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. 

The Crush (cont'd)

"The Crush" - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I made a little more progress on this last week and hope to finish it up this week.  Stay tuned . . .

Nora

"Nora"
8" x 10"
(watercolor on aquabord)

While this little lady is no longer here on earth, I'm sure she is spending time in doggy heaven looking down upon her mom and still protecting her. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to paint Nora -- many thanks to my collector. This one was a pure joy to paint.

Have a great start to your week!

"The Crush" . . . the beginning phase

Last week, while doing some shooting for the RHOFP (Real Housewives of Fisher Price) I decided to take a break and plan out a new Valentine's Day painting. No time like the present for killing two birds with one stone: next year's calendar and this year's Valentine painting. Below is a behind-the-scenes at my photoshoot...

and the new work-in-progress.

"The Crush" - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Enjoy your day!