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! 

Tropical foliage

My postings have been very sporadic and I apologize for that! If you are still with me...thank you! I’ve been posting regularly on my Instagram account...but that is no excuse for ignoring my blog...since some of you have been following me for years! This image was from some studio playtime working with negative shapes and tropical plant influence. The color palette is also different for me.

More the merrier

Last month I was a happy student again in a two day oil painting workshop taught by Aline Ordman. I have to say that I’m thoroughly enjoying the oils and hope I’m not sending you away with my frequent postings of different media...I promise I have not abandoned my watercolors, but am only expanding my creative “palette”! Why not, right? The more the merrier.....

Gouache

Trying my hand at yet another medium...this time Gouache...I am working with portraiture in a small Strathmore sketchbook and figuring out this opaque paint...it certainly behaves in a very different way...and has unique qualities...but learning is fun...(& frustrating, too!) Gotta keep exploring... how are you stretching your creative muscles? Any new avenues this autumn?

Time to teach

Hello September! Where does the time go? Well part of my time goes into painting and teaching workshops and classes and this image was from one of my classes from this summer and shows the difference between negative and positive painting...I already have a class scheduled for next May at the Landgrove Inn...it is good to always have something to look forward to!

Paint & eat your veggies!

Summer bounty and garden treasures...I wish I had a garden...but instead I just peruse the farmers markets and indulge my need for fresh veggies! 🌽 🍅 🥗🥕🍉🥒

Everything is so good right now...to eat and to paint! 

“Catching Rays”

Wow almost a month since I posted....that’s not right...sorry for the lapse in tending to my blog...I’ve certainly been busy...and then this week is another full one coming up...after having painted this weekend in Jericho at the Plein Air event with a show that followed at the Gruppe gallery...the above painting was my resulting effort and now hangs at the gallery until August 12...Phew...hope your summer is more chill!