Shapes and Colors

When I am on vacation, I find that I really enjoy being in 'slug' mode. I take a small watercolor art set, a few brushes, ink pens, a sketch book, some drawing paper . . .and a few pieces of watercolor paper - just in case I get inspired. 

This year was no different. I knew I wanted to create without having to make something that looked frame-able - like it was going into a show. I like to draw and doodle. No rules, no pressures - just play with shapes and colors.

Here are several pages of my sketch book. They do not show the spectacular views of ocean, sunrises and palm trees, but

they will remind me of a wonderful relaxing time.

Enjoy!

"At the Helm"

It's Banner time in St Michaels! I think this is the sixth year that members of the St Michaels Art League have had the opportunity to be a part of the Banner Program. Artists submit original artwork which is scanned and printed on banner canvas. It's always fun to see my paintings hanging on Talbot Street for everyone to enjoy.

So, the story of this year's painting . . .first I try to find something that inspires me and speaks to the overall theme "Celebrate St Michaels." Last year I had painted a little boy on the dock with a crab net and a crab scurrying about. Crabs are big in our area.

I looked at several photos  - nothing jumped out and said 'paint me.' In past years I have done some more 'cartoon-like' crabs. Perhaps that would work again. I have a friend who asks me each year, "What is Mikey going to be doing this year?" (I guess the name 'Mikey' comes from St Michaels)

How about Mikey skippering a boat? Hmm . . .I started with several sketches . . . It's so silly. . .

 . . .it might just work. But, the perspective was off. Now the problem with making up a painting is that there is no reference photo to guide me. How could I figure out the angles? Aha, I found some clay that my granddaughters had been playing with and fashioned a wheel. I took pictures from several different viewpoints to see what looked right. I think that's about it.

I sketched it in and painted it and voila! Mikey is "At the Helm"

While I have your attention . . .I have to post another painting done by a friend of mine. We all get our inspiration in different places, but this one is special. One afternoon two of my granddaughters went to play at my friend's house with one of her granddaughters. Val snapped a photo of the three girls about to jump into the creek. It's called "One, Two, Three." I love it!

And, I am pleased to report that in addition to hanging on Talbot Street as banners, both of our paintings were chosen to be sold as posters!

All the banner artwork will be available at the St Michaels Library during the month of March. Stop by and have a look at the original paintings before the banners are hung in April!

Loose Watercolor Portraits

One of the great things about the St Michaels Art League is it's class offerings. We try to have nationally recognized artists come to our area in the spring and the fall each year. This past fall we invited Janet Rogers to teach a watercolor class. Several of my friends had taken a class from her and were very enthusiastic about her style.

Janet paints loosely and quickly. Her portraits are beautiful. It's fun to try new things . . .maybe I could learn to do that. I could hardly wait!

There were several wonderful demonstrations and lots of time to try out her techniques. As instructed, we mixed up puddles of paint and got going. We were encouraged to not worry about making our paintings exact images of the person. Most of us found that it was a lot easier to do a practice painting of someone we didn't know. It really didn't matter if our painting was the image we were copying - as long as it looked somewhat human!

Although I love taking classes, I find that I do better work by myself at home. When the class was over I spent time with a photo of one of my grandchildren (who is now 13)  - in the photo, she was probably 2. I have always loved this picture. . .

Now, if you read what I wrote a couple of paragraphs ago, you know that what I was told was that it is easier to paint someone you don't know . . .I had to try this anyway.

Fast and loose - gently define and give the impression of features and shadows.

Actually, I think it turned out pretty well . . .and it was fun!

Merry Christmas

Yeah, it's a little late to say "Merry Christmas", but it is still the Christmas season. We are well within the 12 days of Christmas.

Since my last post was in the beginning of November, it may be obvious that it's been a busy time for me. Life intrudes on my painting time. Actually, I let it in - it's still difficult for me to think of myself as mostly an artist when the rest of my life is so full of other meaningful things.

So, here is our Christmas card for 2014. I think it says a bit about being tangled up in life on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Not to fear, the Christmas lights did get untangled, the tree put up, presents wrapped and delivered. Our lives did settle down. It has been a lovely holiday celebration with family and friends.

