Monday Moooooood

Monday moooooood... staring down a new week...BTW on Saturday the 6th come see me downtown at Frog Hollow where I will be doing a demo at their art cart from 12-3. Stop on by and say hi!

Also at the end of this month I’m teaching several classes at the Vermont Art Event at the Windjammer. Contact:

1-888-HOLBEIN/1-800-682-6686

VERMONT ART EVENT 2019

Nature’s pace

The days are getting warmer and closing in on the official start of summer and my little garden is trying to settle into a routine. I have to remind myself that I can not rush the season and things will grow in due time. So in the meantime I draw and sketch and paint in my little garden journal...🌱

Charles Reid

Charles Reid was a master watercolorist. I had the opportunity to study with him on several occasions and will treasure those times as I remember this talented artist. Charles passed away on June 1st. The photos above are of him doing a demo for the Vermont Watercolor Society two years ago with his painting in the middle on the left side and two small sketches I did of him at a workshop I attended years prior. He will be missed.

Weather wishes

Wow! Here we are about to start the sixth month of the year...time flies..as does this feathered friend! Not great distances, but enough to get some air moving under his wings. It’s  been a rainy, wet and chilly spring here in Vermont, but hopefully there will be some warmer days soon. Ones where the easel can be firmly planted en plein air and some paint can get thrown about in nature. 

Spread my wings so to speak! 

Results

The first two pictures are a compilation of student work from my most recent workshop. Everyone tackled three subjects in three days...we did the show and tell walk through before we did portraits, so hence the only subjects you see are poultry and petals...I missed getting a photo of one other participant’s work(sorry) The bottom photo is a selection of my pieces from the wall of “inspiration”.

Great gathering of artists, hard work, new techniques and awesome food! Very important combination of elements and not necessarily in that order! 😄

Gardening woes

The trees are budding and seeds are getting planted. I’ve tried Morning glory in the past and had some form of success, but I’ve also struggled with the seedlings...they emerge quickly and give you a jolt of excitement...but like last year mine just petered out and never fully realized their potential... so I paint them instead and that way they last longer! 😁

Signs of spring

These busy birds of spring are a sight for winter weary eyes. All the feathered friends are actively singing and nest making...almost time for the hummingbird feeder to go up! 

Watercolor crayons

Spring is here and the temps are creeping up! It’s time to get hands dirty and dig around in gardens...or we can paint them before we plant them! This piece was enhanced with some watercolor crayons, which I’ve rediscovered and have been using quite a bit. They will cover over dark areas with light colors very nicely! Always more tools to explore in our artistic adventures! 

FYI there’s still spots available in my Landgrove, Vermont watercolorpalooza weekend! May 3-5

Paint petals, portraits and poultry!

Step by step

When I remember to take photos of the various steps along the way....I can share them! What a concept...usually I’m just too busy painting to stop and record what I’m doing. Here is a step by step of a painting I did a week ago or so. I don’t usually work this way of painting around the blossoms to start...but thought I’d try a new approach..the finish is the same with lots of negative painting of leaves. 

Paint weekend

(My first day demo painting...spring fever!)

Just finished a two day workshop at the Bryan Gallery in Jeffersonville. We painted florals and the portrait. Great group of painters who decided to join in a weekend of watercolor fun and miss all the late March showers...both snow and rain! 

(My sample paintings on the wall)

I’ll be teaching a three day workshop at the Landgrove Inn in Southern Vermont in May. Join us!  

Paint with me!

Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? There is still room in my two day workshop in Jeffersonville (Vermont) at the Bryan Gallery...click the link for info and maybe see you there! 

Think Green

This was for yesterday and St. Patrick’s Day...but it can also serve as a lead in to spring this week...are you all thinking green? I know I am..even though the skiing was great last week..I’m ready for some buds and green shoots...

I dream of Green

As we adjust our clocks forward this weekend..my thoughts turn to spring...probably a bit too early for our snowy Green Mountain State..but one can always dream...or make colorful swatches in a sketchbook! The birds are getting a bit more vocal and that’s nice to hear. 🎶

Three pigments

Here is a random page from a little Moleskine watercolor sketchbook that is getting filled with all sorts of different stuff...no rhyme or reason to this journal...but I do find myself playing with swatches a lot! Either to test colors or mixes or just to fill a page...here I did it all...tested the pure primaries and all the combos they make and filled the two page spread...you don’t need that much to get started..you can do a lot with very little! 

Quick reminder...the auction ends today for my little rooster heart ❤️ (See last post for details) 

If you want him for your own collection ⬇️

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE BID

Auction, good cause and good food!

I am participating in a fundraiser at Rustic Roots in Shelburne and this is the piece I submitted. It is an original watercolor on paper that has been glued to the wooden heart shaped panel and varnished. 

His name is “Mr. Coop du Jour”

Here are some details:

DISPLAY: The show will be on display to the public in the restaurant’s dining room from Wednesday January 30th through Sunday March 31st. Rustic Roots is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Artwork may be purchased through the restaurant during regular business hours or online via the silent auction during the month of February.

SILENT AUCTION: for the month of February, an online silent auction will be held at 32auctions.com. All hearts will be listed with minimum bids starting at $75 and will be accessible for anyone to purchase. After the auction ends, all unsold hearts will be available for purchase at Rustic Roots for $75/each. Please feel free to promote the auction to your family and friends

Plus their food is really great! 🍽I

2019 creative color

Happy New Year everyone! We are several weeks in and I hope you are planning for a colorful and creative 2019. I have started my plans already and they include several workshops. I have them listed on the side bar of my blog and they include a two day workshop at the Bryan Gallery in Jeffersonville in March and a three day all inclusive “get away from it all” creative immersion at the Landgrove Inn in Southern Vermont in May. Start refilling and topping off your palettes and hopefully we will have a chance to paint together this year! 

Happy Solstice

It is currently raining outside my window and it looks like the winter solstice will be wet and not snowy...hope you all are comfy and cozy and may your New Year be creative and colorful. Thank you for following along on my artistic adventures. 

Warm winter wishes

It’s December! How did we get to the last month of the year already? Well it’s here and the holiday spirit has come along with it...I did this little painting recently and decided to add some digital lettering...I must be thinking about sending out cards....it’s one item on the ever growing list of things still to do!