Tossed Salad Won the Prize

This little painting is one that I created for last weekend's Brevard Watercolor Society SPLASH event. This piece was in a challenge - Paint your favorite recipe. Each painting was to be 11 x 14 inches, matted and accompanied by the artist's recipe. I dubbed this one, "Tossed Salad".
Well, not only did I win the voter's choice for this contest, I also sold the painting to a wonderful couple from our area. Lots of fun!

Print Winner Announcement!

Contest Results (see previous blog post).

There were some great suggestions for the new name of the technique I have been experimenting with for this past year - and some were downright silly! People sent emails, posted comments on my Facebook page, and commented here at the blog.

We were searching for something simple, a one or two word description that was not too difficult to remember, yet very descriptive of the technique. I can tell that most of you read the blog entry describing the technique - thanks so much! The technique is modeled after Jean Grasdorf's "pouring" technique, except I don't actually "pour" the paint as Jean does. We wanted a name that would differentiate my method from hers.

Ken and I decided to give Pete Myers, of Oxford, Michigan the print, since he is the closest to our parameters for making the final decision. We will use his term with an addition of one word to make the technique name clear, concise and easy to remember. The small print is of "Cocoa Village Shadows", one of my most recent paintings employing this technique. It is matted and ready to frame.

Again, thanks to everyone for participating. I'll try to have more fun events like this in the future, so stay tuned. Watch for future posts of more paintings created with my "Macro Layering" technique!!!

Bicycle Shadows

Introducing "Bicycle Shadows", one of my latest works. It was created on a half sheet of Arches 140 pound paper. This piece, as most of my latest work, was "poured".
A friend recently suggested that I come up with a different name for my process than "poured", as I don't really pour the paint. To create these works I use a value scale of 1 through 6, 1 being white and six being the closest color to black I can create from the colors on my palette.
I first create the drawing, trace the pencil sketch and then do a value study in various shades of gray and black marker. Then I transfer the drawing to my watercolor paper and mask the white areas. At this point I wet the entire sheet of paper with a puddle of water and allow it to soak in for a few minutes. Then, using a large round brush, either 14 or 16, I dip into the paint on my palette and dribble and stroke it gently onto the very wet paper. I use three primary colors for each application: my favorites are New Gamboge, Quinacridone Magenta, and French Ultramarine Blue. I apply the colors next to one another, not directly on top of one another, then I tip the board that holds my paper (I tape the paper to a foam core board with 2-inch masking tape) and I allow the colors to gently blend a little. The first application provides the 2 and 3 levels of value on my painting.
As I proceed through the painting I allow this to dry completely - usually overnight. Then, I mask the level two and three values that I want to save, and again wet the paper and apply the pigments. Each time I apply stronger and stronger pigments, never brushing to disturb the layers of paint below. I continue on with the process: dry, apply masking, wet the paper, apply the pigment. This continues until I reach those darkest values of deep color.
It's a fun, messy, and time-consuming process that produces colors and glow that I have not been able to achieve in any other manner.
If you have any ideas for a name for this technique I would love to hear them. My husband and I will go over the suggestions and if we pick yours, I will send you a small print of one of my paintings using this technique!
I would love to hear from you!

Another Little Palm Frond

Another Little Palm Frond

Ah, it has been too long...
This piece is five by five inches, and it is watercolor on canvas. Yes...on canvas. I've been playing with pouring watercolor, well, I splatter more than I pour, but I have been experimenting with this technique on canvas also. So much fun.

The canvas must be treated with a white absorbent ground, then it will accept the watercolor pigments and even masking fluid beautifully. Once the painting is completed it must be sprayed with a UV clear coat to protect it.

One feature I love about the completed paintings executed on canvas is that the paint drips over the edge and creates beautiful color blends on the sides of the gallery-wrapped canvas. They are too pretty to cover with a frame!

This piece was just listed on my etsy shop and I have another one there also, which is a miniature on canvas.
Enjoy: http://watercolorgirl.etsy.com

Watercolor on Canvas - Crabby

Now that the Thanksgiving festivities are completed, I can get back to a little artwork. I have taken a few diversions this week and played with beads and jewelry things, but I do have a new image to show from my painting studio.

This is "Crabby". It is a poured watercolor on canvas. The canvas was treated with a special ground to make it act like watercolor paper. Then I use the same pouring method I have been experimenting with for the past year. After the painting is completed, all masking is removed and the final touch-ups are done, I coat the painting with a clear UV coating to preserve it.
This piece is 16" by 16". The most exciting part is that the paint drips over the gallery wrapped edges and I don't have to frame it. I think the colors in this piece came out so nice.
Hope you enjoy it.

Cocoa Village Shadows - New Painting!

Hot off the drawing board! This is my newest painting which will be one of the piece displayed in the ArtWorks Festival of Eau Gallie on November 20 and 21st. This was a fun piece and the colors came out quite nice. I am finally getting the hang of this pouring technique and adjusting it to my liking. I am finding that certain subjects work better than others and I have found a grouping of primary colors that work well together. There is very little brushwork on this piece; the majority of the painting was poured. It measures 23 by 32 inches framed.
You can learn more about the upcoming show at: http://artworksofeaugallie.org/

Hope you enjoy it!

Frond Doo - New Watercolor

Okay, another piece ready for the upcoming ArtWorks Festival in downtown Eau Gallie, the location of the Eau Gallie Arts District in Melbourne, Florida. This one is dubbed, "Frond Doo". It is a full sheet painting and framed in a nice wooden frame.

I will be displaying all of my new pieces at this upcoming show the weekend before Thanksgiving. I have some new watercolors on canvas that will be shown for the first time as well. If you are in the area I sure hope you will stop by and say hello.

If you are interested in some of my older pieces, I will be having a sale at the Art and Antiques Studio and Gallery at 1419 Highland Avenue, in the arts district, along with many of the other gallery members. There will be lots to do and see during the ArtWorks Festival. There is so much talent in this area...so inspiring!

Life has been busy lately with some family emergencies, which are all fine now. I apologize for not writing more lately. I haven't had much time to work for the last month, but I hope to get back to work this week. Thanks so much for visiting.