JUST CRAZY ABOUT DOGS

IF -- Forward

2012-02-01T06:50:00.000-08:00

The sisters are moving forward to the trees.

Shih Tzu with a happy face

2012-01-29T20:36:00.000-08:00

When I think of little Maddie, she seems to have this look on her face.

Shih tzu liver or champagne

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

When I first brought Maddie home, she had dark brown fur. As she grew and got older, her fur changed from brown to a milky brown. My breeder said that her fur color was "liver". It wasn't until Xmas when other people saw Maddie that they said she looked more like champagne. So instead of saying I have a liver Shih Tzu, I now can say she's a Champagne Shih Tzu. Even dogs have problems with hair color...go figure!!!

Did you say Birds???

2012-01-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

I'll be the first to admit, I can't draw birds, realistic birds. I never seem to get their body portions right or their feet. No matter how often I attempt to draw or paint them, I'm never happy with the results. So I finally said to myself, the hell with it, and just draw birds...so that's what I've done.

Sidewalk cracks Polar bear

2012-01-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

This little guy was inspired by cracks in the side walk. It's been so cold for him, he just had to have a nice red sweater to keep warm.

Take me

2012-01-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

This is the look my baby Maddie gives me when she wants something...like a cookie, a walk, or a ride in the car. The look I was trying to achieve with just markers wasn't working, so I used a combination of markers and colored pencils to enhance the drawing.

Girl with the blue eyes ... manga style

2012-01-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

I'm really having a lot of fun drawing these girls. I love the big eye expression..

Manga girl

2012-01-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

I've been experimenting with my Copic markers working on shading. I've also been testing out various papers....Bristol, Copic marker paper,Bee artist marker pad, watercolor paper, and plain printer paper. Out of all of them I really like the Bee artist marker pad. The markers go on nicely and blend rather well on the paper. Also no bleeding.

Markers anyone????

2012-01-09T20:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

It was good to go home for the holidays. My husband and my four dogs made the journey to Fremont to spend the holiday with my sister and brother-in-law. A good time was had by all. Santa was very good to me too! During my visit, my sister and I drove up to Berkeley to Dick Blick art store. WOW was I impressed. The store was so large and there was so much eye candy, that I was overwhelmed. But once I calmed down, I was able to load up my shopping cart with lots of art supplies.

While at Dick Blick I bought more Copic Sketch Markers to add to my growing collection. I only need 76 Copic Sketch Markers and I'll have them all. This year I plan to do portraits and thought

Copic Sketch Markers would be perfect.

I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos on people using copics to draw portraits and Manga characters. Not really familiar with these Japanese Comic characters, but after seeing a lot of YouTube videos I got the general idea of how they were drawn.

This is my first attempt at a Manga girl. I went from this to my Manga girl with purple hair. I really learned a lot about shading of faces and skin.

Merry Xmas

2011-12-23T06:53:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite Cavalier moments. I'll be going home for the holidays, so wishing everyone a Merry Xmas...hopefully Santa brings you all that you desire!!!

IF -- Separated

2011-12-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

Separated from mom on the first day of school.

Today's my birthday...

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday and I had to start the morning with drawing Monet's waterlillies from a past trip to his garden.

wild purple daisys

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

On a recent walk, I noticed these purple daisy surround by tall blades of grass.

Rounded lobed hepatica watercolor pencils

2011-12-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

I've been using my watercolor pencils to work on studies for possible larger paintings. By doing this, I can see if the painting will work and what corrections I might have to do.

IF--Brigade

2011-12-03T20:13:00.000-08:00

Jolie is ready for any emergency with her fireman bucket brigade.

watercolor pencil sketches

2011-12-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

I've been working in my 8" X 8" handmade journal, using my watercolor pencils. Since my watercolor pencils are so portable, I can end the day by sketching in bed...which is becoming my favorite thing to do. I find that 20 minutes is very relaxing and I accomplish a lot in that short period of time.

Handmade journal cover

2011-12-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

I wanted to use different elements on the front of this small handmade journal. I watercolored several 1" strips in various colors and then cut into 1" x 1" pieces. Next I just placed randomly on the cover with double sided tape, framing the pieces with wasabi tape. To make sure those 1" pieces would come loose, I applied strips of clear packaging tape on top. The journal measures 4" x 6"--just the right size for small sketches.