Hope yours was wonderful, too!

And on to 2015 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Seachlights

I am still in searching mode - that in-between period of not being particularly inspired and eager to paint. My husband calls it "walking in circles." I know it's partly because my life is so full of other things, like the workman/painters who are all over my house and in and out of my studio cleaning up their brushes...and some other projects that are calling to me.

But, yesterday I had a free afternoon and got into the studio by myself. (it was raining, no workmen) I decided to revisit some paintings that I had been playing with. The last time I painted I was just playing with color and had done a very wet study of the 'rainbow' - sort of. I remember thinking it would be fun to make the viewer look at a particular spot so placed color around a small white circle.

It was certainly not an inspiring painting, but was fun watching the colors blend and change. As I have been scolded by some of you, I left it to dry - did not wash it off. So here it is as an 'underpainting.'

So, yesterday I picked it up again to fiddle with it. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures along the way, but I can tell you what happened. I began playing with color again - lots of red, yellow and blue squiggles all over the paper. I put the paint on fairly thick and then sprayed it...and watched the colors mingle and run. Actually, it did that two or three times - doing different lines, shapes and values each time. After a couple of hours, I did a final spray, watched it run and then wiped it off. 

Thinking I was done - and the paper was very saturated with water and color - I turned off the lights and got ready to leave. As I turned for one last look, I had an idea to lift some color - what the heck, "it's only paper!"

With the lights out, I got a damp brush and began to run it in straight lines across the mess I had made. Another line here and there and it was really fun! As I removed color, the water that was still on the brush pushed the surrounding color away for some interesting effects. 

Can you see the original painting and find the tiny white circle? Hint - turn it around a bit.

I have not been back yet today to see what it looks like, but who knows what it will become by the end of the afternoon...

Which way is up?

A couple weeks ago I attended a five day portrait workshop with Janet Rogers. Actually, I attended about 5 half-days of the workshop because of some volunteer conflicts, but it was an amazing week. Janet paints in this wonderfully loose style and makes it look so easy.

She encouraged us to make puddles of color and play with them. Mix a little of this and a little of that...oops, flood in another color, throw in something else, use big brushes, set a timer and make yourself paint fast, don't get too detailed... Challenging and fun.

Today I tried to use all these painting 'skills' in a new way. To really get myself out of the need to 'paint a picture' I thought I would just play... I'm going abstract ... and, remembering what many of you said the last time I ventured in this direction, I'm posting what happened this afternoon. Hmmm, which way is up? How to crop?

Here goes... Which way is up?                           #1

#2

                                                                                #3

#4

Now there are so many other choices.  Do I crop it? What shape?

#5 - Horizontal rectangle? Remember it could also go in any direction...

#6 - Another horizonal...cropped a little differently.

#7 - A square? Which way up?

#8 - Vertical rectangle? Which way up?

#9 - Another vertical rectangle?

What a fun afternoon it has been. It really doesn't make any difference which direction or what shape it is...I had a great time.  (but I'd love to hear from you - what do you think?)

Autumn Color

Currently there is an exhibit at the St Michaels Library called "Autumn Color." I haven't seen it hanging as yet - it's been a busy week - but I am told that it is beautiful.

The painting I entered was the one I mentioned in my last post. This cute little girl has recently turned 13 - now a beautiful teenager! Way back then she had visited a pumpkin farm and was so excited to have found just the right one for her. It's fun to see the little kids pick out their pumpkin and then try to carry it back. This child was a bit more realistic than some others who struggle with the biggest ones they can find!

I began with a watercolor underpainting on sanded paper.

I wanted to colors soft and at the same time bold. Hmmm, is that possible?

Here is what I did in the first hour or so. I debated whether to change the color of her sweatshirt to accommodate the 'autumn color' theme and decided to just go with the purple.

A few more refinements on the face, hands, pumpkins, background...just kept tweaking...

Getting a little closer to what I wanted - playing with the shadows and background...

"I Found One"  9x12 pastel  $125

Time's up...stop fiddling...sign it and frame it.