Sweet Easter Dreams

Happy Easterand Happy Spring! This 5 x 7 was done for the WetCanvas Easter card exchange. I also made prints of it to use as my Easter card to family this year. I set up the still life for this and nearly ate it before the entire painting was done.

Workshop Paintings - Day 3

Day 3 of our class with Jerry Brommer focused on the mood of the painting. We selected our reference, did 4 sketches, and then did paintings from 2 of the sketches. We came up with 3 visual adjectives to describe each painting we were working on. When each painting was finished we wrote the adjectives on the back. Later as the class walked around to view the paintings, they would check to see if the painting captured those words. For the first painting (Approaching Storm), my adjectives were ominous, cloudy, and grey. For the second painting (Marsh Sunrise) my adjectives were serene, clear, and open. This painting assignment definitely showed us the different emotional impact paintings have and the mood each gives.

Workshop Paintings - Day 2

During the second day of the workshop we used our own references to find 4 or 5 elements we wanted to use in our paintings. Then we did at least 4 sketches using those elements. The aim was to rearrange the elements for each painting, making each part more/less dominant by moving it to the back or front of the painting or to a different spot in the painting, changing the colors, etc. Using the same subject there is an incredible number of possible paintings based on these changes. (So much for not having anything to paint!) Both of these painting were done from elements in 2 photos I had taken in Maine.

Workshop Paintings - Day 1

I just finished taking a watercolor workshop with Gerald Brommer on content and emotion. The first day of the class he had us do 5 minute sketches of 12 landscape slides. We picked on of our sketches and did 2 paintings of the exact same scene. One painting was done as a high key (light valued) painting and one was done as a low key (dark valued painting). I definitely showed how the values change the emotion of a painting.

Sorrento View - ATC

This is a 2.5 x 3.5 ATC done from my own photos of Sorrento. We were staying in a hotel that was about a 20 minute walk from town, but all uphill heading to the hotel. The good thing was the beautiful views high up from the hotel. This was one of the ATCs done for the WetCanvas exchange.

Toward the Tuscan Hills - ATC

I did this 2.5 x 3.5 ATC from photos I had of a little Tuscan town. I think I was at one of the highest points of the town when I took the photo and you could see far into the distance. This was also done for the WetCanvas ATC exchange.

Spanish Villa - ATC

I used a reference photo I had taken in Spain for this 2.5 x 3.5 ATC. It was also done for the ATC exchange on WetCanvas. I loved the terra cotta tiled roof and the tiles on the steps. This would be a place I could easily go to sit and relax and spend siesta time.

Saguaro View - ATC

I did this 2.5 x 3.5 ATC from my reference photos from the Saguaro National Park in Arizona. These cacti are just amazing to see in person. The landscape there is so different and beautiful.

Positano View - ATC

I painted this ATC (2.5 x 3.5) from my photos of Positano, Italy. I love all those buildings perched on the hillside and the church that dominates the waterfront.

Refreshing Taste

Now for a bit of a change from my ATCs. This was painted on Super Bowl Sunday last week. You can see I was ready for the game. This is 4 x 6 done in watercolor.

Martha's Vineyard View - ATC

I did this 2.5 x 3.5 ATC from my sunrise photos in the harbor at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusettes. This was done as part of the ATC exchange for WetCanvas, and was done in ink and watercolor. I love sunrises and sunsets...the colors are so wonderful.

Boothbay Harbor View - ATC

This is from my own photos of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, one of my favorite places. It is a 2/5 x 3.5 ATC done for the WetCanvas project in ink and watercolor.

Canalside Window - ATC

This 2.5 x 3.5 ATC was also done for the WetCanvas project. One of the participants really loves windows and old buildings, so I did this one especially for her. Again I used one of my own photos taken in Venice.

Manorola View - ATC

I did this 2.5 x 3.5 ATC for the WetCanvas project. It was done from my own photos of Manorola in Italy's Cinque Terre. It was amazing to see all these colorful houses perched on the side of the cliff. I just loved this spot.

Chianti Vineyard - ATC

This is another ATC (2.5 x 3.5) that I did for the WetCanvas project. It was done in ink and watercolor from my photos taken in Italy. I was driving and saw this colorful building and had to stop to take photos. Most of the buildings in the area were beige and tan stone buildings, so the color of this one really stood out.

Laguna Beach View - ATC

This ATC (2.5 x 3.5) was also done for the WetCanvas project. It was done in ink and watercolor from my own photos of Laguna Beach taken one summer. There is such lush greenery at all times of the year in Laguna. It's the perfect place to paint.

Venetian Window

This ATC (2.5 x 3.5) was done with ink and watercolor. The reference was one of my own photos from Venice. I'm always attracted to windows and crumbling buildings. They have such character. In Venice you rarely see a balcony without colorful flowers.

Blue Ridge Mountain View - ATC

This 2.5 x 3.5 ATC was done for the project on WetCanvas. I used parts of several photos I had taken of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia to compose this scene. It is such a beautiful place to visit.

Santa Barbara View - ATC

This ATC (2.5 x 3.5) was done in ink & watercolor for a WetCanvas project. I used a reference photo I had taken looking inland in Santa Barbara, California. I love palm trees and terra cotta roofs, so this was a perfect combination of the two subjects.

Maine Barn in Snow

This is my first larger (11 x 14) painting for 2008. It was done from a reference photo I took in Maine over Christmas. I love the rustic, peeling effect of the red barn against the white of the snow. The barn belongs to my sister and her husband. They've done a lot of work on the inside of the barn, so I figured I'd better do a painting of it before they get around to repainting the outside.

