Helpful websites

Here is a list of  websites that have quite a lot of helpful information, if you have not already found these on your own.

www.professionalartistmag.com

www.createmixedmedia.com/

https://stampington.com/

www.wetcanvas.com/

www.artistnetwork.com/


Since I have not been able to paint I have spent a lot of time on the internet studying other artists work and researching websites.  These all have blogs, tutorials, links to other sites that you may find of interest. 

Working with Gouache

I had purchased several tubes of gouache paint for a workshop several years ago and never used them.  At a location I had gone to paint one morning there was mist coming off of the water so I though I would try them to see if I could get that misty feeling.  The trees had turned color so there was a lot of contrast with the mist.  I think this did create a great atmospheric effect.  I need to keep working with these paints as there is a challenge to them.

Another Beauty

The quilt pictured in the top photo is finally finished!  This is one of my favorite quilts that I have made.  The patchwork blocks make hearts, and halfway down the quilt they reverse direction.  I quilted a butterfly border.  Using scraps of the fabric in the body of the quilt makes for an more interesting border.

And of course once I finished that quilt I had more scraps to use.  So I put those pieces to good use in designing a lap size quilt.  I still have to put that together with quilt batting and a fabric backing before I can quilt it.

Not A Painting, but still a work of art

This past year I have had knee replacement surgery, foot surgery, and stress fractures which have  left me unable to climb stairs or stand for any length of time.  Since I need to deal with a flight of stairs to get into my studio, and I stand to paint, I have not been able to produce any paintings.  So in my need to create I went back to my love of sewing and quilting.  This type of work makes sure to keep me seated, good for my bones, and keeps my creativity flowing, good for my mind!!!! These are the four quilts I have completed.  I did hand quilt them all.  I have one more to finish. 

What's the saying,  When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!??  Or in my case when it rains, it pours, so I need a bigger umbrella!!

Ohio Watercolor Society Exhibit

 

This painting of mine has been selected to be in the Ohio Watercolor Exhibit for 2015.  The show opens September 18 and closes October 24,2015.  It is being held at the Middletown Fine Art Center, Middletown, Ohio.

 

This painting was painted on gesso treated watercolor paper

Michigan Watercolor Society

I was fortunate to have this painting selected for the Michigan Watercolor Society Exhibition.  The show opened May 17th and runs through July 18th.  It is being held at the Janice Charach Gallery, Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan.  The show runs through July 18th.

This painting was done on Yupo paper using the Independent Layering Technique.  The first layer is a was of medium fluid acrylic paint.  The image is then painted over this using watercolor to paint in areas, and rubbing alcohol to lift paint for the white areas in the painting.  In this painting, the face is the original first layer of paint.  You can find other posts of paintings I have done in this technique, labeled independent layering.  Also, I have listed the link to Mary Jane Noe's blog where you can find the information on ordering the book she published on how to use this technique.  It is challenging but fun! 

Spring flowers

A beautiful time of year here!

Summer Roses

It is a little early for roses but after this winter I think we are all ready for summer!  This is a watercolor painted on Arches cold pressed paper.  Although I love to experiment and push the boundaries with what watercolor can do I still enjoy the basic approach to using watercolor., just paint water and good quality paper!