Friday, December 31, 2010

Not the usual

 just before "take off"
it's been cold and frosty the past few days and I remember the Cardinals 
looking for a snack in the white winters back east.

Off and running for the Holiday season this year and it has taken me to places I didn't anticipate. 
 munching couple



true love

I did have fun getting there and appreciate the opportunity.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Else...





Yesterday was full of fun new things...embossed a few designs on metal tape and burnished the final on 300 lb watercolor paper. Experimental process so there was a lot of OOPS! and waste but a lot of  fun, too.

Then I covered the metal with gesso and added a little fiber medium so the water would have more texture than the paper provided.  Liquid acrylics mixed to get my bahama blue water and a sea turtle green and painted away. There are a couple places where the sea barely covers the silver metal so there's a surprise sparkle or 2.  Last, varnished and set aside to decide what's next.



Friday, December 24, 2010

G-men and abstract decorating



Merry Christmas!






G-man in a sweater ?







 a lighthouse



What do you do when you discover all your cookie decorating tools have been given away? 
In accordance with the Ugly Cookie Rule
these cookies are Calorie Free!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Monday, December 13, 2010

Holiday Feat!




Could it be?




Could it be?

Is this him? "could it be?" I always wondered what it would be like to celebrate Christmas in summer. Thanks to the 7 card draw, I have a chance to speculate about Santa in warmer weather.

Created in response to a Challenge in the December "7 Card Draw" this little painting represents just one of many available to win! Looking for fun and prizes? Come join us on  ETSY  and 7 Card Draw

Saturday, December 11, 2010

When the urge strikes...




Battery Operated Christmas Lights

The Holiday spirit is popping up everywhere. I saw a car with antlers and a red nose, another with a wreath on the grill. The urge to decorate can strike at any moment. A perfect accessory for such an emergency is "Battery Operated Christmas Lights"! 

Created in response to a Challenge in the December "7 Card Draw" this little painting represents just one of many available to win! Looking for fun and prizes? Come join us on  ETSY  and 7 Card Draw

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Northern Lights and the TRUTH behind them REVEALED


The challenge this month on The ACEO Challenge is
"Northern Lights"! 
It was a fun day trying to create the effect of the lights in the sky in watercolor.
It is the perfect time to reveal the secret ...

It's time to reveal the real TRUTH behind the beautiful lights in the sky!
When Santa's workshop is in full production the light on the top of the North Pole burns 24 hours a day! Today the color is green for a GO on toy production. 
Those poor little elves are working 3 shifts in the factory to keep up with demand.
So now you can see for yourself where the Northern Lights originate!



Monday, December 6, 2010

and today is...the feast of Saint Nicholas...


I know this because it's also my birthday.

Saint Nick will forever be linked to Santa Claus
and by the way
was there any coal in your shoes this morning?
or were you good , like me
and found oranges and chocolates? 

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Keeping up with the neighbors!


More and more of my neighbors are hanging festive lights on and around their homes.
It's almost a competition and show of holiday spirit. 
Fine for me, the view from my window is just wonderful each night!
There are little sparkling lights on each of the homes and trees in the yards
created with stardust inks.
Sorry they don't show  well in the photo :(

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Plenty to do...




Toy Inspectors

Trying to get it all done and still be cheery,
these little elves have decorated a bit to make
their work environment festive.
Created with watercolors and pitt pens and interference and iridescent colors,
this little painting sparkles from the gold garland to the countdown sign.

Friday, November 26, 2010

It's beginning to...

Yes! Decorations are popping up everywhere and more homes have lights and candles in the windows.
All I need is a little elf of my own to help with the preparations.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A Vintage View

  

Yes, it's watercolor.
A vintage landscape finished today.
The snow will be gone tomorrow 
as we hit 40F and get a little rain.

Back to normal.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Monochrome kinda day...




