WishIwereRembrandt

lol I forgot

2010-01-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

the painting group I belong to had a showing at the local library. Here are a few pictures from the show which has to come down today.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-01-30T07:10:00.000-08:00

It really has been too cold for outside work and no place set up in the house at this moment for painting so I have been dabbling in another hobby of sorts. I even joined an online doll artist group. This one was for a Valentines day project. I have to say even though it is not perfect, I did the design of the doll and the clothing design by myself. LOL bet you couldn't guess. I had fun and learned a few things that I can incorporate into other projects. I even learned to make a doll stand alone. New one for me.

a little christmas work

2010-01-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

Trying another form of art. Still keeping the paintings wet though.

Happy New Year 2010 Video Poem ecard

2009-12-31T18:10:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year to one and all.

playing around with crafts

2009-12-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

I have been working trying to get a handle on the polymer clay. I am pretty pleased with this attempt. It does take some work to get the hang of using and moulding the stuff. It didnt help that this image is all of about 3 inches high.

Working on holiday cheer

2009-12-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

Ok I had this pattern from a magazine I got years ago. The cutest elf pattern you ever did see. It took me 2 days to work on it but I finally finished. I always wanted to do it but never got the nerve. My grand daughter named her.

Christmas With a Capital "C"

2009-11-11T14:50:00.001-08:00

statue

2009-09-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

This is one of the statues at the Philadelphia museum. It has such a marvelous quality that would make a good fantasy illustration. Any one wanna have a go and do a picture. Please email me with results if you go for it.

Can I say wow

2009-08-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

For my anniversary, my husband took me to the Philadelphia of Art(http://www.philamuseum.org/). Really awe inspiring to see art hundreds of years old. It was a long and I have to say tiring day but so worth the trip, as it was inspiring too. I thought I would share some of the paintings that I took some pictures of after I do some research, a little art instruction too. Might be a cool idea of those that follow or visit my blog, join in for a copy a piece of art. I don't mean copy to be plageristic,(spell check doesnt recognize that word), but a learning experience. Could be fun.

plein air group

2009-07-30T19:28:00.001-07:00

Its been a while. Five of us have joined together and under Jim's co-ordination have formed the beginnings of the NJ art group. http://njag.yolasite.com/. Gathered together in Flemington were Jim, Celeste and I on a Thursday night in the park in town. 2 of the members are missing. We have only been at it for a few weeks so hopefully it will grow. It is surprising that people don't know what plein air painting is. Tonight we were in Clinton. The people strolling by with their ice cream and iced coffee, were pleased to see painters out on the street. I will keep you updated as things progress.

new paintings

2009-07-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

OK if anyone was wondering. I did not disappear. Just busy. It is funny but after my trip to England I have been in the bit of a fantasy mode. Hence the few drawings. One is a drawing of my grand daughter Abby. I must say I was quite surprised that I was able to capture her image. The paintings are from an art group that I have connected with. Locals would recognize the Clinton Mill. I plan to finish the windows. Jessica was down by the river painting. The floral was at the arboretum in lebanon.

plein air painting

2009-06-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

I went out yesterday with my friend Celeste. She is starting to get interested in plein air painting. We went to the D and R canal park, (beautiful place I might add). It did take us a while to find the place but after we got there we set out to work. This is my reproduction of the two trees that flanked the path through the park. Needs some tweaking but I thought I would post.

horses name

2009-06-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

The horse's name is Beazle. She recognized it. So I guess I did ok. COOL

Jamies Birthday

2009-06-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Not much you can get a 28 year old who's birthday is tomorrow. So besides the wc paintings I brought her from England, I decided for her card to do a pencil rendering of a picture of what ever the name of this horse is on my computer. If it works and she recognizes it I may be able to tell you the name. Horses are as individual as humans in expression and temperament. Well we shall see tomorrow if I captured this horse, because she will call it by name when she sees the picture if it looks like the horse I drew. Sounds like a bit of a prolonged conversation here LOL.

some new work

2009-05-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to keep up with some painting. Life has been busy. It is hard trying to balance wanting to paint my life away but having to do all the tasks that a wife mother and grandmother has to do. I understand the statement I have heard somewhere that a woman needs a wife. It sure would help getting everything done. If I let things go to do painting, the house doesnt get picked up. I did get out to do some plein air last week and the barn picture is the result. I have also been thinking of doing the 4 horses of the apocalypse. Not sure why. They took 2 tries. They dont look to frightening. LOL. I guess I just dont have it in me. But I did it in wc which is not my medium of choice, but I did it for a greeting card for someone.

a couple days work

2009-05-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I go out looking for someplace to paint. I can spend the whole day driving. I get to see alot of nice scenery but no work. On the positive side, I do get to see some gorgeous sights. It is much like a gift from GOD. You go around a bend in the road and there before you is a beautiful sight. Usually there is no place to park the car so I have to say ah and keep driving. You dont get much work done that way. But it is so nice. I did one of wildflowers in a field and the building was a start of one I did while out rambling yesterday. I need to finish.

