[Click on above images to get a better look.]
The snow has just stopped - oh my… I spent the morning updating my “Who is Who?” page and little else. The day is still young . . . I’d better get busy! Click here to find out Who is Who?
Archive for February, 2010
Snow… Snow and More Snow
Sunday, February 28th, 2010Art Auction Saturday
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
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[Tags: Art Auction Saturday, Artwork, landscapes, miniature painting, watercolor painting
Posted in Art Auction Saturday, Artwork Project 4, Watercolor | No Comments »
Watercolor Demo - Lilacs in Bloom Part 3 Final
Friday, February 26th, 2010
I’m trying something new and this is the first - a short snippet of my painting process. This is my first attempt at doing a video, editing and posting. Bear with me… next time I hope for a better quality video.
Anyway… as you can see I’ve continued to apply layer upon layer of color (watercolor washes) always referring to my color study as a guide in my color mixing process.
While some artists are confident enough to apply dark, splashy washes with only one or two applications of paint, I tend more toward the “building process.” Building by applying one wash of color over the next (drying each layer thoroughly) until I get the desired dark value.
The beauty in creating art is that there’s no right or wrong way to get where you want to be. It’s all a matter of personal preference and style. I suppose that’s what I like best about art - in math 2 + 2 is always 4, but when I’m painting the answers are what I want them to be!
Once I have my foliage and such as dark as I desire I will then remove the masking fluid by erasing or rubbing it. I find using an eraser is cleaner as the oils from your skin can leave a residue on the paper that is hard to remove. Once those whites (your unpainted protected areas) are exposed then it’s time to paint those lilacs and make them bloom (as seen in this video)!
Something important to remember is that while our brain knows these lilacs are made up of hundreds of small blossoms in each bunch we need only focus on painting a “shape” that says “bunch of lilacs.” I have found keeping that in mind - paint a shape that says what we want to say - is freeing and keeps me from getting caught in fussy little details when a shape and color is all you need to say what needs saying.
What I wanted to say with this painting is, “Wow I just saw this beautiful, old country home with mature lilac bushes in full bloom. So vibrant and beautiful! Here look . . . see what I mean?” That’s my message. Can you smell them? Can you feel them tickle the end of your nose as you take in their sweet aroma? That’s my message. Sharing what I see and how I see it through my painting.
Making My Life an Olympic Experience
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Snow Covered Pink Flamingo
Well, I spoke too soon when I said “we haven’t had our usual snow fall amounts” in my February 22, 2010 post. This week we’ve had more than two feet of snow and it’s still snowing as I write this entry. Tom spent his day clearing the driveway, uncovering the wood and shoveling the walkway. I could see he was wet and cold - with shovel in hand - as I pulled in the driveway and easily pulled Ole Cash (my new Jeep Liberty) into the garage. Thanks Tom.
Tonight we’re planning to watch Survivor (my favorite television program) and then watch the Olympic competition that continues. These Olympic Games in Vancouver have been emotional, inspiring and provide great lessons with stories of perseverance, tragedy and triumph.
The human spirit can be strong and resilient. These athletes prove that with work and commitment you can indeed “go for gold.” Though not everyone can win a medal the very exercise of having a vision and then following the dream can give your life purpose.
I used to view these types of things more as personal accomplishment or self-glorification until I heard or read somewhere that sports, athletics and playing or rooting for a particular team enables our spirit to experience a vast array of emotions in a short amount of time.
That made sense to me. So just by watching or participating in an event, such as the Olympics, we can experience anticipation, anxiety and disappointment, as well as, joy, jubilation and triumph.
Whether you’re an athlete, an artist or a business professional - whatever your passion - taking part is important to spiritual growth. I’m finding that sometimes there’s an inner urging that cannot be quelled (as I’ve been experiencing lately) and these urgings should not be quelled, but taken quite seriously.
So as I watch the world of Olympic athletes compete tonight I know that I too can be an artist of Olympic proportions, but only if I exercise focus, perseverance and commitment.
Watercolor Demo - Lilacs in Bloom Part 2
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Note: Double Click the above images for a closer look.
Once you have your preliminary steps complete - value sketch, color study and your drawing has been transferred onto your watercolor paper - you’re ready to start painting.
This painting is about the size of a business card (small). I find it great fun painting in a small format and it is amazing just how much information you can include in such a small space. I’ve learned a great deal from painting in a small format as I’m more willing to try new things. The worst case scenario is tossing out a small bit of paper and the best case scenario is a fine miniature painting. Painting small suits my style and helps to release my creative energy while having fun.
