Saturday-Thursday

Hardwood was supposed to be on the truck this morning.  NOT.  No worries.  Fans still going.  I'm slightly displaced, but, my friends have been feeding me, and I have the perfect excuse to just stay in the art room and mess around.  This is Bad?    Many more, just liked these for the moment, the best.

Just some more dripping paint.

The Almost Dead Carnations

Dripping and dropping, just playing

More Daisies

My contractor was here this morning.  Seems my disaster is not going to be all that difficult.  Oh yes, ripping up the whole kitchen, but new cabinets and hardwood floors all over my downstairs, per my insurance, isn't exactly a tearful solution.
Good news.  The downstairs is going to me a holy mess.  Better news:  I have to stay home to supervise the project, upstairs, where my art room is.
Best news:  More daisies.  LOL

Drew these first.  Can see the pencil lines which I hate.  Going to mess with it, but that's usually when they end up in The Box Under The Desk.  So, just in case, here's #7 before I go at it again.  Colors on this scan are not exactly right.  A little messy.  Tried to do some wet on wet here as well.  

Daisies

Daisies 1 Working on shades of white  Dropping paint into the background

Daisies 2

They start the demo of the kitchen on Monday.  Oh my.  Trying to prepare myself for the mess, noise, and invasion of my space.  Decided a project would be good.  My flowers are gone, so went to Kroger and bought the $5 bunch.  The deal is:  I listen to music, paint, daisies, and probably at some time drink some wine.  Want to just play with shades of white and gray.

Anyone interested in giving me feedback on what they see or how to improve?  It would be greatly appreciated.  My natural ability is still undiscovered so any help in finding the path to success would be greatly appreciated.  :)

From a photo  Fast and wet

Wet on  wet  Yellow daisy

From another photo  Tried to be more precise  Colors got muddy 

Glazing

October 2014

 Things have been in a bit of a mess and I am trying not to freak about all of it.    I am  using  some of this  time tor reflect and  focus on my watercolors, thinking about what, how, colors, etc.  Below are some of the things I am working on.  

very fast and wet on wet

Was working on drawing this and trying to be precise

One of the first attempts with the last summer flowers  Used an oval frame 

Most ly wet on wet #3

Very loose and free  Looking at same flowers as above but using a bit of artistic licence

August Watercolor Journey

I have really been enjoying August just for its simplicity.  I haven't had any emergencies or disasters, haven't been far from home, just kind of day by day enjoying the girly things that make my days so happy.   

Such as, manies, pedies, massages, my housekeeper, reading, music, Sade, my kitty, good hot coffee first thing in the morning with no where special to hurry to.  

Working in the garden, or watching it grow,  boating, cooking, friends and family and impromptu get togethers.  

In other words, doing just about anything I want to do. I know it sounds kind of selfish,  but I've worked 24/7 for the last 45 years so it was totally time to be good to me. Besides, I'm not totally absent and have a lot of flexibility 

Many of my friends have been having serious and scary issues with this that and the other.  In the past I could give lip service for help, but now, I really have the time to lend support, do things for them, give them a break. 

Granted it is not volunteering at the homeless shelter, but these are my dearest friends, and I have decided they are my priority.  And you know what, I really never knew how many great and wonderful people are in my life.  

Sooo, I am very grateful for everything I have, and it no longer matters if I drive a Mercedes or a VW ( or a PT Cruiser, HA!)  I get up in the morning just so thankful for all the little things that somehow, in the prime of my life, had a tendency to escape me, or at least the real value of it did.  

Times are changing, and if not now when?  I ask myself that every single morning.  And The answer is the same each day. Now.

So, to say all that, I have made a lot of time for practice.  Still not ready for my own show, but it is really ok.  Neon lights are not present announcing my improvement, but I know.  Somehow, it is different than it used to be, and the changes while slow, are there for me to feel.  

  That was why I began this journey, and why I continue.  A day with discovering something new lacks purpose don't you think?  

I have selected some things from my August Folder to share.  I have also made comments under each one.  As I have said before, this site is not an Internet sensation, but it does provide an excellent forum for me to document my artistic travels.  

Wet on Wet 4x5 Lana Rough Block

Lana Rough Block 4x5
Really Wet on Wet and Messy!