its spring

2009-05-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

I can finally say its spring and plein air is in the air, lol. Usually I know when painting time is here as it is tick time also. I pulled my first one off today. One time I was out painting, I came home and pulled off, if I remember right, 7 ticks. I went out with my husband to dinner that evening, and pulled off a couple more. Now thank GOD I havent had Lyme disease. I wonder if its just a matter of time. Well it wont stop me painting. One picture I did was a wc which I have to say I didnt do bad at. I was out this morning working on an oil painting which still needs some work but since I have to shove off to work myself the finishing touches will be for another day. It was just about 45 minutes of work but I WAS OUT in the air and sunshine so I am happy just for that!!!!!!

no time

2009-05-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

Well I have to say the weather has been lousy. I also have had a cold and the effort to work do housework and then find time to paint has been hard. It does get discouraging when you want to do so much but can't seem to find the time to do so. At any rate Dylan and I have been drawing some star wars figures as well as 1 woman portrait I have been working on. Dylan is doing really good

Easter Greetings

2009-04-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

Myspace Graphics, Easter Graphics at WishAFriend.com

desparation

2009-04-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday was the first nice day in a while. It was supposed to get into the 60's. It was 48 when I set out to paint as it was sunny, I was so itching to get out and do something. Now I only had a short period of time as I had to get home to make a cake(german apple cake for Zacks diversity night). I also had to babysit the kids so I was under the gun. I can say it was practice and stretching my itchy fingers, but it did not turn out to be a good picture. Poor planning and maybe too much desperation that I just kinda didn't do a job that pleased me. I went to Michael's arts and craft store on Sunday. Now I like the store but I picked up a pack of bristle brushes that were only $4.99. Well you get what you pay for. The hairs were trying to come out all over and I was constantly picking stay hairs out. I usually tell people I see in Michaels looking for art stuff to pick the best they can afford. I should follow my own advice. I knew I was under a time pressure so I was careless in planning the position of the shed. Now what do I say about desperation? When does desperation get you into trouble? If you're too desperate to work things out, plan. prepare and make good decisions. Well it was a good exercise, but most disappointed at the outcome. I wonder if Rembrandt had those days. I suppose he did.

seascape

2009-03-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

Well I did start this picture last week, but have been busy. I have been puddling around with it this morning. I don't know how I manage it but it always seems that I get the center of interest in the center of the picture. Not sure how I do it. The planning is there but I go and with enthusiasm start painting I just go ahead and do it every time. But in self defense, I am happy that I managed to handle water that has always been an issue with me as I mentioned in the previous post. I love the M.Graham paints by the way!!!!!!

new ol paints

2009-02-27T07:24:00.000-08:00

I recently ordered some paints from Dick Blick. I needed some new whites, yellow and a few blues. If you follow my blog the last painting of seascape posted was done with new paints I ordered. I really like Maimeri, but it is very expensive. So considering the current economy I did some research and came up with an artist who has gone into the production of paint making. I can say I am really pleased with the texture and flow of the product. The seascape was done with titanium white, turquoise, manganese blue and cad yellow. The only substitute from the Graham line lineup was Maimeri primary red. I have so many red colors that I really didn't need to buy any, but I can almost wish I did buy some Graham reds. The link is I do so recommend them highly for the colors and flow of the paint. So in essence I feel like I supported an artist instead of a corporation. That made me feel good and I am so glad I made that choice.

http://www.mgraham.com/

new adventure

2009-02-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

I can remember when I started painting, water was a difficult thing to paint. Water has such unique qualities. It reflects light and dark. It reflects its surroundings. It is not an easy thing to recreate raw nature. A tree as long as it looks like a tree one will interpret it as a tree. Water and sky there is no faking. It either is or isnt a successful image. At any rate i found this photo on Wet Canvas so I thought I would give it a try. This is the start of the picture. In fact it only took me an hour to get this far.

coming and going

2009-02-16T05:55:00.000-08:00

Ok so where do I begin. The first picture is Dylan's copy of my painting. If you follow my other blog, you know that he is so wanting to paint like me. He is only 6 but I think he draws pretty well for his age. He gets frustrated because he cant do it like me. It doesn't help when I tell him it has taken years for me. The last picture was initially my finished product, but if you click on it and look closely at the left side the treeline made a boring hump in the picture. I softened the edge, blending it into the sky for a little more irregularity in the line so it became less of an eye sore for me at least. This was the view from my porch on a rather cloudy morning.

