Paintings at S Clyde Weavers

 The whole family was at S. Clyde Weaver's in East Petersburg to help with the hanging of a sampling of my watercolors.  The majority are prints. My Dad, Mom, Aunt, and son all work there.  Even I worked there for my very first job during high school.  Hope the customers enjoy them during the month of December (and maybe longer).

Fourth of July Parade

I liked this parade picture.  It's very patriotic with all the flags on the horses.  Even the man looks proud in the picture.  I just started this painting (size 6 x 9) this week.  I originally slapped paint on the board without any drawing.  The horses were scrubbed out because they ended up out of proportion, so I'm working from right to left, working on adding shapes, then adjusting details as I go (I'm liking this aquabord!)

more minis

Here are some small paintings from my breaks at work.  I draw on my first break (10:00 - 10:15), paint it over lunch break (12:00-12:30), and lift out whites and add darks on my last break (2:30 - 2:45).  As you can see, some need more work.  Having limited time helps me simplify.  I have a tiny paint box that I use - one of those artsy things that I bought years ago and never used. This definitely helps with my need to paint - otherwise frustrations build over not painting.

Mini paintings

I've determined to do something during my breaks at work that stimulate my creative mind. I can't do a lot in 15 minutes but I did come up with an idea. I made tiny mat windows (about as big as a large postage stamp). I move the mats around some photos and copy what I see.  I came home and tried my hand at painting some of them. These are exact sizes of the actual paintings. They are comparably quick and feed my need to paint. I liked the clouds over the landscape, and the bright sun shining on the gardener's hat as he worked among the day lilies.
There are times when I think I enjoy the painting process more than having a finished product. Right now, I just want to go a bit wild with water and paint - but part of me says I need a plan before I start. - ba-humbug.

Baby and Porch paintings

 Two nights ago, I decided to just do a quick painting (without drawing it first) about 5 x 7 size.  I chose a porch with deep colors.  So far it's coming along ok. I still have the left side to finish.

As for this baby painting, I'm not satisfied with the colors.  The green looks too garish to me.  I will wash it off and try something different.  The whole thing is still in progress, and if it doesn't work out, I'll chalk it up to experience and wash the whole thing away. It's nice to know I have a 2nd chance at something when the paper is so forgiving.
I am trying to keep my creativity up while working full-time at 10,000 villages till Jan. I even looked up some 15 minute art exercises to do on our breaks.  I was surprised at this evenings soccer game when the man a few rows away was sketching.  It reminded me to take mine everywhere I go.  If you see me sketching in church, I'm trying a new thing called doodling the sermon.  It has helped me focus and remember what was said. I'm just hoping the kids next to me don't think I'm NOT paying attention.

"Contentment" (Kipper)

Yet another painting of Kipper. I like how the blues blend from her face into the driveway.  I struggled with getting the nose color just right (a little brown, a little purpley). After it dried, I thought it just might be my favorite part.

Kipper

Sometimes I forget that I can do little paintings without all the details that can take days to finish.  I can splash on colors that suggest flowers and a dog, lift out a few highlights, add a few darks, and it's done.  I debated about making the flower pot (behind Kipper's head) darker. The browns of the pot and Kipper's head were done at the same time in the first wash. I decided to let it alone - the less 'messed with' the painting is, the fresher it looks.

Art Meeting

I felt like a school girl waiting to give a report that I didn't memorize at the VAA meeting last night.  Members of the art group brought earlier work and more recent work to contrast where they've been and what they're doing now.  About a dozen people shared, I was last. I talked about 2 pieces: my first watercolor from a class in 86, and the more recent Kellie and Kitten painting. I enjoyed telling about the new things I'm trying, and that I feel I am finally coming out of a dry time of failing at new attempts. (New things like Gesso on watercolor paper, and Aquabord).

Kellie & Kitten finished

Kellie and Kitten 

Either this is finished, or I'm just tired of working on it.  I've changed the background from dark to light, the front corn shocks from light to dark...The changes could go on forever which is not good if one is an indecisive artist. The part I enjoyed most was lifting out those stray hairs against the background and face. The kitten's fur was pretty easy. The worst part was getting Kellie's face color smooth and then, after getting it smooth, trying to protect it from random drops of water that would ruin it.  I also did her mouth a couple times - too pink, and it looks artificial.  I need fresh eyes - after awhile, I can't tell if it looks good or not.

Kipper - in progress

                       I started a painting of our dog (Kipper).  I was reminded at the Art Show that golden retrievers can be a popular subject. She was lying on our back deck while I walked around her, taking pictures. After awhile, she got up and went out into the yard to lie down.  Guess she had had enough paparazzi attention.

