Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Plumage

After working on the color sketch I decided to make this guys tail feathers a little larger by about 10%. I have also decided to go with colors for his plumage closer to those of the original photo which are more teal than winsor. He is the first in a series of four Roosters. I was inspired to paint roosters after admiring the work of Annelein of Watercolors.

We are off to the beach for a few days and I will post progress when I return. Have a great week!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Directors Award

"Summer Elegance" won the Director's Award at the Fountain City Art Center Member's Show.
I had originally called it Queen of Hearts but the name never felt adequate for such an elegant flower.
This is the painting I started in January for the Dogwood Arts Festival not realizing the entry deadline was only one week away!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Back To The Old Drawing Board!

Finally, I am beginning to paint again! This summer has been one that I did not focus on my art for some reason. Maybe I just needed a break. Whatever the reason I am glad to be back to the old drawing board!
This is a color study of my next painting. I saw the reference photo of this guy and fell in love with all those feathers! I am trying to decide whether to make him brilliant like the attached photo or go with the more subdued colors in the reference photo.

Friday, September 4, 2009

What was I thinking?

I haven't painted my living room in years! Well, It is a combination living room, dining room and kitchen with a vaulted ceiling. It has been painted several times just not by me. I had forgotten how much like real work that is! Ugh. When I was 30...not a problem but now that I'm...not thirty it is too much! I will pay someone before I tackle that job again.
For 3 days I rolled and brushed and cleaned spatters and lugged around a 5 gallon bucket of paint and rested and started all over again. I worked full days to accomplish the goal of finishing all those rooms during my weeks vacation. By 5:00 on Tuesday I was leaning against my kitchen counter trying to reach the wall with the small roller, telling myself, "Every stroke you make today is one less you have to make tomorrow!" "Come on you can do it!" Thank God that job is complete!
I was finished by 5:00 on Wednesday. No, the hallway wasn't painted neither was the peak of the vaulted ceiling but I was finished! On Thursday I could barely get out of bed I was so tired and stiff. My dear hubby was off on Friday and he finished the hall and the trim at the top. I managed to clean thoroughly and get everything back in place, minus things I didn't need and I am very pleased with the results. Now just 6 rooms and two baths to go!