I started the painting process here by applying masking fluid to the picket fence and lilac blossoms. Masking fluid is a liquid that, once applied and dry, can be painted over and then easily removed later and is used to save areas you want left white - or as in this case left light so I can apply other crisp and vibrant colors later.
Once the masking fluid was completely dry I applied my washes over the top, as you can see in the above photo on the right. Using masking fluid to “save your whites” allows smooth and flowing washes to be applied instead of attempting to paint around the fence and lilac blossoms, in which case you’d lose that spontaneous watercolor washing effect.
I then continued the actual painting process by laying in a “sky” wash while referring to my color study for the combination of colors that I determined would work best. A second wash to the foreground using permanent lemon yellow finished my first coat in the glazing process.
[Note: Watercolor glazing is a technique where you apply one layer of color over the next - letting each layer dry completely before applying the next.]
Watercolor Demo - Lilacs in Bloom Part 1
Monday, February 22nd, 2010-
- Warning! Don't shortcut the process! Always do a value sketch and color study.
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- Reference Photo & Sketch
Note: Double Click the above images for a closer look.
Tom and I went for a “road trip” yesterday and I could feel spring is just around the corner. While it was cold and there was still snow on the ground I could smell spring and, of course, my other gauge of spring - the roadkill count - seems to indicate the same thing. Yesterday’s roadkill count - one skunk, one tan unidentifiable furry thing and one squirrel - we’re close!
Though we haven’t had our usual snow fall amounts it has been a very cold winter season and I’m ready for warmer temperatures. With all that spring thinking in mind I’ve decided to paint a miniature watercolor painting (about 2.5 inches x 3 inches) - Lilacs in Bloom - and share my painting process with you. So get your paper, pencil and brushes to follow along!
* * * * * *
The very first step in any creative process is to find something that inspires you. I’ve painted this house before in all its “lilac glory.” It’s a place I drive past from time-to-time on my commute to work. Since that photograph was taken - years and years ago - I’ve never seen those lilacs in such full bloom and vibrant bloom. What a treat and I’m glad I had my camera. As you can see in the above photograph (right) I took several shots and have them taped together, providing a panoramic view of the old house, picket fences, laundry on the line and, of course, the lilacs. Beautiful. I’m inspired. Time to get going.
Thankfully I stopped myself before plunging right into the painting process thereby skipping two essential steps, i.e., a value sketch and color study. Your value sketch and color study will provide a “road map” to be used along with your reference photo, still life or a scene you are painting en plein air. These preliminary steps will help you find design problems before you begin the final painting and help give you confidence in mixing just the right color.
I always keep my value sketch and color study small (no matter what size my painting will be) in order to avoid getting fussy during these first steps of the painting process. Additionally, I’ll draw a “frame” for both the value sketch and color study to define the edges of my painting (See Right Photo). These edges can also provide checkpoints as you draw, i.e., positioning the horizon line, checking architectural angles, etc.
After you’re completely satisfied with your value sketch and color study you’ll need to transfer your drawing (contour lines only) onto the watercolor paper. I use a kneaded eraser to correct mistakes as it doesn’t seem to deface the surface of my watercolor paper. Finally, when you have a drawing you are satisfied with it’s time to PAINT! (Stop back on Wednesday to see how the painting progresses.)
Art Auction Saturday
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
"Morning Blues," Original Watercolor, Image Size 6.5" x 8.5", Double Mat, Unframed
[Tags: Art Auction Saturday, Artwork, watercolor painting
Posted in Art Auction Saturday, Day-to-Day | No Comments »
Sex v. A Chocolate Eclair
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Will This Tiger Change His Stripes? (Watercolor Sketch)
I understand that Tiger Wood will be making a statement today in an attempt to restore his reputation in the golf world, regain some semblance of dignity to his public persona and perhaps begin to rebuild his golf empire.
After having Tiger’s numerous extramarital, sexual escapades revealed last November and humiliating he and his wife I just don’t know if I care about an apology. Truth is we are not the people he needs to apologize to. Let’s face it apologies are cheap - it’s the behavior (past and future) that tells the tale and then to provide a defense of sex addiction . . . well I’m just not buying it.
