mixed media

Hope everyone is okay after Sandy the superstorm came through...Here in Northern Vermont the wind and rain were not as bad as I had expected...This portrait has some mixed media in the form of watersoluble pencils and regular colored pencils applied over the watercolor.

divided effort

This was another demo I did in California during the workshop.  I came up with this idea during a residency where I divided the page in different formats.  It forces you to come up with unique sizes for your "mini" paintings plus I also encourage everyone to work from image to image...allowing washes to dry and to try your hand at unique pigment combos etc..It feels less daunting than tackling a "complete" half sheet painting (15"x22").

Poppies

A vision of spring/early summer...boy I can't believe we are nearing the end of October!  Halloween is around the corner with all its candy and costumes!  Time to paint some pumpkins if the squirrels don't get to them first.  This poppy painting was a demo at a workshop and needs some more finishing touches.

Clean not neutral

Another demo from my three day workshop...Violets and Yellows plays beautifully off each other..being opposite on the color wheel and all...but they also can neutralize each other and dull out a painting quickly.  Waiting for one or the other to dry is a must for clean washes..

Workshop recap

I just returned from teaching a 3 day floral workshop in California with 19 painters in attendance..We had a great time and jam-packed in a lot of painting.  Everyone worked super hard...above is one of my demos of a lovely cosmos bouquet one of the ladies provided from her own garden.  Thanks all!

Decisions

This is my latest rooster painting...this was a fun format.  Tall and skinny.  This piece measures 22"x7".  Before you even start painting you have choices to make..which paper, weight, surface, size and shape...then brushes to use, pigments to choose from..maybe even which pencil you want to draw with..mechanical, #2 office or the vast array of other H's and B's...choices choices..

snail mail

I thought I'd post two more examples of my card sets in the wake of Hallmark closing one of it's plants...emailed invites and announcements are taking over from handwritten cards and notes..I still love to write cards and letters to friends and family the old fashioned way...by hand (not typed) and sent with a stamp :)

Page 13

I just received my copies of the Artistic Touch 5...and my painting "Blonde Ambition" is on page 13!  A great compilation of various artists, subjects and techniques.  I am very excited to be a part of this publication.

Birches

It doesn't look like this yet...but in a couple months..brrrr.  Sending a thank you to all who comment on my blog or send me emails..I can't respond to all individually, but wanted to acknowledge you all here..Thanks!  Birches are a challenge on the Daily Painters Challenge website this week..I should really jump into the mix there.  Such a fun and varied group of painters.  Check out the link.