Rainy Day

A rainy day calls for a good book and a few sketches.

I'm working on small studies at the moment as I finish up the latest cabbage painting.

Mirrors in the Studio

Using mirrors in the studio allows for a fresh look at the proportions and color combinations of your painting. I'm always shocked at the reflection, it looks so new every time.

I think this is a common issue for artists, staring at the same thing for hours and days makes it hard to see how you can change certain elements or even that they need changing at all. Using a mirror is one way to fix this problem quickly, although sometimes you really just need to step away from the painting for a few days so as to see it in a new light. Occasionally it seems like even days are not enough to gain a new perspective, for instance I've heard stories of Andrew Wyeth going into galleries with his paints and "fixing" some of his work because he saw a new flaw in it.

Progress: Cabbage on Board

Still working on my newest cabbage. I love playing with how the light hits the leaves and the tiny shadows that the veins produce. I know I've said this before but they always sort of remind me of stain glass.

I discovered some new brushes recently that really hold paint well and don't leave visible strokes. This brings me to a conclusion that one should not stint on quality tools. Unfortunately this never really sinks in for me until I've worked hard with something that was making the process unpleasant.

Studio: Full View

The chaos of my desk, note the two coffee mugs.

I'm happy with the cabbage progress. I have most of the colors blocked out and now I'm going to start in on the details (my favorite part). I actually have to stop myself from adding details as I go, or else I could spend years slowly tweaking a single leaf.

Work in Progress

Lots of painting and drinking of coffee going on here in the studio.

In the Studio

A peek at what I'm working on.

Colors

Inspired by my beautiful color pencils today, they are still one of my favorite things to organize.

A Shy Orchid

A phalaenopsis orchid painted on a beautiful piece of maple. I painted the main areas of the flower with oil and then went back and added detail using a color pencil.

Title: "A Shy Orchid"

Medium: Oil and color pencil on wood

Size: 14.75"x6"

Available

Birds and Botanicals

From left to right: The Bedside Book of Birds by Graeme Gibson which is my actual bedside book of the moment. A sparrow's nest that I found this summer while gardening, when I first saw it, the nest was filled with three little sparrows. I watched them from a distance careful not to disturb the mother and when they all flew away I took the nest as a memento. Oxblood Lily (Rhodophilala bifida ) one of my own botanical watercolors. I love the name of this peculiar flower.

In the Studio

Adding details and playing with light and shadow. 

Painting on Birch

Sometimes I love painting on unusual surfaces like this very pretty piece of birch wood. Its so nice to see the wood grain against the texture of the oil. This is just the very beginning of the painting, but I was too excited not to share.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone is having a lovely Valentine's Day!

*Remember 20% off anything in my Etsy shop ends tomorrow.*

Coupon Code: Valentine20

Red

Today I have jury duty, but I wanted to share a few touches of red around my studio. Above is a calendar produced by MincingMockingbird. I love the selection for February! So cute. Below is a journal I was given when visiting the Martha Stewart Show (its from her new line), a small muslin bag from Paper Source, and a baby envelope also from Paper Source. These last few may be the makings of a surprise for my special Valentine, who knows.

A Green Lady Slipper

I just finished my newest Lady Slipper painting of my own orchids (a Paphiopedilum Hilo Jewel crossed with a Paphiopedilum Hsinying Citron). I really love the striking colors of this particular orchid and the intricate lines are fascinating.

Title: A Green Lady Slipper

Medium: Watercolor on paper

Size: 9"x12"

Work in Progress

Started a Lady Slipper watercolor painting using my own orchid as the model. Here is my progress so far.

Sky Tutorial: Part 2

Hello, I hope everyone's sky is looking good so far. If you missed part one of this two part tutorial you can find it here. 


Supplies: 


- Unfinished painting
- Something to lean your paper on so that it is at an angle.

-Watercolor paints

-Watercolor brushes of various sizes: I am using a 10, 8, and 2

-Clean Water

-Paper towel

New Business Cards

I just got a new batch of business cards in and thought I would share them with you. I like to pretend that they are my portable gallery!

Sky Tutorial: Part 1

Today I'm going to show you how to paint a sky. Now the real point of the exercise is to loosen up, not to produce a photographic image. Too many people become tense when holding a brush and as a result (especially in watercolor painting) they are perpetually frustrated. With this painting we are going to embrace that water may travel to odd places, pool, or strange colors may mix together.

Supplies:

- Watercolor paper: I am using cold press paper which is in a block. If you do not have a block (the papers are glued together so that the paper will not buckle) tape your paper to a piece of board with artist tape (which will not tear the paper when removed). If this is your first time pick a smaller piece of paper so that you will not feel pressed for time as the water begins to dry.

- Something to lean your paper on so that it is at an angle.

-Watercolor paints

-Watercolor brushes of various sizes: I am using a 10, 8, and 2

-Clean Water

-Paper towel

-Pencil

NYS Sheep & Wool Artwork Contest

I recently found out that my painting "Cold Morning" is the runner up in the Art Work Contest that NYS Sheep & Wool holds every year! This is very exciting news as there are many wonderful entries to this particular competition and to be among the two paintings from which they select the winner is a great honor. I'm eager to see what their winning image is for 2012 and to enter again!

Cabbage Bag

I was so excited to make this yesterday, it was one of the two projects that distracted me until I noticed the sun had gone down and I had not posted yet! I really love canvas bags, especially for library runs. For some reason they make going to the library extra special. While I was at my local craft store I saw iron on transfer paper and the inspiration hit me. Finding a canvas tote that zips, I ran home to make it. I'm really happy with how it turned out and can't wait to wear it.

Make sure like my Facebook page for a small Valentines Day gift from me to you!