Now if Tiger came forward and admitted a powerlessness to say. . . Chocolate Eclairs or a big ole bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos he’d have my sympathy and I would encourage Elin to extend him forgiveness by saying, “Elin, forgive the man. How could anyone resist that creamy custard filling and delicate, flaky pastry glossed with chocolate icing!” That I can understand, but SEX addiction. . . Come on now, that’s one weak excuse.
I admit to never having been a golf fan or Tiger fan to begin with so I cannot provide the most balanced opinion here. Whacking a little white ball around a big field hour after hour just doesn’t sound like fun to me. So given my lack of objectivity, I posed this question to some avid golfers and non-golfers both men and women. Here are the questions and a few of their responses.
Question: How do you feel about Tiger Wood now that he’s been exposed as a cheater and man-whore? Will his apology influence your feelings about him?
“His wife is a Swedish swimsuit model. . . What is his problem?”
“He may be the world’s greatest golfer, but he is such a man-whore that I have lost all respect for him as a person!”
“Great Golfer with NO Character!!!! Makes you wonder….if he cheats on his wife does he cheat at golf? Character SHOULD matter. On golfers and presidents.”
“I still see him as a great athlete, but on a personal level, scum. It will be so interesting to see him play again, with all the added pressure and see if he can still perform.”
“He will always be scum in my eyes. Just another rich athlete thinking they are untouchable. I will still watch him play golf…in a different light.”
or comments made in jest…
“He’s my hero.” or “He’s my idol, what a pimp.”
and some gleaned some wisdom out of a very sad situation…
“If one proves he will walk on the edge of truth you find he will frequent in familiar territory.”
Today’s interview with TW I liken to an accident on the interstate - you may try to resist, but in the end you just have to slow down to see what ’s going on. So whether you consider Tiger a hero or a lecherous cad let’s settle in with our favorite refreshments and watch another spectacle unfold.
[2/20/2010 SIDE NOTE: I watched TW's public apology yesterday afternoon and did not want to leave this post unfinished. Unfinished in the sense of perpetuating the notion that poking fun, judging and ridiculing anothers' indiscressions is acceptable. It is not. I wish TW and Elin well, and agree when he said, "It's not what you achieve in life that matters, it's what you overcome." We all have different challenges in this life. The difference here is that his challenges play out in the public arena and how he behaves carries a huge responsiblity. At the end of my day TW owes me nothing, but he does "owe" those who made an emotional or financial investment in him to be the "standup guy" they all thought he was - not perfect, but not consumed by the darkside of life and all its temptations. May God soften his heart and guide his journey from here.]
Can’t Go Wrong at $2.50 per foot
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
It's all about the feet!
Feet, they’re our unsung heroes. Feet, the foundation of our bodies, and when strained, sprained or blistered, hard to ignore. Feet, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes: big, small, wide, narrow, stinky, sexy or ticklish. What’s more they take you where you need to go - walking, jogging, running, skipping, dancing, hopping or just loitering - always doing what they’re asked to do without a peep. I’ve even discovered a healthy share of the population enjoys a foot fetish or two. Who knew?
I like my feet and think they’re somewhat attractive with the exception of a large and unsightly lump on my big toe. It seemed to materialized after purchasing a pair of stylish pumps that were just a tad too small some years ago. I, of course, had to have them. They were cheap and cute. I was on a budget.
Gosh I remember when I was a kid how I loved to go barefoot in the freshly cut grass. I was light enough back then to even take a short jaunt on an unpaved driveway without shoes. I’ll even confess that when I was young and limber I could actually put my foot into my mouth. I continue to do so these days from time-to-time, but in more of figurative sense.
In the old days shoe shopping was a wondrous and exciting experience. My mother would complain that I walked on my heel, wore out my shoes far too quickly and I am guilty as charged. I remember walking into Thom McCan, there would be a real person to measure your foot with, what I now know is, a Brannock Device. (You know what I’m talking about - that metal thing showing how long and wide your feet are.)
After your feet were measured and a shoe selection made, the salesman would dutifully retrieve the shoe pick in several sizes. With shoehorn in hand, our “Al Bundy” would help my foot into each shoe - first the left and then the right. After a few laps around the store and a glance in the mirror a deal would be struck and a final question asked, “Want them in the box or do you want to wear them home?”
“Home . . . yes I’ll wear them home!” I would answer with pride.
