Wine and Books

 On Friday I painted and and framed 3 watercolors I studied from a lovely book on how to paint watercolors (the first photo). My intention was to sell my studies only at the Coffee Society giving credit to the author. However, my critiquing gallery here at home thought I'd do better if I drew and painted my own. I think they were right (what do you think)?  So I took the paintings out of the frames and painted the first one again today. I'm calling it, Wine and Books.  Now I can make cards and prints from it too. Even though my originals from the book were ok, they didn't have much of me in them. But as you can see, this first one has my tablecloth and chair in it and even my first "signed book"! Tomorrow I'll paint the other two. Happy 4th of July everyone!

Sitting Room at Beth's House

Going back in time, here is one of my first attempts at watercolor painting in 2002. I call this one

Bethany's Butterflies. Our friend, Beth, gave Bethany and me watercolor lessons at her house. The subject was from Bethany's tee shirt she was wearing. Bethany was only 8 then.

Here's another room at my friend's former house. Right after we painted the butterflies, I tried to paint the living room in watercolors using my oil painting techniques and some pointers Beth had just taught us. At this point I realized that I could paint in watercolors by using what I know of drawing and painting. After this, Bethany and I took more private lessons in watercolor together from another artist. This all happened during the years Bethany was home schooled.

Easter Tea and a Vase of Calla Lilies

Today was Easter Sunday and I was blessed with painting together with my family. We didn't paint Easter eggs this time, but 6 of us learned Japanese brush painting together, then 3 of us continued with watercolor painting. The vase and lilies were my first attempt at ink painting, but I continued it on into a watercolor painting. I've been wanting to paint my tea set since I was inspired by my new friend Barbra and her teacup painting. This will be the first of many I hope. May God bless you all who read this. He is risen!

Calla Lilies at Deborah's

You only have to go into your own yard, or in this case, Deborah's yard, to find something to paint plein air. These lilies seemed to be doing a delicate, choreographed dance while they were blowing in the wind. God's creation is wonderful!

Filoli Garden House Tree with Tulips

Here's a different kind of painting for me. I saw this tree in a beautiful little garden house at Filoli in Woodside, CA. It captured my imagination and I just had to paint it. In front of the other window in this house was a very large birdcage with two doves in it (a subject for a matching painting to come.) Last year I thought I'd enter them both into a juried art show at Filoli. I planned early and started it well ahead of time. However, it turned out that they changed the subject of the art show to botanical flower paintings! Mine is more fanciful and not as realistic as they may want for a botanical painting, but I may just enter it anyway. What do you think?

From A to Z: Sunflowers in a Vase on a French Country Table

Here's a fun study. I love yellow, blue, orange and green together in a painting. The colors of French Country are so pleasing to me.