"Porch Sittin' Time"

"Porch Sittin' Time"

8 x 10 Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

$150

It is truly that time of year, when we love to sit on the porch. The little flags add a touch of patriotism to this red, white and blue painting. It is easy to purchase a painting...just click on "Buy Now' and go through Pay Pal.

Working in the Sketchbook

This week I am working in my sketchbook. I started this book in 2010 after a painting holiday in Northern Ireland where I was inspired by a fellow artist who kept a sketchbook of her travels. I was determined to fill it up in one year. Did that happen? No.  Recently I became a "nurse" to my husband who had a knee replacement, so I find that I have more time for quick sketches than for larger paintings, so once again I am determined to fill this whole book. This time I am going to do it by the end of summer. Do you think I can? We will see. 

A sketchbook is good at capturing the moment, at planning a more detailed painting, at just helping you to remember a scene. Sometimes the sketches are just pencil or pen, other times I use watercolors with pen. This is what I like to do best and I enjoy doing the color bit first, then draw over the color with the pen. I use a fine point permanent pen.

Sometimes my drawing is on a 1/2 page and other times a full page. It may be simple or quite complex. I really envy artists that have kept sketchbooks for years and have a library of them. I think, "Why didn't I do that"? Well, it is never too late, so I am off to a good start.

I hope you enjoyed leafing through my little book. From time to time, I'll show you more!

"Spring Bunnies"

 "Spring Bunnies"

8 x 10 Watercolor

$85

I've seen a few bunnies in my yard lately, munching away as hard as they can on the new Spring grass and weeds. I just hope they stay out of the garden, where I have herbs, veggies and flowers growing. They are cute, though, and I did this painting to show my watercolor class and to help them learn to layer color and build up details. Click on it for a closer view.

"The Old Barn"





"The Old Barn"

8 x 10 Watercolor

$85

So many old barns are being torn down because there aren't that many small farms left. Now it is huge farming operations with very modern equipment. Things have certainly changed. I still love the old barns...the many colors in the old wooden boards, the weathered tin roofs. Old barns hold lots of memories!



Purple Spring



"Purple Spring"

8 x 10 Watercolor

75$

Some of my favorite flowers are purple. They show up so well in the garden and of course are lovely with yellows.  Click on image for a close view.



"Ocean Waves"

"Ocean Waves"

8 x 10 Watercolor

$85

This was a fun painting that I did for my students as a demo. I was teaching them how to use the white of the paper as their "whites" and how to use clear plastic wrap on wet paint to create texture. Click on it for a close up view.

"Springtime Basket"



"Springtime Basket"

12 x16 Watercolor

$200

After a busy January and a bad cold, I am now back to painting and excited about a new focus for the new year! I want to explore watercolors in new ways....at least new to me. I am going to try to paint looser and let those "happy accidents" happen. I think I am also about finished with the concept of doing a painting every day, because I feel they don't really represent my best work, nor are they challenging except just to get one done, and that is not who I am as an artist. So I won't be posting as often, but hopefully my work will be better and more interesting.
I am very happy with this painting on several levels, so I think it's a good start. Click on it for a better look. You may purchase paintings by clicking on BuyNow and I do have PayPal.Thanks to all who follow this blog and I hope you visit often to see my new paintings.