Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Small Potatoes




Recently, I have been extremely busy. A lot of changes, new challenges and demands, while I am waiting for these life events to sort themselves out, I decided to dabble in watercolor. I love the way you can draw a simple shape in clear water with a brush, fill it all in with water. Add a dab of color here, a different color there, let it blend. Turning the piece at just the right moment and letting the colors mix and add value.

I have just completed a series of miniature paintings. Very easy set up and clean up. Pack it all in a rucksack and it is hidden until the next time you have a moment. Planning, an acquired skill.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Happy Halloween Week





It is that time of year....no not the kick off to the holiday season. The weekly challenge was to paint a zombie. I had a photo of two relatives at a zombie walk they attended a few years ago. Taking clear gesso, I applied a coat to a copy of the photo. After it dried, I painted over the faces and enhanced the details with gouache paint.

It was different, fun and think it turned out pretty awesome for two zombies.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Time





Time.....on time or a lack of time. Make time. Time passes. Time is up.
I did a series of very small paintings one day this past week. I did the best with the time I had. Time is a gift. Use it wisely. Spend it with some people.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Big Sky Challenge












I knew that this was going to be a favorite challenge. A sky filled with different characters of clouds have always been an inspiration. I lived in Florida for awhile and the clouds are breath taking, frightening and ever changing.

I grew up near the Great Lakes and live close to Lake Erie at the present time. It is a wonder to watch the ominous clouds come rolling in off the Lake in the Fall. I am thankful to live here, there is such beauty even in the darkest sky, you just have to see. I love how the dark, purple greys play off the bright foliage in the Fall in the first painting. The middle is a photo of a sunset I took in the early spring. The last painting is a very small study of clouds using a gouache paint set that I seldom use. I like the chalky thick look when used without water. This was a thumbnail for the final painting. I could paint clouds and beaches all day. Maybe when I grow up.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

October







Importing a photo taken by my son, I turned this ordinary crow into a Halloween raven. Sketchbook pro is a entertaining app for the iPad. Summer has blown by, that is what happens when your daughter gets married.

The past few days have been rainy, cool and welcome.