My Lemonade Pitcher with Pears

This is the latest  project painting that I have prepared for my watercolor class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  The subject is a lemonade pitcher which my husband and I bought several years ago in West Virginia along with 6 hand thrown clay cups. I added 2 Bosc pears to the still life before photographing.  The painting is approx 9" x 12" and is transparent watercolor with black acrylic background.  It is painted on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold-pressed watercolor paper.

Tea for One

Back row: Dave McNeal; Terry Nelson; Misty Steinke;  Front row: Rose Hawkins; Cindy Staples; Bridget Weller.

 Tonight, my watercolor class worked on a still life from a Google image. It was an exercise in layering watercolor washes and they have a really strong start - we will finish next week

Yes! Another Truck!!! Log Cabin and Vintage Red Truck

This is a recent painting I have prepared for my class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

I cut and pasted several images to achieve this composition.  The painting is 8 1/2 x 11 inches and is painted on Fabriano Artistico cold-pressed 140 lb.watercolor paper.  I used a lot of burnt sienna, dragon's blood and sepia watercolors.

Fall Still Life for Class

This is my entry into the October pumpkin painting project for the Watercolor Workshop Group. I used the drawing that Susie Short provided for the project  because I was in some hurry. I Also made some changes and additions. I enjoyed painting this very much.  The painting is 8 1/2 x 11 inches and is painted on Fabriano cold-pressed watercolor paper.

Birthday Celebrations

I was blessed with two birthday cakes this year; the first was a delicious mandarin orange cake which I posted on my Facebook page, and the second was this delicious harlequin/checkerboard chocolate and yellow cake baked by my dear friend Rose for our Muses Thursday afternoon arts gathering.  It was truly delicious and we had a lot of fun finding out how Rose did this.  Turning 77 hasn't been as traumatic as I thought it would be.

"Fink's"

This is the latest painting I have prepared for my class,  Riverside Art Center Watercolorists!

I told them recently that they have graduated from Intermediate.

This painting is done from a clipping one of my students brought home from Delaware (the state, not the city.)  She knows that I love vintage trucks and the class enjoys painting them too.  It is 9" x 12" and is painted on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold-pressed watercolor paper and is totally transparent watercolor.

First Place!!!

Last night, when I returned from the art show, I had no internet! This morning, I had no internet.  Tonight - I have internet - go figure!

I was honored to receive First Place at the Riverside Art Center's annual juried show last night.  It  was for a painting of a vintage truck which belonged to a young man in Illinois who had plans, along with his twin brother, to restore it.  Unfortunately and tragically, Garrett Rinehart, the young man, was killed in a tragic accident in Chicago and he never was able to realize his dream - I named the painting " Garrett's Dream!"  

The painting is a transparent watercolor painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed Arches watercolor paper.

Thank you to the jurors and to Riverside Art Center for this honor.

Jackson Center High School - A Commission

I recently completed this commissioned painting of Jackson Center High School in Jackson Center, Ohio.  The finished painting is 8 1/2 " x  11" and is painted on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold-pressed watercolor paper.  This is the 3rd painting commissioned by this patron for her son, who no longer lives in the district.  The first was of the Big Four Bridge, and The Spot Restaurant, both in Sidney, Ohio.  This is the last year for the high school which will be torn down in 2016 to make way for a new high school.  So - this is especially special to her son.  This is special to me, also, because I taught 28 of my 43 years teaching art in this building.

Final Peggy's Cove Painting

We have done several paintings of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia from different views and different  seasons.  All of them have the large red fish house in them.

In this painting, I used some artistic license in that I changed the colors of the boats which were all blue and which I feel was too much blue for a painting.  This was a lesson in painting water and reflections.

The painting is 8 1/2" x 11" and is painted on Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper - one of my favorites.

This will be a lesson for my watercolor class at Riverside Arts Center in Wapakoneta.

"Tigger!"

"Tigger"

A member of my watercolor class, Janice Belgiovane, e-mailed me a picture of this adorable horse. The owner of the farm rescues abused and abandoned horses. She took the photo while on vacation in Maine.  We both thought it would be a great picture for the class to paint. 

The painting was done on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper and is 8 1/2" x 11".

