003-05:00

This is an older work. I was looking back through my paintings because I had never realized that I have red in almost every one, somewhere. This one was the big winner when it came to reds. I never got to show it, as it sold before it was finished. I called it Nun Scents.

WIP - Florabundance

2012-01-22T16:23:00.000-05:00

Pretty difficult for me to resist painting the blooms of the white azalea. These flowers were meant to be captured in watercolor!

I never know why I start painting at the bottom and build up… but I continue to do so. The pinkish center flowers need their shading and shadows developed, but this shows you the flavour of the painting. More to follow once I recover from this never ending sinus infection! I was hoping to have this completed for another entry for the January white challange - but am now somehow doubtful. (half sheet painting)

This painting is right on the heels of me completing “Lighter Shade of Pale” white-ish roses. And will be followed up with a poured painting of white lilies with fuchsia centers. More on that later! I want to feel completely comfortable with capturing all the nuances of painting white flowers before I attempt pouring the next full sheet painting.

Barbara!

2012-01-22T14:32:00.000-05:00

Well there is good news over at Barbara's blog and I hope she will share it here but perhaps we will just do this! Go read the news over at her blog! http://www.barbarafoxwatercolors.blogspot.com/
One of our followers here at Artcolony saw this and emailed me! Thanks Phyl!

2012-01-22T11:15:00.001-05:00

Sorry I have not been here for some days, it has been busy lately, and a lot of treatment for my back and neck. Still a problem but today I just had to paint. You are all so clever, that I feel lost among you.

As you see, I have masked out the highlight, and pulled out the colors I wanted to use before I started with the background. I started in the back this time, just because I had not decide the colors on the sheep.

I used the same colors for them that I have used in the background. Tried with salt, but it did not work, so I sprinkled water from the tooth brush, waited 15 seconds, squeeze out the water whit soft paper, and then used a rubber gum. I also used a stiff brush to loosen up between the color and highlight.

Hope you like my happy sheep, the fun thing is..., i did not feel any pain while I was painting.

Watercolor Demo at new art class space

2012-01-21T19:22:00.000-05:00

Had fun doing a watercolor demo this morning at the local art supply store's new space for workshops. My Coachella Valley Watercolor group came out in full force which made it really fun for me. We went to lunch after, then came back to watch Frank Eber paint. He is a master, and what a nice man. What a treat to watch him work. He is in town for a two-day workshop on Monday and Tuesday. Wish I had time to take it. My classes start Friday in the new space. I have classes scheduled for Thurs, Fri and Sat starting next week and running through March so far. Will schedule through the whole summer if there is continued interest.

MASF Show

2012-01-20T14:48:00.000-05:00

Here are pictures of my paintings at the MASF show that Deb Kierce took. Mary, I wasn't sure where yours were because I don't know what you entered. I did a mini surfshop but it is different than the large one. I really like the way the paintings are displayed. They did a very tasteful job. There is a red dot on my rooster "Watchful" painting.

"Jack"

2012-01-19T12:37:00.002-05:00

Debi brought me some Aquabord yesterday and I thought I'd try it out last night with the fluid acrylics. I like it better than watercolor canvas but still can't get the detail that I like, like I can on paper. This was a quickie 6x6. I discovered Mr. Clean magic eraser works great on this surface removing acrylic. Maybe if I take more time with the next one I can do a better job, we'll see. Do we have an orange/yellow challenge coming up anytime soon ;-)

Wednesday's watercolor workshop

2012-01-19T11:24:00.003-05:00

Had a great workshop yesterday with 14 students at Rancho Casa Blanca. It's a great group of gals that meets every month to paint and bring in different instructors each month. They are real workers. They worked all day with hardly a peep. I presented two demos. One of an acorn and leaves and a lemon. Most of them worked on both. And, dang....I forgot to take a photo of their finished pieces! I spent more time walking around and helping so didn't get much done on my two pieces. Work in progress "Lemon Scent" watercolor, 10" x 12"

New Small Watercolors - Deb Watson

2012-01-19T08:19:00.004-05:00

This is a watercolor on paper of one grandson. I liked the too big hat. (The rock colors are much more varied in person.) I'm working small this week, itching to start a big painting so I don't have to fuss with tiny details, but small is good, too.

The little girl is for the red challenge. She's watercolor on aquabord and was reading at the Portrait Museum in Washington D.C. It's 8 x 10 and I haven't varnished it yet, if anyone wants to suggest improvements.

Rabbit - WIP more background

2012-01-18T21:36:00.000-05:00

Here is today's work, only about an hour and a half, focusing on balancing the elements, repetition of shapes, colors, and lines in the background. As you can see, I had to add a red floral shape for Mollie. I think the values are all correct as this is not enhanced. So will put it aside for the next several days then look again with a fresh eye to see if anything else needs attention OR if it has morphed into its own old dog of a painting, lol. Any title suggestions?

ILLUMINATED watercolor still life painting by Barbara Fox

2012-01-18T10:05:00.000-05:00

Illuminated

watercolor 6 x 6"

This painting was a study for a larger piece that I want to enter in an invitational show. I wasn't sure how I would feel about painting all those marbles, but I am hooked! I have 3 paintings finished, and 2 in the works, and numerous ones rattling around in my head.