Bella as a puppy

2011-12-01T20:16:00.000-08:00

I've haven't been posting very much lately, but I've been busy drawing, painting, and making journals. After making quite a few journals in various sizes and papers, I figure it was time to put pencil to paper. I went through all my old photos and came across my beloved Bella sleeping when she was just a puppy. This is a small drawing, first sketched in pencil and then I applied watercolor pencil for color.

IF: Round

2011-11-26T07:33:00.001-08:00

Mom just cut off my allowance!

IF -- Round

2011-11-25T18:44:00.000-08:00

Nothing like hula hoops to work on a girls round curves!

IF -- Vanity

2011-11-20T18:31:00.000-08:00

Sophie didn't know which hat she looked best in, so she bought them all!

IF: Vanity

2011-11-19T15:30:00.000-08:00

Nothing like having an audience on the catwalk to flaunt one's vanity

IF: Silent

2011-11-13T19:55:00.000-08:00

IF -- Silent

2011-11-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

I always remember as a kid seeing theses signs in the library.

IF: stripes

2011-11-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

Another take on Illustration Friday Stripes. This was created on my IPAD using sketchbookPro.

IF--Stripes

2011-11-06T17:28:00.000-08:00

IF--Fuel

2011-10-27T01:43:00.000-07:00

The bunny wasn't sure he had enough fuel to get home

IF -- Scattered

2011-10-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a bunch of fall leaves to scatter

IF -- Ferocious

2011-09-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Only Muffy thinks he's ferocious!

IF -- Mesmerizing

2011-09-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Maddie was just mesmerized by her dog bone!

IF -- Boundaries

2011-09-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Skippy thought "if only there were no fences, he could be on the other side playing with his ball".

IF -- Mysterious

2011-09-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

Max wasn't sure what this mysterious food could be!

IF -- Disguise

2011-08-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Nothing like having a different disguise when you need one!

IF -- Influence

2011-08-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

Even our dogs are influenced by TV!

Green broadbill bird

2011-08-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

I thought this guy was rather colorful. He's from Asia, but some references also say he's from South Africa. I really like my 6 x 6 watercolor journal, but the only thing is when I scan the center, it's a little bit off, which is sometimes noticeable as in this painting. I keep telling myself these are only practice piece that I can use for future bigger pieces later.

2011-08-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

I still am in love with my rubicoil binding machine. This journal is made with Kraft paper and decorative paper on the front and back cover. The size of this journal is 8 x 6. I used a Carl Bidex hand held perforating rotary to perforate 1" from the binding, so if I didn't like the design I could easily tear it out of the journal.

On this drawing I used a white gel pen to draw the butterfly and then used markers to add color.

Barnacles

2011-08-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't drawn or painted barnacles since my colleges days when I was taking a natural science class. I remember the field trip that the class took to Santa Cruz, CA --natural bridges where one could get up close to see the sea animals.

Parrots...

2011-08-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

This colorful guy was done in my 6 x 6 watercolor journal, using Daniel Smith watercolors and Daler-Rowney gouache. I also used M. Graham gouache.

IF -- Swell

2011-08-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Binky decided she'd rather eat carrots, than cupcakes, because she didn't want to swell up like Winky!

New Painting, New printer, New camera

2011-08-11T23:30:00.000-07:00

It started out with a photo of daisy's. Then came the Polaroid Pogo digital mini printer. When I tried to use my existing Sony digital camera to transfer pictures, my camera was not compatible. I could connect the Pogo to my Mac Pro and get my computer to talk to the Pogo...pictures would get printed. But I really wanted the portability, so if I was out and about and saw something I wanted to paint, I could take a photo and print out my photo reference. So I finally broke down and bought myself a new Canon Power Shot Elph 300 HS digital camera.

IF -- Imperfect

2011-08-09T21:54:00.000-07:00

New handmade journal, new watercolor

2011-08-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

OK, my new handmade journal is done. I couldn't decide what my first painting would be in the new journal. It was this morning looking at my favorite subject that I finally got inspiration! I'm happy with the painting, but I still need to work out the mechanics of making a journal. I was able to assemble the watercolor paper with no problem. It was the outside cover that I still need to perfect. Even though I had put a ton of books on top of the journal to help the glue adhere to the cover, the cover did not dry flat. So I know what I'm going to tell my husband I want for Xmas...a journal press!!

