Butterfly Experiment

Trying some mixed media today - watercolor, ink & colored pencil. Not sure how I feel about it yet. May need more practice to be able to bring the different mediums together the way I like it. Any thoughts?

5x7 using reference photo I took of Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in my garden

Dragonflies hold your place until you come back

I had created some bubble paint background for bookmarks a while ago. I used one to make a bookmark for my mother for her birthday. I thought dragonflies would be appropriate since the bubble background kinda looks like water. I didn't want the background to show through the watercolor, so I sketched them with ink and painted them on watercolor paper, then cut them out and attached them to the background. I found the watercolor paper to be almost too thick to cut out such small intricate shapes. I may have to use thinner paper next time. I attached the bookmark to card stock and inserted it into a plastic sleeve to protect it.

Dragonfly Collage bookmark for Mom

Young Buck

My friends and I go camping in Shenandoah National Park (cabin camping) and every once in a while we are visited by various wildlife like this young buck. I was thinking about what a nice time my husband & I had up there this past trip and I decided to paint our friend young buck.

Watercolor & ink, 6x4 inches.

You Are a Classic!

Latest item out of my studio

5x7 folded card on watercolor paper in watercolor & ink

I had an idea for a card, maybe for a birthday or father's day. I painted this card today on watercolor paper, folds to 5x7. Watercolor and black ink. Featuring a '58 Corvette I snapped a photo of at a local car show. I'm thinking of recreating it as a linoprint that I would hand color for my Etsy shop.

What is Creativity? 1

I'm on a creative journey - what does creativity mean? How is perceived by different people? How is it encouraged or discouraged in the work place? How is it viewed by those close to you? Is creativity different in different genres? Every once in a while I'll post an article about creativity I find interesting. Tell me what you think.

article: What Does Creativity Mean to You?

Two Old Buddies - pet portrait

 I finished the "Two Old Buddies" pet portrait. I like the way they are never apart.

It was a pleasure getting to know these two trough this painting.
10x8 soft pastel & pastel pencil on blue Canson Mi-Teintes paper.

Old buddies - pet portrait

Working on a pet portrait on this gray day - 2 old goldens, BFFs

10x8 soft pastel on canson paper

Ever try Ukrainian Egg Decorating?

Today I participated in a workshop on Ukrainian Easter egg decorating. I've never tried this before, but a friend of mine heard about it and we decided to give it a whirl. 
The workshop took place at  The Little Fork Episcopal Church in Rixeyville, VA. www.littleforkchurch.net
It is a lovely colonial historical church. We had a wonderful time, I learned something new, met some nice people and had a great time. 
Here is my attempt - I got 2 eggs done, unfortunately one has a crack, but I guess now it matches me :)
Since we had to purchase a kit for the class, I may try to do a few more.

Spring is coming early

Spring is coming early to my little neck of the woods, I took these photos today. I neglected my garden last year, but I miss it, so I'll be out among my flowers this year for sure.

crocus

this shot makes me think of photos of the crowd at a baseball game

I forgot I planted this little hyacinth

I don't know what these little weeds are, but they're cute

this looks like lace and pom poms to me.

Sleepless in... plus some ATC

Sleepless in....   fill in the blank - we've all had those nights that sleep just never comes, like he lost our address or something. Well last night was one of those nights for me, now I'm operating on 2 hours sleep for the past 39 hours. After lying awake in bed for several hours, I got up and made these little artist's trading cards (ATC) I guess it helped because I was asleep 45 min after these were done, and my alarm went off less than 2 hours later  

 

why does a chicken coop have 2 doors?

why does a chicken coop have 2 doors? because if it had 4 doors it would be a chicken sedan!

culinary creation - matzo ball soup

I didn't get any artwork done, in spite of my intensions when I woke this am - but I did create some home made chicken matzo ball soup for dinner  mmmmmmmmm.

Inspiration Heartbreak - a poem

bookmark-crows / Watercolor

Inspiration Heartbreak
Inspiration you are a fickle lover. 
There was a time you made me feel special, 
            lovely, talented. 
Now when I need you and look so desperately for you, 
           you are no where to be found. 
Are you peering at me from the dark, 
         watching me suffer? 
Was it real, or was I always fooling myself? 
Have you moved on to someone else? Some other bright-eyed hopeful? 
Leaving me with a piece missing, trying desperately to grasp onto something wonderful, but leaving me with mediocrity. 

Ok, that concludes the melodrama portion of our show, now onto our regularly scheduled program.

This image is available in my Etsy Shop

www.etsy.com/listing/38373883/crows-bookmark-ooak-original-watercolor

Good Morning Moon

Just before the sun came up this morning, I awoke to moon light streaming into my bedroom window painting silver streaks across the floor. I got up without turning on the lights and looked out the window and was greeted by a huge silvery moon hanging low in the sky, peaking through the bare tree branches. Frost and a dusting of snow covered everything and the moon turned it all to sterling. The air was calm, serene, and cool. This is a lovely morning gift to start my day.

Good bye

The internet is a funny thing — I am saddened today by the news of death of someone I've never met in person, but have interacted with online. She is an artist in CA and we are members of an internet Artist's Trading Cards (ATC) group. She was always positive, friendly, encouraging, and funny… her art reflects that. I have several tiny artworks of hers that I've traded over the years, and I cherish them. Being a visual artist is kind of a solitary endeavor, and having the opportunity to interact and share with other artists, even if they are across the country is something I am grateful for. Marta died from cancer on Tuesday and I will miss her, along with the other members of the group, I'm sure, and she will always be in our hearts.