confessions of a plein air painter

2009-02-12T08:32:00.000-08:00

I went out on my porch this morning. The moody sky was marvelous, looking toward the railroad tracks. It was not too cold. I bundled up well and had a blanket to sit on. I was trying to capture the dark clouds with breaks of the sky coming through. I think I got a very good start. It took me about an hour to get everything blocked in. I carried the box into the house as there is supposed to be rain off and on today. In trying to set the box up on its tripod stand I lost the whole box. It went upside town on the floor. Luckily the picture did not suffer damage but the container of turpentine dumped on the rug. Happily it was not paint on the rug or I would have had a major scrubbing event. But at least the painting at this stage of the game survived.

winter morning

2009-02-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

Well did a little more painting this morning. Redefined some lines and some perspective as the small barn was a little off. Added more shadow to the foreground as the sun rising in the east casts a long shadow in the field from the large tree and builings over the field. I'm not sure what else I will do to it. Have to sit and look at it and see what else is needed.

new oil

2009-02-05T05:42:00.000-08:00

If you follow my photo blog, I posted a picture of the winter morning yesterday. I loved the yellow orange tint of the trees in the early morning hours. Inspired by it I started this picture adding a horse picture that was taken by my daughters barn

snow day watercolor.

2009-02-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

Well I did have this picture of a horse I took a while back. I just washed up my oil brushes so I thought I would give it a go with water color since I havent played with them since I did my Christmas cards. I was pleased that I got a reasonable semblance of a horse. I keep trying but I dont think I will ever get a hang of this water color business. Well as they say nothing ventured nothing gained.

Caillebotte

2009-02-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

Well I guess I can say that I am getting tired of messing with this image. There is no way that I can adequately copy a masters painting. I was fun but I have to say, I have encountered that steep learning curve. Who I am as an artist and where I want to be. So much to learn so little time.

Caillebotte

2009-01-29T22:22:00.000-08:00

In case anyone was interested in Caillebotte, I included a link and a video depicting some of his works. See the side bar with links as the link did not show up in the post. I guess I dont know how to link inside the posting box. He was responsible for creating 500 works in his lifetime.

the masters challenge.

2009-01-28T16:21:00.000-08:00

Ok well on the draw and paint website in the oil group the challenge was to imitate a picture of the masters. In researching I came across Gustave Caillebotte. I have to say I was quite impressed with this painter. I choose this image. It is a challenge as 200 years have passed and we dont have the same pigments as they did. Of course it is safer to be a painter now as the pigments are more safe....I think. At any rate trying to not only reproduce the picture but the hues was a big challenge. Well I am partially done. It has been a learning experience so far. And I have had fun. I know when I started painting the instructor had us paint from pictures. I did get to the point of painting from my own pictures, but copying a master what fun. I will have to research this painter and get some ideas on his technique and the colors he used

autumn scene

2009-01-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

This is a picture I have been working on if you followed the previous posts. I think I am pleased how it looks. Have to live with it for a while to see. Photographing it is hard as it is a 11x14 canvas done of a picture I took and photo stitched for a panoramic view. The second picture I think you can guess is my artist buddy. She used to follow me to the field when I would wander around the property for inspiration. She is getting slower so she doesn't get around much. I have never been able to take her out in the car when I went to paint as she gets car sick. Shame really but oh well.

Zack

2009-01-21T14:24:00.001-08:00

several years ago I took a photo class at the local college. It was black and white photography. I took an image of my grandson that I have been wanting to draw. I have gotten in to drawing more lately. If you had access to my blog you would see the wwe wrestlers I have been drawing for my younger grandson. Well I am working on it and I think this looks like him which is haha new for me.

faces

2009-01-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon drawing faces. Dylan is most disappointed that there seems to be no wwe coloring books. So I promised to draw him a couple pictures. I also tried to work on a picture of John Cena. Now I think the chin needs to be longer. The kids didnt recognize him but my daughter did so I guess I got some of it right. Well it is good practice. I did find that I was kinda arted out when I went to work on my painting.

oh i forgot.

2009-01-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

I was going to mention a blog i follow, http://marketplace-daily-art.blogspot.com/. Now I would love to join the group, but how do they find time for daily paintings. By the time I get all the pickup done and dogs fed, if I work that day I have no time to paint. On my days off more pick up and errands. They have specific requirements regarding how often you post. If the requirements are not met you are removed from the list. Ah how I would love to paint daily. The spirit is willing but the flesh is involved elsewhere.

so some new work.

2009-01-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

I took a picture on a gorgeous day in October using photo stitch on my camera. I have been wanting to do this picture so posted so far is the beginning wash in colors and draw in. The update on the picture painted for the January challenge. I thought after looking at it that the tree had such a cookie cutter look that was very distracting to me. So I filled in the branches some, cause I didn't like the tree in relation to the rest of the picture. Good thing about oil is that it is always correctable.

found a cool application

2009-01-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

january challenge done

2009-01-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

Ok I worked on the tree more that was my main problem with the image. I think for now I am done.