Maddie quick study

2011-08-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

Today I had a good day. My husband was off so we went down to Pasadena for lunch and shopping. My favorite art store--Dick Blick is located in Old Town in Pasadena. It's a small store, carrying some art supplies, just enough eye candy to make a girl excited.

I bought a few tubes of Holbein designer gouche. I rarely use gouche and after reading Cathy Johnson's new book Artist Journal workshop, I decided I would try using gouche, in addition to regular watercolor paints. In the book Cathy mentions toned paper...never hearing that term, I did some research and discovered that it was heavy weight pastel paper. I found Fabriano heavy weight Ingres cover paper in many colors. So I bought an assortment of colors to try.

When I came home I thought I would use some of the Fabriano paper, along with my 140lb watercolor paper to hand bind a 6 x 6 watercolor journal. While waiting for the glue to dry on the spine of the journal, I did a quick study of my puppy Maddie with a Faber-Castell Pitt artists pens.

So it was a good artist day for me. Not only did I get a fabulous lunch, I also got lots of new art supplies!!!!

Maddie waiting.

IF -- Obsession

2011-07-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

One can never have enough hats!

Autumn trees

2011-07-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

About 10 years ago I took a week long watercolor workshop with Susan Scheewe in Oregon. It wasn't until recently I finally got to make use of the foliage brush that I bought at that workshop. I can't get over how simple it was to use and I loved the way my trees look.

Ocean breeze

2011-07-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

I forgot how relaxing painting landscape pictures--makes me want to go to the beach.

river water

2011-07-24T17:39:00.000-07:00

Working on landscape/seascape paintings

IF -- Perennial

2011-07-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Nothing like daisy's and candy!!!

I'm going to England...

2011-07-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

For my husbands 60th birthday in October, I'm taking him to England to celebrate. He's been doing genealogical research on his father's side of the family on Ancestry.com. While doing this research he discovered that he has first cousins that live in Chester, England. So we will be spending time in Chester and the surround area taking pictures, and I'll be doing some plein air painting of the Chester country side. In preparation for the trip, I've been brushing up on painting landscapes. I want to feel comfortable painting in public, but also want to be prepared. So I'm playing with an assortment of watercolor brushes, watercolor paper, and watercolor palettes.

IF - - Gesture

2011-07-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

Gesturing with a wave, the duo Maddie and Fluffy are kicking up their heels and dancing!

Pretty Kitty

2011-07-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

My friend came over today to show me her pretty kitty. So I thought I'd surprise her with a little portrait of the angel.

Blue bells

2011-07-11T22:29:00.000-07:00

This is my latest watercolor painting that I did tonight. It's been a long time since I've used colorless art masking fluid to save the whites; this allowed me to paint the background detail with ease. Once I was done with the background, I simply removed the masking fluid and then painted detail to my trees. I also used my Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils to add even more detail.

In my quest to paint daily, I've cut down my watercolor paper to 8 x 10. This is a nice size to work on and it allows me to finish a painting quickly.

IF -- Stay

2011-07-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Maddie has wide eyes as she is following Bunny's command to Stay!

IF -- Remedy

2011-07-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a good bowl of chicken soup as a remedy for a cold!

Roosters

2011-06-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

I've been painting, really I have; just not posting. I have all these great art technique books from painters that I admire and some of these books come with DVDs. Since I have my Mac Book Pro, there is no excuse for me not to watch them and even paint along. So that's what I've been doing. Needless-to-say, each book offers a different technique and I'm trying to learn them, so I've been all over the place painting wise.

I really like a lot of the artist from the UK...Jean Haine is the current artist I'm studying.

http://watercolourswithlife.blogspot.com

I found Jean quite by accident. I ordered her book and when I saw she also had a DVD, I ordered that too. I would love to take a class from her, so the DVD is the next best thing. What I find interesting is that she only uses 3 brushes and a small palette knife. It's a good thing that I recently gathered all my watercolor tubes and put them together in a box. So I have all the colors she uses in the book, but on her DVD she added Transparent Orange by Schmincke. I can't wait to try that transparent orange, especially since it's the most expensive tube of watercolor that I've ever paid.

