Pretty in Pink Flamingos

PRETTY IN PINK
Watercolor 11x15
 
I had loads of fun painting these bright, colorful flamingos. I used alot of negative painting to define the birds and trees, letting the shapes overlap to create a dynamic composition. When our kids were in high school it was popular to 'flock' someones house on their birthday. They would wake up to bright, pink plastic flamingos all over their yard - a big surprise and the kids had a blast sneaking over to do it early in the morning.

COLORFUL MARSH - Off To Maine

COLORFUL MARSH
Watercolor 11x15
SOLD
 
Colorful Marsh is off to its new home near the coast of Maine. I had a lot of fun using creative colors in the grasses and background of this painting.

Lighthouse and Ocean Treasury


LIGHTHOUSE BEACH
Watercolor 8x10
 
I love old lighthouses and would love to take a tour of Maine sometime and visit all of theirs. We are having a cold winter day here in Colorado so warm beach days seem very far away right now!
Lighthouse Beach was included in an Etsy Treasury titled Ocean Blue and can be seen here
 

Magnolias - Beauty of the South

MAGNOLIA BEAUTY
Watercolor 11x15

As you  probably know by now I love all southern things and think magnolias are the true beauties. It can be a challenge to paint white flowers in watercolor since you have to be sure to utilize the white of the paper and keep your colors soft and pure. I used shades of pink, blue and a hint of gold in the magnolia petals and kept the background light and soft.

Dance of the Flowers and Left Over Turkey

DANCE OF THE FLOWERS
Watercolor 11x15
 
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and you are enjoying the left over turkey. I have to say that my husband makes the best turkey noodle soup and I love turkey sandwiches - almost more than the original meal.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing you a wonderful day filled with family, friends and food.

Springtime Again

BURST OF SPRING
Watercolor 11x15

One of my favorite ways to paint flowers is to wet the paper, apply bright colors randomly and then use negative painting to find and pull flower shapes out. I also used a little salt and spattering for added texture.

BLUE REFLECTIONS - Sold

BLUE REFLECTIONS
Watercolor 11x15
SOLD
 
I love painting snow in watercolor because I can fully utilize the white of the paper, keepint the shadows soft and loose. I used a limited palette of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna. Blue Reflections now has a new home with Kathryn in California. 

Pair of Southern Magnolia Watercolor Batiks

MAGNOLIA I
Watercolor Batik 8x10
 
I love anything southern, especially magnolia flowers with their creamy white petals. They grow on large trees and I use to use them on the mantel at Christmas time when we lived in South Carolina.
MAGNOLIA II
Watercolor Batik 8x10
 
I couldn't settle on just one design, so decided to create a pair of watercolor batiks featuring magnolia blooms - display alone or as a pair. they will fit a standard 8x10 frame or 11x14 mat and frame.
 

World of Color Bouquet

WORLD OF COLOR
Watercolor 14x19
 
It is always a challenge to paint white flowers in watercolor because you have to think ahead and use the white of the paper instead of white paint to keep it looking fresh. There is white watercolor paint but it is chalky and when mixed with other watercolors they loose their transparency and become opaque. So, plan to do alittle negative painting and surround those white flowers with other blooms and leaves.

Rocky Waterfall with Watercolor and Ink

ROCKY FALLS
Watercolor 11x15
SOLD
 
It is sometimes nice to combine the looseness of watercolor with the detail of ink drawing. You can begin with the ink to draw the basic shapes and then add color with the paint or start with painting and then draw in the details. Just be sure that you are using waterproof ink - I learned that lesson the hard way!

Summer Geraniums


GERANIUM POT
Watercolor 11x15
 
I used one of my favorite techniques when I want to create unexpected texture. I wet the paper and then placed white tissue paper on to, spritz it some more and then began to paint the initial colors and shapes of the flowers and pot. I let it dry, removed the tissue and began to define the shapes. It is always a surprise to see how much of the paint bleeds thru the tissue on to the watercolor paper and what kind of fun shapes it creates.
 
In total contrast to painting summer flowers we had a light dusting of snow on Sunday and I have to admit I was ready for a little winter - stew in the crock pot, a fire in the family room and a glass of wine!



