Day 9, An Update of Flowers and Studios

Day 9, 30 Paintings in 30 Days hosted by Leslie Saeta.

January 9: 2.5 hours
             8:  3 hours
             7: 2.5 hours, Monthly Total:23.75 hours

I know it looks like I'm falling behind because I'm not posting every day, but I'm still here. This weekend I spent some more time with my RAM flowers in alcohol inks. There's a part that really has me stumped. I'm probably over thinking it too much. It's been very helpful to jump around the painting, working on different flowers depending on how comfortable I feel with them at a given time.

I got the opportunity to pull out the watercolors, my first love. Well no, oils were my first love, but I do love watercolors. Anyway, I have a commission involving flowers in watercolors. My client has asked me not to post my work on Facebook and I will respect her wish. But, I did get permission to post some preliminary sketches that I have been working on.

I'm enjoying this 30 in 30. No real pressure, let's just get some work done. I want to spend more time in my studio. I'm not feeling pressured with having to produce a finished piece. Nor do I feel the pressure of is this "good " enough to sell? There is pressure to post something each day and I have fallen behind in that a bit. Since I don't have much to post by way of these flowers - and I will have several more days of them - I will spend some time giving you an update on my studio.

Many of you know that Mark and I purchased a building in downtown Rockton last July that we will transform into my studio.  Last Fall there was such a push to finish the 160 year old house that Mark was rehabbing that we haven't had much time to work on this building. As we find ourselves short of the funds, and as the temperatures are low, 29 degrees, our progress is slow. We are planning on starting with a small build out so I can open my studio and begin working there soon. It's a challenge. The building has no heat nor water currently and heating the 4000 square space is out of the question at this time. We are at the planning stage. Such an exciting time.










The 170 year old building is such a gem! It's a mess and disaster, but it has so much potential! It has a basement that housed a cooler. It's kinda a homemade cooler that isn't original to the basement. But it has an incredible door that appears to be from the 1910's. It would be an incredible piece to refinish and use upstairs.

September 30 in 30, Day 28

Day 28

30 in 30 hostrd by Leslie Saeta.

I must be getting confused by the days.
Yesterday was actually 28.... but who's counting.

Today's painting is an en plein air from 
Klehm Arboretum in Rockford. 
This afternoon is lovely, but the day didn't start out that way. This morning was cold and rainy. Not wanting to miss my plein air day, I stayed in the car and painted from there. It worked out pretty well until I realized that I left the back hatch open when I retrieved my painting supplies. Two hours later the battery was dead. Just another wonderful thing about my daughter... Thanks for the jump Samantha.

What do you do when you have a dead battery 
and are waiting for a jump?
Well the obvious of course... go to the bathroom then the gift shop for a new hummingbird feeder and chocolate, then return to the car and paint more.
(Sorry about the photo. That is also from the car.)

A Rainy Morning at Klehm

Watercolor and Ink

8" x 12"

$75

Plein Air at Nicholas Conservatory

Some days you just have to Nike up and just do it!

I'm learning to plein air and I admit 
that it's very humbling.

It's never a bad thing to step out of your comfort zone and just go for it. When I took the plein air class with Richard Weber last Spring I freaked! What? Sit there and produce a painting in an hour that you're willing to show the class? Yikes. I was working in oils - which I love, but am having a rocky relationship with lately. In short, my work stunk. That's when I knew -there's only one solution. 
Do More and Do It Often.

I've gone out and bought myself a plein air easel and decided to work in watercolors and pastels for awhile until I feel a bit more comfortable. I'm even considering taking an oil painting class to help me get past this slump I'm having.

So I will continue plein air with the hope that I will learn to make faster decisions, work faster, get better at; mixing colors, drawing, painting and meet some awsome people along the way.

Yesterday, my friend, William J Ball and I had a great time painting at Nicholas Conservatory.

I can't wait until next session.

Inspired by the Art on the Internet

"I wish I could paint like that."

I see so many incredibly talented people on the internet. I'm inspired by their technical skills and/or their creativity. I think, "I want to paint like that." or "I wish I thought of that." I have to stop myself and give myself a talking to. It goes something like this:

"You are on your own unique journey. You can copy someone else but what's the point? The world already has THAT person to do that art. There is only one you. What you have to say is unique and important. Be inspired, effected, challenged but make sure you're on your path."

We all change... evolve in our own ways. The internet is to inspire and possibly to push us to work harder, more often, get better. Our special signature is there inside of all of us, just give it the time it needs to grow. Use other artists work to change, to get better not to destroy that which is unique about your work.