By Dylan and I

2009-01-12T15:22:00.000-08:00

Dylan just loves the WWE wrestler Jeff Hardy. I did my best to draw a picture of him and Dylan did the coloring. LOL I am drawing WWE wrestlers

January challenge continued

2009-01-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

Ok so continued to work today on this months challenge from the draw and paint website.
http://community.how-to-draw-and-paint.com/group/thedpchallenge/forum/topics/d-p-challenge-january Not sure if the image will show up if you are not a part of the website. If it does, I had a problem with the big grey building in the foreground. It just did not seem to fit in with the colors and mood of the picture I wanted to paint. So in searching for images, Karen helped me see some other buildings from her side of the ocean. In a flash of artistic license I thought about a picture I did in pastel long ago.http://wishiwererembrandt.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-01-17T18%3A44%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=7 I think this one works a bit better. I guess we will see when its done.

well the posting is working

2009-01-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

I was trying to post my picture yesterday, but blogger wouldnt work. The first 2 pictures in this post is Dylan's. He was commenting about how I draw so good and he cant. I told him that it takes a lot of time and practice, and to keep on working. He started drawing every picture he could. He is only 6 so not bad for his age I think. The last picture is an oil I started for an online artists website I belong to. Its based on the monthly challenge.

inspiration

2009-01-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

This artist I find absolutely inspiring. I am glad to see him on you tube cause having to download to my zen takes so much time. I am trying to upload pictures today but for some reason I can't. I guess the site is having difficulties. I will try again tomorrow.

finished shading. I think

2009-01-04T17:14:00.001-08:00

Well I think I am finished shading. The thumb maybe looks a little off, but i sprayed it with hairspray so I cant adjust it any more.

who is holding your hand

2009-01-04T12:37:00.001-08:00

I had the urge to draw hands today, why I don't know. I had that commercial "whats in your wallet". Well it kinda got to be the thought of who's holding your hand. Its very difficult to take a thought in your head and reproduce in pictures. You have to find just the right angle and images that will work into what you want. I have an online drawing friend Amanda who is absolutely fabulous at drawing. I should take some lessons from her. But the practice is what its all about. I do wish I had taken the image to the edge of the paper. You can see from the pencil on the paper the approximate size it is. Oh well lessons learned. I still have some shading to do, but before the light got any dimmer in the house I figured I would get a picture. I really cannot get a good picture with the flash as it ends up with an orange glow.

lol I am still trying this

2008-12-31T19:23:00.001-08:00

so close and yet so far. I am not sure I will ever get this done. It is hard!!!!!!!! work

New Years Eve Fairy

2008-12-31T16:04:00.000-08:00

Wow this is really alot of work and very tedious. I applaud folks who do this for a living. Well it wont be done for new years. ROFL

New Years Eve Fairy

2008-12-31T08:50:00.000-08:00

well working more on my digital image

New Years Eve Fairy

2008-12-30T08:51:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve Fairy

2008-12-30T07:55:00.000-08:00

I drew this image and I hope to work on it with photoshop or Jasc to try to paint it. LOL wish me luck and Kammy if you have some suggestions about how I can go about it, please comment.

ah new year resolutions

2008-12-30T05:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Graphic Comments

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

2008-12-15T18:31:00.000-08:00

I think this is harder then painting some massive landscape. I have a friend who likes to use mspaint to work on her images. I have even looked at some digital paintings on the web and I am like blown away. How do they do that. It turned out I didnt have mspaint on my computer so I downloaded open canvas. As soon as I started working it I realized it was just like Jasc paint shop which I do have. Well so much for all that preparation, I started working on this little thing. This is incredibly hard.
This is a link for some digital paintings I found on the web. How awesome. http://www.philipstraub.com/DinoDefender.htm. Lol it ain't me.

well the cards are getting there.

