Watercolor for Group on Idrawandpaint

This is my November entry for the Watercolor Group in Idrawandpaint website. It is a street in a European Village and the photo was provided by the Watercolor group. I did this wet-into-wet with very little detail. I used Dragon's Blood watercolor as my mother color for unity and balance.

Oil Painting Again

A good friend of mine, Michelle, is into plein air painting right now, so I thought Iwould try some plein air oil painting indoors (since it is snowing outside) - a true oxymoron. For my painting I chose a photograph taken by a cyber-friend Susan Roper. She is an excellent watercolor artist who lives in Arizona and has taken the most beautiful photos in many different locations. This particular subject was in Moab, Utah. I found that it is much more difficult to photograph oil paintings because of the shiny glare, so I could not really get a good copy of the painting. It was fun working in oils again - it has been several years since I did that! As you can see, I am attempting to paint loosely which is difficult for me since I am the queen of "tight!" Well - I'll keep trying! Check out Susan's blog:http://wcbysusanroper.blogspot.com. You will love it!

Sleep In Heavenly Peace

I recently completed this painting of my grand daughter Rachel. In it she is pictured sleeping with her loved, worn, floppy stuffed dog, Arf, who has been washed at least a hundred times. This painting is going to be part of our Christmas card this year, with the narrative: "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Rachel and Arf were snuggled all tight in her bed, while visions of Barbie's danced in her head." The painting is 1/4 sheet of Arches cold pressed watercolor paper with mostly Holbein watercolors.

Riverside Arts Center Art Show

Rock and I went to the opening reception for the Wapakoneta Community Area Annual Art Show last night. I was surprised and pleased to receive First Place in Watercolor, a totally unexpected honor. It is for my painting "Bountiful" and goes well with the current season since it pictures many bright orange pumpkins. There were lots of good friends and delicious food - always a wonderful combination.

Purple Sunset

I did this painting for the Watercolor Passion project which is painting in two pigments only. For this painting, I chose to use Indian Yellow and Dioxazine Violet. I poured the background first and then added the details after the background was dry. This is 10" x 10" and painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed Arches watercolor paper. This is similar to another painting I did some time ago called Vivid Sunset - it was in a previous post on this blog in April 2008.