From a photo  Trying to glaze.  Same paper
I bought tons of it when Jerry's was closing it out for $7 becuase I like the blocks so much.  It must be really old because they say it has 20 pieces, but when it came there were 25. It was a great deal, so I won't be running out for a while.  :)

This is called YES! all media artis canvas.  It doesn't absorb water but does provide interesting results.

Friday Flowers

I like to post things here.... even if it  is not a high traffic Internet sensation.  

I have a sketchbook, and then another one, and then there's the one I have handy.  Just not good about keeping just one consistently or chronologically.   However, somewhere on the planet, wanted a place to put things, so maybe one day, I could  look back and perhaps, really see my small  steps to progress and this blog is perfect to record those things.  

.  The kitty is at my feet.  I am listening to the music my nephew sent me for my birthday, 

(its electronic, and thought I would hate it, but have been pleasantly surprised).  I am re-reading A Passion for Watercolor for iinspiration.  I have a whole room in my house, just for me and my paints.  I am so grateful and so very blessed.   

Added some pen to one I wasn't happy about, and liked it a lot more!

Dripping color

Working on the white

Inspired by Stefan Draughon   Lana 4x5 Rough Block

Thursday Morning

  I've been religiously doing something every day, but my projects all look the same to me.  Nevertheless, as long as I have paint and paper am not about to give it up.,  Jerry's was closing out 4x5 Lana blocks, which is one of my favorites, so mortgaged the house and went crazy.  It is one of my favorites and is not on sale often.

From Suzanne's FB page  On Windpower

I'm not sure if this is a photo or a painting.  At first, thought the former, when printed, it looked .like the latter.  In any event, loved it, and just had to try to copy.    Thanks for sharing Suzanne!

Tried again    Lana Block

Flowers on my art table

Did this late last night.  Very messy, but you know me!

This and That

Thought I would post on my blog to see what they look like on the Internet.  Just some of recent efforts.

Catching Up

Hello everyone!

 I guess you think I have dropped off the face of the earth.  Behind with my art projects or at least the anything that I want to post. I've been organizing the Memorial Service for my friend and it has been a little time consuming.

Nothing new and exciting, just practicing drip and dribble with flowers.  Zanna, I did do a little experimentation with the pen, just to give the flowers definition.  Well, that's only partially true.  I got way too much paint on the paper and used the pen to see if I could salvage it.  I liked (not loved) the results so am posting it just to add a little variety.

Hope all  is well with everyone.  Have to get to HSN recordings  and listen to the last couple of weeks phone calls. My intention was to do the practice, post, and listen in,   So far that hasn't worked out quite as I've planned.

Inspired by Zanna

With A Little Help From My Friends

.  

With practice and introspection, as well as the realization of some simple truths, I am ready to begin the next steps in my artistic journey.  This came about because of the feedback and support from Suzanne and all of my dear colleagues (yes..Zanna, Heidi, Tracy, and Susan, I mean you).  And, since all of you have been with me from the beginning, and have had such an impact on my growth, as we near the end of  of practice camp, I wanted to share my Next Big Plan.  After all, you did help me visualize it, and have had much to do with this outcome.

MY NEXT BIG PLAN

Suzanne told us in one of our last lessons that we should (or could) decide on "something" and become "experts" at it.  At the time, I was thinking subject matter, like flowers or birds or landscapes. never realizing at the time it could be  so much more.

Suzanne told me to put myself on a timer and reminded me that I did my best when I didn't fret over everything.  All of you said you loved my transparent colors.  Aha.  So, I thought, here's a strength At some point I decided, rather than dwell on what I can't do (or don't do  to my specs), I can build on my strengths, however undeveloped.  Maybe this is key to the kingdom?

My focus is no longer on the subject, but  technique.  This is where I hope to experiment and practice.  This is my Nest Big Plan.

Much of it has to do with ratio of water to paint.(DA, of course).  However, I  am still  learning how of that works. Tried to read about it, and that assisted somewhat, but have found it much more fascinating to experiment.  I added a couple of purples, since it is a favorite color and my mixing was not consistent and reliable,  but otherwise have kept my original palate.  Its easier to drop and drip when I am sure (almost always anyway ) I am not making mud.  Watching it spread is amazing! It does  funny things!  Fantasic!  Really.

