Monday Blogging

Hello out there!

I think that this is the first time I have ever blogged on a Monday! We just returned from a wonderful trip to Texas and needed an extra day off to recoup. This also gives me some time to post some of my art work!

First, here is an Oil and Wax painting that I did this morning. I like the feel of this combo.

12 x 16 Red Barn - Oil with Wax

Next are some plein air watercolor sketches that I did in Texas

Flowers 1 - Watercolor Sketch

Flowers 2 - Watercolor Sketch

Tree - Watercolor Sketch

Next, here are a few of my acrylics that I am working on (Not complete)

12 x 16 Great Blue Heron - Acrylic on Board12 x 16 Snowy Egret in Flight - Acrylic on Board

Little Egrets

Ah yes, Egrets, I’ve had a few… I’m working on some little 5 x 7 paintings. Wasn’t sure if I could paint my birds that small, but it seems to be working out okay. Here are the three that I started this morning. Each is an oil stick on canvas board. These are all works in progress.

5 x 7 Egret 1 - Oil on Canvas Board

5 x 7 Egret 2 - Oil on Canvas Board

5 x 7 Egret 3 - Oil on Canvas Board

Will try to do another post tomorrow, so that you can see my progress!

Trying something new!

You know me. I’m ALWAYS trying something different. After consulting with my friends at WetCanvas I decided to try something a bit different. First, I used Inktense pencils on watercolor paper. Next I applied oil pastel as a resist. Then I applied some acrylics carefully around the painting, let it dry, then applied more oil pastel. Both paintings are 12 x 16. Let me know what you think!!

12 x 16 Ink Pencils on WaterColor Paper

12 x 16 Ink Pencils with Oil Pastel on WC Paper

12 x 16 Ink Oil Pastel w Acrylic Wash on WC Paper

12 x 16 Ink Oil Pastel w Acrylic Wash

12 x 16 Ink Oil Pastel w Acrylic Wash

I have done a few more sketches on heavier paper. I’m

Finishing is Good!

Hi All,

Today I made progress in cleaning up the art room. It was another finish it or toss it day. Started out with finishing the snowy egret. I must say that this one was a joy to work from start to finish. It was done on sanded paper, with oil sticks. I moved the paint around with colourshapers and painting knives.

Snowy Egret 12 x 16 Oil on Sanded Paper

My egret is now sporting his little mohawk and has an eye! Yes! He is one cool dude.

My next offering is the painting of the Seattle Pike Market Flowers. Every time I work on this, it takes me back there to all the wonderful smells and the visual playground. And we only saw 1 floor! This one is not quite done, as I need to straighten out the yellows. But progress is being made.

Seattle Public Market, 12 x 16 Oil Stick on Sand Paper

Finally, I’m not sure that you will be able to tell the changes that I have made to this oil painting. Our neighbors woods has all these wonderful pink flower in the springtime. The contrast between the pinks and the yellow greens in the tree was just wonderful. Not sure that I’ve captured it yet, but it is getting there. The challenge on this one was to actually photograph it. The oil is so shiny that it glares something fierce. But Don and I are working the problem… Comments?

Neighbor's yard in Springtime - 18 x 24 Oil on Board

And finally, I worked on my eagle. I think that she is complete. Let me know if you think so too!

Eagle - Sitka, AK 9 x 12 Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper

So Exciting…

Well, I think that painting is SO EXCITING! It was raining this morning and Niki and I were up at the usual time (6:30am), so I had some time to watch art videos

http://www.explore-oil-pastels-with-robert-sloan.com/

Which inspired me to try something new – I used oil solube oil pastels as an underpainting for my regular oil pastels and I was very happy with the results!

Saugatuck State Park - 9 x 12 Oil Pastel on Watercolor paper

It took me a few hours, but I was very happy with the results.

Next,  I worked on my swans. I didn’t get as far as I’d like, don’t know if I will finish it. Generally feel pretty ambivalent. But here it is for your perusal…

Ludington Swans 13 x 17 Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper

There – That was alot harder than I thought that it should be!!

Now, for the most exciting part of the day – I started yet ANOTHER dune picture on sanded 300lb watercolor paper with Oil Sticks. I primed the paper myself and it is very textured. This is the reason why I paint. Take a look and let me know what you think

Saugatuck Dunes with Shelly - 16 x 20, Oil Stick on Primed WC Paper

Finally, I just can’t leave that wacky IRIS alone – more paint today – It is looking less psychodelic all the time. Maybe that’s not such a good thing…..

Lowell Iris - 13 x 17 Oil on sanded Paper

That’s all for today – Will be on the road tomorrow, but will try to post something tomorrow night.

Getting Paint ALL over!

After a very hectic week and a busy Saturday, I’ve spent the morning working on my art. I have paint all over my face, hands and I am LOVING it. Have been working with oil sticks this morning, but did manage to get a start on a oil pastel project that I’ve had in mind. Here’s what I’ve been doing in order of done”ness”

I completed my Grand River in the spring, it is little, it is oil on sanded paper. I really like the way the sky turned out.

Grand River Spring 8 x 10 Oil on Sanded Paper

Next, I’ve worked on my snowy egret… He is always oil on sanded paper. To my dismay, his beak is right on the branch. I might make the branch larger and it would be a real pain to make the egret taller. What do you think?

Snowy Egret 12 x 16 Oil on Sanded Paper

Next, is my swans. These are ALL oil pastel on sanded paper. They are 13 x 17 (I put sanded primer on a watercolor block for the surface)

Ludington Swans 13 x 17 Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper

I have to get over the idea that all water is blue. The swans are swimming in a river with a sandy bottom and though there is blue, I need to make sure that I get the SAND color in the water. An interesting challenge.

And FINALLY — I took this GREAT picture of an iris at my art class this spring, so I got out my oil sticks this morning and had at it. It was GREAT fun, but OMG – It is WILD. I’ll wait til it dries to decide what to do with it.

Lowell Iris - 13 x 17 Oil on sanded Paper

The most FUN part was the lower right side. I slathered on some Phtalo green and drew into it with Naples yellow. I am really easily amused.

Have a great week! I’ll try to catch up with you again next weekend.

Working for the weekend!

Isn’t that the TRUTH!

This week FLEW BY! We are doing a little remodeling, so we have actually be spending our spare time at Home Depot! But I did squeeze in a little time to paint tonight. Here is where I am…

Snowy Egret 12 x 16 Oil on Sanded Paper

AND the latest version of the Grand River…

Grand River Spring 8 x 10 Oil on Sanded Paper

Let me know what you think!