It rained and snowed all day.
The snow didn't accumulate here but the surrounding hills look lovely.
Here is a little rendering of the view,
"Indigo Blues"

Friday, November 19, 2010

Last " 2 for the show"

 Poinsettia


Holly

These are the last 2 little bits to pack up for the fair.

I am pleased to be done and hope to enjoy a bunch of people watching tomorrow.
It would be OK if I sold a few things, too.

See you next week!


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Work!




It snows and the kids have a brilliant idea. They'll shovel the walk for some cash. It's getting close to the holidays and they want to buy presents....
An hour passes and I can't resist checking their progress.
Most of the snow is off the walk and carefully placed here!
"WORK!"

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sunday, November 14, 2010

It's all about KIDS!



Starry Night

There is nothing like viewing the Holidays through the eyes of a child.
Enthusiasm floods all the preparations.
Pure joy and excitement can be contagious.
WATCH OUT!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Snow Fun!


Getting out and enjoying the weather.
The snow is falling and some Christmas decorations are going up.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Framed!

 Violets

I found some lovely rosewood frames and thought I'd see how ACEOs look matted and framed.
The painting is watercolor but the background is india ink. I chose black mat board - match the background and not fight with the little painting.


Then I discovered 5 x 7 frames in a color that reminded me of sunset.

Sorry about the glare and reflection.  :( 


 Jug of Violets

Framed in a tiny 2.5 x 3.5 inch frame.




Sunday, November 7, 2010

Walking in...




Winter Walk

Oh, yes! It's snowing again in my studio.
Even the falling snow has a little sparkle.
This couple is out enjoying the weather!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

I LOVE Snow...

 ...on paper, anyway!
Snow is lovely and every sunrise and sunset can make dramatic changes in the "snowscape".


Even the old Farm looks good!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Little Angels?


Created in response to a November Challenge for the "7 Card Draw" on Etsy.
This little painting has a little snow glow! I used interference blue in the shadows and interference silver on the snow surface.
These kids are making their mark in the yard.
BEWARE the yellow snow.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts
What fun it is playing with watercolors!
The paper was nice and wet and I got to charge in colors with brushes and sponges!
Evidence of play remains on my fingers.
I was testing the staining quality of my paints  ;^)

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Conflicted



Up and Coming Season

Just a little torn, do I face up to what's in store or live in an underwater fantasy?

The laptop is challenging me to figure out what's up.
I'd wager power supply or battery 
BUT
in the meanwhile I'll just paint!

Sounds like a soothing activity...
Perhaps I'll delay on the diagnosis ;^)

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Take a trip with me...



Why not? Can't be any riskier than commercial air travel!
Fly Corgi Air and check out the crops along the way.
No need to worry about your seat back or tray table.
Experience the weather, first hand.
I'll let you ride in the front OOPS first class!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Snow in the Mountains

(On the road to Crater Lake)

I heard that it has snowed in the Cascades overnight. That reminded me of my very first visit here. It was over a Christmas holiday and I was so very lucky to have a friend take me everywhere to see the beauty of the Pacific NW.
We traveled many snow covered roads exploring National Parks and Forests. Not exceptionally smart in the dead of winter. 
This painting is actually based on an exciting ride to Crater Lake in a virtual blizzard. Why would I even expect to see that super blue lake in the midst of winter? Visibility was less than 1 foot. The lodge was open for skiers and snowmobilers so we were able to have hot chocolate.  I was able to buy postcards, calendars and many other little souvenirs with the stock photo of that beautiful super blue lake.
We literally crawled back to the car for the trip back to town.  The road was even more covered with snow and only occasionally could you see tire marks from the other fools out on that day.  The snow banks were blue . Yes, blue. They were extremely high, too.
And the world was quiet and all the trees were Christmas Trees.
I had a blast adding touches of interference blue in the shadows on the snow and little bits everywhere representing the falling snow. You know, it looks just like I remember.
Too bad the glistening doesn't show in a photo.