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

Friday, December 6, 2013

Christmas Still Life

I painted this watercolor this afternoon as a lesson for the painting I am teaching this coming Monday evening.  One of the painters, Dave, requested a Christmas theme painting, so this is what I came up with.  I used several pictures and borrowed different objects from them to form my composition.  
The painting is done on 140 lb. cold-pressed Strathmore Windpower watercolor paper - not one of my favorites, but this was better than some I have used recently.  I had not used Strathmore papers in many years, and was pleasantly surprised that this paper is much easier to work with than what I remembered from the Strathmore papers from years past.
I tried, also, to loosen up some of the washes in this in my futile attempt to become a "looser" woman.  I don't know why I try..."I yam what I yam," as Popeye would have said.

9 comments:

debwardart said...

Barb, this would be a lovely Christmas card. And - you YAM a really good artist! So why change if you are happy doing what you are doing and doing it well!

Autumn Leaves said...

I agree with Deb. And this is gorgeous, Barb!!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Nice work.
I've recently been surprised by Strathmore watercolor paper using a sample package I bought many years ago. I like the absorption quality.

Ginny Stiles said...

I am crazy about this!

Barb Sailor said...

Thank you Deb and Sherry...I do know that it is hard to be something you aren't - so - it is time for me to accept what I am. I guess it is time, since I turned 75 in September.

Barb Sailor said...

Thank you Maywyn Studio. I did the same painting Monday evening while I was teaching my class. I used 140 lb. cold-pressed Canson and had a terrible time with it. The Strathmore has definitely improved over what it used to be. Yes - the absorption quality was very nice.

Barb Sailor said...

Thanks so much, Ginny!

Mary Paquet said...

Barbara, beautiful. You are a wonderful artist as you "am." Happy Holidays!

Barb Sailor said...

Thanks, Mary! I just saw your comment - sorry I didn't answer sooner. Happy New Year!