Grape Demo

wip
watercolor on clayboard

Thursdays are my teaching days here in the studio. Most of the time my students work on independent projects and I guide them and (hopefully) help them when they need it. Sometimes though, they all decide they want to paint something together. Last week we began this little 6" x 6" painting of grapes on clayboard. I did a little more work on it over the weekend and videotaped my process, so stay tuned!

Have a great start to your week!

Pasted

I decided to paste this little sketch into my watercolor sketchbook for reference. I don't keep a regular sketchbook but am once again trying to get into the habit as I'm always impressed when I see others' books. They're so inspiring and sketching in general is just a good way to practice skills.

So I will once again, try to do more sketching. I can't promise I will, but I'm going to try. Do you keep a sketchbook? How often do you sketch? What kinds of things do you sketch . . . and how much time do you devote to sketching? I'd love to read your responses!

Cutler Road sketch
8" x 8"
(watercolor on paper)

Happy Friday, Happy Sketching, and Have a great weekend!

Trees and Time-Lapse

I worked on this little sketch today. It's on an Arches hot-pressed watercolor block. Paper is not my favorite to paint on, but it's always good to practice. Trees are a challenge for me, so I decided to give them a little time today.

I've also been messing around with my new iPhone. I've never owned one (crazy, I know). But I broke down and got one about a month ago and have been having a lot of fun taking photos, and planning out animated Instagram posts not to mention some stop-animation video of my Fisher Price Little People. My time-lapse of today's sketch is below . . . enjoy the funky jams. Ha!

Happy painting and I'm heading back to the drawing board!  

Work-In-Progress

work-in-progress
12" x 12"
(watercolor on clayboard)

I was recently reminded how important critique is. A dear friend and fellow artist came for a visit and as usual we got around to talking "art." We were in my studio and I was voicing my plans for future paintings and what I hope to accomplish and achieve with regards to my artistic growth. It was so enlightening to hear an objective perspective and she helped me clarify what things I need to work on to strengthen my work going forward, putting words to my feelings; giving me a concrete path to follow.

We spoke in generalities and then specifically about this painting, which has been vexing me for a few days now. I'm looking forward to applying the direction I received and excited to execute what we talked about and finally finish this painting!

I was reminded that my paintings aren't the only "works-in-progress" in the studio. 

detail

Have a great start to your week!

The Crush -- Happy Valentine's Day!

"The Crush"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on clayboard)

Aaahhh . . . remember the days of school Valentine's? The doily-decorated box of valentines in the back of the room and the party at the end of the day. I always had chips and popcorn stuck to the frosting on my cupcake that I'd stuff in a bag to bring home for later. Ha!

For all intents and purposes I'm calling this one done. I'll probably tweak it a bit, but will have it up for sale on my site in a day or so. Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day!

No Travel Today

"Blueberries Revisited" - SOLD
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I thought I was going to be traveling to Concord today to pick up my painting from the Concord Art Association's Members Juried Show, but I was informed last week that "Blueberries Revisited" sold! A big thank you to my new collectors and to the Concord Art Association for including this little painting in their show.  

Wishing you all a good week . . . I am off to paint!

Church Street Progress

4 1/2 Church Street - wip

Just giving you a little update.  It's shaping up nicely I think. Still have plenty of work to do though.

Revisiting Old Paintings

wips

I don't know about you, but I have plenty of paintings laying around the studio that I need to finish. So I am slowly working my way through them, while of course still starting some new ones. (Ha! I just can't help myself.)

4 1/2 Church St. - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

This is my first night scene. I started it sometime ago but abandoned it because it looked so lousy. But I'm back at it . . . trying to get it to a place that satisfies me. So far so good, I feel like it may come together after all. 

Thanks for stopping by.

All "Dressed Up" With Somewhere To Go

"Dressed Up"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

This little ditty will soon be heading to its "forever home." I enjoy painting packaging and this one was no exception. This commission is joining five other paintings I painted for this collector last year. I'm sure it will fit right in. Here's the rest of "the family."

Many thanks to my collector.  This was such a fun series to paint!

Have a terrific weekend.