Iris Progress

This paper is truly a challenge to me! I am used to working on Arches 140lb CP and this is very different. I like that I can lift and lightly scrub. On the other hand, I am not used to having to do either. I need to work on this paper more.

It's coming along...

New Year, New Projects!

I hope everyone's new year has gotten off to a great start.

My first new project for the new year...The Purple Iris I painted a few months ago. This one is much larger at 10 x 14 and more detailed. I am working on Arches 300lb HP.

I will be back soon to post updates.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Mask

It has been soooo long!

This is the third of my mask series with just one more to go.

Iris

I love these Iris and their purple color!

They grow in my yard and I have intended to paint them for several years but have never taken the time...until now.

The Swan

The Swan...I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

Color Study

I am still working on the swan mask but couldn't wait to start working on the next one. This is a small color study (6x6). I'm glad I decided to do this first. I will probably leave off the collar and change the head dress. This is by far my favorite mask.

The Ugly Duckling stage

Here is a photo of the ugly duckling stage. Hopefully this will emerge as a beautiful swan.

Unmasking the Mask!

I am removing the masking as I work my way down the painting. Unmasking the mask...so to speak. I seem to mask way too many places and end up covering most of them as I paint!

I have had moments of panic, well...that may be a little dramatic...but I did have a very strong urge to call my former instructor and ask for her help.

I love her but I didn't call and am very pleased with myself that I am pulling this one off.

This will be finished in a couple of days and then I will have the next one on paper by the weekend. I will post the final painting when it is ready!

Musical Mask Progress

Choosing the right colors for the background is always stressful for me.

These will definitely be adjusted but this is the progress I've made so far.

Otherwise I am enjoying this painting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Venetian Masks

This is the line art for the first of the series of Venetian Masks.

I have included notes from one of the music books I use in handbell choir. I love these masks!

Third in a Series of Peppers

Here is the third pepper painting of 4 that I have been working on . One more and then on to a series of Venetian Masks. The image is more Alizarin Crimson and Winsor Red than it appears.

Chili Beginnings

This is the beginning stage of my latest Chili painting. It occured to me when I started this how much I enjoy painting chilies. The more texture they have, the better, and the reds, there are so many that can be used.

10 x 13

140lb Arches cp

A Winters Slump ~ Red Hot GIVE AWAY!

I am in a winters slump!

Yes I said SLUMP!

Don't you think slump is a funny word? It struck me as sounding so funny I wondered if it really was a word, so I went to the old Funk & Wagnals...actually it was dictionary.com...and looked it up. Indeed it is! I knew it was but I get this way sometimes, like when I am in a slump! Am I the only one? Surely not...

To help my mood I have decided to give something away...

RED, HOT!

8 x 10 ~ 300lb cp

Here is how it will work...

Leave a comment on my blog about how you "get out" of a slump when you have one...then post on your blog about the give away including a link to my blog. You will be entered in a drawing to win this painting. One entry for commenting and one for including a link back on your blog...be creative!

Bowl of Pears

I found the photo for this painting about two years ago on WetCanvas and I am finally getting around to working on it. This is painted on Arches 300lb CP paper using Winsor and Newton Transparent Watercolors.

Here it is...

Here it is...now I need to come up with a title...before Monday.

A little more progress

I'm Baaaaack!

I have been away for a while. My husband underwent tests to determine whether or not the symptoms he was having was lung cancer. Thankfully he does not have it.
My Mother was in the hospital with heart pain and had tests but she is home and doing well. I was able to paint some during this time but it was so difficult to focus.

I am back now and working to finish this for a May 15th show with the Knoxville Watercolor Society.

It is funny...when I started this the thought of working on the roses stressed me to no end! I have actually found them to be quite restful after working so long on the crystal. I think this is one that I am going to be happy with when it is finished.

Crystal Vase Progress

Here is a photo of the progress so far. I am much happier with it since I enlarged the sections and can actually see what is in there! I am almost to a point that I can remove the masking.

I compared this photo with the one before I started over (January 26th) and the colors are so much more alive in this...just what I wanted.

Fresh Start

I missed a very important step in this entire process. I always enlarge my reference photo in sections so that I can have a better understanding of what I am trying to convey to the viewer. For some reason I didn't do that until a few days ago. Needless to say I spent a couple of hours lifting and scrubbing so that I could get to a place where I could have a fresh start.

We have several inches of snow which is the most we have seen in 10 years or more so we went out for a while yesterday checking on family members but today I plan on staying inside and spending some extra time on this painting. Thanks for stopping by!

More Progress

...and another progress shot before

going back to the drawing board.

This is much too dark but I will have

to wait for the sun to shine again before

I get a good photo.