So yesterday I was busy dropping in color and allowing the watercolor paint to dance on the watercolor paper...all done with a # 10 watercolor brush.

IF -- Midsummer Night

2011-06-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

Something about midsummer nights made me think of a quarter moon and stars.

IF -- Launch

2011-06-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

Chloe couldn't decide when to launch her boat!

IF -- Swept

2011-06-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

Mr. Turtle was swept away in the ocean trying to get up to the surface.

IF -- Asleep

2011-05-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

This use to be a typical sight of my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bella and Maggie, trying to fall asleep together.

IF-- Soaked

2011-05-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

"If only we had an umbrella, we wouldn't get soaked"

Watercolor flowers simplified with Lisa Engelbrecht

2011-05-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend I took a class with Lisa Engelbrecht @ ASW in Westminster,CA.

How to paint watercolor flowers simplified. Her technique was wet-on-wet, dropping in paint and moving the paint around with water to create shape and drama.

IF -- Safari

2011-05-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

He's saying "I see you".

IF -- Safari

2011-05-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration that I had completed sometime ago and when I was going through all my paintings I found him...just perfect for today's Illustration Friday.

Blue bird

2011-05-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days that I really love. It was sunny,no wind, and 80 degrees. It's those types of days that I love taking my painting supplies outside and paint on my patio. So how appropriate that I would paint a blue bird who happened to be in one of the trees in my yard. It was so peaceful hearing the bird talk with other birds in the near by tree.

more poppies

2011-05-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

I think I've become obsessed with painting poppies. Each one comes out different. I'm either satisfied with the poppies itself, but not the background, or the stem and leaves don't come out the way I see them. So I'll be painting poppies until I get them right. I normally don't have this much problem when I paint, but I'm painting these free hand, wet-on-wet. I'm still not certain if I like painting wet-on-wet. In one way it's rather freeing to paint this way,but frustrating because I'm not getting the results I want.

Afternoon delight...wet-on-wet

2011-05-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the weather was so nice that I spent the afternoon painting in my backyard patio.

I'm trying to paint more wet-on-wet and really love the the fact that I can build up color fast.

With each painting I applied paint to form my image without having to use a pencil to sketch in the subject.

Chinese Brush

2011-05-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

It's been a few months since I went to my Chinese Brush class. I've also haven't practiced my Chinese brush technique in months either. So the Magnolia was a good refresher. Nan my Chinese Brush teacher demo on green and brown Chinese paper. With tinted paper you can use white watercolor.

"Happy Easter"

2011-04-23T22:52:00.000-07:00

May your day be filled with chocolates and Easter bunnies!

IF -- Bicycle

2011-04-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

Katie trying out her new Trikke.

I think I'm in love....

2011-04-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

with my Rubicoil binding machine. I just got it yesterday and it is so easy to use and bind books. Once I got it out of the box, I immediately used it to create a small sample booklet of all my watercolor paints, colored pencils, and oil pastels. What so cool about this binding machine is that it punches up to 12" at a time. I just love it, love it, love it!!!!!!

I also have a Bind-it-all machine and that's what I've been using, up until today. The only problem with the bind-it-all is that you can only punch 6 wholes at a time and it's really hard on my arms.

The best part is that I got my Rubicoil on sale....you know a girl can't miss a sale!!!!!

Make it Graphic by Linda Blinn

2011-04-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

In my quest to learn something new, I've been buying and downloading DVDs from Interweave. My latest DVD is "Make It Graphic" by Linda Blinn.

Linda shows you how to use stencils and silhouettes. She tells you about paints, spray paints, ink pads, pre cut stencils, and finally how to make and cut your own stencils.

So with the information, decided to try to make my own stencil. In the DVD she uses a plastic sheet made for creating your own stencils. But before I start cutting my own stencil out of plastic, I thought I'd try doing a simple contour drawing of a tulip on heavy white card stock. I repeated the pattern across the page. I used my x-acto knife to cut around the tulip. With my new stencil, I taped the stencil onto watercolor paper. Then I used Adirondack acrylic paint dabbers to apply the paint. I used green for the stem and leaves, and orange and yellow for the flower. When I was finished I removed the stencil to reveal my new design. It was an easy process and I'm surprised that I hadn't done this before.

