Creative Monday Challenge #44 - Finish Up

The Creative Challenge for this week is to stop procrastinating and finish up one of those paintings that you started a while back but is just sitting in your 'To Do' pile. We often get caught up in the creative excitement of beginning an art project but then fizzle out before we finish it. Sometimes it just takes making yourself sit down and start working on that unfinished painting to get those creative juices flowing again. As they say - Just Do It!

Breckenridge Batik - All Packed and Ready to Go!

FLOWERS IN POTS

Watercolor Batik - 23x29 Matted

Purchase Info

I am all packed and ready to head to the mountains for my Artist in Residence program in Breackenridge, CO. I will be focusing on Watercolor Batiks and showing the technique to the public so stay tuned!

Aspens in the South

MOUNTAIN STREAM

Original Watercolor - 15x22

SOLD

Tabatha from our old stomping grounds of South Carolina purchased both of these paintings. Aspens are my favorite trees to paint so I am happy they both have a new home!

ASPEN REFLECTIONS

Original Watercolor - 11x15

SOLD

My Symphony

WINTER SYMPHONY

Original Watercolor - 11x15

Purchase Info

My Symphony

To live content with small means.... To seek

elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather

than fashion.... To be worthy, not respectable, and

wealthy, not rich.... To study hard, think quietly,

talk gently, act frankly.... To listen to stars and birds,

to babes and sages, with open heart.... To bear all

cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry

never.... In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and

unconscious, grow up through the common....

...this is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing

Golden Colorado Aspens

ASPEN TREES

Watercolor Batik - 19x24

Purchase Info

We are so lucky to live in the beautiful state of Colorado and see the aspen leaves turn a brillian gold each year. I am honored to have Aspen Trees included in an Etsy collection titled Golden Colorado Aspens. To see other items from artists living in the Mountain Time Zone click here.

A Rose Is A Rose

YELLOW ROSE

Original Watercolor - 8x10

Purchase Info

Last week when I announced to my students that we would be painting roses they did not even try to quiet their moans and groans. Roses are such a perfect flower that they can be challenging to paint but with practice and an open mind you will learn enjoy the process and be happy with your results - I promise!

I began with a light sketch of the rose and then wet the whole piece of paper. Keeping in mind that I wanted a light colored rose, I laid in my colors of pale yellow and light blue. I added a little bit of peach in the flower area and then some green where I wanted the leaves to be. To loosen things up a bit I spattered some paint. Notice that some of the green crept into the flower because of the wet paper - no need to panic, this will just add a cohesive look to the painting.

After everything is dry, I just took a petal at a time and painted in the shadow areas of the rose, building up the value a step at a time. Be sure you let each layer dry before painting on top - this will keep your colors clear and pure.

I shared this with Paint Party Friday and Artists in Blogland!

A Loving Granddaughter With An Artist's Heart

It has been a hard year for our family - losing my Dad in May and now my Mother-in-law Pat, who passed away yesterday. We were able to spend alot of time up in Denver with her during her illness and painting, crafts and knitting have always been a big part of her life. My twelve year old niece, Dakota, has been an absolute angel during these last three months, coming by to visit her grandma every day and always treating her in a caring and loving manner - brushing her hair, giving her a facial, painting her nails, helping her eat, sharing the events of her day and always telling her how much she loved her.

During several of these visits Dakota had time for a few watercolor lessons - learning and sharing with her grandma. As you can see from her wonderful painting and her bright, beautiful smile, she has a true artist's heart!

Sunflowers in Indiana - SOLD

STARS OF SUMMER

Original Watercolor - 11x15

SOLD

I do love to paint sunflowers and this painting was finished and posted just last week. It is now happily on its way to a new home with Barbara in Indiana - a very quick turn around!

October Newsletter - Everything is Coming up Roses!

YELLOW ROSE

Original Watercolor - 11x15

SOLD

My Fine Art Newsletter for October was sent out a few days ago and this month's winner of the free art give-a-way was Lorraine from Canada. A print of Yellow Rose is in the mail and on its way and I am thrilled to have subscribers from our neighbors up north!

