Last Friday we began the “Paint In The Garden” series, at scenic Chrystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Seven intrepid artists joined me in painting. I first did a demo, painting a rhody in my journal (right), followed with everyone painting their favorite blossoms. Below are images of work in progress: Heidi’s painting We were in the […]
Treasures: on Black Stone In the collection of Sanda Smith Camping on an island with my husband, both sons and their girlfriends last September, I found myself unable to take my eyes off the ground. It was littered with every shape and color of stone and shell you might imagine — and then some! Upon […]
Dick Blick has opened a grand new store in Portland’s Pearl District, and to celebrate they have events planned January 25th through February 5th. While this store doesn’t have every item in their extensive catalog, what they DO carry is impressive. To honor Oregon Society of Artists and Watercolor Society of Oregon, I will be […]
While visiting my sister, Theresa, in Texas just before Thanksgiving, I prepared art for 12 paintings, each 10 x 10 inches, sketching them on Crescent watercolor board. I chose this size because I’d found a source for the gallery frames. They came with plexiglass, which I’m just tossing and will use acrylic mediums to protect […]
I’m pulling art out of drawers and sorting. In taking another look, I often see room for improvement. It’s so easy to get the brushes wet and rework them. The results are usually worth the effort. Having a good supply of wood cradled panels, I’ve been playing around with displaying some of my art on […]
‘Judy In The spotlight’ This painting was finished just in time for the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibition entry. I met Judy Hoiness at the WSO conference at Eugene last spring, and shot reference for this painting at one of the breakout sessions she led. I love the way the light hits the side […]
An age old question arose as I contemplated how to use the birch Cradled Panels. Should I attach the paper before or after painting? If I paint first, I can toss anything I’m not fond of and not waste the panel. But if I adhere the paper first, it stays flat — no buckling while […]
It is always a treat to participate in the WSO conventions, twice a year, where many artists from around the state and beyond, gather to learn (or teach). Each time it is at a different location around the state, and this one was at the Hilton in Eugene. I’ve been a member about 10 years, […]
It doesn’t take a long walk into the woods to find inspiration — especially in Spring with the Trillium blooming — hundreds of them! And each one unique. I’ve been grabbing my camera to record favorites — close-up, and from every angle — in sunlight, in the rain. Then took some inside where I could […]
A couple of “special effects” can be used in conjunction with watercolor paint to create interesting texture. I am using them on the Cradled Panels by American Easel. KROMA Crackle, comes in a tube. It’s a new product made by a company in Vancouver BC. An actual sample of it is applied to the label. […]