Daisy's and Pansies with Dr. Ph Martin

2011-04-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

These paintings were quick 10 minute paintings using Dr. Ph Martin watercolors and a round brush and finishing with a black sharpie fine tip.

Tulips with Dr. PH Martin

2011-04-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

This was a quick painting using Dr. PH. Martin watercolor paints. I just love the richness of the straight color.

Poppies and more

2011-04-16T18:12:00.001-07:00

I don't think I'm tired of painting poppies. Each painting seems to take it's own life. I'm playing around with different size of watercolor paper, different brand of watercolor paint,different sizes of watercolor brushes, and finally drawing my image with a watercolor brush, instead of my usual H pencil.

What I've learned: Watercolor cold press paper 140lb, 5 1/2 by 7 inch paper is the perfect size; I still love my Daniel Smith watercolors, but I also like using Dr. PH Martin watercolors. As for the brush size, a # 8 round seems to be my favorite at the moment. I've also have used 1/2 inch angle brush and a #6 flat brush. I've also have been using those watercolor brushes that hold water,but I find I use way too much water; they are good for quick, small paintings, but for a little larger painting, I need a brush that can hold a lot of water and cover a large area. I'm also trying to use larger brushes...from a 12 to a 36.

Interweave videos

2011-04-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

This past week I bought a couple of DVDs from Interweave. From art journaling to art by Jane LaFazio. I really love her blog, so when I saw that she had recently made this video, I know I had to buy it. I did a few of the exercises...and this is what I came up with. Each painting is a postcard size 4.5 by 6. They were fun and easy to do.

butterflies

2011-04-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

I was on YouTube the other day and came across a demo by Susan Schewee painting an easy butterfly. About 12 years ago I had taken a week long watercolor workshop with Susan up in Portland, Oregon. She made painting look so easy. It was a wonderful week of painting and meeting new people. I came away with the attitude that I could paint and a new set of tools. So it was a pleasant surprise to find her YouTube videos.

So I thought I'd give it a try. It took several attempts but I finally was satisfied with this blue and orange butterfly.

bowl full of Easter eggs

2011-04-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy painting. I hate to scan things because it's so time consuming. So after looking at my rather large pile of watercolor paintings, I decided it was time to scan and it get it over with.

I was trying to decide what kind of Easter card I was going to make. Either using rubber stamps or a small watercolor. I wanted to send a small original watercolor on each of my Easter cards. The idea of having to paint this image for 16 cards seemed a little overwhelming. So back to the drawing board.

5 minute watercolor flowers

2011-03-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

I've discovered this fabulous blog Art Du Jour by Martha Lever. She offers online Calligraphy classes which I plan to sign up today. While looking through her wonderful blog, I notices that she has some YouTube videos and one of them is "How to paint 5 minute flowers." The technique is so simple...just dropping in colors to create flower pots of flowers. The technique is so easy that it would lend itself to doing all types of 5 minute watercolors. So if you have a moment go visit her blog...it's worth the visit.

IF -- toys

2011-03-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

When I think of toys, I always remember the wonderful afternoons I spent flying my kite.

Poppies and calligraphy

2011-03-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

I'm still painting poppies. I wanted to add calligraphy under the poppies, but on my first painting the calligraphy ink was not waterproof so it bleed. Then I did same poppies picture this time using blue waterproof calligraphy pen on top of the poppies. Next painting I'll attempt to paint over the calligraphy, hopefully it won't bleed.

Poppies and more poppies

2011-03-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of days I've been painting poppies. I can't tell you the number of poppies I've painted, but it must be at least 25,if not more. I'm taking an online watercolor class with Michelle Brown. Michelle packs a whole lot of valuable information, showing materials to use and how she uses them. One video was on back grounds, another on supplies, another on using the supplies, and finally painting poppies.

This is the first time that I've actually had all my painting supplies in front of my computer and painted along with the videos. I could get use to painting this way.

IF -- warning

2011-03-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Dark clouds warning for rain and thunder storms.

