I did this painting from a photograph taken by Bryan Wahrer while he was on a vacation in New England some time ago.  Bryan is a very gifted photographer who was also a former student of mine while in high school.  He was also a gifted artist.  As you can see he has a fine eye for composition.  Thank you, Bryan, for allowing me to use this beautiful photo.

The painting is 9" x 11" and is painted on Fluid 100 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper.

The Purple Door

I finished this painting this evening...it will be  a lesson for my watercolor class in Wapakoneta, Ohio, at the Riverside Art Center.  This painting is approximately 9" x 11" and is painted on 140 lb. hot-pressed Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper in transparent watercolor.

Whirligiggs!

Whirligiggs!

I finished this mixed media piece this evening.  I am going to use it for a lesson for my watercolor class this summer.  They have expressed an interest in doing some mixed media work.

I used an old watercolor painting as my base and then collaged green tissue paper over the entire surface allowing some of the original painting to show through.  Then I collaged pieces of white tissue paper on which I had painted and stamped gesso patterns.  Then I took a stiff bristle brush and softened the edges and drybrushed white gesso over the entire painting allowing the green tissue to peak through..  At this point, I drew the koi fish and then painted the composition with watercolors which worked really well over the gesso.  I was happy with the results because I love the textures which are showing through all the different layers.    This painting is approximately 12" x 16".

Still Life Painting at Watercolor Class

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From left: Rose Hawkins; Barbara Pelly; Cindy Staples; Dave McNeal; Misty Steinke; Janice Belgiovane

We worked on a still life with pears and a bean pot which was loosly taken from one of my mixed 

media paintings with watercolor on gesso.  The painting now resides with my good friend, Rosie Wermert.  The bean pot is inherited from my great-grandmother - very special to me.

This painting is smaller, and strictly watercolor.  It is 8 1/2" x 11".

The painters are not finished, but are doing a great job.  Please notice that Rose is still working on last week's painting - also a beautiful painting.

Cindy's Apple Blossom

I finished this painting this evening from a photo taken by a good friend of mind, Cindy Staples.  I am afraid to say that I have not done the photo justice, but I tried.

This painting is 9"x11" and is painted on hot pressed Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper.  I plan to use this for my watercolor class as a lesson.

Spring Blossoms

Spring Blossoms

I finished this watercolor over the weekend and plan to use it as a lesson for my watercolor class at Riverside Arts Center.

The watercolor is painted on Dick Blick student grade 140 lb. watercolor paper.  It worked pretty well, although the paper doesn't have enough sizing for my needs.  The paint doesn't lift when you want it to so you have to be pretty certain about your strokes from the start.  All in all,  the paper worked well considering the economical factor - it is not expensive and is great for beginners.  It would frustrate experienced painters.

The painting is 8 1/2 x 11 inches.

Cardinal

A good friend gave me a thank you card this week with several birds on it.  I was particularly taken with the cardinal, so this evening I painted a small (4"x 6") watercolor of the cardinal.  It is painted on 140 lb. hot-pressed Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper.  It was a fun activity for a Saturday evening. 

Misty's Barn

This is a painting I did from a photograph taken by one of my adult painters at Riverside Art Center, Misty Steinke..  It is a barn in northwest Ohio.  I was taken by the beautiful clouds in her photo and felt I just had to paint it.

The painting is approximately 8 1/2 x 11 and is painted on 140 lb. hot pressed Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper.

I decided to use this painting for my watercolor class and they did so well with it.  I am so proud of them - they are really good painters!

Peggy's Cove Revisited

"Peggy's Cove Revisited"

This is the painting I prepared for last weeks lesson...it isn't as bright and cheerful as the others I have painted about Peggy's Cove.  This one is on a dreary, misty, foggy day.  I imagine they have those days as well, in Nova Scotia.

This painting is 8 1/2 x 11, and is painted on 140 lb. hot-pressed Fabriano Artistico  watercolor paper. 

First Peonies

"First Peonies"

I recently finished this painting and plan to use it as a lesson for my watercolor class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

This painting is from a photo by Rosalind-Amorin on the PMP web site where they share photos and we are allowed to use them as source material.

This painting is approximately 9" x 11" and is painted on  140 lb. cold-pressed Fabriano-Artistico watercolor paper.

Swallowtail

I recently finished this painting from a beautiful photo from my friend, Deb Holmes.  She is a wonderful photographer and she generously shares her work with me.  I am going to use this painting as a lesson for my adult watercolor class at Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  I hope they enjoy painting it as much as I have.

Watercolor Class Explores Abstraction

 Back: Cindy Staples; Molly Kohut; Dave McNeal; Front: Misty Steinke; Janice Belgiovane

Back: Lea; Terry Nelson; Elaine Mikesell; Sandy Davis; Rose Hawkins;

Last night, my watercolor class worked in abstraction.  The subject was a water lily and as you can see, there are not any two alike.  I think they had a lot of fun...we plan to finish next week.  I am so lucky...this is such a great group!