Intermediate Watercolor Painters Paint the Peony!!!

Top: Cindy Staples; David McNeal; Barbara Pelly; Bottom: Rose Hawkins; Misty Steinke.

I was very proud of my painters this week when they did their renditions of the peony.  As you can see, I have very talented students (better than the teacher, Eh?), and we worked 2 weeks on this one.  Some, still aren't completed.  I am so happy to be working with these wonderful painters and we are truly a watercolor family.

Rosie's Peony 2

I finished this painting this week as a lesson for my intermediate watercolor painting class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  

This painting is approximately 9" x 11" and is painted on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold-pressed watercolor paper.  The greens are all mixed from cadmium yellow and pthalo blue watercolors from Blick.  The pinks are mostly mixed from quinacridone rose violet from Holbein.

Contemplation

Last week at watercolor class my students didn't finish the "Peggy's Cove" seacoast scene.  Since several of them are unable to make it to class this coming Monday, we decided to finish it next week.

Thus - I had to come up with a lesson for those who will be coming to class.  I thought that maybe a watercolor portrait would be fun since we don't do them all that often. 

This is the painting I worked on today.  I actually took it from a movie I was watching on Netflix - I took a photo of the computer screen on which I was watching the netflix movie - I had stopped the action.  I thought she had such an interesting face.  It is not easy stopping the movie at exactly the spot you want.  I have no idea about copyright  permission on something like this - is isn't really a photograph.  Since I don't want to get into trouble, I'll definitely not show or sell it.

The painting is 8 1/2 x 11" and is painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.

Peggy's Cove 2

This is the second painting of Peggy's Cove that I prepared for my watercolor class at Riverside Art Center.  It is a different view of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia.

This painting is 8 1/2 x 11" and is painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.  It is transparent watercolor with linear detail with a Micron-Pigma pen.

The Boneyard

I finished this painting this evening.  I started it before I got sick and found it difficult to get back into the "swing" of things painting again.  This, of course, is my favorite subject - vintage trucks -  and I had a lot of fun with the color in this.  It is a large painting - about 18" x 30" and I will probably mat it in white with a warm wood frame.

It is painted on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold-pressed watercolor paper and I used a lot of one of my favorite colors, Dragon's Blood in this one.

This was painted from a photo by Carla Parris with her permission. 

Monday Night Intermediate Class Paintings

I gratefully got back to teaching my Monday night watercolor class after taking time off to recouperate from some serious weaknesses caused by essential benign tremors and myoclonus jerks. I am feeling so much better and it was so nice to be back with my watercolor family again.

We did a painting I saw in a demonstration by the blogger "The Frugal Crafter" on her blog.  It has a very interesting sky with an oriental type of boat in silhouette against the sky and water.  They did so well on this project!

Why I Haven't Been Posting...

Just a note to let all my bloggers know what has been going on with me...I have not posted a painting for a long time.

I have had a hard time of it.  It seems that I have inherited my grandfather's  (Mother's father) essential benign tremors with myoclonus jerks and it has absolutely turned my world upside down.  For a while they thought that I had Parkinson's - but thank goodness that is not the case.  What did happen, though, is that I fell 3 times last month due to the jerks because I do not know when they are going to occur.  During one of the the falls, I lacerated my knee - 6 inches long and 1/2 inch deep and had to have 28 stitches in the ER.  I tore muscles in my calf also and my foot and ankle swelled for 3 weeks during which time I was reclining in my recliner trying to keep my leg up.  During this time I became weaker and weaker until finally I had to be admitted to the hospital for weakness and dehydration.  After 3 days I was moved up to transitional care where the physical and occupational therapists worked with me for 2 weeks.  I am getting much stronger and am gradually taking on household chores. They said that I have to use a walker from now on because I have no idea when these things are going to happen. I have done very little painting and the tremors have affected my painting so I guess I am going to get my wish to become a "loose" woman painter.  I jerk at the most inopportune times!  Interesting!!!

Keep tuned to this spot to see the "new" Barbara!!!

New England Fishing Village

I finished this painting this evening.  I cropped the scene from a large photograph and just zeroed in on the boat and the grey building.  The things I like best about this painting are the colors. The painting is 11" x 8 1/2" and is painted on Canson's 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.

