(b)rambles

This painting has taken some time to finish, but I think it was worth it. I'm quite in love with it.
Unfortunately, it is not eligible for the competition I had intended to enter it in. I was informed that "it is a painting competition, not a watercolor competition." Huh? Silly me, all this time I thought watercolor paints were  . . . paints! Who knew?
Enough about that.
This painting is 22x30 inches, painted on Arches watercolor paper
Click to enlarge.

Faded

Here is a group of pansy

paintings I did, using last years pansies that had been pulled from the planter. Laying them out on the snow, I fell in love with the beautiful colors and shapes they formed. Click pictures for yummy close-ups!

Holiday Paintings

Spruce and Rose Hips 10"x18.5" Watercolor

Red Fence 12.5"x10" Watercolor

Pine and Rose 12.5"x10" Watercolor

Blue Pot 10"x18.5" Watercolor

As I was fortunate enough to get 2 weeks off over the holidays, I had a lot of time to devote to painting. I did some winter scenes, as we have ample winterness, and am pretty pleased with the outcomes. The weather, which has been down in the -30C range, has been an excellent excuse to stay indoors and create.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Watercolor gems

And just when you thought I was lost forever . . .

Shazam!

This is a painting in a series I have started call Gifts from the Mother. There is a woman in our town who makes the most beautiful jewelry, and I am painting some of her pieces in various natural settings. Great fun, and wonderful colors. And the next ones will have far fewer rocks, believe me!

Gifts From the Mother I

15x18 watercolor on Arches

Watercolors by me

Fall Tree watercolor 8x20
Click to enlarge





















Dried Flowers watercolor 12x12"
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Dried Flowers watercolor 12x12"
Click to enlarge

Another watercolor tree for your viewing pleasure. And two paintings of a lovely dried flower arrangement that my Mom has. The delicate stems and petals attracted me to this set up. I just left the vase, which is a mason jar, as a few pencil lines.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!

An Introduction and a Watercolor Mandala

Firstly, I would like to introduce my sister's new business and blog. It is called Footprint Management Systems, and she and her partner Judy are involved in the business of "greening". Yep, greening. They teach businesses, societies, what/whomever, how to hold green meetings, events, and whatnot. Cool huh? I'm ever so proud of her, and hope that you will take the time to head over to the blog and say hi. I just set it up yesterday, but they are hoping to get some good conversations going, share what they know, and just generally raise people's awareness. Feel free to link to their blog, and tell your friends! The link to their blog is in my list to the right. The website is still in the works. Stay tuned! (Yeah, how many times have I said that here?! LMAO)

Okay. As for me, here is my latest endeavor. It is a watercolor manadala, and I am pleased so far with how it is turning out. I am not sure if I am going to add more to the outside of the ring of rocks, or just fill in the middle. We'll see how it progresses. Please feel free to leave your thoughts.


Mandala watercolor on Fabriano 18"x18" Click ithe image to get a better view!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Looking back in watercolor

Since I no longer have a camera that works, I am going to throw a few older pieces on here, just to keep things moving. This is a real mish mash of stuff...most have been posted on Wet Canvas at some point. Some I like, some I might revisit...some will just continue to hang out in the 'maybe next time' pile.
I taught my first watercolor class on Saturday. It was fantastically fun, only 4 students, and we all have a great time!
I've wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid. I even went to college to be a teacher. But I soon realized that I was not cut out for teaching in our school system. So I taught my kids. My daughter was reading before she hit kindergarten, and she would come home and we would teach everything she learned at school to her little brother. I have tutored a bit, and I enjoy that. But this art teaching is a kick!! I could really get used to doing this. I've been asked to teach drawing classes at the art gallery this summer. And there is some interest in a portrait drawing class. So I think I'll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy my other love in life. It will sure help pay for my painting addiction!
Oh yeah, I also sold two paintings this weekend! Very nice. They are in the the group below.
I should have some pics from my first class tomorrow. In the meantime, here are a few blasts from the past...

