Untitled

Grow - Illustration Friday

You see evidence of it on the outside,
but it's happening on the inside
and in the space between.

Tree, Watercolor

Momentum - Illustration Friday

Gather no moss.

Progress?

Yesterday I had posted this painting as a work in progress. After having worked on it some more, I don't know if I'd call this progress. I think I prefer the silhouetted negative space of the first post. Back in June, during an outdoor landscape painting class I intentionally left the subject silhouetted as negative space. Seeing the comparison of the painting before and after, I think I'll go back to exploring that idea.

Abstract Nature

Plants . Watercolor . 4"x11"
(work in progress)

I have been thinking about painting abstract nature for over a year. I have thought a lot about it and painted a little. All this time, I think I've been trying to make sense of it. I have felt that I need to completely understand something before begin to work on it. Whether it is an idea for a specific painting or a whole body of work, I feel I need to work out every detail in my head before I pick up a brush. And, with that, I have a whole conversation with myself in my head trying to describe the work's purpose, the content.

NOW! I am reminding myself that...
An artist gains understanding of their subject
through the act of painting it!
and Art describes an idea that words cannot describe!

Alphabets . Illustration Friday

My second Illustration Friday. I am thrilled to be here. (click to see larger image)

A magical experience. I drew the girl reading a book then went to the bookshelf to pick some interesting text. I pulled "The Tin Woodman of Oz" - a book I have never read. When I opened to a random page, I started reading about Jinjur who can "paint anything."

Visitors - Illustration Friday

Revised.
I just added some black line. When I logged on to add my revision, I noticed a compliment I received about the "delicate work." Ironic. Perhaps I shouldn't have touched it. It was sort of difficult to draw a smooth line on rough cold press watercolor paper. And it felt a little backward. I'm assuming illustrators typically draw a clean black line, then add a watercolor wash?
This is all a learning experience for me.



My first Illustration Friday. Actually, my first attempt at illustrating anything. I am not satisfied, but I did not spend too much time on this ... so not too bad? I know I could use some darker darks, but it's missing something else, too. I don't know what? IF is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, and now I've started. Looking forward to next week's topic.

When I showed it to Eleanor she said "There were three bunnies in our garden?" I said "Actually, there are five bunnies in this picture, but I didn't see any bunnies. I just painted our garden and added the bunnies in myself." The best part of creating art!

Painted Cards

I've painted a little the past couple of days. Here are two sympathy cards and one card of encouragement. Watercolor mandalas.

peace.

Tulips

The Mandala

"Surrender" . Watercolor . 2004

In the Beginning