WIP's slow but going....

Brad's Angel
Watercolor, 22x30

Orchid
Watercolor - half sheet

Well, I've been slowly moving along on two paintings that have been on my desk, the Angel is relatively new, but the orchid was done earlier this year.
I started the Angel as a tribute to a Best Friend whom I' lost a month ago to an unexpected illness. Brad had asked me to paint him an Angel when he was alive and I never got to it before he left us.
So during my grief process, I started this for him. It interestingly the colors have come out very vibrant when I was in such a blue state, but I'm not surprised since he was a very bright soul. I still have more work to do on the feathers and defining the body.
The orchid was something that I started, but didn't like how it turned out, so I tossed it aside till I could be inspired to work on again. It's kinda fun to work on these "dud's" because I don't care if I mess them up, and I get to play with them.

Painting Waterlilies & Lilyponds Workshop results!

Kathleen Alexander with the waterlily demo she painted with our class.

I spent a wonderful weekend learning to paint waterlilies and lilyponds with Artist/Teacher Kathleen Alexander .
I've always admired Kathleen's work since I found her on the web. I love the colors she use and the subjects she paints and wanted to learn from her.
I was so pleased with the whole experience and what she taught. She has a amazing eye for color, and showed us how to see deeper in the subject. I could see more details about the picture than before, my eyes became more colorized! Even after class when driving home, I could see more colors in the clouds, mountain ranges and sunsets, my brain was interpreting a deeper range. It was surprising to me but expanding and wonderful.
She likes to work with fresh squeeze paint and mixes up her mixes before painting and keeps a brush ready in the mix for each of the colors she's using at the time, usually two three are going. She likes to mix colors right on the paper versus mixing on a palette and applies rich colors right from the start instead of many glazes. Her darks are dark from the start. In her picture, the dark is a deep mix of indigo. She also softens alot of hard edges and blending with water.
It was a great class and if you want to see her work up close, she's part of the co-op gallery Viewpoints Gallery in Los Altos, CA.

And here's what I painted in class. I still have some softening to do with the highlights and some work on the lily pads, but overall, I'm very happy!

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Mala Beads

"Mala Beads (Rosary) for Meditation"
9x12 watercolor

DSDF Rooftop challenge

DSDF Challenge Rooftops..... uuh, this is due tomorrow.. I started it this morning at 4am when I awoke and couldn't go back to sleep, and then rushed through it to complete it thinking I could swing it. But no way it's YUCK, so it's one of those pictures you shrink to hide all the imperfection and give to people you dont like, heehee! just kidding!
Update: Sheila"Forensics to Fine Art" kindly wrote it made her smile, so I'm going to send it to DSDF, Thanks Sheila for your positive attitude and kindness!

Water Spout

I've finally got something posted!
Life has provided many distractions from painting... but I was able to do this, yeah! I photographed this spout in Germany.

Yumm! Chocolate Palette

Mmm... saw this store as I was heading to my next gate change in Houston, Texas airport. I didn't have time to go in, only to take the shot. But Yumm! would have liked to see what they had to offer. What a great idea to paint a chocolate palette.

STROKE: Remember these three letters S.T.R.

I just got done reading this from the Bluesman's blog, and it reminds me of the time my Mom had a stroke and it wasnt till hours later that we understood what was happening to her.

My Mom had come up around noon to have lunch with our family and we all noticed that she wasnt herself, but she said she just wasn't feeling good. So we continued through our lunch, but I was getting really concerned since it looked like once side of her face was lower and she was pretty much silent throughout the meal, we ended up eating and we all said to my father that he needs to take her to the hospital now and have her checked out.
She apparently had a stroke early in the morning and by the time my father got her to the hospital, she lost one side of her body. She never recovered the use of her one arm.
So, I'm posting this as well to spread the awareness about the symptoms and warnings signs of a Stroke.

STR + tongue

from theBluesman says...... by theBluesman

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

STROKE: Remember these Three Letters....S.T.R.

My nurse friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. This is just a social service, to spread the word around, or for that matter, these 3 words around.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously...just read the following short story:

Stroke Identification:

During a BBQ, a lady stumbled and took a little fall. She assured everyone that she was fine (They offered to call the paramedics). She said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, she went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Her husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital. A short while later, she passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps the poor lady would still be around today. Some may not die and may end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Recognising a Stroke:

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, S.T.R. Read further & Learn this!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK

(and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE, coherently).

R* Ask the person to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If the person has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call for the doctor immediately.

And now a new Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue... If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets to read this and inform others, you can bet that some lives may be saved. Remember these words, STR & the Tongue.

Me iron? the irony of that!