On Second Thought...I'll Just Wait watercolor (Wet Canvas image...I think) sold

Fall Leaves watercolor 8x15" (approx.) sold

Rock Slide watercolor 15x22" sold

Up On The Roof watercolor 15x11" (I think) (Wet Canvas image)

My Suzuki watercolor 22x15"

And that's a wrap!

Happy painting!

LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY

I am so thrilled I can hardly stand myself! Carol Carter posted this on her blog a couple of weeks ago...and I knew the moment I saw it I just had to have it! And now I do!!!!!
It is a beautiful painting...just fills me with joy. Thank you, Carol!
It's called Morph, and it's 15x11.5" of pure bliss.

No new pics today. Still don't have a camera. But, I think I'll just sit and look at this painting all evening. I'm sure to have sweet dreams.

Have a good one.

Watercolor Painting - Sticks & Stones VI

Sticks & Stones VI 7x10" watercolor on Arches

The elements in this challenge were - Checkerboard composition (duh...okay, a little obvious...and I put the flowers on the wrong squares) Direction being the dominant element, and lemon yellow as the mothercolor, which doesn't show up worth a damn because when I get the yellow looking yellow, the purple blue color becomes some other uncolor...so you'll have to trust me that the squares that aren't purple are actually yellow.

Well, this is the last in the Sticks & Stones series, as Myrna's January challenge is rapidly coming to an end. It has been fun working with these elements (okay, one is missing here). I've learned so much...especially "THINK BEFORE YOU PAINT". Amazing really...and then there is the "Think While You're Painting" concept...now why didn't I think of that?!

I might take a couple of these and work them up in a bigger format. Which ones do you think would look good? Tell me your faves. If ya want.

Anyway...the weather is beautiful, wish you were here. It's warmed up to a balmy -28C! A person can actually go outside without worrying about instant frost bite. Really lovely. (I hope the sarcasm shows up better than the yellow).

And now...my show is over...(how many nights in a row can a person (not mentioning any names) watch the same movie before they are considered really pathetic? Just curious.)...and it's time to start a new painting. hhhmmm...what to paint, what to paint...

Drop me a line...I like the company.

Edit: PS...For those of you south of the border in Farenheit land...I just checked the temp and it's -30C which is about -22F. Just so's ya know.

Watercolor Painting - Sticks & Stones IV

Sticks & Stones IV 7x10" watercolor on Arches 140lb CP

Well I am definitely in the grips of the winter blues, but have been fighting bravely against it...lots of chocolate, painting, music....and of course, the meds. Winter will end, and it will be warm again....

In the meantime...here is the third for Myrna's challenge:

Triangular composition (she says she threw that one in just for fun...twisted) ; Texture; and Quin Gold. I think I covered all the bases. It was hard to get the color right...there should be more dark in the flower, but then the background gets too dark. Ah well, you get the idea...just imagine some darks.

I love Quin Gold...it can be just about any color on the orange-yellow section of the color wheel you need...and mixes so interestingly with other colors. I cheated a bit on the texture part...used plastic wrap - never tried it before; it turned out okay I think. Of course, my children think I'm brilliant. Bless their little biased hearts...

Off to bed...drop me a line and let me know what you think...about...stuff.

Inspiration, Watercolor, and Step I

I finally found a cork board to put over my painting desk. I've wanted one for ages, and...yeah, I found it at Walmart...

So I'm putting up little bits of this and that, a reminder of the Artists magazine art competition, paintings...then my daughter made me the sign that says "Do What You Want, it doesn't matter"...hhhmmm...good advice from a barely 14 year old? I'll take it!

I've been working on a full sheet painting...thought I'd put the first stage pic on, just to keep something happening on the ol' blog. It is at the third color stage...I don't really have a set plan regarding color...I just keep adding them until it looks right.

I'm really enjoying this technique...it is like a meditation. And I love the look of it. From a distance all the colors just blend together, but up close it is this wonderful mosiac of little bits of color. I'm sure there must be a name for this style of painting...anyone know? As with all personal discoveries, it's easy to forget that is has already been discovered by someone else, and they might have some pointers on how to do it better, or easier...or whatever. So anybody that has some input...jump right in anytime. I'm eager to learn.

