Big Bowl

"Big Bowl" ????
12" x 16"
watercolor on paper

work in progress

I think this one is basically done -- maybe a little more tweaking on some "table" shadows but that's about it.  So I need some help naming this one.  If you have any good ideas please let me know.  "Big Bowl" just doesn't cut it!  And like last time, I'll include everyone who participates in a drawing (a "raffle" drawing, not a "pencil drawing, Silly!) . . . and the winner will receive some little "Kara K. Bigda" surprise tidbit. So put your thinking caps on, people!  :) 

. . . And thanks for dropping by.  :)

"Fun Size"

"Fun Size"
5" x 5"
watercolor on paper
starting bid:  $60

Click here to bid

Oh boy!  It's been a long time since putting up a painting for auction. Too long.  As I'm sure you've noticed, I haven't been posting as much lately.  Mainly because I just haven't had the time -- to post OR paint. Did I share with you that I've had to take on a couple part-time jobs? Anyway . . . while there are a lot of larger paintings started, staring at me in the studio, I have lost some confidence from not painting daily and have had a tough time getting back into those larger paintings for fear of ruining them. Ugh.

I've also felt weird about working on anything but those paintings.  However today I decided I needed to just do something small that I could finish, without putting too much pressure on myself -- hence "Fun Size." Apparently it was just what I needed, because I also went back into one of my big paintings -- got into the groove -- and finished it tonight!  I will still have to take a look at it in the morning, make any adjustments or let it set for a while, but I'm just happy that I think I'm over the hump . . . at least with that painting.  :)

Thanks for stopping by.    

Winery Class and What's In The Works

On Sunday, I had my second class at the Hardwick Winery. And a big thank you to Carolyn (fourth from left, front) for letting me use her camera!  :) She's quite an artist herself -- you can check out her website here. The day started out sunny, but by the time class rolled around, the clouds were rolling in as well -- along with a cold front! Youch! But we kept our hearts warm and everyone did a spectacular job creating their little masterpieces in watercolor. I want to thank them again for joining me.  :)

I'm also sharing the paintings I've been sporadically working on and NEED to finish. I can't remember if I've posted them before and if I have, I don't know that they're much different from their last posting. I feel like a snail working on these, and need to really pick up the pace. I have so many others in my head and drawn out, that I must get moving on. Oh and don't mind their somewhat skewed appearance. I took quick photos and didn't spend much time editing the lens curves out . . . but you get the idea. Have a lovely day!

The Gentleman Farmer

"The Gentleman Farmer" - wip
8" x 8"
watercolor on aquabord

I posted this the other day to Facebook, but not here -- booooo on me! So here he is . . . the gentleman farmer in all his glory!  :)  I still have some more to do, but you get the idea.  Thanks for popping in  . . .  see you again soon.

Sidewalk Art

I made a new artist internet friend recently, Lee Jones.  She is a sidewalk chalk painter, and asked my permission to use one of my paintings as the inspiration for a sidewalk painting she was planning for a blueberry festival. I've attached my painting, below. Pretty cool, eh?  Check out Lee's website -- she does really neat stuff!  I know I never made pictures like hers when I played with my sidewalk chalk, how about you?!  :)

Thanks for coming by and have a great day!

Marketing Your Art

Leslie Saeta is conducting another challenge for artists: "30 Marketing Ideas in 30 Days." She's about half-way through and has some wonderful ideas. I think they're great for any business, so be sure to visit her blog. On one of the days, she suggests making a collage on ipiccy.com. Whether you're an artist or just someone who takes pictures, I think you should check out the site: it's pretty awesome. So have a lovely day and be sure to let me know if you made a collage -- I'd love to see them!

Really Big Shoe - final

"Really Big Shoe"
12" x 21"

 Well hello again!  I finally decided that "Really Big Shoe" is done but I haven't yet decided what to do with her.  I will most likely put her up for sale soon, so stay tuned.

In other news . . . here's the link to Boston's Chronicle, specifically the segment my husband and I were on last night with a few of our neighbors.  The producer did a wonderful job putting it all together.  Doesn't our town look great? . . . don't you want to come visit?  And I was very grateful that they showcased so many of my paintings.  Also, I've added a couple more shots below of my husband's model railroad in case you're interested.  It really is something.  See . . . you don't have to be a kid to still play!  :)

Thanks for coming by . . . have a lovely rest of your day.

Lots O' News!

HALLOOOOO!!  Ever since my "hiatus" I have found myself almost getting self-conscious about posting something new -- hence the sporadic postings. Has that ever happened to you? I was feeling "blog-shy." Isn't that weird? So it's taken me some time to actually write this post. I think also, because I've been running around so much, I haven't had the time to photograph the new things I've painting and/or the progress I've made on my older paintings and because I always like to post an image with my text, I've been "afraid" to post. How dumb is that?

Well anyway . . . I decided to bite the bullet, grabbed this photo of the Hardwick Winery . . . and just . . . well . . . started writing. I'll be teaching this Sunday, May 19th, at the Winery -- you can get more information here or just email me if you're in the Massachusetts area and feel like a little Watercolor & Wine. Last month we had a LOVELY time!  You can read about it in my previous post, if you haven't already.

Also . . . I'd like to mention the wonderful time I had judging an art show at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, MA. Oh my goodness!! What a lovely group of people who hosted me - and what a beautiful show. I can't say enough good things about their art community . . . not to mention all their kindness and generosity . . . and food!!  :) (I was lucky enough to stay for lunch AND dinner -- so DELICIOUS!  Thank you Betty and Dick!) And many thanks to Laurie for inviting me. In case you listen to AHA (Artists Helping Artists) you will recognize the Laurie I'm referring to as Laurie G. Miller, a frequent guest hostess with Leslie Saeta. Laurie does beautiful paintings, mainly in oil. You can visit her blog here . . . (she has a great post of the show with beautiful photos) and I will be adding her to my list of inspiring artists.

Oh and one last bit of news . . . Tuesday night is the night WCVB Boston's Chronicle will be airing the  feature they shot in my hometown -- with a little snippet of me in my studio. So if you are in the New England area and can tune in . . . be sure to watch!  (I'm a little nervous!)  :)

Thanks for checking in . . . and for being so patient regarding my sporadic postings.  Think Paint!  :)

Finishing

"No Cavities"  (almost done!)
11" x 14
watercolor on cradled aquabord

You're probably getting sick of seeing this painting almost as much as I am! I'm having problems finishing.  I've got this one and the "Really Big Shoe" that I just can't seem to motivate myself to finish -- and they're soooo close! Actually, I think the shoe is done . . . I'm just deciding on whether or not I need to smooth out the background wash, or put a slight shadow in it. I probably should just keep it the way it is. And this one . . . I just need to fix that floor (pain in the neck!) and work on a couple other values. Meanwhile -- I've begun drawing out some new paintings. That shouldn't surprise you . . . by now I'm sure you're used to my madness!  

Thank you for dropping by to view my work.  Happy Painting!

Winery Class

This post comes to you a little late as I was battling some serious stomach issues this week stemming from what was supposed to be a lovely date night with my husband. Oy!  Luckily the problems developed long after conducting the watercolor and wine tasting class at the Hardwick Winery. (And I assure you were unrelated -- "stomach issues" is not code for "helluva hangover!")   :)

It was our first event of this nature and we had a beautiful day!  My talented ladies enjoyed their wine, cheese and fruit all while working on their small paintings of one of the Winery's side doors.  Here are a couple pictures from the sunny day spent painting on the deck in our beautiful New England surroundings.  My next class is May 19th and I'm already counting down the days.