Italian word art journal

Since I'm going to Italy in June, I thought it might be a good idea to practice my Italian.  I got this really cool APP for my IPhone that  has most common words or phrases used and verbally tells you how to say the word.  I'm the type of student that needs to hear and see the words or phrases.  So to help me, I decided to make a illustrated  Italian word art journal with words I need to know.  My journal started out as a simple side bound journal with 20 sheets of  140lb watercolor sheets.  Then I used Janpanese decorative tape to cover the stitching.

So my first word is Gelato.  In my opinion, Italians seem to have the best gelato in the world.  I could live on the stuff.  I used watercolor by Daniel Smith, tombow markers, and a sharpie pen to outline the gelato and cone.

Fruit in many colors

I really like using markers, especially Tombow markers.  They can be diluted with water and I can achieve a watercolor effect without having to bring out my watercolor palette.  This still life was done on 140 lb watercolor paper,Tombow markers, and black sharpie to outline.

Hydrangia flowers mix media

Who'd ever think that painting mix media could be so fun.  Painting this way really takes the inner critic away, allowing me to just paint and see where the painting goes.

Mix media flowers

This is my first mix media painting.  I started with a couple of stencils and sprayed on Tulip fabric paint onto watercolor paper.  I let that dry for about an hour.  Then I went back in with gesso.  After the gesso dried I started to drop in watercolor.  I didn't like how the watercolor looked so I decided to sketch in flowers with my black sharpie.  I then applied more watercolor to each flower to give it more definition.  When the watercolor dried I used my black sharpie to mark in more detail.  I can say that this was a fun painting to work on, which I did off/on most of the day.

Planter box of Roses

It's hard to believe that it's only February and here in Southern California and we're having nice warm,sunny weather.  My rose bushes are starting to show signs of blooming.  These roses are from last year.

A door way

I've been thinking about my trip to Italy in June..about all the different door ways that I'll see.  So I went through my Paris photos and came across this door way to paint.  Kind of getting me in the mood to discover all the different door ways of Italy.

Grove of aspens -- imagination painting

This was my last painting that I finished in my landscape watercolor class.  Today I finally got the book that my watercolor teacher was referring to in the class.   Painting landscapes from your imagination. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929834020/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details

Tomorrow I'll try more of the examples in the book.

Waterfalls from imagination

Here is another painting that I completed in my workshop I took about two weeks ago.  This was so easy to do...Just get a large watercolor brush soaked with paint and just barely touch the paper and watch the paint spread into interesting designs.

I'm dreaming of Spring

I'm anxiously waiting for my tulips to bloom.  So in-the-meantime, I'll paint them instead.
Oil pastels on watercolor paper.

More wet-on-wet landscapes

These paintings are only  4 x 6 .

I'm going to Italy!!!

Yes it is true...I'm going to Fabriano, Italy for 2 weeks in June!  Diana Trout is doing a 9 day workshop in Fabriano, Italy.  Lots of things planned...like making paper, cooking class,watercoloring, journaling, day trips, and more.  It's really a fabulous trip...Go check out her blog for more details: http://dianatrout.typepad.com/italy_illuminated/

Happy Valentine's Day

Won't you be my Valentine???



Painting from your imagination

On Saturday afternoon I took a watercolor workshop at the Red Brick Gallery in Ventura.  The topic was painting landscapes from your imagination.  What I learned was how to paint wet-on-wet with a large flat brush and using a palette knife to scrap out color for whites.  My imagination had to work really hard to see these paintings.  It was a good class from me to learn how to paint more loose.  These vignettes were 4 small paintings on a 12 x 18 piece of Fabriano watercolor paper.  I probably did a total of 12 paintings with one large painting.

Carmel for the weekend

 My husband and I, along with our four dogs spent the weekend in Carmel-by-the-sea celebrating our wedding anniversary.  We couldn't of asked for better weather.  As you can see our kids were enjoying the beach.  Carmel is very dog friendly, with lots of hotels and restaurants encouraging you to bring your dogs.

My sister and her husband drove down on Saturday to spend the day with us.  They surprised us with a coconut cake and Kir royale, which we shared later that day.

I can't believe it's been at least 7 years since we last visited Carmel.  So much has changed during that time.  I think the economy has really had an impact on the town.  Lots of galleries that had been in Carmel for years were closed.  Favorite small gift shops were gone; and big galleries and stores on Ocean Avenue were moving to smaller locations.  There were still a lot of galleries and tons of restaurants, but just not as big. But the one thing that hasn't changed, everything was still over priced. 

This get-a-way was great because it recharged my artistic batteries.  Came home with lots ideas, that hopefully I'll put down on paper.  I did see a couple of artist working on paintings, one in particular using a palette knife and acrylic paint.  The canvas that the artist was working on was really big,which appealed to me; just need to find the space to work on that size.

I've always have loved Carmel and didn't realize how much I've missed the town.  My husband and I dream of moving to Carmel, hopefully it will become a reality some day.  In-the-mean-time, it's back to creating.

IF -- Forward

The sisters are moving forward to the trees.