Roses and Butterfly - Watercolor and Collage

ROSES AND BUTTERFLY
Watercolor Collage - 15x22
 
A pretty little butterfly flitting among the pink roses. I began this piece by laying in color on wet paper for the roses, leaves and background. When it was dry, I collaged on thin pieces of rice paper in selected areas to add texture to the painting. Then, I painted some more, allowing the paint to run and blend with the rice paper. A fun way to create a mixed media painting!
 


Sailboats and Spatters

SAILING RAGATTA
Watercolor 14x20
SOLD
 
A semi-abstract painting of sails and boats. I began with wet paper and quickly applied colors in random areas, leaving some white  and spattering for texture. Whne all was dry I begn painting the colorful sails, using negative painting for the white ones. Makes me wish I could be out on the water, too.

Bird and Flower Watercolor Batik

BIRD AND PETALS
Watercolor Batik - 8x10
SOLD
 
I just finished several watercolor batiks - I have found it is easier to work on more than one once I get the wax melted. I am always excited to see the final results once I iron off all of the wax - too much fun!
When was the last time you tried something unexpected? Something creative that you did not have total control over?

Romance Roses by Colorado Artist Martha Kisling

ROSES IN BLOOM
Watercolor 11x15
 
Roses in Bloom began as a class demo where we were using a rectangular shape as part of the background of our flower. The challenge is to create an interesting composition where you allow some of the main subject to overlap in the white border. I used to be too indimidated to paint roses because they are such a perfect flower - now I just try to enjoy their beauty!

Abstract Watercolor - SOLD

CITY BLUES
Watercolor 15x22
SOLD
 
I had so much fun with this painting, taking a loose, abstract approach to an urban scene. i used cool shades of blue and purple with a little lime green thrown in for an accent color. City Blues now has a new home in Vermont.

Waltz of the Lilacs - Original Music and Art Video by Becky Tripp

GARDEN BOUQUET
Watercolor on gesso - 11x15

Several months ago Becky Tripp emailed me and introduced herself as a music composer and asked for permission to feature some of my paintings along with other artists as a visual for her original songs. I was honored to be included in such a creative project and was excited to see the final piece. She just finished Waltz of the Lilacs and you can view all of the paintings and hear her beautiful music here . My painting Garden Bouquet is near the end of the song - enjoy!

Tropical Hibiscus Watercolor Batik

TROPICAL HIBISCUS
Watercolor Batik 16x16
 
I love painting tropical flowers with their beautiful bold colors. This is a watercolor batik, painted on textured rice paper where I use melted wax as a resist, just like the age old batik technique on fabric. Then, I painted with watercolors, waxed, painted and waxed again until it was time to iron it all off. The final piece is always a wonderful surprise with this creative process!
20% Off All Art Sale in my Etsy Shop

Farm Auction and COUNTRY STORM - Sold

COUNTRY STORM
Watercolor 11x15
SOLD

I used a basically cool palette of blues and purple with a touch of warm raw sienna for this painting. The white areas of snow in the foreground create a visual path into the painting, directing the eye towards the barn. Country Storm was purchased by Lori from my home state of Texas.
Don't forget to check out my 20% Off All Art Sale in my Etsy Shop
A few weeks ago we drove up to Ft. Collins, CO to attend my first auction where my husband's college buddy was selling items from the farm where he had grown up. Everything from furniture, piano, ski equipment, farm tools, glass ware, games and toys to tractors and old run down cars. The auctioneer worked all day long selling everything off and they had a food truck there to keep everyone fed and happy.
My husband spent many a fall morning goose hunting at their pond so we are now the proud owners of a hundred geese decoys - I am sure you are green with envy!!

20% Off Etsy Art Sale and November Newsletter

IRIS BLUES
Watercolor 11x15
 
My Fine Art Newsletter for November was sent out today with all sorts of art, news and workshop info. If you are not a subscriber yet be sure you sign up at the top of this blog and you will be eligible for each month's free art giveaway. You can view the newsletter here.
 
Today is also the start of my Fall Art Sale - 20% off my already low prices on all paintings in my Etsy Shop. Use Coupon Code NOV2012 at checkout - enjoy!