Originals Sale and Free Shipping on Calendars!

2017 Wall Calendar
$20 + free shipping in the U.S. and Canada

Click here to purchase.

I still have some 2017 wall calendars left but they are going quickly.  Get yours before I run out!

And let's not forget the reduced pricing on original Little People paintings.  Help me make room for some new ones!

"The Parking Ticket"
matted and framed watercolor on paper
(comes as shown)
$115 + shipping

Click here to purchase.

Thanks for popping by!  Have a great day.

Success! Thanks to you.

"Merry Christmas" and help yourself to some hot and chocolatey cocoa!

This past weekend I held my first ever Holiday Open Studio and thanks to many supportive friends, family and collectors I had a very successful weekend and plan on making this an annual event.  

I am truly blessed and very thankful for all who came out to shop and say "hello." Here are some photos from the weekend.  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to photograph any shoppers as I was too busy  . . . but that's a good thing!

Come on in.  It may be a little nippy outside
but it's nice and cozy in the studio.

What?  Little People original paintings are on sale?
Better check out my DPW site, Christmas is coming, ya' know.

Coloring books, original paintings, calendars, cards and belt buckles.

The original paintings and their notecards.
"Christmas in June" is still available.

"Christmas in June" - 6" x 6" - (original watercolor on paper)
$85
Click here to purchase.

Wait ... what ... pillows?  Yup!
My original Blueberries and Pointsettia designs
in a removable & washable linen/cotton canvas blend
12" ... $35   &   16" ... $40

I am updating my online shop: "Gifts by Kara K. Bigda" so be sure to stop by and check out my new items -- pillows, buckles and framed prints, such as this one:

"Morning Sun" - 12" x 16" (outer dimensions)
UV Protected Fine Art Giclee - framed and ready to hang
$100
Click here to view in my shop.

Oh . . . you're on your way out.  Thank you for visiting.
Be sure to warm up by the fire . . . 

. . . and don't forget to sign our guestbook
and grab a cookie or two!

Thanks for visiting!  Hope you are enjoying the season.

The Countdown Begins!

"Wandering Pointsettas" on a package

Two new Christmas designs are up for sale on my Spoonflower store site -- they make great holiday gift wrap, so check them out.  The prints are also available as fabric.

"Christmas Wreaths Stripe"

I'm busy cleaning and decorating for my first Holiday Open Studio next weekend.  Let the countdown begin!

Thankful for Gus

"Swim Gus, Swim!"
6" x 6"
(framed watercolor on aquabord)

I completed this painting for my brother and sister-in-law for their anniversary.  Gus is their beagle and this was his first swim in the ocean.  He was looking totally petrified but happily his terror was short-lived and he soon got comfortable.  Now he loves the water!  

I thought this would make a very cute painting and was happy I was able to capture the look of uncertainty in his eyes. He's a delightful little guy and I enjoyed snuggling with him on the couch yesterday after Thanksgiving dinner.  

Gus in his frame.

Hope you all had wonderful day with family, friends and food!

More Type . . . Sigh

work-in-progress
12" x 12"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

I'm still messing with this one.  That crazy little white type is driving me nuts!  I also still have some tweaking to do on some of the larger type.  I do love the colors of these cartons though, don't you!? So much fun to paint.

Have a great weekend!

Cracker Jacks

"Aye-Aye"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

This old "Cracker Jack" box is a commissioned piece, however I chose to do two paintings from it and let the client choose which one she likes best.  I'll let you know which one she prefers. Which one do you like best?

 "Cracker Jack"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

I'm still messing around with some of the type on the painting above.  I want to tweak "Cracker Jack" just a bit. I love typography but it can be very difficult for me.  

Have a great day!

Prints That Look Like Originals

framed print of "Cape Cod Roses"
$65
click here to purchase

Hi all!  As you've probably noticed, I've been painting more and more on aquabord.  I love the surface for painting but I also love the fact that the paintings do not need to be framed under glass.  I spray them (and sometimes brush on an additional finish) and they are well protected.  I especially love that there is no fuss with cutting mats or dealing with glass.  (Of course be aware that most watercolor societies will not accept paintings that have been varnished.  That doesn't bother me as I'm not looking to enter shows these days.)

paintings on paper, mounted on cradled board and varnished

I researched how to avoid the glass barrier with original paintings on watercolor paper and found that I could mount them on board and seal them in the same way I do my aquabord.  (I watched this video by watercolorist, Annie Strack). I used this method when I finished my pencil paintings - mounting them on cradled board and sealing them with Krylon UV-Resistant spray and Liquitex Gloss Varnish.

                               

Then I got to thinking . . . "why can't I do this with my giclees?"  So I experimented a little and I must say I am very pleased with my results.  

So first I spray mount the giclee onto acid free foamcore using Krylon's Acid-Free Spray Adhesive and let it dry.  (it's best to spray the back of the print AND the foamcore to ensure a tight bond)

Then I spray the UV-Resistant clear coat followed by a couple coats of brushed-on varnish like I do with my aquabord paintings.  After everything has set for a day or so I frame it.  When all is said and done, it's pretty tough to determine whether the framed piece is a print or an original.  Of course because of the foamcore, it's a much lighter piece of artwork - you could always use board instead, but I like to have different price points for my pieces and the foamcore keeps the costs to a minimum.

I hope you find this post useful in your artistic endeavors!  Happy Experimenting!

Keep on Painting

my watercolor notebook - coca-cola notes

I often record notes and color information in a notebook so that I can refer back to them when I paint. It's really helpful and I encourage my students to do the same. Truth be told, I probably should do it more than I do.  

