TEAPOTS

Yet another start from the fluid acrylics workshop in February. I’m having a bit of trouble getting the porcelain to show as hard and shiny – think I should have put down a bit more color in my first wash and seem to be fighting that. I’ll just take it slow (gee, what’s new!) and worse case scenario it will be a do-over.
But, for now, here goes.  I've made the first picture extra large so you can see the start at the top of the table.

I began by applying the overall pale wash to dull down the white of the paper, then added the gold trim.
Then I added the flowers on the pots and finished the gold trim (some of which I had missed in the first application).

DAFFODILS COMPLETE

Here is the daffodil painting completed at the retreat.  At least I think it's done - what do you think about the background???  Too splotchy???  Any other comments???
Daffodils and Fruit, fluid acrylic, 16x20

DAFFODILS

Here is a start of daffodils and fruit on canvas using fluid acrylic.

As you can see, just began with a light wash of color and some of it bled around - which is fine with me!

HOOSIER LIVIN' - A "MAYBERRY" MOMENT

Every now and then some small thing suddenly makes me realize how fortunate I am. The other day comes to mind.

Mike and I were out in the afternoon and he went to the bank while I sat in the car. Jake and Jeff came out and chatted with each other and as they began to walk away I called out to Jeff (my son’s friend since high school) so he came over and talked to me while I waited for Mike. Then Jake drove out of his parking spot to park next to us and talk to Mike when he came out of the bank. Very neighborly.

Main Source Bank, St. Leon, IN

Then that same Friday evening – so pleasant, warm and NOT raining! - my husband and I went to the local steakhouse for dinner (mrjimssteakhouse.com) and, as usual, the food was delicious. When was the last time you had a steak you could cut with your fork and when you were done there wasn’t a scrap on your plate, not one tiny bit of fat? The salad was comprised of fresh local produce and the rolls were so yeasty and sweet. Terry does a great job! Yum!
Mike got to know them soon after they bought the restaurant and has plowed their parking lot in the winter, given them a wood stove to use in the winter and plowed their garden in the spring. If we get dessert we ask for it “to go” – and we get to take it on the china plate – they know we will return it!

Mr. Jim's Steakhouse

Before we left, our neighbors up the road walked in with their family and we chatted with them a few minutes. Mike had recently turned over their garden and we get our eggs from them.

Following dinner we drove up to the interstate exit and while Mike fueled the car I ran into the gas station and bought a gallon of milk. Paul was at the cash register helping out. He always has a smile and kind word and of course he asked “what are you up to?” and really cared about the answer!

Alig's Shell Station - and car wash!

Paul used to own the local tavern - not your typical tavern, but a local landmark dating back to the mid 1800’s - where on any given night you can find the locals playing Texas Hold ‘em or Euchre, talking, laughing, eating and having a beer or two. Nothing fancy here, mind you, none ah them high falutin’ prissy drinks; just beer or a shot. (Think “Cheers” in the country(!) because everyone does know your name!) And the burgers are thick and juicy and done to perfection.

St. Leon Tavern (Formerly Paul's Tavern)

Two of the other gas stations in St. Leon are owned by David. We have known him since he was in high school!

Exxon Station, St. Leon, IN

And we used to run a “tab” at the other gas station – still a “mom and pop” operation where I still buy my dog food and have it carried out and put into my trunk!! (Note to Murr: they will even pump the gas for you!)

E-Z Stop, St. Leon, IN

We drove home admiring the fields, newly mown lawns and slowly setting sun.

We passed our daughter and Joe – apparently they had been to our house to pick something up. Soon they will live about 2 miles and 5 minutes away, not the far away 9 miles and 15 minutes where they live now!

Lining our driveway (over one mile long!) the grasses swayed with the gentle breeze; soon a local farmer will be baling them into hay. The neighbor’s cows stopped to watch us drive past.

Fields and driveway

I thought about how I’d just seen several people I know, and how I truly KNOW people within about a 20 mile radius of my home. We wave as we go by; sometimes we pull over and stop our cars just to chat a bit and catch up (after all, we don’t see much of each other during the winter!) “What are the kids up to?”, “did so-and-so have her baby yet?”, “your garden’s looking good!”, “been fishing lately”, “come back soon and see us!”

Nothing special, nothing noteworthy – just a pristine moment in time when I take stock and realize how truly lucky I am to live in this beautiful country.

(For another post about St. Leon - go to October 29, 2008 and read about the Pole Raising!)