Work in Progress

Lilies

Watercolor

11"x 17"

What Mediums do You Work In?

It felt good to do some watercolors yesterday.
The slower pace of the watercolors felt comforting. I had to resist the temptation to start an acrylic abstract - inspired by something I saw on Pinterest. There's a lot of pieces to do before the May 16th show in Riverside and I'd better get to it.

Work in Progress

Question of the day.

Do you work in more than one medium?

(Dee Santorini asked me this question a month ago.)

Yes, I love going back and forth between watercolors, pastels, oils, alcohol inks and pen and ink. I guess it has a lot to do with my mood. For instance, I just finished a watercolor which typically takes a long time and is a very slow process. Today, I want to celebrate by doing something fast and somewhat out of my control. I’ll work on a commission, a pet portrait in alcohol inks and paint colors freely and figure it out as it goes. Typically, if I’m craving control I’ll go to pastels or watercolors.  If I want freedom I’ll do alcohol inks. If I want to feel artsy and challenged I’ll do an oil painting. If I want something low key and safe I’ll do a pen drawing.  

 

What mediums do you work in? 

Do the mediums evoke certain moods in you?

A Few Comments About Dr.Ph. Matin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolors.

The coy painting is completed and I have a few 

comments to say about Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolors.

 Originally, I was interested in these paints for their vivid colors. 

The inks are easy enough to dispense using the eye dropper lids they come with. They blend easily with the water and can be refreshed after they dry completely.










I didn't think the pigments blended as well as my more traditional watercolors do. This is an important issue to me. Often I blend colors on the paper. However, with layering transitions were easily achieved. I was able to lift about 66% of the color in areas which I had painted too dark.



 





Although highly concentrated, they water down easily enough to get various tones. I painted as I would any transparent paint. I'm interested in using them almost full strength to see how bright I can get them. I'm also curious as to using these paints which traditional colors in those areas where I need an bold shade.

 I liked the way the paint dispersed when I added a saturated brush to a small wet area. This worked very well for the pebbles which were spotted and had a lot of algae on them.

I didn't like the sepia color at all. It seemed grainy and I wondered if it was and older bottle. Is that going to happen to all the bottles in time? The other pigments did seem to settle to the side of the jar but I suppose a good shake would rectify that.

One painting is not enough experience to do justice to a real comparison. I will say that I am intrigued. I ordered 5 more colors having bought the set 2 and not having a proper yellow. I must say I miss my old paints. I am hoping to hurry up and finish three  traditional watercolors I have been working on. Will I miss the Dr. martin's?

I'll come back to this after a few months more of experience and see if my thoughts have changed.


 


Do you have any comments about 
Dr. Ph. Martin's? 
I'd love to hear your comments.

A Week in the Life....

I'm having a whirlwind week. I'm not sure where it went but I know I worked pretty hard and I enjoyed myself while I did it. It's hard working at home and keeping on track although I have to admit, I did a lot of that in my previous job of 16 years so I'm ahead of the game a bit.

 So what did I actually do this week?
I blogged twice and kept up with my social media. I have great forms to plan out my blog and keep tract of social media but I don't seem to find the time to do it. But I have to admit that I did make some plans for this post.... Art Business. See it there?








I got ready for two shows. Diane's Irises are framed and ready for the Nicholas show on February 20th.  Today my last two panels will be delivered to Cristie for the Mosaic Traveling show- premiering at the Nicholas Conservatory Show.         

     I finally got all caught up with my Quick Books Program. Book keeping doesn't come easy for me. And be honest what kind of system is it that putting money somewhere is a debit and taking it is a credit? Who came up with that? Thanks Don.

  Rockford Art Guild  has a new webmaster - or "Web Goddess" as I like to call it. Scarey thought... I've been working on a few up-dates. Lord help us all! Thanks James of Meow productions for holding my hand. Check it out at RockfordArtGuild.com .  Keep in mind it's not done yet.     

After running around Rockford and taking all those shots from a sometimes moving car, I had to down load them and several other pictures from my sister's Italian vacation (Some nice paintings in the making) to the Walgreen's site. I only bring this up because it took one and a half hours to down load and choose everything. What's the savings in that? Really one and a half hours of my life?