I love to work with a light wash in broad strokes and little detail.  Sometimes we have to guess what I drew, but that's ok.  Sometimes I like it.  And then, there is the box of Not Ready For Prime Time projects under my desk.  It is quite full.  :)  And, guess what?  That's okay now too.

I have come to respect the medium.  The (watercolor) is the master, not me.  Presently we have a tenuous relationship because I do not fully understand all of her whimsical ideas AND she is not always willing to give up her secrets.  But, in time, I know we can develop a trust that will work for both of us.  (think adopted kitty).

It is not particularly evident in what I post, but, I can feel a difference in what I paint. I understand (although sometimes wonder) I am not bored to paint flowers eleventymillion times.   They never come out the same and in the end,  I know I have tried something different with a color or a brush or a drop of water that added a new dimension.   I am always learning something new (about what I already know)  and  do not find it repetitious.  

Last, but certainly not least, we ( Ms. Watercolor and me) have plans to escape.  

Not just on paper.  For however long I have left, and God only knows, I have found a way to just Be.  Happy. Who I am..  Honestly.

It involves something over and above what everyone expects and demands, and knowing it is ok to say no. It is the simple of joy of today.  Now.  This moment.  And the gratitude I feel in knowing the simply joys of this can not be described.

I am forever grateful to you Suzanne, for your leadership, and to my dear colleagues who have supported  me always, no matter what I posted.  I wanted, and needed, to go somewhere that was foreign to my world of deadlines and quotas where big boys played and little women did more with unsung  recognition.    Never before had I given myself permission to live here, nor did I know I could do so contentedly. All of you were instrumental in that passage.

Thanks, to everyone, from the bottom of my heart.  You are my heroes.

For Captain Gary

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A dear friend passed away tonight after being in ICU for the past week and diagnosed with ALS on Monday.  

We  called him Captain Gary.  His job,   (and he loved it) was to ferry his wife and her friends around the lake on his boat, Compensation.  Oh, what fun we had!  Feeding ducks, floating around, skiing, sunning, reading, and just being.  

Today, as he was moved to palliative care.  I was taking care of his dog.  We  waited for the latest news.  I  thought we were going to be able to bring Shiloh to him at the hospital but alas, it never happened.  It was, however,   a long, long day.  

And so,  to pass the time, I painted.  Because I could.  Because I loved it. Because, it kept me calm and focused.  But mostly, because, who knows about tomorrow?  

And, then, for one other very special  realization.  

When I was at the house, doing this or that, while he was hospitalized I realized he had kept the birthday card I had painted for him, over a year ago. Before my first art lesson.  It was not a museum piece.  

It sat on the end table beside the couch where he always  read.  He wasn't a huge communicator, and never said anything, but, it must have meant something special to him.    

Funny isn't it, how the small things you do for people, mean more than you know?   Its not about the art, or its perfection, not really.  Its the gesture of giving, of doing, what you can, when you can.  

So, dear Captain, the paintings I did today, were inspired by you.  Thank you.  
Bless you.  Rest well.  

You were loved by so many and we will all miss you so very, very much.  

My Watercolor Journey

Its Thursday morning and I am in Columbus Ohio.  One wouldn't think to come here as a destination unless you were attending Ohio State, however, you should reconsider.  The city is charming, very hospitable and filled with beautiful homes from the 20's and 30's that have been carefully maintained.  While not here on a vacation, have had quite a pleasurable trip and have been delighted to spend the week .  Was most excited  a Blick Art Store is close by just HAD to do  little shopping  while in town.

I am posting an iris I did while visiting. I used watercolor pencil and a Windpower pad.    Pencils are so  portable with no mess at all.  Since I am staying with a friend, needed to be able to work in a small space without mess, and to pack things up easily and quickly.

My journey continues.  I see  a subtle differences in this iris, than the one I submitted on our site.  Wondered if anyone else in my group can discern the difference?

If you have stumbled upon this blog, or are just beginning to consider refining your watercolor skills I encourage to click on the See Here Now tab on the right and explore the offerings Suzanne McDermott has coming up.  She has been my mentor, and teacher  and it has been an incredible journey.  My progress has, at times, sketchy, (no pun intended) but steady.   With her artful feedback I have been able to maintain my enthusiasm, and to keep on keeping on.The  accomplishment and fulfillment  this adventure has brought to me has been enormous.  

My Watercolor Journey