2008-12-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

I am currently getting everything printed when I thought about some nifty saying to put inside. I pondered redoing the night before Christmas I think I worked it all out. I will post so you can follow along with my card creation.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all in my home
were finally asleep and now I’m alone;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that the gifting’s were all inside there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While worries of neglected things danced in my head.
The coffee pot brewed and full in my cup,
my mind so unsettled I wondered, “what’s up”?
I bought all the presents I think, my mind all cluttered,
I recounted them all as I sat there and muttered.
Abby a dress with a beautiful sash,
and Dylan a video game that cost me some cash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what from the corner of my eyes should appear,
a present I neglected to wrap very near.
With a swiftness of action, I wrapped it at last,
over all the years of practice, I was very fast.
More rapid than then ladies that wrapped in the store,
who wrapped things so carelessly asking for more;
Now, Dash make the cookies and quick make the bread!
if things were not done for the Christmas ahead.
The batter was ready and I still had some time!
So I heated up, that old oven of mine.
There still seem to be something I was missing somehow;
but for all the buzz in my head I couldn’t remember right now,
So rush to the oven before the beep
I wouldn’t want to disturb someone’s sleep
And, in a twinkling, dozens of cookies on a tray
Still left with the bread to be done by break of day.
As I took off the oven mitts and turned around,
I tripped on the rug and fell down with much sound.
As I got over the fall I quick peeked, just to see;
all I saw was the hint of a bruise on my knee.
Would any one notice I said with a shrug,
As I rubbed the ache, sitting on the old worn rug.
My eyes were so heavy as I climbed the stairs to my bed.
I stopped to kiss each child on the head.
I covered the baby all snugly and warm
and wondered why I felt so lost, forlorn.
As I patted the back of that baby, so comfy in bed.
I remembered the lost memory as I slapped my head.
The baby. the manger. the reason for the day.
In my hustle I forgot, much to my dismay.
I thought of His mother who stood over her child like me.
The Shepard’s all wondered what child could this be.
The tears in my eyes would not go away,
when I remembered the gift I was given this day.
So with a prayer for forgiveness I had nothing to fear;
for the touch of His presence was ever so near.
“This day is a celebration of my love” he said,
“You have made everything ready there’s nothing to dread”.
“I just wish in your planning you remembered Me.
It would have made things much easier you see”.
Love is the answer and the manger the clue
to all the good things in life just for you.
So in your preparations for the celebration of Christmas Day.
Please don’t forget the life that was given away,
To give peace and love for you and me,
Merry Christmas to you all the best that can be.

(ps, silly little poem I recreated from The night before Christmas. We know all the rush and hub-bub of life. Take time to enjoy the simple things in life.)

2008-12-10T06:54:00.000-08:00

well its Wednesday. Not sure if those of you that know me are aware of the fact that I have been known to paint individual Christmas cards for each of our friends on card list. Time has tended to get away from me over the past few years. One year i painted Christmas ornaments for friends. Another year my card was angels that I crafted and sewed for each one. Last year the card was not as elaborate as we were involved with illness and death in the family. In fact I drew my card at the hospital bedside. Well I have been practicing my wc by doing my cards again. Some I like and some I don't so I may just print those that I do like and mass produce them. Time is running short for sure. 10 days till Christmas and I don't have the cards ready. But here are a few. i would be honored if you like an image and want to print it up for your friends, that's what Christmas is about, sharing the love of the season.

watercolor wednesdays

2008-11-26T10:48:00.000-08:00

I was talking to Karen and I wondered why I seem to do so much better on little pictures then larger ones. I suppose because the image is small that composition has to be short and to the point instead of getting lost in the large picture and adding too much just to fill space. Simplify. I recently heard a statement to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. It certainly works in 4x6 inch cards. Now if i can only take that to the larger areas.

find your wings

2008-11-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

I meant to add this to the last post but old age forgets. Anyway for my grown friends and those that are growing in their lives and skills, this is for you with love.

the unknown

2008-11-25T09:43:00.000-08:00

Today I had the novel experience of going to the post office to apply for a passport. Now that was an unknown experience for me. Even more filling out the form on line yesterday brought up the unknown. I had to call my sister to find out if she knew the birthplace of my parents as that was unknown for me. We could only guess on birth dates as that was unknown, so I left it as unknown on the form. Most people look to the future as an unknown. I looked at bits of my past as unknown and it brought back years of uncertainty. I know my mother was in the hospital most of my childhood. I was told that she had a brain tumor, but as I got older and with a nephew with schizophrenia, I came to the conclusion that she must have been mentally disturbed. My father left for the unknown. Oh, a few times he came back into my childhood to give all the appropriate concerns about getting the family back together only to slip into the unknown again. As children we were placed in homes that were unknown until we became accustomed to the environment. We had some good times and times of unknowns, abuse and insecurities. Needless to say I was abused in one of the worst ways a young girl could be. That brings me to religion. Don't get me wrong I have a deep faith and love for God. As a child of maybe 5 or 6 I would go out in the yard into my special place where I put a little cross and bring Jesus my little dandelions and buttercups I picked. Sometimes I wish I could go back to those simple times. Maybe I have really, as I have a simple faith and trust. Now the super spiritual and religious I shy from. My abuser was the deacon of the church, a soloist preferred to sing in the services. I can remember he had a beautiful voice, and had claim to the prophetic. It was in the dark of night that his evil side came out. Oh well I guess that I am in a mood with my birthday coming up with the unknown of yesterday. Today is all we are given. Tomorrow is unknown to most of us. I don't fear it as I have already face unknowns in my life. What we have is today to give ourselves to others and make someones unknowns bearable. and love as though it is our last day. And with Thanksgiving only 2 days away, I am thankful for love family friends and the gift I have been given in my love of making art. I may never make a fortune at painting. It's the experience of being like the Creator and make something out of the earthen pigments that companies have made to give us the tools to create with.

pastel work

2008-11-20T07:49:00.000-08:00

I love thumbing through the pictures in the photo gallery on wet canvas. There are some great photographers there that share their images with people. I fell in love with this image immediately and needed to do it.

