watercolor

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Having the Right Tools Matters!

First painting on my new easel was of an Indigo Bunting photographed by my friend, Charlotte. You can find her beautiful birds on Instagram.

Sometimes, as an artist, you put up with doing things until you suddenly realize you don’t have to. I finally purchased this portable French easel and am loving it. I have a large H frame that I have used for oils, but it is so bulky for my smaller watercolors and while it is on wheels, too awkward and large for the upstairs areas. So, happy camper here, I can take it to the deck and the easel looks good even when left out in the sunroom. The tools you use can make all the difference to your pleasure in the task, whether cooking or arting.

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Mother’s Day Giveaway Grand Prize

The grand prize goes to the aunt of this little cutey! The fun of this giveaway was the absolute challenge each one has given me. In painting they teach you to get photos without a wide smile – teeth are hard! And baby faces are very hard. Then both had their faces scrunched as their joy was ready to explode. And Wellington was taken from a photo of a painting – something new! So this was tremendously fun and beneficial for me, and I also get the joy of giving gifts. This is what a giveaway should be about. Joy.

Some in-process glimpses:

If you would like to be considered in future giveaways, please join my email list. We have another one coming up in July and I would love to include you!

Pet Commission – Rylee
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Pet Commission – Rylee

Chocolate lab dog portrait in watercolor

Rylee was commissioned from a lifelong collector of my work, so I did something fun and included a set of cards as a thank you gift. I got these from Canva.com, and highly recommend the quality! I am trying out all sorts of new things with my email list this year as I get a feel of costs, quality, and which new things work or don’t. Feel free to join me!

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Farm Life – Sketch 1

I am playing around with ideas for a more distanced portrait. Sometimes it is nice to get the person in their daily element. This is Stephen – a farmer and a craftsman by trade. This was a composition, colors, and values practice sketch. Expect a few more to be posted before I decide which one to go with for the larger version.

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Sassy

Sassy, a poodle/rat terrier mix (Ratty) was a great challenge on how to show a salt and pepper coat. I chose to go with a line and wash style, using Micron pens and then Daniel Smith watercolors over that.

I always start with eyes. If I can’t get those right, I start over because nothing will work right from that point forward. The owner was thrilled with the eyes, so we got a win! The Rat Terrier is strong in this girl, and she is smart as a whip.

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2 Kitties and their Pup

These 2 cats were watercolor memorial gifts for a friend. Her dog was an Inktober image you may have seen months ago. It is always such a pleasure and an honor to do these.

I know my art has always been about gifting and bringing joy to another human being. Finding that special image that helps heal their heart and show some kindness and gentleness in the world. Pet portraits do just that, so it is no surprise that I gravitate to them as a choice of expression.