And below is a detail of my latest painting.

detail

A Productive Week

It's been a pretty productive week in the studio, although maybe not for blogging.  Oops.  My Open Studio (Dec. 3rd and 4th) postcards have been labeled and are ready for the mail as well as other prep work for that weekend.  I've also begun some new paintings while finishing a couple others, however one of those paintings is a secret so you're going to have to sit tight until I can share it with you.  

work in progress
12" x 12"
watercolor on cradled aquabord

Have a great weekend!  I'm headed out to dinner with some dear old friends!

A Closer Look

work-in-progress
12" x 12"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

Here's a closer look at my latest Ben & Jerry's painting.

4 Paintings

Here are four of my 12" x 12" packaging paintings I've been working on.  I'm still tweaking Heinz, although it's pretty much done . . . and have some detail work to do on the Hershey's Syrup.  I started Ben & Jerry's over the weekend and worked a lot on it today.  I also started my second Cracker Jack painting (not shown) and Land O' Lakes is done!  Here's a closer look:

"Like Buttah"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

Hope you had a fruitful start to your week!  Thank you for checking in.  :)

Popcorn with Butter

work-in-progress
8" x 8"
watercolor on aquabord

I've been trying to get in a lot of painting.  There are just so many paintings I want to do . . . I'm having inspiration overload.  And it feels good!  :)

work-in-progress
12" x 12"
watercolor on aquabord

I'm headed into the final stretch with these two as well as a few others.  

Have a happy and productive day!

New Pantry Paintings

8" x 8" & 12" x 12" - watercolors in progress on aquabord

I've been working on a few different paintings ... love these iconic products ... that's all.  :)  Have a great start to your week!

Save The Date

I know, I know . . .  it's not even Halloween yet.  I just wanted to let you know that I will be hosting an Open Studio on December 3rd and 4th.  I'm working on getting some new items together.  I will have lots of holiday card sets and already have some available in my online store.  Packages include 10 cards and envelopes & each design has its own inside sentiment.  Most packages feature one design, however I do have a few assorted packs.  The packages are $20.  

Now, back to work.  Have a great day.

Updating

"Cape Cod Roses"
Framed UV Protected Giclee
outer dimensions:  11" x 7"
$65

Click here to purchase.

I spent a lot of time over the past few days working on my website and updating my online presence at storenvy and DPW.  I am now offering framed prints of my work.  The best part is that they are UV protected giclees, archivally mounted so that they needn't be placed under glass and look like the original paintings on aquabord (like "Cape Cod Roses" above -- this is a photo of the actual framed giclee). The prints are very lightweight and easy to ship, and a fraction of what the originals sell for.  I only have two to offer right now, but am planning to get a few more together.  I'm hoping I can do some serious marketing for these this winter.

I also put up a couple new card images and giclee images for sale and I have a new shipment of 2017 calendars due in this week.

The new 2017 wall calendars are on their way!
$20

Order your 2017 wall calendar here!

I struggle with keeping up on my marketing and am always vowing to do better.  And when I'm pressed for time, I usually choose to paint instead of market.  Perhaps someday I'll strike a workable balance.  There's always hope, eh?   :)

Have a great week!

The Gourd Revisited

"The Gourd"
8" x 8"
framed watercolor on aquabord
$165

Click here to purchase.

`Tis the season for gourds!  I'm hoping that this little ditty will soon find its forever home.  I just love this painting if I do say so myself.  It comes in a simple blonde wood frame ready to hang.

Thank you for viewing my work and enjoy your weekend!

Cape Engine House

"Cape Engine House"
12" x 12"
framed watercolor on aquabord
$450
(payment plan is available, email me for a contract)

Click here to purchase.

`Finished this one for my Backroads Open Studio.  If my memory serves me correctly, I took the photo around this time of year a few years back on a visit to Cape Cod.  I think this was actually someone's garage.  

Well . . . off to paint!  Have a great day!

This painting comes framed
in this black wooden frame, ready to hang.

Oh Domino!

Oh Domino
8" x 8"
watercolor on cradled aquabord
$145

Click here to purchase.

Another painting from my "pantry" series.  I've always loved the simple packaging design for Domino Sugar. I remember seeing the Domino sign during a trip to Baltimore to see the Red Sox play the Orioles at Camden Yards a few years back.  Love that sign too!  

Thanks for stopping by.  :)

"Perched" and a Great Weekend

"Perched"
8" x 8"
watercolor on 7/8" cradled aquabord
$150

Click here to purchase.

I had my annual Open Studio this past weekend as part of the Backroads Studio Tour.  It's always a terrific event and this year was no exception. I pretty much had non-stop visitors on both days. I really enjoy seeing familiar faces as well as meeting lots of new people and collectors.  It's always a treat.  Many thanks to all who came out I am extremely grateful for your support and encouragement.  

Over the next week or two I'll be updating my site and online store with new items.  I have lots of notecards, Christmas cards, prints and calendars available.

I have so many new Little People playthings, I'm excited to work on some new paintings.  I sold a framed original this weekend.  Many thanks to my new collector!

Here's a view outside my studio door.  It was a little chilly so we had the fire going.  It made for a cozy and inviting little seating area ...  the cookies helped too.  :)

The tent helped block out some of the drizzly rain and protect the refreshments, although it proved to be a pretty dry weekend all in all.

A view looking up to the barn where my husband had his trains running.

My morning glories went crazy this year.  And luckily we haven't had a frost yet.

A little bird bath my neighbor made me a few years ago.  I'm not sure if the birds do more bathing in it than Delilah does drinking from it.

One last photo of dear friends and family.  It was such a great weekend!

Thanks for coming by.  Have a great day!