Earlier in the week I drew out the large Katie's Cup painting, it's 20" x 16" (I think). It will be the largest Alcohol Ink so far. I now have 23" x 35" paper and am just trying to work my way up to it. I masked out the Greenwood Chapel painting and started on it. It's the first in my "Drive By" series. I also am trying to learn to make videos so I did some time lapsed pictures. Interesting... not done yet but I am hoping I have a natural talent for editing when I get to that point. Trust me, I'm going to need editing talent. It's a start.

 

It's also time to sign up for art shows. After investigating the possibilities I map it out on a calendar. Don't want to miss our nephew Ben's wedding in September - or Matt's graduation party in June. I'm kinda running late on this. The St. Charles show is already past it's deadline... sorry Lauri. Most of the shows have a deadline of March 1st which means I'd better hurry up. Did you notice the price tag on this little endeavor? $2500 Yikes! Had a meeting with my roadie/partner - Mark and made the final decisions.

Here I am trying to be organized but let's be honest - it's hard for a creative so most of the time my desk looks like this......
My organizational tools are making my office a mess! (That, and the tubs of paintings and prints waiting to be adopted by a good person.) Well that's my week. I wouldn't change a thing! Okay, yes I would, the book keeping... I have my husband's business to start this afternoon. Change the Bookkeeping! Please.

Day 22, Watercolors, My Day in the Garden

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.


What a wonderful day I had yesterday. It started with painting at Katie's Cup, just me, Pandora Radio, the fireplace, and the view of the snow falling outside the window. There were other people around  too, having their business meetings or working on their computers. I realized that I just love painting around people, not as a voyeuristic thing, but more as an inclusive thing. It's like I'm in my own little world but still apart of the crowd. It feels right.

My Day in the Garden

Watercolor

5 " x 7"

$65

 I love painting my garden in the winter. It's my way of reminding myself that the warm weather is coming. It made yesterday all the more special. Being my birthday, my husband took me out to lunch and made me a wonderful steak dinner at night. I loved getting all the well wishes during the day and I couldn't help thinking just how lucky I am to be surrounded by such wonderful people and loved so well. How terrific it is that I got to spend my day just perfectly... painting and with family. 

How blessed we all are, that those we love from so far away are visible on Facebook or other social media or just a Skipe call away.  

Thanks for helping to make all me dreams come true.

Day 19, Watercolors, Up North

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.


It's good to be back in watercolors and painting Wisconsin.

Up North

Watercolors

5" x 7"

$50

Day 15,Watercolor, Pansies

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.


Sometimes the art muse just doesn't show up quite when you want her to. Sometimes you just have to start without her and hope she eventually comes. This painting was like that. Usually, I feel like I've just stepped into comfortable shoes when I pick up my watercolors. Not with this painting. I started it last night, I drew it out and began with the flowers. It just wasn't happening for me so I went to bed after an hour. When I got back to it today again I struggled - starting with the leaves. Eventually, it happened, I once again became comfortable. Some days are like that. Glad we made it - the muse and I.

Pansies

Watercolor

5" x 7"

$50

And I guess that makes some days so terrific when you're in the zone with the muse from the beginning.
Until tomorrow...

 To purchase this painting go to http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/30-in-30.php  Or just hit the "Visit My Web Site" button on the right of this blog. When you get there go to "My Art"  then "30 in 30 in the pull down menu.

Day 6, Watercolors, On the Vine

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Sometimes going back to one's comfort zone is a good thing. I like doing the abstracts and oil paintings, but when I do watercolors I feel like I'm home, like I have a lot more control over my work. I assume a lot of that has to do with familiarity. So, I have to push myself to do more in oils. But for today it's all about comfort.

I love growing tomatoes. The problem is; Spike, our lab, loves tomatoes too. Red or green it doesn't matter we'd find them half eaten all over the yard. So we tried to get clever by hanging the plants upside down and putting them in various containers. Nothing really worked very well. Then, one day my husband came home with a huge planter, for shopping malls, which we continue to use. It works well, and Spike can concentrate on the pear and apple trees.

          The Vine

                Watercolor
                   5" x 7"
                     $50

To purchase this painting go to http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/30-in-30.php  Or just hit the "Visit My Web Site" button on the right of this blog. When you get there go to "My Art"  then "30 in 30 in the pull down menu. 

Win a Custom Ink Drawing. 

I will create an Ink Drawing from a photo that you email me. It could be a favorite vacation place, your house, or anything - just not portraits (they aren't really very distinguishable.) The art work will be between 8x10 and 11x14, depending on the photo and will take about one week to complete.

