The Dakota Badlands

This weeks watercolor lesson at Riverside Arts Center tomorrow night is going to be a lesson in the gradated wash.  This painting, which I finished today, was inspired by a lesson in Joe Garcia's book "Mastering the Watercolor Wash."  First I did a painting exactly as he teaches in his book to learn the process - and then - because of royalty concerns, I painted my own version of his painting using the principles in his book, but doing my own composition and painting instead of copying his but using his principles.   

Boudoir Baby!

Today was Collage Thursday with the Muses again.  I did a collage on a piece of matboard 10" x 9" from an assortment of materials - papers, lace, screen, doilies, and newspaer + paint, Sharpie marker and Prismacolor colored pencils.

Sue's Rose #2

I started this painting yesterday afternoon and finished it this afternoon.  It is from a photograph taken by Sue Drennan which is on her Flickr site.  This is the 2nd painting I have done of her roses, thus the name of the painting.  This is painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed Canson Watercolor paper.

Chattanooga ChooChoo

New Version

Yesterday's Version

Today I reworked my collage from yesterday - adding a lot of watercolor washes to the surface and I like it much better.  I also renamed it!  It is no longer "Spirit Reflections" because I now think it looks like an old fashioned train engine!  I have renamed it "Chattanooga ChooChoo!"  It is approximately 9" x 15" and is on a piece of matboard.

Collaging With The Muses

The Group

 Donna Clark's "Order Out Of Chaos"

Barb Sailor's "Spirit Reflections"

Marsha Elliott's "Patriotic Man"

Patty Magoto's "Cross the Line" (Unfinished)

Rose Hawkins "Whales"

Rosie Wermert's "Dancing With Nature"

Theresa Deland's "Crossover"

Michelle Walker's "Northwoods Spirits" version 1

Version 2

Version 3

We had a collage workshop this afternoon in my basement studio with the "Muses" and two guests, Donna Clark and Marsha Elliott!  We had a great time creating collages with a multitude of items.  Michelle kept changing hers so I have included the various transformations to her collage!  It is 100 degrees outside so it was a great way to spend a HOT afternoon!!!

Abandoned

We have been on-the-go all day today - doctor appointment first for hubby then opposite direction to deliver paintings for judging into a show- then lunch - then pick up prescription at Wally world and then company for dinner - good friends so it was okay to serve them sloppy joes and they brought the potato salad.  So - tonight I painted this little watercolor sketch of my favorite subject - a vintage truck.  This is small - 4" x 6" and is painted on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper! Oh - how I love to paint old trucks!!!  It makes me happy!

July Sunset in Shelby County

I painted this today from a photo I took last night on my way home from Riverside Art Center along I-75.  The sky was awesome - storm clouds moving through from west to east and the sun managing to peak through occasionally.  It is painted on 140 lb. Arches cold-pressed watercolor paper.