February 30 in 30, Day # 11

30 paintings in 30 days.

Today is a commission piece.

I had a great time at the Nicholas Conservatory last night. We were painting orchids as a part of the In Full Bloom; The Orchid Exhibit. It was a great opportunity to tell people about the Rockford Art Guild and JR Finally Art.

Crab Apple BlossomsII

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

NFS

New friends, Jim and Vicki

Pam, The Guild President

Cristi

Beth and John, the Vice President.

February 30in 30, Day #3

30 Paintings in 30 Days

A day back in my comfort zone. Today's apple blossoms were a bit of a challenge, to keep the whites and soft colors using alcohol inks which are known for their vibrant colors.

Apple Blossoms

Alcohol Inks and Pen

8" x 8" Canvas

$185 +S&H

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September 9, Spring Again

Day 9

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

It's always this time of year, when the school buses are running, and the apple patch is open, that I have to remind myself that Fall is my favorite season. I suppose the problem is that winter is soon to follow. But being a painter, I'm enjoying winter much more than I ever did before. It's the time when schedules slow down and I can spend more time in my studio painting. Next summer I will be doing less shows. It's bitter sweat for me, less shows more classes.

If I could turn back time, I'd do the summer all over again. It was wonderful. I'd start with Spring and ease back into summer.

Today's pick is from the crab apple tree in the backyard. Every Spring there is one week where it is full of it's wonderful blossoms. I feel so lucky just to be able to witness it each year. But then, that's in the Spring...

Spring Again

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Yupo Paper

8" x 10"

$95

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Inspired in my Own Back Yard

It was  Dorothy Gale in the Wizard of Oz who said: "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!" Okay, she never went to Venice or she wouldn't have said that, but some of it is true.

Most of my watercolor paintings are from flowers in my back yard. I plant them, then photograph them. Gardening is a lot like painting. You choose color combinations, paying attention to textures along the way. You plant all of these in the garden and you don't know for certain how they'll turn out. Much depends on the lighting, the amount of water you use, the temperature, the quality of your materials, your mood and even critters in the area. Just like painting!


So here's some early Spring shots from my garden that I photographed yesterday.

Just goes to show... There's no place like home.