These days though my tootsies are beginning a grass roots rebellion and it’s time I pay attention. Gone are those barefoot days, those days of being footloose and fancy free in choosing whatever stylish heel, wedge or clog caught my eye. High heeled styles have gone the way of my estrogen level - no longer in inventory at this residence. I knew I needed a good pair of flats - comfortable, practical, with strong support - so a few weeks ago I decided it was time to shop for shoes that I could not only strap on, but tie down with good durable laces.
As I headed toward the women’s department of our local shoe store I noted boxes stacked high, filled with female torture devices - red, blue, pink and green some adorned with baubles beads and bows. None of those would be acceptable. My feet began to ache at the sight of them and knowing none would be tolerable I headed for men’s department. Just before I round the corner a bright orange neon sign caught my eye. “SALE” the sign read, “$5.00” and in small print “All Sales Final.“ They were black and sturdy with durable laces and at $2.50 per foot I just couldn’t go wrong.
I’ve been surprised to find that my bargain shoe purchase hasn’t caused much pain, no blisters and no new lumps on my big toes just yet. Next time though I’m going to put my foot down and buy a really good pair of shoes for my ever faithful feet.
Our Olympic Athletes and Conrad Show The Way
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Pasture Pals, Pencil - I've tried to paint and draw these guys several times. Each attempt ended up in the trash. Not this time. I was determined to give it my best effort at this moment in time.
As you know I’ve been struggling lately while trying to restart my creativity. Though I did paint one day last week, that’s hardly enough to stay motivated and reach my personal goals. I think it’s time to ask a few questions.
What the heck is going on here? What are the reasons I’m feeling stuck, immobilized and unable to focus? Why have I been avoiding that which provides me the most inner peace and personal enjoyment? I know that art is my oasis and always provides a temporary escape from my day-to-day problems. Without it I’m left feeling desperate and lacking in confidence. I need to get back into a groove soon - very soon - so I ask myself again, “What the heck is going on?
Who knew I would find a partial answer to my questions last Thursday night when I visited my sister (Bet) and brother-in-law (Conrad) after work. Conrad has just begun to draw - having always possessed artistic ability - he has finally the time to tap into all that he is capable of. His first sketch - a little colt - came out great and his second and third equally good! With pencil in hand he’s tackling portraiture and animals without fear. Watching his enthusiasm and tenacity has made me realize that I’ve fallen into the habit of playing it safe. Could this - playing it safe thing - be one of the reasons that I am finding it difficult to restart? Perhaps.
And then another piece of my puzzle was revealed this weekend as I watched the Olympics in Vancouver. All these dedicated athletes, fit and ready to compete. They didn’t make it to Vancouver by chance. These spirited athletes are devoted, determined and hardworking. Certainly there have been times of self-doubt, but these ordinary people possess an extra something that helps them to achieve at this high level. What’s more in after-competition interviews I observed a common thread in many of these athlete’s remarks. Doing their personal best seems to have been the driving force. Yes, winning was important, but it seems to be secondary to giving their best performance at this moment in time. I see no place in Vancouver for fear and self-doubt. Could it be that my lack of dedication is feeding my fear and self-doubt? Could be.
I believe we all have great potential inside us and a responsibility to tap into and use our gifts. But yet we are human with all that implies. This is where the leaning on and learning from one another comes into the picture. From Conrad, with his novice’s enthusiasm, I am learning that the only limits are the limits we impose on ourselves. Through Conrad I am remembering a time when there was less fear associated with my art. Through Conrad I remember that discovery in art is everything, but in order to discover you must first explore.
And then from these Olympic athletes I am reminded that while everyone cannot “Win the Gold” there’s no shame in showing up and competing. Through these athletes I am reminded that there are no shortcuts to success. Through these athletes I am reminded that our lessons are found on the journey as well as in the competition and while taking home a medal is nice, it’s not all there is.
Here's a glimpse of my process, which includes a good reference photo, loads of pencils (B's and H's) plus my trusty eraser. All these things helped me to push past the frustration and finish. I'm pleased.
I know it’s time to open my eyes to new things and start flexing different creative muscles. No more giving up and giving in. It’s time to explore new creative frontiers. It’s time to remove any self-imposed limits and toss out that play-it-safe attitude.
I can now see why the restarting has been so difficult. My well of artistic inspiration was filled with the same thing day after day. Staying with the safe has derailed my creative desire. It’s no wonder I couldn’t get restarted. I’d made my creative world too small when in truth my artistic world should be filled with endless possibilities.
The athlete and the novice have so much to teach and I am a willing student with so much to learn. Today I intend to move out of my comfort zone, reaching, striving and willing. No fear.