Anniversary Day

Josh & I were married the day after Thanksgiving two years ago today.  I'm so thankful to be spending my life w/ my best friend...He makes me breakfast every morning. Sorry no paintings today. Will be going to a fancy dinner after work. (o;

I just received another commission which will be a painting of 8 grandkids for a friend to gift to the grandmother. Can I count that as 8 paintings even though they'll all be on the same watercolor sheet? Yes (I'll answer myself)!

If a custom portrait painting sounds like a gift you'd like to give, just e-mail me. I'm quite reasonably priced.

Painting 39

7"x5" watercolor & colored pencil on coldpress watercolor paper

It's wonderful that we have a holiday dedicated solely to being thankful. In our consumer based culture it is so easy to focus on material things that we don't have. I for one am aiming to be more thankful year round -to focus more on the blessings that I do have. A huge list could be made but I can siphon it down to: God & His amazing grace, a loving family, a husband who supports me unconditionally & ice cream (had to sneak that one in there -tee hee). 

Painting 38

One of the sister-in-laws was kind enough to sit for another 15 minute watercolor portrait. Unlike yesterday's painting, I am satisfied w/ the likeness in this one but thinking that I could be a little more creative w/ the composition of these quick portraits that I've been doing.

approx. 5"x7" watercolor & colored pencil on coldpress watercolor paper

Planning to do a few more before the weekend is up. I am now 14 paintings away from reaching my goal for the year but only have around 4 weeks left which means I need to get cracking!! Wish me luck...

Painting 37

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm not entirely thrilled w/ this painting. (Background individual's arm looks strangely long...perhaps related to Stretch Armstrong?)

I'm in a bit of a food coma right now so will have to wax about things that I'm thankful for tomorrow...

Painting 36

I actually used the same reference photo for a large acrylic piece completed earlier this year but I really like the setting so thought I'd try it w/ watercolors. Just feels warm & familiar.

8"x5" watercolor & colored pencil on coldpress watercolor paper

This painting is for sale here.

These small watercolor paintings are really helping me to catch up w/ the goal. Looking forward to the holiday weekend & maybe some willing models to help me catch up further?

Painting 35

Another 15 minute portrait. This time of little 'sis Natalie. She sits much better. (o:

5"x7" watercolor & colored pencil

Painting 34

15 minute portrait of younger 'sis Cassie. (She proved to be an impatient model...had to chide her to sit still quite a bit.)

approx 5"x7" watercolor & colored pencil

The Kindness of Strangers

Someone left a very nice anonymous post-it-note on my office cubicle desk which I received last Friday morning. 

Now, I'm just going to be very forthright & say that Friday was should have been a horrible day. Found out that one of our cars may very well be a very sour lemon, had an extremely hectic workweek, trying to do too many things & feeling unlimited strings dangling, untied...But then there was this note.

And this note made me feel, despite the bad news & chaos, wonderful. It occurred to me that part of what was so great about the note was that it was anonymous. Someone wanted to say something nice w/out any recognition. They just wanted me to know. And that feeling has carried with me throughout the past several days.

It has made me think about paying it forward. I know it is not a new idea, but think about it: To whom could you send an anonymous note of encouragement? Consider it a challenge. Write someone a note. Today.

Harper

I became an aunt for the second time on Saturday the 6th of November. My sis named him Harper after Harper Lee (I know the author is a girl but eh...) SO, you'll have to excuse my extra-long break from painting, but I've been working on this:

I've been a big sister many times (11 to be precise), but being an aunt is different...I feel more the urge to spoil & less the urge to harangue. Can't wait to visit little Harper again this coming weekend. (o;

Caricature

Some ink drawings from awhile ago which I thought would be good to revive:

I don't do caricatures as much as I'd like to anymore (sigh...like so many other things). Going to go try to get some painting in right now so hopefully I can have something more to share tomorrow.

New Etsy Listings

Back from vacation (possibly more on that later although simply put it involved a lot of rain). I've finally added a few more paintings to my Etsy site...Have yet to make a sale, but here's hoping.

The above is listed on Etsy as a reserved item for a friend from work...Too bad, so sad, only Jen gets this one.

The above is one of my favorite pieces from this year. Funny thing is, I absolutely hated it until about a month after completed. It currently resides in the bedroom above the bureau & I would be sad to part with it...but if it were to go I supposed that would serve as a challenge to paint a new favorite. 

There is a little mini study of the above piece which I will probably list on Etsy a bit later...

Throwing darts beside the trailer in springtime...aahh the life!

Painting 33_finished

Just added a little bit of colored pencil to finish 'er up. Didn't want to spend too much time tweaking since it is more of a sketch than anything.

I used a Primsacolor neon pink pencil on the back of Ben's ears. If anyone hasn't tried the Primsacolor neons for sketching (I have green, yellow, orange & pink), I strongly recommend them. They are bright and fun to play around with.

Sometimes I Forget Gestalt

The principles of Gestalt (simplified, the whole exists independent of its component parts) really helpful when it comes to painting. Unfortunately, I sometimes forget to use them...One of those times being yesterday.

 Here is a link to a good article regarding Gestalt as it applies to design.

I started a painting from the condo balcony today & was wondering why it seems to be such a struggle/failure. I have concluded that it is largely because I have not applied any of the Gestalt principles.

The most helpful part of the Gestalt theory to me has been the part about grouping. Things that one can group to form a successful piece are: colors, shapes, values, textures, temperature & there are probably more. The whole piece overall should group to form a visually appealing design. (Here I would also apply the rule of 3rds. -ie: entire painting should not be cool but instead try 2/3 cool, 1/3 warm or vice versa.)

So here is a reminder to myself. Today I will do better. I will think about Gestalt as it applies to design & design my painting to be easily understood visually as a whole before delving into small details or a scattered/unfocused work.

Painting 33

Vacation! I really meant to do an open air painting on the beach yesterday but was too engrossed just laying in the sun reading a good book. This is silly but I got the book called On The Beach to read while on the beach (bud-um-bum-ch!). Turns out it is about human life coming to an end after a nuclear war. Did not allow it to depress me, however. Only to inspire some deep thought before a quick dip in the ocean. (o:

Instead of the good 'ol open air painting, I did this really quick (it still counts) sketchy-painting of the boys playing Monopoly late last night. I will be going into it w/ some colored pencils to add a few details (including the Monopoly board) & will repost w/ finished touches later.