Big happenings in my neck of the woods! 2 other artists and I are joining forces and opening a gallery in the resort town of Ellicottville, just up the road from my house. We will be getting it ready for the next month, then having a grand opening reception on Feb 25.

Between now and then, I will be in San Diego for a few weeks, visiting my family, and giving a weekend workshop for the San Diego Watercolor Society, and a demonstration for the Carlsbad/Oceanside Art League.

THEN, I was invited to have a solo show at the local Community College gallery. In MARCH. eeek. So, I'm painting,painting,painting....

Rabbit continued WIP

2012-01-17T23:01:00.000-05:00

Today was able to only work on this in progress piece for an hour but did get problem areas lifted and repainted such as his ears, collar, hat, well, the whole thing except his face. It is coming along so bear with me...

Comfor-Ted

2012-01-17T17:58:00.000-05:00

I finally finished scribbling at lunch time so here is the finished painting. I still have to fix and varnish it but the painting part is done :)

When you are small there is no feeling more comforting and consoling than knowing you are in the arms of someone who loves you.

"Mothers bring the arms of comfort to an insecure child in a world of uncertainty" Reed Markham

It was this idea that was my inspiration for this painting.

I'm planning to exhibit it in our local Watercolour Society's Exhibition which will take place the week before Mother's day. I hope it will be a popular one :)

Old Dog Demo Today - WIP

2012-01-16T22:03:00.000-05:00

Postponed from last week due to Midland's blizzard, they had me do the program today on reworking old paintings (we call them old dogs). I selected a really horrible floral I painted in 2009 practicing negative painting and here it is:

15x22 watercolor on Saunders 140 lb cold press paper, an imaginary mess where I got too detailed doing millions of leaf shapes and petals; the flower itself resembles a butterfly having a psychotic break. Just a total wreck! So I selected a line drawing of one named Sister Rabbit, turned the painting vertically, and repeated those tracing paper lines using a fine tip Sharpie pen. Then I began applying gouache as you can see here below. It is a work in progress so be patient and hope it won't be another bowwow.

Not much to see here in this view but you can tell I've started to make solid area shapes of color over the too busy pattern. Stay tuned.

Something white ?

2012-01-16T21:55:00.000-05:00

Here's a break from the norm for me...or maybe I'm just wishing I was going to Tyler, TX this week for Suzy's workshop. Long, long ago & far away, I did things like this as backdrops for department store windows. This is MUCH smaller. About 4" x 11". Tissue paper on gessoed masonite.

Watercolor classes now forming

2012-01-15T23:43:00.001-05:00

I've just been invited to teach classes at a great new space right in the heart of town (Palm Desert, CA) The only locally owned art supply store has just leased a whole new space just for classes. The owner is having an Art Expo next weekend to kick it off with lots of product give-aways and demos. She has asked me to demo, and I will be right before or after Frank Eber! Woohoo! I've scheduled classes for almost every Friday and Saturday for the next 3 months and sent out an email blast. Hoping to get lots of new and returning students. This will be fun! Here's the link to the store's website http://www.venusstudiosartsupply.com/art-classes.html

Lean On Me-White Peony watercolor

2012-01-15T14:16:00.000-05:00

Well I am calling this done and I need to hide the dang thing before I make another mess! I called it done two days ago and then felt the left corner ...behind the fence...needed something as it felt totally different from the rest at this point...that happened when I changed my mind and added the fence! ha! So I tried to add something and did not like it...could scrub very little but took out what I could and did these leaves...it will have to be ok becausethere is is nothing ore I want to do to this other than beat myself over the head with it. ha!!

I will put it in the side bar because Kay said I could...ha!!!

Alley Cat I - Watercolor - Deb Watson

2012-01-15T08:25:00.003-05:00

This is my small town painting for the week I'm putting on sale on eBay. It's a common scene in Pennsylvania - a back alley where lots of living happens. It was, of course, trash day, as you can see by the tiny trash cans, on a beautiful sunny fall afternoon. I put a tiny alley cat in the scene. www.debwatson.org

'Comfor-Ted' WIP

2012-01-14T16:43:00.001-05:00

Well here's an update on my snail like progress...

I've been scribbling with a paintbrush all day...Baby Ted is now finished and Mommy Ted is slowly appearing as I paint the fur texture and then glaze over. The dark parts of the background are actually a very deep red/black but its so hard to get it accurately on the screen for you to see :( I was thinking of Mollie as I painted it though :)

I thought you would like to see a close up of the baby teddy. Cute isn't he :) You can get a better feel for the smooth graduations of colour of the background in the close up too.

Lots of fur still left to do on Mother Ted!

maybe this one, when its finished can be my red challenge painting :)

Publications

2012-01-14T13:35:00.000-05:00

My dear friend and Artcolony colleague Solveig Rimstad recently sent to me the newest addition to my collection of valued watercolor books. She and fellow Norwegian artist Aud Rye collaborated on this beautiful book of Blomster ( flowers ) . The pages are filled with photos of their accomplished works and it's like my fingers are strolling through a garden ! Her book takes its rightful place next to two other dear friends & Ac colleagues Cindy Agan & Jane Freeman. Each book contains a wealth of knowledge but together the inspiration is limitless !