2008-11-19T16:15:00.001-08:00

for Karens birthday

2008-11-19T16:09:00.000-08:00

Drew this for a friends birthday. I am no way near the ability of Amanda but this is frim my heart

watercolor wednesdays

2008-11-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

I am working on my cards for Christmas. sometimes the images are so good other times not, but still working

new watercolor wednesday.

2008-11-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

I was a little down today and really needed to get out alone and just plug in my zen and just capture anything. LOL it was water color Wednesday. So it was nothing ventured nothing gained. The weather was too chancy to try to drag out the oils or pastels anyway. I am pleased with todays result. Overcast autumn skies trees and the lone church steeple jutting up into the whole mix. Almost like its standing up against the storms of life.

Its wednesday again already lol

2008-10-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

I was planning to go out and maybe and realized Wednesday was here again. OK, so I did commit to watercolor wednesday so off I went. Im still trying to ger a handle on watercolors. They have in the past have been my Christmas cards, so if you know me you may get one.

watecolor wednesdays

2008-10-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

Watercolor is one medium I am not strong in. I decided to do something like watercolor Wednesdays. So I keep on pushing myself in this challenging medium. It is more portable then my other standard mediums and at times it helps to do something else as it invigorates your other efforts.

pastel works

2008-10-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of autumn, my favorite time of year, I have been getting out and doing some pastel work. I absolutely love autumn. It's better then a fashion show, because the world shows off its new fall line up. God is certainly better at it then all the fashion designers in the world. So stay tuned to the continuing fall fashion designs straight from heaven.

new blog

2008-10-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a new blog of just photos of all the beautiful pictures God gives us every day. Since it is the start of fall, I figured its a good place to start. If you have any pics of beautiful places send them and I will add them to the blog.Include a short description for me to add to the post.

http://forbeautysake.blogspot.com/

working on an old image

2008-09-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

This is one of the pictures I wanted to re-create from my workshop trip. I finally got around to do it. I like the result. The last one was toooooooo green. I wanted more depth and feeling. I hope that I have achieved it.

pastel plein air

2008-08-17T09:51:00.001-07:00

Plein air done of a farm on a road I never went down. I love taking back roads cause you never see the little pieces of beauty that God gives you. Its just a wonder all the beauty of nature. And me a simple human trying to match the creator.

sheep pasture

2008-08-14T05:59:00.001-07:00

I have this image from wet canvas that I just love. I did do it in wc but the paper ripped when I took the tape off, so redid in pastel

Pledge of allegiance

2008-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I got this in my email this morning. How awesome. May we never forget that we are One Nation under God

still working

2008-08-08T06:21:00.001-07:00

I keep on plodding along. Working on oils. The first 2 pictures are watercolors, which I think Im finally getting a handle on it. I joined a new website Paintmap.com. Its pretty cool as you can upload your pictures that you painted and see the location on the globe. People from all over the world are placing pictures. Its a wonderful idea. Ah the world of art, a very solitary experience but then you can see the world of art from other solitary people. When your out plein air painting its just you and God out there. There are occasional passersby but for the most part for me its the spiritual experience of almost meeting God at the moment of creation.
I do wish my camera picked up the true colors. I guess I need a photo course.

let me fall

2008-07-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

ok like you Kammy Im in the mode of ok what do I want of my life. As a critical care nurse I have seen alot of people die that are younger then me lately. It does get you to wonder am I making the best of my life. You started me thinking when I read your blog an painting for each song. The mantra for me right now is the song I posted on the page Let me Fall. I have been thinking I needed to put my feelings to that song. This is my result

new plein air painting

2008-07-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

My latest plein air painting. I pass these hay bales every day and I just had to do them. I gave this to Paula, because she liked the other one I did.

challenge

2008-07-08T15:09:00.001-07:00

working on a pastel for draw and paint site. not bad

since returning home

2008-07-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well its been back to work and the house stuff. I haven't painted any oil paintings since I've been back. My daughter has a barn wall that she's been wanting a mural on, so guess what I've been doing? Painting a mural. Acrylic is not my favorite medium, but for areas that are gonna take some weather related abuse, I figure it will be more sturdy in the long run. It's on an inside wall so it probably will be ok. Did the sky the other day and today I'm working on mountains and trees. Have a basic sketch in mind, but I am making it up as I go. I will have to take a picture of it when I'm done.

