Somedays a pom pom is just too cheery

"Some Days a Pom Pom is Just Too Cheery"
7.5 x 5.5
Acrylic and ink on collage paper

Don't ask....because I have no idea where this one came from...
But it does make me laugh.


Have a great weekend!!!

Sunnyflowers

"Sunnyflowers"
7.5 x 5.5
Acrylic on collage paper

Been working on the February newsletter ALL morning and then into the afternoon. Once the template is all set up, it SHOULD be a piece of cake to get it written. Look for it in your inbox come February 1! (with any luck at all)

Striving for Luminosity...

7.5 x 5.5 inches
Acrylic on collage paper

I was reading "Color and Light for the Watercolor Painter" by Christopher Schink this morning. He has devoted a few pages on achieving luminosity that were inspiring to re-read.

Schink suggests that; "To create the illusion of glowing areas, paint your subject using light to mid-range values only --no pure whites and no darks." There are a lot of inspiring illustrations to motivate you in this wonderful book.

So here's my attempt, but in acrylic..... It was so very hard not to reach for the darks!!! This was really a stretch for me. I included the black and white photo to show that I really didn't go past mid range...



When might you use luminosity? When trying to paint lanterns, glowing windows at dusk, maybe candlelight... When the light is emanating from something, not shining on something. It would be a great skill to have in your arsenal... I'm going to keep practicing. :)

Art Critique Group

"Blast Off"
10 x 11
Acrylic on Paper

This morning I met with my critique group. It's just so much fun to see what everyone has been up to. (Though they usually know what I've been doing because of this blog.)
We bring our paintings that are finished...and the ones that we're stuck on...and even paintings that we absolutely are sick of. It's always an inspiring morning with creative ideas swirling around.

Dinner at the Whitney....yum!

"Dessert First"
12 x 12
Acrylic

This painting was done in 1999...I did a series of these with my favorite quotes surrounding them...I still sell the image on note cards, even though the painting sold right away. :)


Last night, Don and I met 3 other couples at The Whitney...a gorgeous restaurant in Detroit. Delicious and beautiful....even if I did have to wear "big girl shoes."

Valentine Bouquet in Watercolor

"Valentine Bouquet"
10 x 8
watercolor class sample (at JoAnn's in Auburn Hills)

This class will be available next week. Come join me and we'll splash some paint around!

I had the best time with my beginning watercolor class on Wednesday night. The ladies were just so much fun! I must say, all 3 of their projects turned out just great! (It was the Winter Trees class)

Have a great weekend!
I get to wear my "big girl" shoes tonight....Don and I are going out to dinner with 3 other couples...Wow! A date night!

Quote of the Day:
"The real study of an art student is more a development of that sensitive nature and appreciative imagination with which he was so fully endowed when a child, and which, unfortunately in almost all cases, the contact with the grown-ups shames out of him before he passes into what is understood as real life."
~Robert Henri (in "The Art Spirit")

Newest favorite iTunes buy:
"Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

Back to Warm-ups!

"Teal and Golden Bouquet" (catchy title! LOL)
5.5 x 7.5 inches
Acrylic on fabric glued to watercolor paper.

I am still working on the High Road series...but did a few warm-ups today. This one has very unusual colors for me.... I really like painting on the batik quilt fabric (glued to the paper) What a dynamic under-painting! I would be more pleased if I had left just a bit more of the fabric on left side of the bouquet...oh well... I guess that's why they are called "warm-ups!"

Quote of the Day:
Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere.
~Erma Bombeck