St. George's BDA watercolor

2012-01-14T12:34:00.000-05:00

Bermuda has always been one of my favorite places to vacation. The beautiful beaches, the wonderfully colored houses and the frogs singing at night make it such a romantic retreat. This scene is one of the back streets in the town of St. George's, Bermuda's oldest community. Watercolor 12" x 16" SOLD

Something White Challenge

2012-01-14T11:11:00.000-05:00

I am putting up the white challenge in the right side bar and if I have forgotten someone...let me know. I was trying to go back to find those I could. I had to give a title to a few so if you want that changed let me know! We also need to think about the next 2 months for what those challenges should be and get them posted! Thanks!

Pauline's Teapot and Peonies

2012-01-14T00:07:00.001-05:00

15x22 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper, a still life set up with china teapot, a gold pitcher of white peonies, and green gold scarf on a dark grey blue table. I have repainted sections of this scene now a total of 3 times and hope it reads better now. The first background was black then white so I removed all that as it was too stark a contrast. This was painted wet in wet.

A Touch of Red

2012-01-12T20:14:00.005-05:00

This is another attempt at glass. I tried more red, but seemed distracting, so I just put these 3 little spots in. It is only 5x7 canvas, but was fun to do!

2012-01-12T15:24:00.001-05:00

The Iris is finished as well,...very unsure about the background, but it has to do. size 30 x20 cm. There is 2 1/2 cm in one inch.

2012-01-12T15:18:00.001-05:00

Have been busy lately, painting and organizing workshops. I am so impressed over all your beautiful paintings.
So nice to talk to Janet on Skype today.
As you see I am still in France, will never be finished with that place. And just wish some of you could join me in Tom`s workshop in May.

This is the kitchen entrance to Le Vieux Convent, painted on stretch frame. Size A 3.

Splash 13 Best of Watercolor book available for pre-order

2012-01-12T13:31:00.001-05:00

Amazon now has Splash 13 available for pre-order. http://www.amazon.com/Splash-13-Alternative-Approaches-Watercolor/dp/1440310351/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321481095&sr=1-2

I'm so thrilled to be included with my "Raindrops on Roses" which is the image in the side bar above my name. And, no surprise Jane Freeman is in it too! The list of artists reads like a who's who of watercolors. A few names you might recognize...Thomas Schaller, John Salminen, Ted Nuttall, Judi Betts, Prafull Sawant, Soon Y. Warren. Like Sonny Bono when he said, "I can't believe I'm a Congressman." I say, "I can't believe I'm in the book!" What an honor. Can't wait to get my copy.

Phalaenopsis finished

2012-01-11T21:28:00.000-05:00

Finished tonight, the white moth orchids are surrounded by loose organic shapes of petals and stems, some negative and some positive on Arches 140 lb hot press paper, 15x11. I wanted the background to pull the viewer in, into a mystery of form and color wondering if what they see is a reflection, a mirror or simply garden growth that I applied in one direct application. Yesterday I was planning at first to have only a dark bluish or blackish background solid color but after thinking how much fun it would be to totally add spontaneous color wetly, just had to go with the process and enjoy it. So I hope you do, too.

Moth Orchids -WIP

2012-01-10T22:54:00.000-05:00

15x11 watercolor on Fabriano 140 lb hot press paper from a live orchid my mother got me then I killed it. Yesterday I drew it and today got this far along and still lack the bottom part. Background will be either dark green or blackish; I added a spot of that dark in the upper bloom near its center. Or I might do something unexpected, so stay tuned. LOVE working on hot press paper! Blogger is not uploading tonight from my pc, so had to use Picasa web album instead. This one isn't for the white challenge either.

Almost White Puppy Cocker-Poodle Mix

2012-01-10T14:30:00.003-05:00

Not white, so not for the challenge, but more of a very light apricot color, this was a pet portrait I painted right before Christmas. This is Callie. The painting is 5 x 7 inches, oil on panel. I sort of fell in love with Callie as I painted her. She is such a cute puppy.

I started a white challenge painting but don't know if I will finish it in time to post it in January.

Demo by Eric Weigardt

2012-01-10T13:23:00.002-05:00

Our Coachella Valley Watercolor Society brought Eric Weigardt in for a 5-day workshop this week. We had him do a one-hour demo at our monthly Monday evening meeting last night. Amazing that he does a value sketch, draws and finishes an entire full-sheet painting in one hour. He says, "The less you show the more the viewer sees." Good advice! He also said he used to do more tight and detailed work, but now he's having way more fun.

Happy Tuesday!

2012-01-10T12:30:00.000-05:00

I am busy painting and need to meet a deadline, so I probably will not make the 'white challenge' this month but I am posting my White Dogwood painting in the 'spirit' of the challenge! Also, here is a photo of the painting I did for Mollie before adding the all important "red boost"!

