"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, September 10, 2009





This is a painting I just completed for the September project where everyone paints from the same photo- the first photo is the picture everyone is using and the second is my version of the photograph. The challenge in this one for me was to show the water droplets on the pears. I wasn't certain how I would do this and finally decided to use the salt effect. I am not sure how much it looks like water drops, but I was happy with the way the painting turned out. It is painted on 1/4 sheet of Canson Tientes watercolor paper (cold-pressed) with transparent watercolors. I try to do the monthly projects because I think they challenge you and helps to develop self-discipline:)

18 comments:

Nancy Eaton said...

Simply beautiful! I love to do challenges, also!

Krista Hasson said...

Very nice painting! Where do you find the challenges?

Mary Paquet said...

Lovely -- by George, you captured those water droplets!

Vicki Greene said...

Beautiful painting. Good job!

Barb Sailor said...

Nancy - I think challenges keep you 'honest' and on track as an artist, don't you? I hope you are continually improving since your surgery - it appears you are well back in to your painting! Great!

Barb Sailor said...

Krista...I belong to 4 online groups that have challenges - the Watercolor Group and the Watercolor Workshop groups are both Yahoo groups. I also belong to idrawandpaint and the Aquanet groups. You can get to the yahoo groups through the yahoo home page. Watercolor Workshop is my favorite.

Barb Sailor said...

Mary - I am glad you think I captured the water droplets - the jury may still be out on that one:) Thanks for your comments.

Barb Sailor said...

Vicki, Thanks for your kind comments! It is an honor coming from you!

Ginny Stiles said...

You are like having a challenge group, Barb, every time I look at your blog I feel a challenge to GET WITH IT and get painting! Those pears just dance. And it feels right for the season too! I want to try painting a slice of watermelon too...I took photos this summer out in the sunshine! I hope to get back to the studio after I "come down" from this trip to CA!

RH Carpenter said...

Beautiful job, Barb!

Jane said...

This is really, really good!

Ruth said...

Well, Barbara, you did one great job on these. I like the addition of the 3 leaves on the right. Love the colors in your bg-the diff. colors, the salt texture, & the darker values kind of nestling the pears in the scene. All is rendered super good. Colors fantastic. Love the twigs and their details. Your pears & leaves are tenderly stroked, blended, detailed, & colored. Love this. It's a winner. Ruth

Barb Sailor said...

Ginny - I had company over the weekend so not able to post on the blog. Glad you like the pear painting and I think some watermelon sounds really good:) Your journal has really impressed me - i love the combination of pen and watercolor...very quirky and professional looking.

Barb Sailor said...

Rhonda...Thanks for commenting - you collage painting has wonderful texture and color.

Barb Sailor said...

Ruth - you don't know how much I enjoy reading your remarks about my paintings - what a treat when you do a critique - it is like reading poetry! I take your comments to heart - I highly respect WHAT you have to say in addition to HOW you say it:)

Barb Sailor said...

Jane - Thanks so much for the kind remarks and thanks for visiting my blog.

rav said...

Your way of mixing color has always caught my attention. Beautiful, exceptional colors.

Barb Sailor said...

RAV...thanks for the remarks about my color - I love color - lots of it and I also like to experiment with it - push it to the limit - so to speak...