New Spoonflower Shop

I've just opened my new Spoonflower shop, so if you're interested in purchasing my gift wrap or fabric, check it out.  There is a widget on the left column for it, or you can click here.

Leslie Saeta's "30 in 30" starts tomorrow -- good luck to everyone!  :)

Gift Wrap

I've been going a little nuts lately, trying out all sorts of different things using my art.  Here's some gift wrap I designed and ordered from www.spoonflower.com.  How fun is THAT!?  :)  (Notice I wasted no time wrapping a package with it!?)  Check out Spoonflower if you get the chance -- it's pretty cool.

Thank You, Vistaprint!

desktop calendars and lined notebook

I just had a great experience with Vistaprint's customer service -- they were very helpful and accommodating on an order I had just placed (some more new merchandise for my Open Studio and online store I'm creating).  I told them I would pass along via my blog, my pleasure with their quality and service.  I use a few different online printing sources for different items and I'm definitely going to use Vistaprint more in the future.  I'm very excited!

In addition I wanted to share images of my new Vistaprint desktop calendar and a lined notebook I ordered.  I'm working out my pricing and will have these items up soon for sale.  I'll be sure to let you know.  I'm very pleased . . . I hope you like them too.

cover close-up

Thanks for popping by.

30 Day Challenge Prep

My 30 Day Challenge Prep-work continues.  I got my aquabord in, all my photos taken and composed; now it's time to get them on my painting surface.  If you're interested in taking part or just curious to see the paintings, visit the link above.  Artist and entrepreneur, Leslie Saeta is the mastermind behind this online event.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Gift Wrap Anyone?

I've been messing around with some new things, like gift wrap for example.  If you've never used Spoonflower you should check it out.

A Little Bit of Progress

"Glass Study" - sip

This still needs a lot more work, but we're getting there.  Happy Friday and thank you for stopping by.

Vessel

"Redware Vessel"
6"x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $65

In preparation for Leslie Saeta's "September, 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge" I painted this little watercolor.  See, I haven't been totally slack in my painting responsibilities!  :)  

Thank you for stopping by.

Behind The Scenes

Remember these?  "Big Grapes" - detail
(STILL a work in progress)

Oh boy!  I have so much to share.  Even though I haven't posted in a few days, I've been very busy:  doing lots of "behind-the-scenes" work as well as a little painting, even tackling some old ones.  My Backroads Studio Tour Open House is fast approaching, so I've been busy designing my calendar, notecards and some very exciting new products that I can't wait to share with you!

This year I've designed two calendars -- a wall and desk and are on order.  The desk calendar is a Little People calendar that I'm very excited about.  I think it will be great for kids or kid-like adults (like me - tee hee) who want something to smile about while at work.  And the wall is a collection of mostly new, 2015 paintings or details of paintings.  I'll have pricing and ordering details within the next few weeks.  Here's a preview of both:

And the desk calendar: 

So stay tuned for lots of NEW stuff in the next few weeks and months.  I am planning to take part in Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge again in September.  I've been busy taking photos and planning my paintings.  I'm very excited. 

I'll leave you for now, with this image of "Big Grapes" in case you forgot what the heck it looked like.  :)

(don't mind the colors, I didn't have time to adjust)

Lego I

"Lego I"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on paper)

I painted this Lego painting earlier in the week but couldn't post its progress until it made it to its new "forever home," as it was a bit of a surprise.  I'm happy to report it was delivered today!

Now, I'm working on a surprise commission and some interesting new stuff to sell during the Backroads Studio Tour and online.  I'm getting very excited to share.  I'm also busy creating new notecards and my 2015 calendar.  Oh so much to do!

Student Work

images from "Guided Watercolors" class

I thought I'd share some student work with you.  The collage above is from the course I just finished up at www.workshop13.org.  Yesterday's post was about my next two Fall classes, you can view that here if you missed it.

The images below are from some of my private lesson students.  We are presently working on some glass. I think the paintings are looking fantastic.  Due to vacations, I only have two to show for now but hope to have another couple to post next week.

And here are some other projects students have been working on lately.  Good work!

I feel so lucky to have such talented students!  :)  Thanks for stopping by.

New Workshops

Original artwork by students, Donna Seymour and Cheryl Mancini

"Making Notecards" is a newly offered workshop I'll be presenting at Workshop13 in Ware, in late October.  I will also be instructing another "Guided Watercolors" class beginning in September.  To read more about these courses you can visit my "workshop" link above and/or www.workshop13.org to register.

Experimental Sketching

I haven't had new paintings up for sale recently because of other projects.  I've been experimenting more with landscapes and washes.  I finally decided that the sketch on the left was finished.  

I also completed a little painting as a surprise for someone, but I can't post it yet.  :)  And I've been busy working on a new little project that has to do with "wearable art."  I'm very excited!  I'm getting ready for my Open House in October and I wanted to have some new merchandise . . . I can't wait to show you.  

Until next time -- ciao! 

Glass Study

A few of my weekly students wanted some instruction on how to render glass in watercolor.  So here's my sample of what we're working on.  It's still in progress.  Have a great day!

Playing Around With Paint

playing around with paint - 1

I had some fun over the weekend playing around with washes and salt and details.  Ultimately I think I may have gone too far.  I also was working on Arches cold-press, which I don't particularly care for. These are some of my early washes.  Trust me, it gets a little ugly - I'll post those photos tomorrow . . . I should've quit while I was ahead.  Ha!  But I learned a lot from this experience -- I think if I use the soft-press it will be better for me.   

playing around with paint - 2

playing around with paint - 3

Thanks for stopping by!

July Paintings

To check the availability on any of these paintings,

visit my DailyPaintworks Gallery. Thank you.

Have a great day!

"Blueberries Overboard"
8.75" x 11.5"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $60

I posted this painting back in 2013, but it never felt quite right to me.  It was mainly the background.  So I reworked it: washing out the background, reapplying paint, hating it, washing it out again, reapplying paint again . . . until I was satisfied.  This one, needless to say has more drama than some of my others -- both in its presentation and birth!  Ha!  :)

Below I've added a "virtual" frame to show you what this could look like.  Have a great rest of your weekend!

(what this painting could look like framed)

"Salem's Cattle"

"Salem's Cattle"
9.25" x 8.5"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $50

Still experimenting. Thank you for viewing my work.

(what this painting could look like framed)