Exciting Day!

2012-01-10T01:33:00.004-05:00

This has certainly been an unexpected day. I heard that my painting got the Golden Palette award in the NWS show. Now, I just got an e-mail that my painting was juried in to the AWS show. Beyond surprised!

Fruit Cocktail

2012-01-09T23:35:00.002-05:00

This is a new Torn Paper Collage for 2012! Looking forward to summer!
Especially since we had about 3 inches of snow today! Everybody has had a fun summer drink with the little umbrella in it! I wanted to see if I could do the glass 'look'. I think the black and yellow/orange really works well together. Next week I am flying to Tyler, TX to teach a 2 day workshop. I know it will be such fun. Am looking forward to it.

Woof is Me

2012-01-09T20:54:00.000-05:00

15x11 watercolor pet portrait painted years ago a customer wanted, and although old, it does have a lot of white with all the soapsuds and bathtub the poor thing was enduring. Too funny really. Its title is a play on words for 'woe is me'.

NAWA at Strathmore Mansion

2012-01-08T19:13:00.001-05:00

What a day ! This afternoon was the opening reception of the North American Watercolor Artists show at the Strathmore Mansion in Rockville, Md. Members of this group are Nick Simmons, Kieko Tanabe, Kathleen Alexander, Mark Mehaffey, Tom Schaller and Carol Carter. What a wonderful experience to be in the same room with these talented artists who are also happen warm sincere folks. How is it Mollie say?... "I love knowing famous people!" The show will be on display January 7 through February 4, 2011

Little Mollie

2012-01-08T18:14:00.000-05:00

5.5x9 inches watercolor pet portrait on Strathmore 140 lb paper, Daniel Smith paints. This is Elaine's kitten from WetCanvas and she is featured on this weekend drawing event. I used a black and white copy of her photo to paint this in about 45 minutes. Her name really is little Mollie! So for that reason alone I had to paint her thinking of our Mollie's needing kittens the whole time.

A Touch of Red - Deb Watson

2012-01-08T17:02:00.002-05:00

Here's my painting for this week, another small town landscape from my neighborhood. I call it A Touch of Red. Image size is 9 x 12 and it's done on watercolor paper stretched over canvas stretcher bars and varnished. The sides are painted, so it can be hung just as is or framed. I'm putting it in the daily painting blog and it's on sale on ebay.
So far this year, I've had paintings for sale at two locations, oils and watercolors at each and I've sold oils only at both places. Next I'll put some of the varnished watercolors out and see if they sell as well as the oils.

Playing with the English Language!

2012-01-08T13:51:00.005-05:00

I have been developing a couple of ideas based on a play on words... each ending in Ted. Why Ted?... short for teddy of course :) My pixie gave me the idea while I was food shopping last week. Good job I had Rebecca with me and a notebook in my bag. As I got the food Rebecca wrote down all the -Ted ' words we could think of :)

I am doing Comforted as a gallery wrapped watercolour. I have just finished the stretching process so its all ready to paint. I have taken a little longer than normal for ths one because I have videod the whole wrapping process.

We have a local watercolour show coming up at the beginning of May (the week leading up to Mothers day) and I wanted to create a painting that captured the essance of what mothers were about but at the same time be more general too.

I wanted to keep the composition really simple and plan to use the background and lighting to really enhance that warm cuddly feeling. I deliberately placed the 'mother' facing away because, to me, it seems this way to focus more on the feeling/ action.

My second idea is taking a little longer to develop. It was the word reflected that sparked my creativity. I wanted to use several meanings of the word in the one painting:

1. To throw or bend back (light, for example) from a surface.

2. To give back or show an image of (an object); mirror

3. To look back on the past:

So I have decided upon a scene on a dressing table of a well loved teddy.

Lots of fun in the days ahead and..... YAY!!! I have the titles already :) I'll be working on Comfor-Ted first.

Ona

"Licking Roses"

2012-01-07T19:52:00.000-05:00

What a pleasant pastime for such a beautiful day. Photo shot in normal daylight. I hope soon to get back to more bee paintings!

White Challenge

2012-01-07T18:48:00.000-05:00

I hate to post this above Janie's painting but I can't do it tomorrow. This painting doesn't have a title either. It took me one and a half afternoons. I thought of snow and I like to do snowscenes. It is watercolor and gouache. I used a piece of Arches CP watercolor paper that was already stretched for a tile design. I didn't use it for the design so I used it for the challenge. It is 6"x6". "Kaleido-doodle-do", back to you now with no interuptions.

White Peony

2012-01-07T16:30:00.001-05:00

Still no title coming to me on this so if you have any bright ideas, I am all ears! ha! This is where I find myself on this. I have been trying to design this fence to give some contrast and to divide the painting into a Golden Mean. I think I could have done a better job had my photo had this info in it. But good old me...flying by the seat of my pants again and it aint fun! I am hoping that the beginning of next week I can start to work on the peony and get the values secured and details put in...I am anxious to finish this but life is getting in the way but I still manage to get a little done.
One title that keeps coming to me is On The Rails ha!!! As it is a split rail fence I was trying to use that but sort of silly...another title was Thoughts of Susan as she use to live near me and raised so many peonies and every time I think of these wonderful flowers I think of her. Wish she was still here as I could really get some exciting photos!