I plan to use this as the painting for the class at Riverside Art Center this coming week.

Karen's Lovely Magnolia

This painting was done from a photograph taken by a friend and former student, Karen Spencer Brown.  She is a wonderful artist and has a lovely eye for beauty!  She has also graciously allowed me to use her photo for a class lesson at Riverside.  

The painting is 12" x 9" and is painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper with the new QoR watercolor paints from Golden.  They are wonderful.

The Blue Door

This painting is from a group of photographs posted by artist Deb Watson on her blog and which she allows artists to paint from.  I always enjoy pictures of entryways - especially colorful ones like this one.  Thanks to Deb Watson for allowing us to use her beautiful photos.

I thought this might make a great lesson for my class at Riverside Art Center, but after all the time it took me to paint it, they may have other ideas!!!  Actually it would not be necessary to paint in individual bricks - just suggest them.

This painting is approximately 12" x 9 " and is painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed Canson watercolor paper using a variety of watercolors from a variety of companies!

Spooky White Trees

This is the latest lesson I have prepared for my intermediate watercolor class at Riverside Art Center.  I got my inspiration from a painting I saw on Pinterest, "Shadow Play" by Teresa Ascone.  I drew this myself, but I have to admit that the colors and the concepts were not mine and I will not take credit for them.  I thought that it would make a great lesson, though, especially in the color combinations
.
This painting is 12" x 9" and is painted on Canson 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.

Old Colorado Dump Truck

This is the latest lesson for my intermediate watercolor painting class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

It is painted on 140 lb. Canson cold-pressed watercolor paper.  I used Dragon's Blood and Payne's Grey and Sepia for the truck.  I mixed my greens with pthalo blue, cadmium yellow and burnt sienna.  Burnt sienna and pthalo blue make the most wonderful dark green.  I used some raw sienna and yellow ochre with burnt sienna for the ground.

I hope they enjoy painting this - I like it because of the nice shapes in the back of the truck.

The Old Man - The Class Versions

Left to right: Terry Nelson; Janice Belgiovane; Misty Steinke; Dave McNeal; Rose Hawkins

Last night the intermediate watercolor Class at Riverside Art Center did their paintings of "The Old Man!"  They did a great job and had a lot of fun.  This was not an easy painting and I didn't hear one grumble.

The Old Man

I created this painting as the lesson for my next intermediate watercolor class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  This is done mostly from my mind, and I used a limited palette of Dragon's Blood, Payne's Grey and green.  The detailing was done by dipping the end of a kabob holder in the payne's grey into wet paint. The colors were added first wet-in-wet forming the face and then the detailing.

Watercolor Class

I will not be holding my Intermediate Watercolor Class tonight!  Thanks, Barb

Which Do You Like Better?

                                                                                   2

   

The bottom painting is one I did last week for last night's lesson at Riverside Art Center.  The top picture is the one I did during the class period last night with the class (and afterward.)

Which one do you like the best.  Last week's painting is tighter and more stylistic and last night's is a little looser. Last night's painting is also cropped more tightly.  Last week's painting is more colorful. Which do you prefer?  I am curious!                                                                                 1

Boneyard WIP

I have been working on a new drawing for a painting from a photo by Carla Parris (Carla Parris photography).   It is hard to see and I apologize for that.

It is 30 inches across and 15 inches tall and is drawn on Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.  It is taking me quite a long time to get it drawn.  Well - back to work!

Tomatoes in Copper Colander

I completed this painting during the weekend - a good activity for cold, snowy weather ...it is a painting for my intermediate watercolor class to paint.  It is 8" x  9" and is painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.

It is painted from a photo on the Paint My Picture web site and the photographer is Lillian Bell.  I am unhappy that the camera read the colors so strongly- especially the reds in the tomatoes.  They are not that intense in the painting.

The most difficult thing to paint in this painting was the background, and then the tomatoes.  I could not get them to look like tomatoes and finally gave up.

The Star Barn

This is one of the paintings I have prepared for my intermediate watercolor class at Riverside Art Center.  It is painted on Canson's 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.  The source photo was from Cricket Hackmann Photography with permission from the photographer.