If you have not already subscribed to the newsletter you can do so in the upper right corner of this blog and you can see this month's newsletter here.

Watermedia and Collage - A Fun Combination!

WINTER ROSE

Watermedia Collage - 8x10

Purchase Info

Sometimes it is fun to experiment with different media so I decided to try using some acrylics in a manner similar to my watercolors.

I used 140 lb watercolor paper and wet the sky area first. I used the acrylics thinned down to create soft, loose shapes for the trees. After that dried I wet the foreground and painted the soft shadows in the snow.

Then, I decided to collage on some thin rice paper in the background trees and snow area. The nice thing about the acrylic paint is that it won't run or lift once it is dry, so coming in with more paint or matte medium for the collage won't change the underpaitning. When dry, I used more acrylics to paint on top of the rice paper, creating interesting shapes and texture. I also started painting the barn and fence.

I ended going back to watercolor to paint in the trees and forground. I used gesso on the edge of a piece of mat board to stamp the aspen trees and added details with watercolor. I also added some rose colored collage papers which gave a winter wonderland feel to the painting.

A fun piece to paint - going back and forth between watercolor, acrylic and collage!

I also shared this post with Paint Party Friday and Artists in Blogland

Memories in the Making - The Color Purple

This cute lady was one of the artists at a Care Community I visited last week. She  participates in the Alzheimer's Memories in the Making art program where each week she uses painting to express herself artistically. People with dementia may start to lose some of their verbal skills but art gives them another avenue for expression and a way to tap into a lifetime of memories.

I told her that she looked so pretty in her hat and she pointed out that it had a purple rim that matched her outfit and the color she was using to paint with. She was painting with a fan brush and having a wonderful time!

The artists can use still life objects, photos or even their own imagination for painting inspiration. The wonderful volunteer at this care community had spent alot of her own time cutting out pictures and mounting them on colorful card stock for the artists to use.

As the coordinator for the Memories in the Making program in Colorado Springs I am always thankful for all of the time and effort our volunteers put into the program - we could not do it with out them - thanks!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

COMING HOME

Original Watercolor - 8x10

Purchase Info

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of the easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

~ Robert Frost ~

Just Beachy!

BEACH DAY

Original Watercolor - 11x15

 Purchase Info

A day at the beach is always fun and a great way to relax and unwind. This painting is featured in an Etsy Treasury titled Just Beachy and was put together by someone who gets to enjoy the Florida beach every day. To see more clever beach items click here.

Where is your favorite beach to vacation?

Stars of Summer

STARS OF SUMMER

Original Watercolor - 11x15

SOLD

As most of you know I LOVE painting sunflowers - you can have so much creative fun with their overall shape, big centers and crazy petals. For Stars of Summer I began with wet paper and randomly applied color all over. When everything was dry I began defining the flowers by painting around the shapes (negative painting) and then added more definition to the sunflower centers and petals. A bright, happy painting to remind us all about summer.

I have shared this post on Paint Party Friday and Show and Tell Saturday- check out the other artists.

Mailboxes and a Family of Geese

SNOWY MAILBOXES

Original Watercolor - 15x22

Purchase Info

A stormy sky, mountains in the distance and snow falling on country mailboxes - this is a scene where I would expect to see geese flying overhead or nestled in the grass to keep warm - not walking around right outside my back door.

The other day as I headed outside for my morning run (not that I actually get it done every morning) I suddenly saw a family of geese calmly walking down the street.

I watched them for a while and then ran back for my camera - luckily they stayed put long enough for me to snap a few pics. Sometimes it is life's little surprises that can put a smile on your face and make your day!

Breckenridge Batik - Headed to the Mountains

SUNFLOWER GARDEN

Watercolor Batik - 12x14

Purchase Info

Just a few more weeks and I will be in the mountain's for my Artist in Residence program in Breckenridge, CO. It should be a wonderful experience - time to paint, interact with the public and teach a workshop on watercolor batik. To see where I am staying click here.