Beach Music

2012-01-07T13:26:00.003-05:00

I took this photo many years ago as the shapes and rhythm of the kelp caught my eye. As you walk along the beach you will see bull whip kelp strewn after a storm. I am not sure about the title..any suggestions would be welcome :)

Sierra Shadows - another white scene

2012-01-06T23:11:00.000-05:00

5.5 x 7 watercolor on Strathmore 140 lb cold press paper from one of my Lincoln National Forest Sierra Blanca photos. It was started yesterday and finished today. This was an autumn snowfall a few years ago and I'd hiked to the top with my camera looking for subjects to paint. Plein air that morning was too cold!

WHITE CHALLENGE

2012-01-06T16:22:00.005-05:00

Here's Mollie and Janet's contribution.

Isn't this stunning. Janet wow. you did great haha..

Mollie your winter scene looks so real. hahahah

There you go ladies. all done...

Love ya!

Congratulations

2012-01-06T00:09:00.003-05:00

Hello,

Congratulations everyone for the beautiful paintings. This white challenge was lots of fun. Sorry I did not write on every post but I read slowly at night when stopped. I wanted to express my joy over your work. Can't wait to see the rest..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NITA!!

2012-01-05T15:54:00.000-05:00

I am sorry I missed this and decided it needed to be bigger so will do another post!!

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you-u-u-u,♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Happy Birthday to you-u-u-u,♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday, dear NITA ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you-u-u-u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January challenge - Lighter Shade of Pale now complete

2012-01-05T15:53:00.000-05:00

And so, I have been fretting over this painting for awhile now. I was so afraid to get a spot of green on the whites because, well... I am a splasher! I had most of the painting covered with clean towels as I worked away - leaving only a small area that I was working on exposed. I felt like a surgeon! I missed my deadline of last Sunday - but the client is OK.

The photo does not capture the true colours - but I wanted to post today rather than wait for the scan. Just happy that it is complete. oh - there is only one ant in this painting by the request of the new owner :)

2012-01-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

HEY ! Do I hafta do everything around here?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NITA !!!!

Clowning Around on New Year's Day

2012-01-05T07:19:00.000-05:00

Midget has her paw raised to ward off Chester the Molester's side attack right there on my nice bench and pillows on January 1st. Have a catfight to welcome the New Year I always say. Yay!

2012-01-05T04:41:00.001-05:00

I got a beautiful Christmas card from Cindy yesterday. Thank you Cindy, to late for the Christmas tree, but I have put it on the table for everyone to see. I went into your website, what a great painter you are. I appreciate so much to be in here with you all.

Seagulls -

2012-01-04T20:01:00.000-05:00

This is a poured watercolor ..and my "white project"..

White Challenge

2012-01-04T14:35:00.007-05:00

OK, I feel rather silly, putting mine on here, with all the gorgeous wonderful detailed paintings.
I am going to be gone for a week to East Texas, teaching a 2 day workshop (with Mollie) and really don't have time to be 'realistic' so I did these little sketches watching television a few nights ago, and decided to use them, hoping you wouldn't black ball me! hahah

Sketch-booking is one of my absolute favorites! I just think there is a freshness and fun to sketch books. I have several that I have done over the years. One of my goals is to get back to using my sketch book everyday, instead of just when I think about it. When Watercolor Magic had a magazine called 'Sketchbook' I had some included in one of their issues! A few years back I got to go to Ruidoso, NM and do a sketchbook workshop with Don Getz, and we worked from life, and it was one of my most memorable times I have ever had! Don is the ultimate sketchbook/journal artist that I have met.

I really prefer to use watercolors on them when I get them drawn. Because I don't have enough self confidence, I use a pencil first, then a permanent marker, then paint. Sometimes I add the black marker when I am thru.
Everywhere I go, I take photos of chefs, statues, etc. I love the little chefs, and have several in my kitchen. Along with the big one that is a collage.

White Challenge

2012-01-04T11:30:00.002-05:00

I was in my studio desperately trying to think of something white to paint for the January challenge and then I turned around and saw this. DUH! I've been working on this painting for a little while and then I realized it was WHITE!! Woohoo! It fits the criteria, not old, it's white and it's mine! Maybe now that the holidays are over I can finish it. I had a friend over to the studio who has owned horses her whole life. She took one look at the bridle and said "that horse is in a lot of pain with the " this and that on the bridle. I don't remember all the technical names but apparently it was a whole lot of unneccesary leather. At that point I almost didn't want to finish it. However, from an artist point of view, all that leather makes for a great composition! There is more to the painting than just the bridle so I will continue. The title is "Good Game, Good Game", if you had any kids who played sports you'll understand the title when you see the finished piece.

Next up - RED!

2012-01-04T07:42:00.000-05:00

I have started another Iris,..stretched on a frame. Have not figured out what to do with the background yet.

It's all the creative pixie's fault!!!

