Still Sketching

graphite drawing

Just thought I'd share that in between paintings and commissions, I'm still sketching and working out some "things."  :)

graphite drawing

watercolor sketch with white acrylic and sepia ink

more graphite drawings

Crossing The Line

I'm thinking that this painting has officially crossed the line into "experimental study."  :)  I'm realizing now some of the things that I think I needed to do early on in the painting that just weren't done.  Things that would have helped create more luminosity and more skillfully depict the dramatic shadows.  I'm not sure how the colors are presenting on your monitors, but the blue looks more vibrant here on my computer than in real life.  And in fact, I don't think the contrast is very accurate online. But anyway, I just wanted to touch base and show you where I'm at.  Not sure if this one will be successful in the sense that I would sell it, but I think the fact that I'm failing in some regards is also a type of success . . . it means I'm growing as an artist, right?  :)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Framed!

In the living room:  "Late Afternoon"

I just had some of my larger paintings framed and am so thrilled!  Next thing I need to do is listen to Leslie Saeta's AHA's (Artists Helping Artists) latest podcast to find out how to market these larger paintings so they can find their "forever homes."  :)  

Thank you to my friend, Rebecca Fay at Worcester Art & Frame for all your expertise - you did a great job.  I'm so pleased.  

This painting, "Morning Sun" is actually 24" x 31"
but it looks smaller than that to me, in this photo -- go figure.

In the studio:  (l to r:  "Late Afternoon", "Crystal Skyline," & "Parlor Afternoon" --
"Morning Blues" on dresser)
(I'm hoping that "Crystal Skyline"and "Parlor Afternoon"
will be juried into the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts upcoming exhibit . . .
my fingers are crossed!)

Presently on display in the studio - ready for some prices and marketing.
("Nature's Candy" and "A Moment's Rest" are on the top left, respectively - beautifully framed by Giclee of New England)

Sneak Peek

Here's a little sneak peek of a new painting I'm working on. I'm experimenting with value and looser washes. It has a ways to go, but it's fun. Have a good day!

A "Life" Adjustment

"Life" - with a little adjustment
6" x 6"
(watercolor on paper)

I received some great advice today from my friend and fellow artist/blogger, Roger Akesson.  He suggested that when I paint the larger version of this painting, I clarify the back cherry from the "middle" one, as their edges were a bit ambiguous (you can see the original here).  He was right. So I did a little adjusting on this small painting and I think it works better now - although I'll probably gently change the shape of the back one when I do this again. Thank you, Roger!  :)

"Life"
(detail)

Life

"Life"
6" x 6"
watercolor on paper

Click here to bid - starting bid:  $45

In preparation for a much larger painting, I did this smaller version to work out some colors and techniques.  Thank you for viewing my work.

Sketching

Sketch #1

Last year I was introduced to Gary Lippincott, a very talented illustrator whose specialty is in the genre of fantasy illustration. This physically imposing mountain of a man spends his time creating delicately rendered watercolor illustrations of fairies and woodland nymphs that are truly a sight to behold. Aside from some kind of bionic eyesight, allowing him to paint the tiniest eyelashes or fine wrinkles of an old soothsayer, I have been most impressed with Gary's volumes of sketchbooks containing endless pages of meticulous and masterful pencil drawings. His passion for drawing is evidenced by this impressive collection, one that I have found to be extremely inspiring.

In an effort to get back to my love of drawing and further hone these skills, I decided I would try to start a sketchbook that would contain value studies for my paintings.  I have always loved to draw and shade with pencil, but have never made the time, as keeping a sketchbook has always seems like such a daunting task for me. (In fact, for those of you who have followed this blog for sometime, you may recall some of my fleeting albeit well-intended artistic endeavors that most times go unrealized.) However, I have been so moved and inspired by the legacy of amazing sketchbooks that Gary has produced, in an effort to do the same, I have begun this new venture.  Right now I'm feeling hopeful that I can stick with this . . . but who the heck knows!!?  :)

A Couple Photos

"E-Z" - work in progress
(watercolor on paper)

I took some photos of this Atlas jar quite a while ago and they recently resurfaced while I was looking through my reference files.  So this is an image of the beginnings of my second painting from that series of photos.  It's coming along.

The photo below is of my new class of students at Workshop13.  We just began a new class last week:  painting on aquabord.  I am happy to have returning students as well as a couple new ladies.  And I am happy to report tht ALL "my ladies" are tackling this new project and surface with great skill.  Although that's no surprise to me -- you can tell by the photo that they are a very studious bunch!  :)

New Beginning

"An Old Country Jar" - work in progress
8.25" x 8"
watercolor on paper

Here's a little variation on the same theme.  Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!

Atlas

"Atlas"
9" x 5.5"
watercolor on paper
starting bid:  $45

Click here to bid.

I've been watching "The Andy Griffith Show" while painting these past couple of days and so from now on whenever I look at this painting, I will think of goofy Barney Fife!  :)

Thank you for visiting!

Atlas

"Atlas" - wip
9.25" x 5.5"
(watercolor on paper)

"Atlas" - wip
9.25" x 5.5"
(watercolor on paper)

Well the flu got a hold of me this week -- which accounts for my absence. -- ugh.  I still managed to start a couple small works though, this being one of them. After the last few glass paintings, I hadn't thought I'd be doing any more for a while . . . I guess I was wrong!  :)

Stay healthy out there . . . looks like spring is finally here!   

Another Sketch

"Pitcher With Grapes"
9" x 7"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid.

I've decided to post and auction off another "sketch."  I'm trying to find a happy medium between the looser washes and fine detail work, as I love them both.  I'm also working on values and temperatures.  My hope is that these "quicker" sketches will help me become a better painter.

Thank you for viewing my work.

Back At It

watercolor on paper
12" x 12"

I'm back at it this one, trying it out on some Fabriano hot-press and larger. I've also been prepping some smaller and larger paintings and finishing up on a commissioned acrylic painting -- lots going on, but little to show.  

I decided to put the study of this one up for auction with bidding starting at $20 -- you never know!  :)  

"Susans At The Window"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid - starting at $20 or "buy it now" for $30

Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by!  :)

Tina's Lamp

"Tina's Lamp"
19.5" x 12.75"
(watercolor on paper)

I'm happy to say this one is done.  I'm not sure how it looks on your monitor, but it's been difficult to color correct on mine and is looking a bit dark here on blogger.  It's less jarring in person I think . . . a little more calm, the contrast looks a little severe here.  Anyway . . . it's done and I'm excited!  :)  Thank you to my friend and student, Tina for her photograph.  And thank YOU all for reading my blog.  Have a great day!