Look what I found!!!

I was looking for some art supplies, I came across my very first watercolors that I did 10 years ago. These were done with cheap student grade watercolor paint and cheap watercolor paper. I couldn't believe where I've been and how much progress I've made in those 10 years. I remember when I first painted these how up tight I was about applying the wc to the paper.

I'm glad I had saved my early work because it's a reminder to me that with patience and practice, I can achieve anything I want to do.

Father's day card

My husband always waits to the last minute to send cards out, so I made him a card that he could send. My father-in-law is a diabetic and has an awful sweet tooth. Whenever you go to his house we always find open boxes of hostess cup cakes that he's not suppose to eat.



back view of card on left; front view of card on right.
When the card is open left side says "Cup Cakes" right side of card has good wishes.

Paper dogs

Remember when you were a kid and spent hours playing with paper dolls? I know I did! I've been experimenting with different ways to put my love of dogs and watercolors together. I thought wouldn't it be cool to have a 12" paper doll of dogs I would love to own? I figure making them was so much cheaper and there's no maintenance required.

I first started out with a sketch on tracing paper. Then I transferred the sketch to watercolor paper, making sure I separated the head from the body. Once that was done I used Derwent Aquatone watercolor pencils to lay in color and used a damp watercolor brush to blend the color in. When the paper was dry, I cut out the head and then the body. I played around with the placement of the head and once I got the right angle, I used my tiny whole punch and punched a whole and then added mini brads.

So this is my brand new dog George. I love the look of bull dogs...they're so ugly that they are really cute. I would love to own one,but after doing a lot of research on the breed, I discovered that they have too many health issues and living in the high desert would probably be too hot for them.

Now George keeps me company in my studio over seeing all my works in progress. A funny thing happened when my dog Sophie noticed George. Sophie thought George was real and kept on using her deep voice bark. Even after re-assuring Sophie that she was my favorite, she still wouldn't stop barking at poor George.

Then I decided to make a paper dog for my sister Linda. She lost her two Cocker Spaniels last year and has been dog-less. She would like to own a Pug,but plans to wait until her husband retires.

I named him Baxter.

manila folders books

I discovered the other day on you tube Jana of 2worlds. www.2worldswings.blogspot.com She has about 41 videos. After viewing her 3 part video on making a book using a manila folder, I decided to give it a try. It took me 3 books to figure out the mechanics of the book.

Rosemary's book was my last book that I got the look I was trying to achieve. I got to use rubber stamps,punches,ribbons,watercolor, oil pastels, and various complimentary scrap book pages that I've collected. Also I finally put my Cricut to good use. With my Cricut I was able to electronically cut the tag and the letter "R".

This book was made for my friend Mryna in Washington.

This book was made for my sister Linda. Her book was the first one I attempted.

Chinese Brush paintings

At my last Chinese brush class I worked on the following: Peony and ducks.

Once I got the over all shape of the ducks, it was fun to paint the same duck but with different color of feathers. As for the Peony...my teacher Nan showed me how I could achieve a more uniform Peony. I had been practicing Peonies on my own and was rather frustrated with my attempts. When I mentioned this to my teacher, she held my hand and gave me some tips on how I could paint my favorite flower.

Botanical Series Himalyan Poppy

I had finished this watercolor a month ago, just realized I hadn't added to my blog. Arches watercolor block, Daniel Smith watercolors. 12 x 16.

Faces of three ladies

I rarely have done portraits because I never can get the portions right, so I thought I start a collage of portraits of ladies. These are all made up from my imagination. I did each piece in my moleskin book and then used photo shop photo merge to stitch them together. I pulled out my neocrayons to add color and then used a tissue to blend.

Angel mix media art journal

I just love YOU TUBE because one can find all of these cool tutorials on line. I happen to come across a mix media artist ...Suzi Blu http://www.suziblue.blogspot.com/.
Suzi's blog should have her link to her you tube videos.