Poppies

2011-03-05T00:37:00.000-08:00

I'm taking another online watercolor class with michelle brown. Trying to paint loose using

wet-on-wet technique. I have a feeling I'll probably paint a lot of poppies before I get a painting I like.

Early Tulips

2011-03-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers, along with, peony, and roses. I did this painting using wet-on-wet technique. I used my paint brush to draw the bud and stems. Then I went back in with watercolor pencils to give more definition.

wet on wet leaves

2011-02-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

I'm taking another online class with Michelle Brown...Loosing up March...learning to paint wet-on-wet very loose. This is my first attempt at painting these leaves. Instead of drawing an outline of the leaves I used my paint brush loaded with color to define the leaf shapes. Then I dropped in color, after color, until I got a desired color I could live with. I was using my water brush and a small travel palette on non-watercolor paper. There was some buckling. When the painting was dry, I turned it over and on a low setting applied a warm iron to flatten out the paper. I think in order for me to paint wet-on-wet I need to use a regular watercolor brush and my regular size watercolor palette.

working with lines

2011-02-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

This week in Alisa's class were working on line drawings, minus color. I rarely work in black and white and this a good exercise in trying to capture the subject.

Sophie my muse

2011-02-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

Sophie is my love of my life and muse. She is my last Cavalier King Charles Spaniel I have. Each day she brings me love, joy, and devotion.
Sophie is by my side all day and night. She keeps me company when I paint.

Poppies

2011-02-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

This is a piece I did in my watercolor journal as homework for Alisa's Sketchbook delight class. Working small and wet-on-wet is getting easier, but I still have a lot to learn.

Chicken and the eggs

2011-02-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about Easter and possible Easter card I might create. I'm just playing with objects and sizes. I used watercolor pencils, watercolor paint, and a sharpie.

vase of flowers

2011-02-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

I tend to paint, then scan, and upload to my computer before I post to my blog. Sometimes I post daily, but as of late I'm posting different paintings all on the same day, even though they might of been created a week ago.

This is my latest creation of flowers in a vase.

Sea Shells

2011-02-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

a collection of sea shells using, watercolor,pan pastels,sharpie pen.

A rose

2011-02-21T11:59:00.000-08:00

Watercolor sketch from my Valentine day flowers for my sketchbook delight class.

Waves from Venutra coast

2011-02-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend we drove over to the coast which is about 2 hours from my house. I probably picked the worst day to drive there since Southern California was being hit with a heavy storm. The water was many shades blues,greens, and teals. I did this as an assignment for Sketchbook Delight class. 5 x 5 inch journal.

Sketchbook Delight online class with Alisa Burke

2011-02-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

I signed up for a 5 week online class with Alisa Burke. The whole concept of the class is to keep a sketchbook and enjoy the process. I'm working in a handmade watercolor journal that is 5 x 5inches, which is pretty small for me.

Border Collie

2011-02-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

I wish I would of gotten a better head shot of this collie. I thought he was so pretty,but patient.

Afgan hound

2011-02-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

I'm just loving working in harmony colors. Everything seems to pop with color.

IF -- Layers

2011-02-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

When I thought of layers, I thought of my puppy Maddie who has layers of hair.

Small accordian style album

2011-02-17T07:00:00.001-08:00

Since I had some left over paper, I made a small accordion style album. The album has space for 12 pictures and ties with a blue ribbon. Now I must decide who's pictures will be put in the album...maybe Maddie

sketchbook cover

2011-02-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

Did I tell you that I went a little crazy last week at the Paper-Source store???? Well I did. They always have the most gorgeous paper. The selection is large and colorful. Every time I go to Paper-Source I try to buy at least 6 to 10 pieces of paper that I can use later to hand bind books,make portfolio's, or wrap presents. I also bought a blank journal block - square 8 1/4 x 8 1/4 kit, which comes with a

front and back cover boards.

Handmade Rose portfolio

2011-02-16T13:50:00.000-08:00

I love the fact that I can make my own portfolio's to carry my art work, instead of buying a generic one. I was in Paper-Source last week and saw this rose cover paper and knew it was meant to be on my next portfolio. For the inside I used sage w/gold leaf tissue paper. I finished the portfolio with pink ribbons and green binding tape.