Me Iron? I usually buy clothes, that never need to be iron, in fact cant remember the last time I turned a iron on. But I had heard about an easy way to flatten out your watercolors by ironing them, so I thought I would try it out on this new painting of an orchid.
I laid the painting face down on some viva paper towel on top of a piece of foam board and set that on the iron board. I then lightly sprayed the back of the painting, then laid down a cloth napkin, and ironed on a low heat.
It worked really well! I liked the fact I didn't have to wait all night, and find all sorts of heavy things to lay on it for weight to help press it out. So doing some ironing wasn't so bad.....

Yupo Stonehenge

Here's a quick YUPO painting I did of Stonehenge, it was fun reminiscing about being there. Wish I could go back there right now. It was a great place to visit. I used Raw Sienna Burnt umber, Ultramarine Blue , Antwerp Blue, and Paynes grey.

Kitty Kat

Working on Kitty, our 12 yr old cat, sad to say that she's known as "Kitty" and not by her given name "Angel". Why that is I'm not sure, but we've always just called her Kitty, maybe it's because she acts more like a Kitty than an Angel. (My husband seems to think so when she's banging on the door at 6am for food! and meowing "Fresh Kitty Food Now!")

All done at once!

I've been busy with a few paintings and none of them were finished till now.

1) Persimmons on Yupo


2) 4th of July hulu dance - capture this cute girl at a 4th of July Chili cookoff dancing to Michael Jackson and hulu'ing.

3)Colorful elephants - Got this copyright/royality free photo from Wikipedia Common's. On the site there is a ton of reference photo's that the photographer gives full permission to use. (Not all are like that so check the photo details)

Yupo Cypress and Fantastic Lunch!

I was very fortunate to be invited to my good friend and fabulous chef Janice's house today to paint and have lunch. She prepared us the most scruptious meal of Gazpacho soup, Shrimp salad and a Blackberry Sorbet, everything we ate, we wanted the recipe! it was so delicious and fresh.

Okay, sorry to get side track about the food, but it was soooooo delicious!

Here's my second try at Yupo and I decided to do a cypress on a rock cliff. I learned that having a small spray mister, helps move and mix the paint into cool designs, (cover any area's you don't want water on, because it'll move the paint)

The more you mess around with it after laying down the initial paint, the more chances of messing it up! It doesn't like control freak artists like me who want it perfect! so it's a good teacher on loosening up and letting it flow.
I went outside to take a picture of it hoping to get better shot.
Here's a close up of it, although the bottom is cut off.

Yippee! for Yupo

This was my first attempt and experiment with Yupo paper and I have to say I'm Hooked!

My good friend Watercolor Wendy had did early experimentation with Yupo and it turned out really super, so I mentioned that I wanted to try it and she invited me over to try it out.

I was really lucky because before I even put paint to paper, Wendy gave me the run down on the paper and alot of good tips.
1. Since the material is like plastic, it doesn't absorb, it just sits on top. It felt alot like acrylics, where you pushed the paint around. If you use a juicy wash, it will move and move everywhere even where there isn't any water (unlike watercolor paper) So careful when picking up your paper if there is alot wet paint on it.
2. Thicker washes stuck better and you can get really darks fast, to get lights, i was easy to just lightly lift. Any mistakes are easy to correct, just wipe up, or soften with water and lift.
3. Dry time was pretty fast and faster with a hairdryer.
4. You can mix on the paper and it makes amazing swirls and textures. Also brush strokes are seen which gives it cool look.
5. Second washes need to be lightly applied or you will lift the bottom layer, so go dark first.
6. If planning to try it out, choose a simple shape to get the feel of it and have more success.

I'm sure there's more to be discovered, which is why I ordered a bunch of Yupo and cant wait for it to arrive.

Following the Masters Challenge

Yeah! I've got my painting of Maxfield's Parrish "Stars" done for the Following the Master's Challenge #4. just in time!

Sitting Bull Done!

I've finished up Sitting Bull for now, unless something else pulls me in and compels me to work on it. I darkened up the facial, shirt and lightened up some of the other highlights. I dont want to overwork it, which I feel that i've done already, so right now it's in the "No Touch" zone! only looky,lookey!

I've been taking small painting breaks to try to complete this and it's about done, I have some tweaking to do on the face and the fringe.





I haven't had much time for painting at all, since I've been coordinating my nephew's wedding that is happening this Sunday! Yikes! actually, I will be so relieved when it is done, since it has been a ongoing project that I've bee working on for the last six weeks.
Anyway... I was able to squeeze some painting time last night in and I've been wanting to do this painting of Sitting Bull, Lakota Sioux. I'm still working on it and hopefully I'll be able to get more time later to finish it.

Framed!

