First Blooms

The Buttercups are in bloom!!

My husband picked these flowers from the forest near our home.

The arrival of sweet, golden Buttercups must mean Spring is on its way in the Pacific Northwest. Hurrah!

I wrote this haiku to celebrate these first blooms in my art journal:

Golden petals show,

Announcing Spring’s arrival,

A forest treasure.

Next, I added quick mini collages. I enjoy experimenting with color combinations, texture and balance.

I was able to get outside and take two short walks this weekend. My hip is doing great!

I hope you are all staying well.

Cheers! 🙂

Abstract Landscapes

I am creating mixed media abstract landscapes for my November square-a-day project.

I have discovered how much I enjoy creating these simple landscapes with copic markers and color pencils:

Most of the landscapes are from my imagination. I enjoy trying different color combinations to create a feeling or memory.

Sometimes I will finish them with a little collage. I added Gelli-printed deli paper to this square:

It reminds me of the lake and the repetitive sound of the waves on the sandy beach.

Cheers! 🙂

Windows Into Time…

My husband’s mother has dementia and her memory is declining quickly.

It is difficult to visit her at the facility where she lives but she is always happy to see us.

I did this grid in my art journal using some of the blue-toned printed paper I showed you yesterday:

And as I was photographing the pieces of paper where I had punched out my squares, they reminded me of windows:

The book page I gelli-printed on and used in my grid was about flowering plants from an old botany book. My MIL loved planting flowers.

I wrote this haiku with her on my mind –

Windows into time…

Squares of golden moments shine,

Fading with memory.

Cheers! 🙂

Autumn Color Explorations

Sometimes it is relaxing to explore different watercolor paint combinations without creating a masterpiece!

I was inspired by the colors in a Pier 1 Autumn catalog I recently received in the mail.

Although I’m not ready for Autumn yet in temperature…

I did enjoy looking at the colors in this advertisement!

I read somewhere that magazine covers are good inspiration for exploring color combinations because the editors want you to buy their magazines. Let their research in color explorations work for you!

I especially liked the colors on this page:

I didn’t try to duplicate the colors exactly. Just experiment!

Adding plastic wrap to the wet watercolor gave it great texture:

I had fun mixing colors of paint and letting the colors mingle on my paper. It helped me to slow down and enjoy the process.

I’m not done with my exploration but I thought you might enjoy seeing my process.

Happy color explorations!

Cheers! 🙂

May’s Square-A-Day Project

It seems amazing that a new month, June has begun…

Time to show you my square-a-day project for May!

I hope you are enjoying this project as much as I am!

Cheers! 🙂

P.S.  What colors appeal to you?  Please share!

Knowing When To Stop

How do YOU know when a piece is finished when creating art?

I was experimenting in gouache the other day…

I was enjoying the process of adding to my piece.

And then I went too far… It became too busy when I added markers.

Sometimes it is difficult knowing when to stop.  I was hesitant to show you but I believe this is part of the learning process when creating.  I cannot expect to make beautiful art every time!

I made copies and will use them in my collage art.  What do you do with your art mistakes?

Cheers to creating and learning! 🙂

A Facial

Last week, I started this paper collage from an advertisement image in a magazine:

I started “mapping” the face with light and dark values.  I learned this technique from Lynn Whipple in The Year of The Collage, hosted by Carla Sonheim.

Next, I added magazine patterns and colors by the values (think paint by numbers!)

At first, my gal looked like she was getting a facial! 

But in the end, she looked more like an exotic princess!

She took awhile to complete; many layers of paper, glue stick and patience!

Can you find all four pheasants from the used bird book I showed you in my last post?

Cheers! 🙂

A Copic Doodle

I have been experimenting with Copic markers lately.  I haven’t been a big fan of them in the past because the markers bleed through the paper.

I decided that I would give theses markers another chance.

I chose 140-lb hot press watercolor paper rather than a journal so I didn’t have to worry about the bleed through.  I like how these markers dry evenly on my paper:

Next, I used Micron sepia .01 pen to accent shapes:

I used both .05 and .01 sized sepia ink pens to add my finishing details:

Here are the pen colors I used for this Copic doodle:

It was fun to experiment in colors I don’t normally use and leave some white space!

Have you used Copic markers?  I’d love to hear your opinion about them.

Happy Friday!

Cheers! 🙂

Creating A Recipe Of Fun…

I have been thinking about how I want to participate in Charlie’s World Watercolor Month this July at Doodlewash.com

I wanted to make it fun… and discovered an idea from Danielle Donaldson’s recent book:

She suggested experimenting with watercolor by making color recipe cards.  I liked this idea and decided to make it my own.

I decided to make a 6 x 9 inch “recipe card” using a variety of watercolor papers, experiment in watercolor and collage on each card and use the alphabet to help guide me to create my recipe of fun!

I got started right away with “A” recipe…

I decided I wasn’t going to overthink my process…

So “B” fore I did, I moved on to my next letter:

I added alphabet “tabs” to the top of my first cards so I could create more than one recipe in that letter.

Part of the fun is adding notes to the back of the card, such as what inspired me:

I hope you create your own watercolor recipe of fun and participate in World Watercolor Month with me!

Cheers! 🙂

P.S. Charlie O’Shields will be giving away many freebies in July so be sure to stop by his blog for a chance to win!  #worldwatercolormonth

A Whole New World

I recently purchased two synthetic “Dagger” watercolor brushes from Dick Blick.

I learned about these brushes from my blogging friend and talented artist, Patty Anne. Please check out her beautiful watercolors on her blog:  Patty Anne Art

I had never heard of this brush and loved the results that Patty Anne got with her roses.

I started by just experimenting with the 3/8 brush by “testing the waters” so to speak…

I found it extremely relaxing not painting anything specific and just experiment with the brush and color.  I created this on 300 lb watercolor paper:

Afterwards, I outlined the shapes in a black Micron pen and added a few houses.  It looks like a whole new world to me!

This last weekend, I created this abstract in my small watercolor sketchbook:

It was super fun to add details with a black Micron pen and gel pens in different colors. What do you see?

I encourage you to experiment with different materials in your art!  You may discover a whole new world to explore!!

Cheers! 🙂