Ponte Vecchio View - ATC

This ATC (2.5 x 3.5) was done from my reference photos from Italy and a small 4 x 6 that I had done in plein air of the Ponte Vecchio. This also was done for the ATC project I'm involved in and has been sent to a fellow member.

Tuscan View ATC

This ATC (2.5 x 3.5) was sent to Meimei from WetCanvas as part of our project. I used several of my photos of Tuscany to incorporate the yellow flowers, the background hills, the vineyard, and the villa into one painting. I wanted to make sure it was a bit different from the larger paintings of Tuscany that I've done, which are here in the older posts.

Canalside View - ATC

This is another tiny (2.5 x 3.5) ATC that I did for the WetCanvas project and was sent to a fellow member. It was done from my own photos taken in Venice.

Cobbler in the Future

Can you believe that this was done with the exact same colors as the "Regal Rooster" below? This 11 x 14 watercolor was also done for the "Toucan Challenge" on WetCanvas. The reference photo was taken at my favorite farm stand on the north fork of Long Island. I loved all the apple baskets on the tables.

Manorola View - ATC

I am participating in a project in WetCanvas where we are painting ATCs (artists' trading cards) and sending an original card to each of the 19 people who signed up for the project. The ATCs are tiny, real tiny (2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches), and are very different to paint. I am doing paintings of places that I've visited. This one is done in ink and watercolor of the small town of Manorola in Italy's Cinque Terre.

Regal Rooster

This 11 x 14 painting was done for a challenge on WetCanvas. I used only 3 colors from the DaVinci "Toucan Triad." I am amazed at the variety of colors you can get by blending just 3 colors!

Dune Bouquets

This is the first larger painting of the beach dunes that I've done. It is 11 x 15. I used some of my smaller beach paintings as references for this one.

Farm Fresh

This 7 x 10 was done back in October, but I never got to post it here then. This was done on location at this farm stand on the north fork of Long Island. I've done smaller paintings at this same location before.

Sledding

This 11 x 15 painting was done from an old photo of my nephew, Ryan (from California) sledding in front of my sister's house in Maine. He was having a great time doing something he never got to do at home.

Outside My Window

This is a 5 x 7 painting done looking out from my living room window. I wanted to caputure the autumn colors before they were gone.

Dune Grasses

This 4 x 6 painting was done on location at the beach back in October. I love the beginning of the fall colors in the beach grasses.

Stork

This 7 x 10 watercolor was done for the WDE on WetCanvas. In addidtion to transparent watercolors I used some watercolor pencil in the background.

Flamingo Walk

This 7 x 7 watercolor was done for the WDE on WetCanvas a few weeks ago. It was my first bird painting. Painting feathers was a new challenge. I'm happy with it.

Autumn Stillness

This 7 x 10 watercolor was done at a local park. To get to the little lake you have to hike in a short way and then walk across these boardwalks that zig-zag further into the park. I get lost going back every time I go there. I loved all the autum colors and the ducks so peacefully gliding by.

Autumn Arrival

My sister, Mickey, and I went up to Kent, Connecticut to see the Northeast Watercolor Society's International Show. We always try to paint something while we are up there, but the weather is either cold or rainy. I started this 4 x 6 while sitting on a bench in the park, but finished it inside my car. It was much too cold outside for plein air. The park has some lovely views and a waterfall. I'm sure we'll be back up there to paint again.

Glads & Apples

This 4 x 6 ink and watercolor was done at one of the local farm stands here on Long Island. It is a wonderful place to find color and subjects galore. I sat on the pumpkin display as I painted this.

Delta Flight 107

This was my final painting that I did before leaving Germany. I had hoped to add a few more people to this picture, but the Delta crew moved us to a different waiting area and I missed it. This is 4 x 6 done in ink & watercolor.

Boujolais and Roses

This painting is 4 x 6 and was done from a collection of items in my nephew's kitchen during our visit there in October... a leftover wine bottle and roses from my husband. A charming blend!

Joe's Opera Rehearsal

OK, it isn't a watercolor, but it was something that was part of the trip to Germany. My nephew, Joe, has a position singing with the Dusseldorf Opera Company. We didn't get to see him perform while we were there, but we did sit in on one of his rehearsals. I did a sketch of him and his piano player.

The Boys

When we were in Germany it was too cold to paint outdoors. So I decided I needed to paint from inside Joe & Kathleen's apartment (my nephew & his wife). These 3 are their "boys"...Cooper, Mouth, and Bear. The dogs were out on the balcony looking through the window of the kitchen door.It is my first dog portrait and is 4 x 6. I gave it to Joe & Kathleen before I left.

Beach View Playa Romana

"Beach View Playa Romana" is a 4 x 6 painting done with pen and watercolor. I loved the little thatched shaded umbrella on this lonely stretch of beach.

Outdoor Seating in Alcossebre

This 4 x 6 was done of a restaurant at the resort where we were staying. I love the tiled roof with the blue awning.

"Toward the Town" & "Seaside Playa Romana"

Both of these painting were done while sitting in almost the same area. "Seaside Playa Romana" (top painting) is 4 x 6 and shows some of the Moorish influence on the architecture of Spain. "Toward the Town" is 4 x 6 and shows some of the native plants found along the beach in this area.

Castellon Villa

This 4 x 6 ink and watercolor was done in Spain. I love the white building against the blue sky and the green bushes. I'm ready to move in there.

Rocks and Sea

This 4 x 6 ink and watercolor was done in Spain. I think it was the first time I use ink to capture the waves and the movement of the water.

"Needs Work"

This is one of my favorite paintings that I did in Spain. There was just something about this little run-down gem that captured my heart. All it needs is a little love and a lot of work. This is 4 x 6 done with ink and watercolor.