Suzi has 68 videos to watch and I have spent the last 2 days watching all of them. Her videos are full of information about creating mix media art, sprinkled with humor and her cute animals...Lulu her puppy and cat...can' remember the cat's name, but I think it's Poo Poo.

I've always have admired the work of mix media artist, but for my own work it's been just one medium at a time...mostly watercolors,or oil pastels, or colored pencils, or Chinese Brush painting. So after viewing all of Suzi's 68 videos, I decided to take the plunge and start my very first mix media art journal.

My inspiration has been my baby girl Sophie.

Angel Dog...gesso,oil pastels,acrylic paint, and glitter.

Angels everywhere...gesso,oil pastels,acrylic paint and glitter.

Sophie my Angel Dog...gesso,acrylic paint, watercolors, and oil pastels.
It's been rather freeing to work this way, finally able to use my assortment of art supplies that I've collected over the years. So now my days will include working on my Angel Dog mix media art journal.

Little bird Chinese Brush

I have been having fun this month practicing my Chinese Brush painting skills. Things I've learned...porcelain palettes and mixing trays are the best. To control water in brush, tap brush a few times to release the water; mix paint onto brush, dab paper towel to get excess, and then apply to watercolor paper. Now if I can remember this when I go to my class.

Goldfish chinese brush

Lately I seem to be practicing a lot of my Chinese brush strokes. I recently got a box of Chinese watercolor paints from China. Wow what a difference in pigment and shades of color. So here is my take on Goldfish!

More Chinese brush

Last night I did a couple small Chinese Brush paintings on watercolor paper.

A Crocker Spaniel

Gold fish swimming

Butterflies and bees.

A moment in time

One of the reasons I like learning Chinese Brush painting because it is so different to Western approaches to art. Chinese Brush captures a moment in time. It is very freeing to paint enough to recognize the subject and not worry about getting every fine detail down. So each day I've been practicing my brush work. Today I did these 3 using watercolor paper.

Yellow Alstromeria

Pontedaria

Meilin Orchid

Delphinium botanical series

This watercolor, even though my reference was good, I had problems trying to capture the delicacy of the flowers. Arches water color block 12 x 16. Daniel Smith watercolors.

Gerald Brommer watercolor demo

Last night I had the opportunity to meet Gerald Brommer and watch him give a demo on his approach to painting a watercolor. He started his demo showing us his sketch book of sketches and doodles. He picked out a sketch he had done in Provence. From that sketch he did maybe six thumbnail, picking out elements and re-arranging them as he pleased. He then choose one of the thumbnails to use for his watercolor. He proceeded to map out the drawing using a paintbrush and do a line drawing. After he had his line drawing in place he started to lay in various washes. In less than an hour he had completed the 1/4 sheet watercolor painting. It was really amazing to see his approach and style of painting. This was such a treat to meet him and watch him paint. I came home and ordered at least 4 of his watercolor books. Maybe tomorrow I'll try this exercise using some photo's from my Venice trip.

Purple Iris botanical series

Purple Iris in botanical series. Arches 12 x 16 watercolor block. Daniel Smith Watercolors.

7Th botanical in series "A Sunflower"

Sunflower botanical. Arches watercolor block 12 x 16. Daniel Smith watercolors.

Chinese Brush paintings

Yesterday was my monthly Chinese Brush painting class with Nan Rae in Burbank, California. The focus of the class was roses,dragon flies, and butterflies. This is just a sampling of what I did yesterday in class.

6TH in series of botanicals Poppies

This watercolor was a little complex for me because a lot of detail needed to be illustrated . I had to play around with the colors, creating my own shades of orange and reds. 12 x 16 watercolor block. Daniel Smith watercolors

5Th in series of Botanical A peony

Here is my 5Th botanical rendering of a Peony. 9 x 12 watercolor block. Daniel Smith watercolors.

4th in botanical series White lilies

Here's my 4Th installment of my botanical series that I'm painting. 12 x 16 watercolor block. Daniel Smith watercolors