2012-01-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

ok ... so there is abosolutely no hope of me getting a white themed painting done by mid Jan. The creative pixie has firmly planted ideas in my mind for paintings ... oh yes.... two at once actually...but neither lend themselves at all to the theme of white :( does anyone else ever feel like this? like you are being fed ideas by some unknown source ... they just appear when you least expect and however hard you try to think of another idea the one that has appeared just keeps taking all your creative spirit.

so just to sort of be ' in the spirit' here is a white themed painting i've already done... not part of the challenge but just to be topical :)

Its called Guardian of Ra. I was playing with high key effects and lost edges.

The Ancient Egyptians believed that cats captured the glow of the sun in their eyes and kept it's power safe during the hours of darkness.

They believed that at sunset, Ra, the sun god, would die and descend through the underworld in the west, to be born again in the east, at sunrise. During the night, however,they believed that Ra was in great danger, as his enemies, headed by the great serpent Apophis would not hesitate to attack him, thus putting the whole universe in danger. They believed that cats who looked into the sun in the day would keep its rays in their eyes throughout the night until the next glow of light lit the sky, for they have eyes that reflect in the dark. With that fire burning in their eyes, they would go forth and kill the serpents of the night and keep Ra safe until morning.

if you look carefully in the cats eye in my painting you can see the silhouette of Ra:)

oh and if you want to know what the creative pixie has planted in my brain this time thats stopping me from painting anything remotely white, well...

During the last few days of any year it seems like everwhere you turn people and news channels are reflecting on life and events. I liked the idea too of playing on the double meaning of 'reflect' so from here I began to play with mirrors.

James, my trusty photographer, was waiting patiently while I was doing this and decided to have some fun while he waited. I thought you would enjoy seeing me in action in the very intial stages of an idea before I even put pencil to paper ... and yes I'm lying on the floor as this was the easist place to safely position two big mirrors. What a lot of Ona's there are !!!!

Ona

January White challenge (sort of)

2012-01-03T18:47:00.003-05:00

Hi all, this wasn't done in January and it does have a few more colors than white..but it's the closest example I have. I did this a few years ago of my wonderful cat Normie, who's a big black and white long-hair. I had been meaning to do a little more work on it, but finally decided to leave it as is, and just signed it today as I want to get it framed before it gets something spilled on it LOL! The image size is 10" x 7" and it was done on Arches 90# hot press paper. A little more challenging to get smooth blends than with cold press. Most of this is in monochromatic colors except for the eyes, which are a mix of French ultramarine blue and Quinacridone gold. I worked from a picture I had taken of him outside on our cement patio, while he was resting in a cardboard box. He is fun to paint, I hope to do more of him soon.

JANUARY CHALLENGE

2012-01-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

Hello,

What's new pussy cat! Sorry about the picture once more I really can't get the hang of this new camera. It's too bad really is does not do justice to the painting.

Not sure exactly how to feel about this painting. I must admit, it was a huge challenge for me. Working in the same local color is not something I do very often. There's more to be done I'm sure but I have chosen to stop here.

Still ! I hope you like it..

White Challenge "Drawn and Quartered" watercolor

2012-01-03T11:59:00.002-05:00

Another piece worked from a real model rather than a photo. I'm really enjoying the process. With apples you have to work fast. Without lemon juice they turn brown before your eyes. Watercolor on Arches 300# hot press paper. I usually work on cold press paper which has more texture. Trying a new paper. Whoa! It's a slick as Janie's lake. Almost like working on Yupo. Colors lift very easily, but they really slide around...almost as if the paper is coated. Maybe there is a slight coating. For the gray I tried "Jane's Gray" Used a mix of Opera Rose, Cobalt Turquoise Light and New Gamboge. So many variations you can make by changing the quantity of each color....from red to blue to greenish grays. Watercolor 8" x 6" Available at www.dailypainters.com

Cactus Jack

2012-01-03T07:01:00.000-05:00

12x9 watercolor drawn on the first, then finished yesterday. From my Tucson photo on the VA grounds, I was lucky to snap this lone rabbit guarding the saguaro. I did a limited palette underpainting of quinacridone gold, permanent rose, and blue, then did dry brush on the rest. Those old saguaros have holes throughout that birds nest in and other wildlife use as well.

Daisy Dance

2012-01-02T18:15:00.000-05:00

This is not for the white challenge. Just something I played around with awhile ago. Watercolor 16" x 12"

2012-01-02T17:10:00.000-05:00

I have tried to do something white,...Iris,..difficult, difficult. At least I have started to use my brushes a gain, that is a start.

Something Old and Something New

2012-01-02T07:34:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! I listed my first work on DailyPaintworks and for sale on Ebay. One of my goals is to list one painting each week, on Sunday, for sale. I'm doing a theme each month, so all the painting I list will be of that theme, and I'm posting an art lesson on my blog each month with the same theme. (I can't do daily painting, but weekly is livable.) January's theme is small town America. Right now, I'm up to my neck in attempting a video on how to paint. I hope it makes my brain stronger when I learn all these new skills, because it sure frazzles my nerves.