last day of workshop

2008-06-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

well the last day was today. We were all tired but persvered to the end. The picture of the meadow was done on Thunder Hill above Boone. It was so windy I had a hard time keeping my easel upright, and my canvas was hard to keep from flopping over into my wet palette. But I managed thankfully due to some very large rubber bands. Almost blown over myself at the time but I stayed upright and kept on going. The second painting was done at Bass lake. There were waterlilies scattered across the water that you may not be able to see in the photo. I have mixed emotions tired as anything but I dont want to leave such a beautiful area. Gods gift on earth.

workshop day 3

2008-06-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

Well three days down. Already beginning to kind of feel sorry 2 more days then I have to head home. NC is such a beautiful area and the rest from home responsibilities is priceless, but I am getting tired. I get to paint all day but it is like going back to school. Well come Saturday I'll wish i didn't have to go home again.LOL

nc workshop day 2

2008-06-24T16:12:00.000-07:00

day 1 Kevin Beck workshop

2008-06-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

Have to say I didnt do bad here. He did a pastel demo. i decided to use oils cause my brushes haven't had much exercise lately. Ive been doing pastels and WC.I needed to play with some oils.

A view of the mountains

2008-06-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

This place is gorgeous I could stay forever

traveling

2008-06-21T12:55:00.001-07:00

well I didnt do well with the painting I did today. I have a whole new set of colors of paints the instructor wanted to be used at the workshop. Where my old reliables. I couldn't figure out how to mix them. Of course I am tired from all the driving yesterday but I just had to get out on the parkway. It is gorgeous.

Im off

2008-06-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Well traveled about 400 miles today by car. I'm heading for NC to take a painting workshop with an instructor I had about 5 years ago. It should be fun and educational. So I did spend most of the day driving. I hope to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway tomorrow and take pictures, view the scenary and hopefully paint. So heres to the next great adventure.

i love this song from the show

2008-06-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

cant find this song anywhere on playlist

another form of art

2008-06-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

well today is my oldest grandsons birthday. It has become a real tradition for me to make them cakes in the design they select. His is Indiana Jones. The last cake was from my youngest grandsons birthday. Speed Racer. So instead of painting as we have had a few birthdays lately, I have been making other creations. Wish you all could be here to celebrate. Happy Birthday Zack. Lol i didnt realize tht GiGi is in a picture in the background eating. How poetic. She died in November. I was saying to my husband this morning if she was here, she wouldnt be able to eat this cake because of the snakes. Absolutely terrified of them and couldn't even watch them on animal planet her favorite show. Well I guess she is still with us in a way. Now I think I will go have a cry.

How to See the Way an Artist Sees: See the Way an Artist Sees-Lesson#1

2008-06-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

How to See the Way an Artist Sees: See the Way an Artist Sees-Lesson#1

2008-06-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well I have been pushing myself with water color and I have to say Im improving. I bought a book by Stephen Quiller color choices. Now I didnt get all the paints till tonight but I did work bolder. One thing I have been having trouble with in WC so I have to say hooray, I am pushing through.

home

2008-06-07T08:06:00.001-07:00

just a little view of home

being me

2008-06-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

The art community that I belong to is going thru some growing pains. People seem to be intimidate by the ones that are so much better then they and almost feel like giving up. Some times you feel like you need to teach not painting basics but psychological encouragement. LOL. This is the post I gave and if anyone else needs words of encouragement here it is. While I agree that sometimes one can get intimidated by the excellence of some painters, but dont loose site of the reason you came here. To learn and teach and be a part of something. I like the friends I have made and each one has a little tidbit to give, and an inspiration if you look at something you like. Even looking at masters like Rembrandt, you feel like,"I'll never paint like that". Just remember you are you and when you create there is no one else in the world that has your voice thoughts and feelings. I remember a quote and I can't remember where I read it. But it goes something like "you are the only you that will ever be. If you fail to be what you are, what you could have created will be lost forever". Don't worry about anyone else. Seek you own voice style and practice and learn. It's a journey of discovery that takes forever. Even professional artists will tell you that they are still in the process of learning and changing. New colors ideas and styles. Making a mark is an ever changing expression. So be all that only you can be. It's a journey of joy hope discovery and a passion that can not be denied. Dont loose yourself in anyone elses work. Loose yourself in your own and you will find that artist thats begging to get out.

pushing myself

2008-05-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

as of late I have been busy with everything but oils or pastels. I have been doing some drawing. Today I went out plein air and since I had little time, I decided on a WC. I suppose someone out there may understand, but i have had this need to push myself beyond my comfort zone. WC has always been hard for me cause I end up with using too much water and end up with weak tints. And drawing, I never really explored the medium in college classes in drawing. It was mostly capturing gesture and the wackiest thing you could do, the instructor was pleased with. They were mostly into abstract and I don't lean that way. Someday I will have to post the pictures that really got his attention and at least some acknowledgment. It was a painting that ended up in an art show. My daughter now owns it. But the idea was the same pushing out of my comfort zone produced good results. The trouble is it was a figure, and I can't say it was the best figure, but it was the idea of a theme that pleased him. Any watercolor painters out there, I would really appreciate some tips,(serious tips) to improve myself. I find I'm just not satisfied these days with the mundane and the same old thing. IDK, maybe its growing pains, but I'm really kind of I really don't know what I'm kind of! LOL. I guess this really belongs in a private diary of some kind, but I'm putting it out there. Maybe someone else feels like me and we can share the growing pains together or whatever it is.