So excited that I got some of my artwork professionally framed. I found a person who does it inexpensively and I'm thrilled with his work. I finally can hang some of my own work on the walls.
Yeah! ( the white cardboard are corner protectors I haven't taken off yet)

Asia

This is my little niece Asia, she came over and happily posed for some shots in the front yard. She's a natural in front of the camera and super cute!
I've been discovering, I really like to paint people and their faces since it's so interesting to see a person's face come to life in the process and so satisfying when it's finished.

Koi Harmony

Felt inspired to throw some large puddles of paint down, so I cleared off the Dining room table and covered it with plastic and brought my painting stuff out there.
I tore a full sheet in half and mixed up some Perm Rose, Hansa Yellow and Phthalo Blue. I then used some plastic food wrap to throw in there. I started by placing the yellow on top, then the blue on the bottom, then the red in the middle. I let it move and liked it so I then placed the wrap down, I was thinking I was going to do a Angel or something fluid looking and ended up with with this fish shape.
I pouring some color under the wrap and squished it down and started looking at the rest of the painting. This type of painting is fairly quick since you are just throwing down color and placing the wrap or other materials down on it and then you have to wait for it to dry, usually a overnight or you can speed up the process and blow dry. I choose to let it dry overnight.
One thing I learned from previous pouring like this is to lay paper towels around the edges to pick up the excess paint, then it wont creep back into the painting and create blossoms.
Anyway, as I was looking at it I thought it would be cool to throw in the yin/yang symbol and so I broke out my sponge and removed paint in that shape. I also used the sponge to make the swirly movements in the water. I really like using the sponge in this way!
I added some Quin Gold and Payne Grey to darken some area's, I'm still tweaking it, and I haven't took it to the mirror yet, so there still work to be done.
It was really fun doing it.

Wedding Rose updated

I'm thinking that this rose is done, although I'm living with it right now to see if anything else bugs me about it. I've found that it useful to look at it in a mirror to see flaws or area's that need correcting.
One artist I read somewhere, brings a mirror with him when he plein airs (he set it up besides him, slightly above and off to the side of him) and he says he refers to that mirror frequently as he paints. I might do that in my studio area, but I'd have to figure out how to hang it or maybe I'll just put one in the room so I dont have to run into the other room to see it.

Wedding Rose - WIP

Work in progress Wedding Rose. Today my son got married and I started this rose for him and his new bride as a gift and for their wedding card. It's turning out way better than I expected! Must be all the good blessings of love I'm thinking for them as I paint.

Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies are one of my favorite flowers and so easy to grow in the garden.

Canyon De Chelly

Working on this shot of Canyon De Chelly, AZ that I took a few years ago on a tour with a guide Adam Teller of Antelope House Tours. He was wonderful and told us many stories about his people and the Canyon. I highly recommend him.

Colorful Window

We'll I've finally got something posted. Yeah! I've been meaning to posted in the last couple of weeks, but life had other things planned for me. I didn't do much painting but I was able to work and finish this Colorful Window piece.
I took this window picture in one of the historical sites we visited in Germany a few years back. I would love to go back to Germany. The country and the people are wonderful. We found a great flight for $600 round trip in mid September. Couldn't resist that price to go to Germany!
It was tricky trying to take a picture of this to post on the blog, a close up shot didn't give the whole picture of what it was so I took a wider angle shot with my reference photos.
I did discover I like to look and take pictures of repeating patterns but having to paint them is a pain! Heehee! the things I discover about myself when painting. No More Circles!!!

Practice Buddha - Done

I finished ( I think...) my practice Buddha and feel a lot wiser about the process. I'm glad I tried this before attempting the bigger one I sketched out. I'll probably do a few more like this but in different colors so I can play around and see what I like best.

Mini Portfolio

Here's the mini portfolio I started to keep track of my paintings and colors I used to create.

Practice Buddha - WIP

I'm working on this Buddha as a practice for a larger piece I'm planning to do for my son. This is on a 9x12 block and the larger piece will be on a 18x20 block.
I wanted to work out some colors and get into the flow for the larger piece. I'm glad I did, since I ran into some challenges like remember how much Quin Gold doesn't like to be disturbed once laid down on the paper. To overcome that, I've found to lay additional layers of the paint on dry and then spray with a fine mist pump and gently brush the areas and it smoothes out on it's own. And to remember to use a BIG brush, I had trouble just using the regular brushes on this piece which is weird, but I'm keeping that in mind when I tackle the big piece.
Also, I'm not sure I like the colors I chose so I'm going to work on that as well. Next to the painting is my little workout card that I'm using to work and record colors I chose for each painting. I then will put them in a album I'm using as a mini portfolio, which will help me keep track of what colors I use for each painting.