This is for the white challenge - I painted Winslow again on an 8 x 10 aquabord with watercolor and some of the new interactive acrylic white. I'm still not liking the aquabord. I feel like I'm fighting with it and it gets overworked when I can't do what I want easily.

Simple Pleasures Apple 1

2012-01-02T01:22:00.000-05:00

I've been so removed from painting for the last month. Just to get going again I threw an apple on my work table and painted it from life. Felt good to work from a three-dimensional model rather than a photo. This is more an exercise in trying to quickly capture the essence of something rather than worrying about creating a masterpiece. Feels good! Hope to do more of this, maybe even some plein air. You never know what the new year might bring. Watercolor 6" x 7" Available at www.DailyPainters.com

2012 New Year: White Challenge

2012-01-01T09:48:00.000-05:00

11x15 watercolor I completed yesterday evening before going out for NY's eve dinner. This scene was in my studio windowbox in the spring. The bunny head is all that's left of a resin garden figurine that broke, so I stuck his cute head with bonnet in amongst white pansies and other colored pansies. In my photo there was potting soil all around his mouth so omitted the dark brown of that replaced with green leaves and other foliage and stems. Also in my photo was an old earthenware pottery pitcher which did not add a thing at all, so painted the background medium value blue using cobalt and UB. Grays on the bunny were a mix of quinacridone burnt orange and UB with a touch of Coastal Fog by American Journey.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone on the blog and all who read it, thank you for following our art and wish you only the best for the next 12 months!

White Peony

2011-12-31T14:05:00.001-05:00

I began this after Thanksgiving and then got sick and that was that. I am thinking if I post it it will make me try to complete it...it sure is hard to start something up after a month goes by...lost all interest in it! This is not for the challenge...just posting to try to get me to finish it! ha!!

2011-12-31T05:38:00.002-05:00

Something white, but it is old. Hoping an angel watch over you all in 2012,..and a Happy New Year.

Fence Row Sunflowers

2011-12-30T22:52:00.000-05:00

5.25 x 4.25 watercolor miniature drawn and painted this afternoon for a quickie. It is on Strathmore 140 lb paper, DS paints, fast and loose. These wild sunflowers grow everywhere; I added a white picket fence behind them for a more country touch.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BITSY !!!!

2011-12-30T16:16:00.002-05:00

CUE THE MUSIC ! IT'S TME TO SING !

Merry Christmas Milo !

2011-12-30T15:57:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I gave my husband a painting. So this year that's what he got for Christmas. We were in the Four Corners area this Fall and he really loved it so I chose a photo from that trip. This is 12" x 30" gouache on 140# Arches. He was very pleased but keeping it a surprise from him was a challenge !

Mr. Christmas

2011-12-30T10:54:00.003-05:00

Have you ever seen a more "laid back" cat...especially one that was a stray until he just happened to find me. He "talks" when you talk to him...can't imagine someone dumping such a friendly guy out here, but that's probably what happened. If he's not through with me petting him, he reaches out with his paw and hooks my hand, and in the mornings when I go outside to feed him, he insists on being petted before he eats...so...now there's Mr.Christmas and Lila (she can't stand him...) and this spring I'm still going for two orange kitties...my son will call me "The Old Cat Lady" again...he read somewhere that when we get old, we replace our kids with cats...hummmm...may be some truth in that.

Challenges

2011-12-30T10:26:00.001-05:00

I did not want this to get lost so will repost. Our first challenge is something white...it may be anything and doesnt mean snow...it can be white paint on a house. but we have had a meeting of the board and decided this is a challenge and therefore old work really should not be included. Obviously we will not all be participating in all of this because some of us do not have the time each month...but we will put up a couple of months in advance so you can prepare for one coming ahead...if that helps some of you to be able to participate. Sometimes you may only have a sketch...other times you will have a whole painting. We do not have to participate but those that do will have alot of fun. Because this has come up so fast...you may post throughout the month of january as you do not have much time...then we need to get going on Feb which is Valentine's Day and it has been suggested something red...so think on that as well ...this gives you a little heads up until we get some others figured out and can get it all into the side column. Let the challenge begin!!! Happy New Year!

LADY FERENZI - STUDY OF WHITE

2011-12-29T20:57:00.000-05:00

I have removed the picture and will update tomorrow morning.. Strange thing ..... Thanks Janie for telling me that the painting was a black box.

This is a study of a lady I saw in Florence during my last vacation. She was standing still on a pedestal not moving one bit what so ever. She was simply fantastic.

I'm saying a study because working whites for me is a difficulty. I love having very strong contrast so it's fairly difficult to accomplish. Since I took this picture I have removed some contrast. We will see what happens by the time I'm done.

It's not an angle. She has a huge vale in front of here. Good luck to me!
p.s. will i ever learn to do nice picture with this camera. grrr...

Imagine

2011-12-29T16:37:00.002-05:00

Yay!! It's finished.