Autumn Leaves Final

I think that I have finished this - finally!   I will leave it unframed for a while and look at it and analyze, etc.  This is a full sheet of  watercolor paper - 30" x 22" and is totally transparent watercolor.  This was painted on 140 pound Fabriano Artistico cold-pressed watercolor paper.  I love this paper - it is very responsive and workable.  I am open to suggestions, criticisms, etc.

This is from a photo I found on the web site Paint My Photo by Andre van de Sande. 

Autumn Leaves 4

I was able to work some more on this last night and today.  Since I have my 2 grandchildren (10 and 12) for the week, my time is limited.  We are having a great time with them and they are elated tonight to learn that there is a 2 hour snow delay tomorrow at school.

I am happy with the way this painting is coming along and am becoming anxious to get it finished now.  I am in love with the colors!

Tomorrow is the day I have my EEG and MRI and I am not anxious for that at all.  I hope that they don't find any issues, but something is causing my tremors - it may just be my age - I am no spring chicken!!!

Still Life with Crocks and Apples

I took time away from the colorful leaves painting to prepare a painting to teach my class at Riverside Art Center.  This painting is 9" x 12" and is painted on 140 lb. Canson cold-pressed watercolor paper. The source was from a photo from Wet Canvas image library.  Now I am back to the autumn leaves painting.

Autumn Leaves 3

Another afternoon and evening of work and I am beginning to see where I will carry the pattern of darks and lights and the colors I plan to use to carry the eye throughout the painting.  It is always good to get away from your painting occasionally.  I am enjoying painting this piece very much.

Autumn Leaves 2

I have been working on this large piece, but it is taking a long time, along with my other duties, I fear! I have also been having some health issues, which makes things more difficult.  I think that I mentioned before that I have Essential and Familial Tremor and now have an EEG and MRI scheduled for next week as things are not improving.  

I am truly enjoying working with the colors in this - you all know that I am in love with color in any way, shape or form.  This is actually going better than I expected...I can see now that I have gotten away from it,  that there are some changes I will have to make.  It is funny how these things become evident as soon as you post on the internet!

Stay tuned to this "channel" to see the progress on this painting!

Autumn Leaves

 

This is the new painting I have started.  I suspect it will take a while until completion - it is quite large - a full sheet of watercolor paper 30" x  22".  The paper is Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. cold-pressed and I have always loved working on this brand.

The subject is from a photograph by Andre van de Sande entitled "Autumn Leaves" and I found it on the Paint my Photo website where photographers post their photographs so that artists can use them for source material and other photographers may enjoy them.

I enlarged and drew the picture using the grid method.  This is where you draw a grid over the photograph (I use clear plastic taped to the photo, and a Sharpie marker for this step.)  I then measure and draw in the grid lightly on the large sheet of watercolor paper.  It is important that the large sheet of paper is the same ratio as the small one - just larger.  For example... 4" x 6" would enlarge to 16" x 24", using 4 as the common denominator.

Coastal Village

I finished this watercolor this morning - a transparent watercolor painting with ink line detailing.  It has a sort of abstract quality and I love the linear effect of the ink lines created with the Micron Pigma pen, .05,

This will be the lesson for the Monday night intermediate watercolor class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  I hope they like it!!!...and...I hope the weather cooperates this week...I am tired of ice and snow!

Psychedelic 2

I did this piece last night when I was teaching my class - this second one is bolder in line and not as bold in color.  I like the first one much better.  This one is 12"x 9" and is on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.

The class did really well and embraced the concept of the project.  I will post their work when they are finished.

Psychedelic

A "Blast From The Past" - a  psychedelic ZIA -Zentangle Inspired Art! This reminds me of the colorful art created during the 60's and 70's.   I did this today for my Monday evening class - they seem to like the ZIA's.  This time we will do the composition first, then the Zentangle work and then finish  with the watercolor.  I am going to give them some pictures of flowers and landscapes found in some ZIA and then they will do their own compositions. Mine is loosely based on one I found on Pinterest, which I think was actually created with computer graphics, created entirely on the computer.  Mine is not.

This work is 12" x 9" and is done on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.