Uncategorized Archives - Page 22 of 32

Brand New Day

11×14

Watercolor on Paper

My nieces are the most beautiful dancers. They have been dancing from the time they were in Kindergarden. Now they are middle school age and their dancing brings me to tears. They do the most beautiful duets and compete against other dancers from around the world. I know I am a little biased as their aunt but they really are the best dancers I’ve ever known. They are truly amazing and inspiring…and they definitely inspired this piece.

I decided to do this painting in the semi-abstract style that we discussed my watercolor class this week. I really like the style. It looks like this piece could be a stained glass window or a quilt, and I’ve always liked both. There is something about the geometric shapes that I’m drawn to. I’ve found this style to be very challenging though, even more so than more realistic pieces. Although I must say I love watching the colors bleed together as they dry in each shape.

Colada Rays

11×14

Watercolor on Paper

This is the painting I created for my semi-abstract homework. It was MUCH harder to complete this painting than I thought – all the little individual shapes really complicated things. I still feel like I could work it a little more, but I think I’m going to step away from this one…lots of fun weekend things to do!

Happy Day!

Heart, Soul, and Love: Sister’s Unbreakable Bond

6×6

Watercolor on Paper

I don’t have a sister, but imagine that if I had one, I would love her with all my heart and we would have a bond similar to the one that my boys share. They spend every waking moment together. There is laughter, tears, and a deep friendship. But unlike girls, they roughhouse, scream, and torture each other…I suppose a bond none the less.

Facebook has allowed me to stay in touch with friends from high school. One family in particular, has been super supportive of my art and they are just good people in general. Julie and Khristian are creative people too – they understand the outlet my art is for me and they’ve been lifting me up all along. I’ve been watching their girls grow via social media…cute redheaded beauties. It’s so inspiring to see the love that they share. I asked Julie (the girls’ mom) to help me name this one. She came up with the title and said she chose it because the three girls are her heart, soul, and love. I just love it!

Lesson 3: Semi-Abstract Fundamentals

I’m really enjoying my class. This week we learned a lot about the fundamentals of semi-abstract painting. I’ve never done a semi-abstract painting, at least not using the techniques I learned in class. It was interesting and I can’t wait to do my homework this week. The painting above was a practice painting that we did in class. We had 20 minutes to paint a semi-abstract painting…which isn’t a lot of time to fill all those tiny little shapes. I know it’s not the greatest but it got me to start differently about composition.

Using one of Ken’s paintings as reference, first we discussed the importance of creating a focal point using the rule of thirds or center of interest. The following images are examples of where objects should be placed in a painting to make it more visually interesting:

Rule of Thirds

Center of Interest

Then we went though some terms, discussing the different techniques for developing a semi-abstract painting. Here are some ways it can be done:

Fracturing – breaking up an image into pieces
Not using a single light source
Extension – extending the line of a shape beyond it
Distortion – changing shapes
Transparency – intensity and contrast
Balance color

Homework begins this weekend, God willing! Wish me luck!

Let Me Show You

6×6

Watercolor on Paper

Let me start by saying hands are difficult. I always struggle with them but I was determined to give this one a shot. I made a commitment at the beginning of the year that I would participate in a “Creative Pay It Forward Challenge.” I created this painting for Mrs. Thomas, an artist, teacher, and beautiful person that I grew to know as a child. Her son Phillip and I grew up together. She was blessed with a grandson this year, which was named after her late son, who was one of the most sincere and nicest people I’ve met. I know Mrs. Thomas loves her grandson with all her heart and she will be an amazing teacher for him, as she was to so many children growing up in my hometown. I can’t wait to send it to her.

Best wishes to you all this week!

Roman Rainbow

8×10

Watercolor on Paper
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The class I am taking right now is really pushing my style. I typically don’t paint roman or greek subjects but while vacationing last weekend I was inspired by a statue I saw in South Florida. There was something special and unique about the statue and I loved the shadows on her face. I developed this painting as homework for my watercolor class. We were asked to paint a painting with intense color. I tried to work the color and make it as intense as possible. What do you guys think? Any tips or feedback?

Butterfly Promise

8×10

Watercolor on Paper

I made the butterfly for my friend Ana. Ana loves butterflies and is the queen of sentimental and inspirational quotes. She always has a quote to lighten the mood or to help put things in perspective. As I worked on this piece, I couldn’t help but think of the last butterfly I created, more than 15 years ago, when I was in high school! It brought back memories. I created the last one for my best high school friend, Elise – I was surprised to see it hanging in her daughter’s room when I visited her a couple years ago.

Here’s a close up as the butterfly started to transform and take shape.

Lesson 2: Brushes

My second watercolor class was today and we learned about different types of brushes. Flat brushes, round brushes, sable vs. synthetic, riggers, etc. My teacher, Ken showed us how to make telephone poles and perfect square and circles with a flat brush. He also showed us how to use a hard bristle fan brush to create splatter. Then we had 15 minutes to paint a painting with a flat brush only (pictured above left). As you can see, I really like to use water, which makes my 15 minute paintings bleed but I kind of like the bleeding. It gives them character, right? 😉

Ken also showed us the importance of highlighting shadows (he added a couple to my homework from last week – pictured right). We also discussed the difference between value and intensity. I am really enjoying the class.

Homework for this week: paint a painting with intense color. I love color so I can’t wait to dive into this one!

George the Giraffe

10×14

Watercolor on Paper

Here is George the Giraffe – for a cousin who loves giraffes and asked me to paint one for her new (and first) apartment. I’ve been painting a lot lately for family and friends and I have found those paintings to be very rewarding. It’s less pressure than a commission…and best of all, the paintings are for people I care about. I tried to be a little more “loose” with this painting and I think it paid off. I like the different colors in this piece and the dripping paint. More freedom, less thought, and overall, less detail…but I think it works!

Two Owls

5×7

Watercolor on Paper

These two owls were painted for a very special couple, my Aunt Genean and her husband Harry. I really hope they like them. I tried to do something a little different with these owls, giving them a burst of color. They are typically brown and white but I thought that would be boring, so here they are! My Aunt Genean is a great lady and her husband Harry is an awesome guy too. They are a lot of fun and have a great sense of humor. I always enjoy spending time with them. In the last couple years, they’ve done so much to help our family by taking care of my grandmother and one of my aunts. I don’t know how they keep up with it all…this is a little present for them.

Below you’ll find my homework from my watercolor class. We were told to paint 4 objects in 45 minutes. I used cheap paper (Canson) and quickly remembered why I don’t use anything but Arches. It doesn’t even feel right under my brush, but mission accomplished none the less. I need to keep working on painting loosely and quickly. I’m used to taking my time with paintings, but this is great practice.