After days of 'shall I call it.....or ..... ?' I've decided to call this painting ‘Imagine’

The John Lennon song has been in my mind today as I finished the last details on her dress. The words just seem to fit with Rebecca’s thoughts about the world. The title also takes us back to my initial request for her to imagine when I took the photo of her sat on the stool. Lastly it leaves it very open for us all to interpret in different ways. For some it might be imagining her swinging on a star, for others flying and looking down at the clouds, for others just feeling the breeze on our own skin and the warmth of the sun on our faces, and for some imagining a world below the clouds where people live in harmony.

edit: I'm adding in a close up of Rebecca's hair. Do you think it needs more movement in it? I didnt want to create a windswept look but rather the feel of a very light summer breeze as she gently swings to and fro. I have realised that the really small wispy hairs were not showing up in the small jpg.... one of the problems I have now learnt when painting big is that when you convert to a small jpg some details get lost. Would really appreciate your thoughts :)

I've also adjusted her dress a little as it was billowing a little oddly on the left side.

Ruths Painting

2011-12-28T16:01:00.002-05:00

It was worth waiting on! I love it! I was even dressed to match it! I love the baby hummingbirds! and know it was fun to watch them grow and leave the nest! Thanks Ruth! It was a lonely gift under the tree before Christmas, and was the last lonely gift until today! I will treasure it!

Something White - WIP - your timing is perfect

2011-12-28T15:58:00.000-05:00

Lighter Shade of Pale.

So, this is my nail bighter project. It is a commission and has to be delivered by Sunday-ish. Nailbighter because of all the champagne tones. I am afraid to add in too much detail... but it need a certain amount of contrast to be dimensional. And this is one of two white-ish florals I am working in!

Hippity-hoppity New Year!!

2011-12-28T15:15:00.003-05:00

Hip Hop Bebop
watercolor, 12" x 12"
Chris Beck

These little guys were supposed to make their debut "one froggy Christmas Eve" (as my daughter used to sing the Rudolph song) -- but a cold virus got hold of me and kept me down for a few days. So they're celebrating the new year a bit early instead!! If you want to read a little more about this piece, I also posted a short bit to my blog.

Happy New Year to all the wonderful painters here -- I don't always have time to comment, but I regularly visit to see what's new.

2011-12-28T15:06:00.000-05:00

WOW my painting was worth waiting for.. bright, sunny and it will definitely make me smile every day I look at it. My little snow people painting is delightful as well.. Thank you Suzy!

Something White

2011-12-28T11:57:00.000-05:00

Since we have so little time to solve what we are doing for challenges etc I am going to just jump right in and take Kay's suggestion and say the challenge for January for those who would like to participate is Something White...that can be snow, white flowers, white houses, white horses! ha! It is wide open and makes this one very easy!!! We will then post as many as we can the beginning of January...there will be no deadline on this because we are springing it on you...it is better to participate then to worry about the deadline. So have at it girls! Clean up your studios and prepare to begin the New Year with a painting!!!

Another Christmas Painting

2011-12-28T11:08:00.002-05:00

Christiane's Christmas painting is of a golden champagne bottle that our daughter brought back from London last year as the "crown jewel" for my infamous bottle tree. It's such fun to paint bottles and I'm happy that Christiane likes it...

Question for all Members!

2011-12-28T09:59:00.000-05:00

We use to do challenges and for some it was the perfect solution to the old question...what shall I paint now? It has been suggested to me by Kay that we bring that back. I will tell you how we use to do it and it seemed to work very well.
We picked 12 themes, one for each month. We then posted those themes for each month in the sidebar here so that you always know what the next challenge is and you can pick and choose when it might work for you. Obviously not everyone will do this all the time and some may choose to never do it because they already know what they are painting for the next year...but you never know when the timing works out and you can join in!
So let's weigh in on if we would like to do this and if so, we would also like to begin suggestions for the themes so that we can then decide what each month will be if we choose to go this route!
Hope you will all take the time to address this question so we can decide if this is something we want to do for the new year!~! Thanks!

Thank You Gifts

2011-12-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

This Christmas I received 3 gifts as thank you gifts...and I have never been so overwhelmed and felt so thankful for all of you. I want to post them seperately here as they were not the exchange but rather gifts to me as thanks.
First was a miniature from Ellie! It is called at the lake...and is only 2 1/2 inches square! It is amazing to see these in real life as there is so much detail and it is so delicately done! This picture will not do it justice but it will give you a clue!!! Ellie I dearly love it and it is now hanging beside me here where I spend so much of my time! Thank you ever so much!

I also received a painting from Janet. She had seen one of my photos of the Swans on my lake this fall and she painted them for me!!! I am sorry I did not get a very square shot of this but hope you can see this lovely piece...this shot is directly out my window here where I sit at the computer and about 3/4 of a mile out across the lake...so that is so special as this is where I look all the time and these are actually my swans! It is so lovely i have already asked her a million questions as to how she did this or that...it is really wonderful! It still needs to be framed but will hang near where I have Diane and Ellie hanging! Thank you my dear friend!

The other painting I received from Suzy and I posted that before Christmas for you...remember the lady snowman by the lake with the swans?? Again my swans! You all three were so thoughtful and I am most grateful for them and am truely inspired by your talents!