FLAG COMPLETE

Here is the completed flag. 
I made some of the shadows a bit darker and played with the picket fence a bit, then removed miskit from stars and stripes and added shadows.
I'm pretty happy with it!
July the Fourth, Fluid Acrylic on watercolor board, 14x20

RETURN FROM THE RETREAT!

I’m b-a-a-a-a-a-c-k! Didja miss me??

While at my painting retreat I somehow managed to ruin one of my starts.  I can hear you all saying to yourself "wow, imagine that; that NEVER happens to me!!!"  What began as a cheerful and light painting suddenly, and without warning, turned into some sort of muddy, greyed down, purple-y sort of disaster - the poster child for what not to do to a painting!
But I did manage to get some of my other starts finished and begin another picture, so the next couple of posts will be showing you those.

First up is a flag painting started in April!  (Speed kills!)

 

The picture on the right is how it looked when I took it to Tennessee - the next post will be the completed painting.  "Gotta make ya wate ah wile!!!!" as they say in the mountains!
In the meantime, someone asked about the “Painting” game that I took to our retreat. I created it some years ago and loosely based it on a popular children's board game. For the cards I worked in some silly ideas relating to painting; then collaged some pictures from catalogs and art magazines onto the board; bought some chess pieces and painted them and there you have it! I also created a travel version of the game using magnets – but that didn’t get heavy use since there is usually too much talking going on during the drive to and from! This year I created a “new and improved” version which was played with much vigor, laughter, choking, tears (of laughter!) with a small percentage of wine involved!  Another fun-filled week of art, food and friends!

BLOG FRIENDS

Lisa Walsh – Paint Misbehavin’
Now here is a woman who has a way with both a paintbrush and words! Her paintings are absolutely charming, such fun use of color – and her blog delivers a delightful discourse on her daily duties as well as her delicious paintings. Right now Lisa is challenging herself to a series of 100 polar bears in various media. Don’t delay – click over today!

Teresa Palomar - Lost in Wonder
Teresa lives in Spain! She exhibits such humor with her little paintings, and such joy at learning about new mediums or techniques. She also likes to sketch when she is out and about and she’s not afraid to try something new. She becomes very involved in her paintings and shows great skill in her handling of watercolor.

BLOG FRIENDS

Ginny Stiles
Ginny is another “bloggerite” whom I have met in person – very bubbly and talkative! – a real joy! She takes on technique after technique and excels at each one. Seems she also is a very active teacher in both of her homes - Florida and Wisconsin! She has such energy, and it comes across in her paintings.
Check out her blog – not only for for her paintings – but also for lots of interesting information and beautiful travel journals.

Nicholas Simmons
About two years ago Nick Simmons gave a workshop locally, but I was not able to attend. However, afterward, any time I ran into someone who had attended, I was regaled with tales of his wonderful workshop – not to mention his charm and good looks!

At any rate, having heard all that good stuff about him I looked him up on the web and was interested in his technique. Since then I have seen articles about him, checked out his blog and purchased his DVD from Creative Catalyst Publishing.  I was finally able to take his workshop in May and meet him in person.

Nick is winning numerous awards with his large watercolor and fluid acrylic paintings and it was wonderful to be able to see some of them close up. In addition to his painting ability, Nick also writes music and plays guitar – but he did not bring his guitar to our workshop (darn). Talk about a “man for all seasons”! If you have not already done so, check out his blog to view his amazing and vibrant work – you won’t be sorry!

GONE PAINTIN'!

Here’s what to take for a week painting with friends – so much stuff!
My friend has already dropped off her painting supplies (the big blue box on right and I've combined our flat paintings into the portfolio) and I’m taking -
my fluid acrylics and a few watercolors, just in case
my paintings pre-drawn and ready to roll
my “blankie” and pillow
clothes
chair cushions
the game I created for us

and, if we have room, some of my soft, sweet Hoosier water (the water down there is “icky” and very hard).

So, while I’m gone – this time to our annual painting retreat in Tennessee – I’ll be doing some short posts to feature more of my blog roll members (in no particular order!)

See you back here in mid-June with (hopefully) lots of paintings completed and/or started - for your viewing pleasure!

SOLD!

Just received notification that my painting "Blue Pitcher and Pears on Lace" (see post on April 24, 2010) was sold at the Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibit!  It had also won an award (maybe why someone wanted to purchase it??)
Anyway - I'm very excited (can you tell!!) - but also a little sad.  You know how you have a few special paintings that surpass your expectations - that was one of mine - so I'm glad it sold but still a little sad not to see it again.