I think I am going to have to order a roll of paper soon, 'cause I want to do this one big!

I'll put it on the list...

Let me know what you think about stuff!

Watercolor Painting - Sticks & Stones III.5

Sticks & Stones III.5 watercolor on Arches 7x10"

Did the Roman's have decimals? Huh...never thought of that before...

Well, I decided to try Myrna's challenge again...get that radial thing happening. And I think I got radial...but I also got boring. Ah well, live and learn. Like my floating rock? LMFAO!!!

There is a blog call View On Canadian Art...anyone been there? It is interesting...but I gotta say...there's a LOT of art out there that I just don't get. Somewhere back in June or July it shows the 5 finalists, and the winner of the RBC Art competion for EMERGING Canadian artists. Now this is a big competition...winner gets $25,000, second and third get $15,000. And what I'd like to know is...where the hell are they emerging from, 'cause it must a pretty scary place! I've read many times that 'the subject and technique don't matter as much as excellent composition and good use of design elements.' I think that's a crock of shit. What ever happened to beauty?!?! Not one of those paintings are beautiful. And the one that won? There's nothing there!! Who the hell is making these decisions about what entails good art?!?! 'Cause I'd like to give them a good smack on the back of the head.
Beauty, people, BEAUTY!! And yes beauty is different for everyone, I know..but come ON! When art becomes synonymous with 'weird, obscure and irritating', things have gone terribly awry. I know that I have a lot to learn about art...and I have yet to paint a masterpiece...but it's pretty discouraging to see the kind of art that 'they' are rewarding. Makes me want to take my daughter's acrylics and fling them on a canvas and enter some art competitions.

Nah, just kiddin'!

Okay...that was fun! Feelin' better now. Drop me a line!

Watercolor Paintings

Fall Zen watercolor on Arches

Red Books watercolor on Arches 11x15" - SOLD

Books watercolor on Arches

Yes sirree! More books and leaves! And crazy with the splatter!

A Few More Older Paintings, While I Regroup

My Favorite Books watercolor on Arches

Cherry Pie watercolor on Arches 11x15"

Fall Zen watercolor on Arches

Iris Leaves watercolor on Arches 11x30" - NFS

Meditation watercolor on Arches 11x15"

Here are a few more paintings I have done in the last months.
Leaves and stones, titled "Meditation"...another favorite subject. I have an idea for a large, mandala type painting like this...just thoughts...
"Cherry Pie" ...a happy accident...dropped a big ol' brush of Aliz on the paper...Voila! Cherry juice!
Another Autumn Zen painting "Iris Leaves"...loved how the red leaves had fallen into the iris leaves, and curled around them. And an untitled leaf painting...my backyard is a wealth of beautiful paintings
And my favorite childrens' books...Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne's 'Now We Are Six', and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
I have a few other book paintings that I will share. I love books. I wish I could eat them...but I just read them and paint them. I even have children...aged 12 & 13...who READ BOOKS!! Exciting, or what!! Yeah...will wonders ever cease.
Let me know your thoughts...not all of them of course...just a select few...

Some Recent Watercolor Paintings

From Where I Sit watercolor on Arches 15x22"

Fall Zen watercolor on Arches 11x30"

Here are couple more recent works.

The top one is...obviously...a barn. Aren't all watercolorists supposed to paint a barn at some point? Well...here's my barn. I kinda like my barn. I really like my fence...I guess I just like this painting. It's 15"x22".
The second one is one of the Autumn Zen paintings (can't remember which number), and is 11"x30". I have another similar one...but with all red leaves...but I seem to have misplaced the pic...darned computer gremlins...

Both are professionally matted and framed...and if you would like to purchase these, or see more samples of my work...well leave me a message...haven't figured out all ins and outs of the site yet...but stay tuned! I'm sure I'll get it straightened out...eventually...


Talk to me...