Kellie & Kitten Lg Version

I had everything ready - puddles of paint colors - lots of
flesh and greens, with a bit of red.  Notice my cupcake pan
full of more paint. After you start, you can't stop till the
board is covered. 

This is after the first layer of color was applied

This is what I've been working on the last couple of days. It seems every painting goes through a stage when you think it can't be 'saved'.  This is somewhat past that stage into the 'I think it might make it' stage.  I find myself working and reworking parts of her face.  I have to get the face right before I lift out the blonde hairs coming down over her forehead.

Kellie and Kitten in progress

Kellie & Kitten

I did a small practice painting 6" x 7"of my niece (Kellie Geib) holding a kitten.  I have the picture drawn on a larger board 12"x16" and thought I should test the colors first.  I was all excited about painting the larger version a couple days ago, but now the trepidation sets in, as if it's THAT important.  In watercolor, the first wash of paint is very important - because it's the foundation on which you base all other colors.  This gessoed paper is forgiving though, I can 'erase' colors easily.  But it is hard, (so far), to make a smooth colored area like the face without getting a grainy look.  This is a good paper to practice putting down color and leaving it ALONE - something we artists find hard to do sometimes.  I had to make such decisions as: Do I add some blue for the sky?  Which corn stalks do I make darkest?  How does someone's eye get led around the painting?

John Miller painting

I am in the tweaking stage of the painting. I'll 'live with' it for a few days and see what else it needs. I find it interesting when artists say 'let the painting speak to you' - which means you may feel it needs more darks/more lights/less color etc etc as you look at it.  I found myself praying for his widow, Helen, as I painted.  This is the man she loved ....

Evolution of a painting

John Miller's viewing program cover. I put a grid on the photo to get the perspective correct. (John passed away last week from a brain tumor). 

I first drew the picture with pencil. This is after the initial application of paint.  I try to get the
correct value and color the first try (less work to correct).

What I've finished so far.  The face is the most important part
so I've left it till last.  I have to decide where to put the darks,
in order to have balance. I am in the process of learning how to remove color and add color -  which can be both fun and frustrating.

Sunflower and other paintings

These are a few paintings that I've been working on for the last couple of days.  I took a photo of a boy feeding the ducklings at the Lititz Art show last Saturday.  I reminded myself to ALWAYS carry my camera with me.  The gesso-ed paper might be a bit grainy for some subjects but there are certain areas that I think the effect is cool.  In the upper left of the sunflower painting, the paint brush color went right to left - but when it dried, it flowed in the vertical lines of the gesso.  Kind of gives the look of canvas.

Feeding Ducks

Beach Sunrise

I think I like the Cropped version of Beach Sunrise

better than the whole painting.

Sunflower (finished)

Sunflower in progress

I worked on a sunflower today.  It is only partially done. I 'refined' the right side, and still have the rest to do. I am posting the photo that I am painting from.  It is a photo from my garden.  I got a new palette yesterday.  I compare it to a fisherman getting a new fishing pole.  I was eager to transfer my paint from my 24 year old palette to my new one and celebrate a new 'painting season' that I feel I am entering.

First Watercolors

Notice the tallest weed in the foreground. That's where the teacher had to disguise a grass I painted a bit too high.

I went hunting for some early paintings. I found the first 2 that I did in Al Taft's watercolor classes in 1986. These were either copied from a calendar or an art book - (which is good for practice - but never to resell as your own).

The next Art Group meeting.

Three Lovely Ladies

Pristine Pair

The Lititz art Group (VAA - Village Art Association) is having a past and present night the last Tuesday of the month at the Lititz Library. We are to bring one old and one current painting. Here is a sample of some new paintings that I could pick from. The llamas were painted on un-gessoed watercolor paper.  The seagulls are painted on gessoed paper.  There is a lot more texture on the seagulls.  That's from the paints lying on top of the gesso (white acrylic).  

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. I plan to post whatever I'm working on most recently. It's risky posting the paintings that don't work out, but that's part of the plan. Many times I've learned how NOT to paint, which helps me do better the next time. I have been through a time of 'wilderness wandering' I would say, in my career. After reaching a plateau of workmanship, I became ever discontented. I've been trying new things (and failing a lot), which has been very discouraging. Most recently I've come across a new technique which I find fun and exciting.  I paint a white acrylic (gesso) over my reject paintings and paint on that. The watercolor paints lay on top instead of soaking in the paper.  I can lift out the whites, add different colors on top, and keep doing that until I'm satisfied, or wash the color off altogether, and start all over.  So Here Goes.