fairy

2008-05-14T16:07:00.001-07:00

Well I decided to do a graphite drawing of a fairy. The thing about art classes in college, they made me buy the stuff and assigned projects but never really told you how to use. On the draw and paint community, Kammy who is great at doing fantasy drawings, had a tutorial on graphite drawings. I'm learning now all the things I didn't learn in school. Ah well, nothing ventured nothing gained. I rushed out to buy the pencils and I'm pleased at learning a new medium. I find if i try something new, it breaths fresh air into other things I do. May not be perfect but I'm happy as this is only my second serious drawing attempt

time for lilacs

2008-05-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

I did this picture as an example of a limited palette painting for draw and paint site. I used 4 hues plus white in the underpainting. Worked on it more today to do the grass. Emerald green just what I needed. Well I'll live with it for a couple days to see what else I need to do.

been busy

2008-04-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

been busy with some paintings that I hope to upload soon. I also joined an art instruction and support community. you can check it out here.
http://community.how-to-draw-and-paint.com/
Also had my first tick of the season. Last year I went out painting for the day. I was coated in ticks when I got home. So much for bug repellant. All I can say is thank God I have not had Lymes. But what a joy to be out in the open air. Anyone who stops by happy painting.

all creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all

2008-04-11T06:09:00.000-07:00

This is awesome. Now if an elephant can do this, what am I waiting for. I have been getting ready for the weather to improve. Did a little water color which I will post as soon as I can, and some studio work. Nothing is as good as the great outdoors. Who would have guessed that an elephant could give you inspiration and almost a slight reprimand that I am not living up to my expectations. LOL Well a great round of applause to Paya, the artist.

Painting Watercolour Trees 2 - Winter Trees

2008-03-18T14:11:00.001-07:00

The second of three videos on painting watercolor trees. This one looks at winter trees, whilst the other two deal with summer trees and distant trees

almost done

2008-03-17T06:10:00.001-07:00

Well I think I am almost done. Weather is starting to warm up so its time to get the car packed for some plien air work soon. I have spring fever and am anxious to get out and work, God willing, He is. He is the ultimate artist, creating all the beauty that surrounds us. Thanks to Edna for taking the extra ordinary pictures.

Current work

2008-03-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am dying for the warmer weather to come. I can't wait to get outside and paint again. I found a plien air group that will start soon and it's local so I will have people to paint with when I can get out. LOL These are the current images to post. Since Abby got a fairy, Zack wanted a dragon. Dylan said paint it red so enter the red dragon. The other is a pastel that I am working on taken from a friends picture when she traveled to Europe. I loved the picture the first time I saw it. So the painting goes on.

Not enough time in the day

2008-02-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

Ive been very busy, between work and trying to keep my hand into doing some form of artwork, drawing, painting,ect... Currently working on a project I signed up for on wet canvas. I don't know what I was thinking. My easel was full with current projects, where was I going to accomplish this project. I decided to pull out the colored pencils, since I never really worked with them thought oh well, why not. It's all about the doing anyway and experimenting. Picture I was trying to add wont upload???? Well I'll post the completed image of the pastel I was working on. the original image the paper was old and tiny cracks started to show up so I totally redid the whole picture. Like the second picture better.LOL guess I should have taken off the tape. I finished Abby's fairy too.

Sunday work

2008-02-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Been trying to stretch my limits over the winter. Im not good at watercolor, but I bought a book on painting fairies and thought I would try it for fun. The first few pictures did not come out. I rather like this one as a start. Someone in my life has already claimed it when it's done. Had fun doing it. Hope Abby treasures it forever.

work in progress

2008-01-31T10:05:00.000-08:00

Ok, now I have gotten to a point where I need to step back and live with the painting for a while. I wish I took a picture of the flowers as I originally painted them(my goof). At any rate they stood out too much being way to bright. They became the picture instead of part of the whole picture. I had to soften them up a little. At leasts its easy to do in pastel. So heres the picture so far:

painting in winter

2008-01-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

The winter is hard to go out and paint because of the cold. We havent had any snow to supply inspiration for any pictures. I love the snow. Thought I would dig into my computer to find images that my friend took in Italy. I was impressed with the form of the objects in the picture. So I thought I would post the start and progression of the painting so far. I am doing this in pastel. The first image is the major blocking in of the objects. Then I proceeded with an alcohal wash to set in the images and check form. The last picture is the building up of the objects.