Smile it's good for you - done!

It was great fun painting smiling Gino, a very pleasurable experiencing to having someone smiling back at you!

Smile! It's good for you! - WIP

Here's my happy friend Gino after a good walk in the hills. He's always got a smile for you, especially after walks or if you have food!
Still a work in progress, but I love how Phthalo green and Aliz Crimson makes a great black. I mixed more of the green than red and I like the shadow cast it makes. More to come..... and
Smile it's good for you!

Mother's Day Dragon Fly

Here's a special dragonfly I painted for my sweet Mother in law and my hubby's sister Charlene. I wanted to paint them something special because they are so special to us.
Happy Mother's Day Mom and Charlene!

Following the Masters #2 complete

Yeah! I'm ready to submit my art to Michelle's Following the Masters challenge. I've had a lot of fun challenging myself and participating. It's enjoyable being part of a group activity and seeing the creative ways people are expressing their work. Thanks Michelle for setting this up and facilitating it!

Michelle Burnett's Following the Master's Challenge #2 WIP

Okay here's what I have so far, I'm kinda liking it.... but need to tone the green down.... back to the easel!

Michelle Burnett's Following the Master's Challenge #2

Michelle Burnett's Following the Master's Challenge #2

I couldn't resist and wanted to join in the fun after seeing Michelle Burnett's latest post on her blog "Following the Masters" A Monthly Painting Challenge.

This month's challenge is "Walking on the Beach" by Spanish Impressionist Painter Joquin Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923)


If you feel called, join in the fun!! Thanks Michelle for creating!

Healing Master WIP

Gotten alittle bit further with it.

Healing Master

Here's a picture I'm working on of Master Choa Kok Sui, he's the founder of Pranic Healing. I'm doing this picture for my Pranic Healing Teachers as a gift.

It's back.... Mystery Fuschia

I've darkened up my darks on the Mystery Fuschia and it's looking good! Thought I would share.

Release and Create!

A couple of weekends ago, I took a weekend workshop called the Abundance course, which is Larry Crane's "Release Technique". It teaches you how to have abundance in every area of your life through a simple release technique.

I found out about this technique through a friend who has taken the "Sedona Method" course, which is based on the same principals. I went out and bought the Sedona Method book, used the technique to release on a issue I was having and had immediate relief! I was sold on it so I took the weekend workshop, which made it even more experiential and useful.

Why I bring this up? because I used the technique to release on creating my own art designs. I've been having a block on what to create and just going for it. So I released on it and this morning I created two designs that I'm looking forward to painting!
I recommend this process to anyone who is looking to achieve success in any area of their life.
Just check out the book in the store and try it right there on any issue and see if it helps you. It did for me.

Fuchsia's Mystery

This was a fun fuchsia painting and named appropriately Fuchsia's Mystery since I couldn't remember the name of the flower without the help of the friends here on my blog. Thank You!

One of the things I actually had trouble with is trying to get the water blossom effect on the painting. It was really difficult! which is funny since when I started painting I was a master at creating them. Maybe it was because I was using 330lb paper? well anyway, I was able to create some but not easily.

I'm going to continue defining the leaves but wanted to do a posting since I've been away so long.

Dump Cake with a twist

Dump Cake with a twist.
My sister Anna brought this cake to our February family birthdays and I've had dump cake before but this has a couple other ingredients that makes it delicious.
For those of you who wonder about the name, it's called dump cake because you dump all the ingredients in and then bake.

1 - 20 oz can of Apple Pie filling
1 - 20 oz can of Crushed Pineapple (undrained)
1 - Box of Yellow Cake Mix
1 - 7 oz bag shredded coconut
1 - 2 oz bag chopped pecan bits (optional, you can use any kind nuts)
1 - Cup of butter (melted)

Spread apple filling in the bottom of the 9x13 pan, next layer crushed pineapple, next spread dry cake mix over the fillings, next layer coconut and then nuts. Pour melted butter all over the top of this.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 min.

Yum!

Mystery Flower.......

Okay, I know the name of this flower, it's one of my favorite flowers from childhood, but for the life of me right now I cant remember it's name! I thought I'd just go and google it but I dont know what to words to search for.... uh dangly pink flower.... so if any of your remember, I appreciate the help :-)
I'm still working on the values of the flowers and wondering about the background and how I should go at it. So I guess it's still a mystery flower......

Meditation Girl

Ahh, the joy of meditation. I could use some of this reality right now, good thing painting is like a meditation to me.
This was a quick paint, I kinda wanted to try it loose and not so much attention to details. For some reason the pencil lines around the hands, I couldnt get erased, I must have pressed to hard.