 

All this is to introduce my new Monthly Newsletter coming out at the end of this month. It will include what's currently happening at JR Finally Art along with some deals exclusively for my newsletter readers. Each month this free newsletter will be emailed to you so you won't miss a thing.

All you have to do to enter the Custom Ink Drawing Giveaway is to subscribe at

http://eepurl.com/SHx-f  or just hit the subscribe button to the right of my blog. I will draw a name from all new subscribers on January 9th. You will be contacted by email and asked to send a clear photo via email within 5 days of winning. After about a week I will sent it out in the mail to you, no shipping charges, no taxes. It's free!

This has a $65 value.

Good Luck and thanks for subscribing.

Day 29, Watercolors and Pen, This Old Yellow House

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

This Old Yellow House

Watercolors and Pen

11 x 14

$95

In downtown Eagle River there is a splendid old Victorian house. I have been admiring it for years. Finally, I stopped this Fall to photograph it. It's about two blocks off of the main street, close to the library. I don't have any of it's history but it must be an early home to the town. It's stunning.

To purchase this painting go to http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/30-in-30.php  Or just hit the "Visit My Web Site" button on the right of this blog. When you get there go to "My Art"  then "30 in 30 in the pull down menu.

Day 16, Watercolors, Hollyhocks

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Hollyhocks

Watercolor

8 x10

Not Finished

 

 

Hollyhocks remind me of my grandmother's garden. She had lots of hollyhocks and foxglove flowers. I love that they are so tall (5 feet) and keep on blooming, surviving the wind and the rain. These are along my garage. They reseeded themselves and have required zero care. How great is that?

 

Yesterday, I hung some works at Emerson house, had to take Spike in for his shots, then drove 5 hours to Eagle River Wisconsin. I didn't have time to finish this painting. I have it packed with me and will post it when it's finished. In the meantime I'm hoping to get some great photos of Northern Wisconsin to paint.

 

Day 7, Watercolor and Pen, Peonies

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Peonies

Watercolor and Pen

8" x 10" with mat

$65

Don't you love it in Spring when the peonies pop and suddenly you have all these wonderful big blooms to bring in the house? 

To purchase this painting go to http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/30-in-30.php  Or just hit the "Visit My Web Site" button on the right of this blog. When you get there go to "My Art"  then "30 in 30 in the pull down menu.

At 317 Studio and Gallery

 

 

I had such a great time Friday night at 317 Studio and Gallery. I met some wonderful people... had a bit of wine and cheese. Thanks to Tabitha and Teresa for making me feel right at home.

We used the dry erase board to have people sign in and leave a bit of  their own art behind. My son, Matt joined in.

 

 These are pictures of my paintings hanging in the gallery. I would have posted them sooner but I lost them somehow in my camera. I had a hard time photographing with the reflections.

 

Two Paintings To Work on Tonight at 317 Studio & Gallery

 

I have chosen  two paintings to work on tonight at 317 Studio and Gallery. They both pose different challenges. The painting on the right is blue salvia, one of my favorite perennials, with white flowers. I will use the white of the paper for the little white flowers. (I haven't done many white flowers.) The composition of the orange lilies on the left is a bit odd, but I am drawn to this picture. I love the leaves, the berries and the bold flowers.

I don't usually paint in front of people. I'm looking forward to it though just because I know this is an area where I need to improve on. I hope to do some plien air in the future so like it or not, I'm going to start painting in front of people.

Living Life at the Speed of Summer

 The Speed of Summer

What a busy summer! What's next? Today a wedding reception for my nephew Paul and his lovely wife Heather. The next two days; move my daughter out of the apartment she lived in while at college and bring her home. Then Wisconsin followed by my first gallery show on August 22nd. I'm excited about the show but I am realizing that I have a lot of work to do before it opens including finishing a painting.
So that's my excuse for the poor blog schedule. No excuses... I did miss you though.

My garden is at its peak! I have taken many new photos for lots of new paintings .

For the first time that I can remember I am longing for the cooler days when life slows down a bit and there is more time for painting. Am I nuts! Don't I remember last winter?  I just want to paint more. I will be starting another 30 in 30 on September 1st. I can't wait! Why don't you join along? There are over 350 artists from all over the world signed up already.  Join Leslie Saeta and the rest of us at http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/ .

I started a new painting this week. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to paint all day while Mark and Matt were at the Oshkosh air show.   

I had my trusty buddy, Cooper at my side.

I went inside when I heard the thunder. Really? Rain so hard when the sun is out? It was beautiful though, and I was able to resume painting at the kitchen table.

Coop helped pick out the colors.