ALL MIXED UP - 2

Once again, I had painted this one in my head, even knowing the colors I would be using! This is a half sheet and there are lots and lots of lines, so I wanted to keep the colors very simple.

For some reason, lately I have been painting like a typewriter!!!  From left to right, from top to bottom,  Have no idea why!

But it seems to be working well for me!  On this painting, I was able to go back to areas painted in the same painting session; due to the small areas they dried quickly. 

Once again, many hours and days of painting; I really do mean to keep track of the time spent, but I almost always forget once I sit down to paint – after all, it’s painting time, not book work time!

ALL MIXED UP - 1

This painting began with a photo from the local farm show.

I cropped and enlarged the photo, traced and then reworked the drawing and went over my lines, let it sit for a few days to review, making a few adjustments here and there and then finally began painting!  

My final drawing, taped to a plastic board.

In the next photo I have wet the entire paper and dropped some colors onto the wet paper, allowing them to float around, generally in the areas that will ultimately be those colors.  Note how the paper is buckling and you might be able to see a shine - I get my paper really wet at this point.

The next photo shows the paper the next day - you can see that allowing it to dry naturally overnight allows the paper to shrink back down and get flat.  Essentially I "stretch" my paper this way, but without the soaking and stapling, and with getting my first light washes onto the painting.  The key is to ALLOW THE PAINTING TO DRY NATURALLY - no hair dryers!  This usually will take an overnight wait.

The next photo shows the beginning of the paint application - I usually begin pretty light and, as I say  "sneak up on the color"!

The next couple of posts will show the progression of the painting.

MY KLEPTOMANIAC DOG!

Whenever we go out, even for a short while, and leave the dog at home, he feels the need to surround himself with something of ours.

It started with one of my husband’s slippers, then both slippers. Then one of my Skechers slip ons, then both; then one sneaker, then two.

Now it seems he cannot do without the TV remote control! The first time he stole that it caused quite a catastrophe – until I found it buried under his SECOND bed - the one by the big glass doors! (His THIRD bed is either in the mud room or the garage, depending on the weather!) Now I try to remember to put it on top of the TV when we leave!

The above photo is typical of what we return to after a short jaunt in the car! There were probably more objects scattered around the living room, too. And he only does this when we are gone! So far none of the shoes have been eaten and I’m hoping there won’t be a “first time” for that!

THE (NOT SO) ROYAL WEDDING!

Apropos of nothing, and way past the proper time to have posted this, here is a photo of Kate (or, since she and I are not exactly on a first name basis, should I say Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine) at her recent wedding and me at my not so recent wedding.
I know, it’s really hard to tell the difference, but as a hint, she’s on the left and I’m on the right!

Note the similarities in our “gowns”. Who knows how many thousands hers cost; mine $50.00 - on sale at The Limited during prom season (circa 1977)! I also had a “train” on my “gown”. Since I’m so short, the seamstress simply hemmed the front of the dress and let the rest drag on the ground behind me! Quite classy, huh?
By the way, Kate’s got good taste, don’t you think?

Hope you got a good chuckle - just thought I’d share this with you!

ART GROUPS

As mentioned previoiusly, I recently attended my annual painting retreat with 5 other wonderful ladies. This was our 10th year – wow!

Then, in looking at some other blogs, I see that Mollie Jones and Jant Belich have also recently posted about a trip they made with other woman they met via blogs and an online art group.

It gives me great pleasure each year to get together with my friends and paint for a week. What began as a painting trip has turned out to be so much more and is a highlight of my year. We’ve had our ups and downs, shed tears of grief and tears of laughter, and through it all have continuously improved our painting skills. We are strong, resilient women who have grown to love each other as sisters.

Do any of you have a group that you paint with, either on a regular basis or annually? I’d love to hear about your experience.

If you don’t have a group of painting friends, I would strongly recommend that you find a group to paint with – or create a group! You will reap rewards not only from learning painting techniques, getting input through critiques and improving your paintings, but also from the friendships you will make.

CATCHING UP

Since I returned from my annual painting retreat, I’ve been playing catch up.
No, I haven’t been eating burgers all this time – I said “catch up” not ketchup! (Bet you missed my humor while I was gone!)
In looking over my photos (of which there are only a few since my camera does not like to take photos at night, never has and apparently never will) I came across this one you might find of interest.

One of the ladies had some M&Ms made – they are cute as a button! They helped to commemorate our 10th year together. Turns out she and I are the only 2 who have made it to every single retreat!
A decade of painting together – that certainly says something about our friendship!

In case you cannot read these they say:
Create Art
Let’s Paint
CIAG* 10 Years
ESP* Friends

*CIAG – the name of our group – Carolina and Indiana Art Group
*ESP – Eat, Sleep, Paint

SEEN THE USA - 5

Some time ago I had painted a series of old cars and I decided to look back at them to compare to this old Chev, to see if I felt that progress has been made.

So, for the swan song of this painting, here is another old rusty Chev that was done some years ago for comparison to the new Chev.

I’m not really sure that I’ve made any painting progess – I still like the old one!

What do you think?

SEEN THE USA - 4

Well, now I’m starting on the background – first coat of light washes.

More work on the background. Can this still be ruined??? Why, of course it can!
My thought was to layer miskit and paint, gradually building up the darker colors.
I also added some vegetation around the car.

At the end of this process, I hate the background. After removing the miskit it looks too “scratchy” to me. I may try more paint, or some collage or . . . it’s a do-over (which is the direction I’m leaning).
I had such high hopes for this one. Oh well, lesson learned. I’m very happy with the car itself, though!

SEEN THE USA - 3

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack from my annual painting retreat - didja miss me????

While I was gone, I worked on the old Chev some more.

Here more rust has been added – on the trunk . . . .

. . . . and top.

Here is a close up of the rust.

SEEN THE USA - 2

Starting to add the rust.

This old car was in a cow pasture down in Tennessee.  A friend and I ventured "off the beaten path" to get some photos.  Fortunately, we live to tell the tale!