MARBLES - 5

Next I began working on the pouches.  I changed the colors of some of them.  Again, these were layered.

MARBLES - 4

 I worked on the marbles in sections, completing each section before moving on, until they were all completed.

Close up of first section of marbles completed.

At this point when I had the painting on the easel, my husband said he liked it so far -
"except for all of the white marbles; maybe you should paint them a color, too".  (He was kidding!)

MARBLES - 3

I began adding color to the marbles, again glazing in layers, in sections.

WATERMEDIA SHOWCASE - THE ARTIST'S MAGAZINE APRIL 2014 ISSUE

Page 30, April 2014 Watercolor Artist Magazine

Gotta say - I’m excited to show you my page for the Watermedia Showcase winners in the April 2014 Watercolor Artist Magazine. 

This is also the painting that was accepted into the 2012 NWS show and it still tops my blog header!

Yin Yang Mums

MARBLES - 2

I began painting the wooden box, glazing layers and adding some drybrush at the end.

 I then began adding some shadows in the deep portions of the box.

GEORGIA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 2014 NATIONAL EXHIBITION

"Swirls"

I got a notice that my painting “Swirls” has been accepted into the GWS National Exhibition.

Ally Benbrook, Chris Krupinski and Susan Stuller were a few of the artists' name that I recognized, but I might recognize the work of others when I see it.  I'm not a "name dropper" - really! - but it's always exciting to know that your painting is hanging in the same show with some of the "big name" artists!

So far, each time I have entered a painting into any of the Georgia shows my work has been accepted!  Always different work (obviously) and different judges.  But - - - I know better than to get complacent and brag-y!!!

Because . . .  then there is TWSA – have never gotten into that, didn’t even enter this year – maybe next year I’ll have something I feel is strong enough.

I’ve also never gotten into Louisiana, so gave up on them.

This particular painting was also entered in another show, but didn’t make the cut.

Just goes to show, as I always say, you should not get upset when you don’t get into a show.  (And don't let it "go to your head" when you do!!!!)

If you are in the area, stop in and see the show!

GEORGIA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 2014 NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Carrollton Cultural Arts Center

251 Alabama Street

Carrollton, GA  30117

770-838-1083

Opening Reception:  March 7, 2014 from 5 – 7 p.m.

Show hangs March 7 – April 24, 2014

OWS SHOW AT MIDDLETOWN ARTS CENTER

Well, as promised, here is the link to the video wherein I was interviewed.

Fortunately he edited a lot and I didn't get a chance to look or sound too stupid!

At the beginning my painting is featured on the left in front (the red one) and at some point you see a woman in black from the back, with a bun in her hair, taking a photo of one of the paintings - that would be me.   I look pretty darn good from the back!!

Enjoy!

MARBLES -1

When my friend and I went to Stan Hywet Hall, after we had lunch, we walked through the gift shop and saw a box of marbles.  I immediately thought "what a great painting they would make" so I took a few photos.

I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate the game rules with the marbles and decided to enlarge both and then superimpose them.  Since I do not have any fancy editing programs, I do this by "hand" on the copier.

Once I had that all worked out, I traced the photos onto Arches 140 CP and was ready to begin painting.

LEARNING FROM BLOGS!

Just recently I have  -
given a critique of someone's painting on their blog
and
learned something from a blog post.

My critique was  in response to a post on Katharine Harra's blog where she asked about her painting "is it too wishy-washy?"  I thought the weakness I saw in the painting was important to point out.  Katherine thought my comment was helpful and she made the change suggested.  Here are the two links to the first painting  and the second.

While I'm blessed to have some very good art friends (and a husband and daughter!) who are not afraid to tell me what my paintings need when I get stumped, some artists work in more solitary settings and don't have this dynamic.   My artist friends all have a "good eye" and my husband and daughter represent "John Q. Public", looking at my paintings through the eyes of most people.

Katherine raised a good point in her second blog post (above) - most comments on the blogs are happy little compliments.  I'm guilty of this, myself - since I don't know you personally and don't want to offend you, I'll offer up a positive comment, nothing more.  Katherine said she does welcome suggestions - as do I - so maybe we blog commenters should think about that more and offer our suggestions (in a positive way!).  We can all help each other learn . . .

. . .  just as I did from a recent post on Jeannette Jobson's blog.

This one simple post will help me work toward my goal of becoming a better "draw-er".  I rely too heavily on my photos and tracing and have let my drawing skills lag.  In order to remedy this situation I recently took a drawing "class".

Well, it looked a lot better on paper than it was in reality.  There was obviously no cohesive teaching plan, we were all over the place with no clear roadmap to follow - from a very simple beginning drawing to portraits!  Then back to shapes, then on to something hanging on the wall with the directive "draw that".  While I'm sure the instructor does know her stuff, and she's probably a very nice person, she just wasn't an able teacher.

Now I'm back to books and trying to create my own syllabus - so I really found Jeannette's post about "how to start" a drawing more helpful than she will know!  Begin at the beginning - and move on from there.

I hope we all can learn something from blogs!  And not be afraid to offer advice.

BIRD OF PARADISE - 3

The (maybe) completed painting.  Since this is a learning curve for me, I’m just happy it looks somewhat like the photograph and looks like a bird of paradise and not a rose!

I think I have done well with the blending of the pastel colors.  Here is a close up of part of the flower – you be the judge.

However, the edges are a concern to me, they seem too blurry, but I have to realize that I probably cannot get the same sharp edges that I can achieve in watercolor since I’m using my fingers to blend.  I tried a blending stump but all it did was lift off the color – there must be something I’m doing wrong, so any of you pastelists out there – I’ll gladly take some tips!