Peony

A quick gouache paint study on 6”x10” watercolor paper.

 

Lioness Mural

This was such a fun project commissioned by my gym.   I roughed out a lioness reference image combining elements I liked from several different lionesses and then painted colorful splashes to coordinate with some rainbow colors in the room.  

I was nervous at first with the colorful splashes.  I started small but they grew bigger and brighter as the work continued thanks to feedback from the owner.  This project was so large that I began with a projector.  It really sped up the painting time!  It took me 13 hours to paint, spread over 4 days.  I painted with Nova Color acrylic paints.  It was fun to paint such a large area outside of my studio space!  Hopefully more mural work to come 

Life Drawing

 

Stained glass Moth

 I am taking a stained glass class with my friend Kelly.  This is my 1st project.  The template is from the book Kicking Glass.  Next time I plan to make my own.  

Today I finished my moth. I was happy with the floating circle look and driftwood base.  The class openings were full a lot of the time so it was hard to get the studio time.  It made the process take soooo much longer.  I hope next time I can plan out and schedule classes way in advance so finishing doesn’t take so long.  Maybe someday I’ll have my own studio.

Hardy Gallery Mosaic Submission

 

This little painting is up at the Hardy gallery as part of a larger mosaic project.  This year my 2 kids painted a canvas too.  I’m hoping we’ll be able to make it up to Door County to see them while the show’s up!  After the show the canvases are raffled off at random for $35 to support the gallery.  If I make it there for a visit I’ll add a picture!

Beautiful Beetle

6”x6”

Acrylic on canvas

Lisa in her wedding kimono

My friend Lisa shared with me some beautiful wedding photos and I just loved this picture so much that I wanted to do a painting. It’s a very small painting as you can see by the printer paper of my photo reference.  This painting is in gouache paint on 9x12” heavyweight cold press watercolor paper.  I think this is about 20 hours of work.  It was a challenge painting so small but it also was enjoyable to see progress so quickly!  I adore the deep green of her kimono and vibrant flowers!  Even her pose is just so beautiful!  So thank you Lisa!  I hope you enjoy your painting when it arrives in Japan!  
 

In progress:

Hardy Gallery: Magnolia

 It was fun to work on this year's Hardy Gallery Submission.  I painted this little 6 x 6" canvas from one of the pictures I took at Olbrict gardens when the magnolia trees were in bloom.   My long time painters group class likes to submit a canvas each year.  It's always fun to be a part of.   All these little canvases come together to make one big mosaic each year at the Hardy Gallery.  The paintings are purchased by raffle ticket purchase so it's always a surprise what you end up with. 

 

6" x6" acrylic on canvas

Jesse Painting Continued

This is the longest I've ever worked on a painting but I've thoroughly enjoyed the color, textures and surface variety of the gold, cut stones, fur and knitting.  I love portraiture but the textiles also their own delight to work on.  My dear friend Jesse with her pretty orange-brown eyes let me dress her up and sat for me to get my reference.  I'm looking forward to being able to show her how it all turned out in the end!  I'm sure I'll add to this post in the future but here's my update on this painting!

Snail: Hardy Gallery Mosaic Project

 

This little 6" x 6" canvas is a fundraiser for the Hardy Gallery.  Artist from all over receive a canvas to paint and return.  All the little paintings are then assembled in a mosaic and patrons can purchase one by lottery so they never know what little canvas they'll be taking home.   It's a fun little project and one that is finished in a very short amount of time.  

I took this picture of a tiny snail when I was visiting my sister-in-law in Oregon.  It was a small camera phone photo but it still worked for such a small canvas.  :)

Inktober Sketches

I didn't keep up with the hope of doing one ink sketch a day for the month of October but I did manage a few.  Here are a few of my favorites.  The first is of my husband drawn from a picture I took at the light art installation at Olbrict gardens.  The second is a little witch drawn from my imagination.

 

Father Daughter Dance

This picture I took before the father daughter school dance is just one of my favorites!  The first picture is a coffee shop sketch.  The second is an experiment with a water color canvas I found at Michaels.  (I'd never heard of stretched canvas for watercolor before.)  I got out my gouache set and gave it a go.  It turned out ok.  I'm interested to see how it holds up over time.  :)  It made a nice Father's Day gift. :)

16 x 16" Gouache on Canvas

 

Karen and Ted

I painted this engagement picture for friends of ours.  The picture was taken in Brazil when they were there visiting her family.  It was given to them as a wedding gift. 

 

Artist in Wisteria: Hardy Gallery Mosaic Project

Happy Mother's Day

This was a fun quick painting.  Also a good study in what I'm going to look like when I'm older!  

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

 

            

Emma sketch in colored pencil

I got a few hours to get out of the house and drink coffee and sketch!  Hooray!  I haven't done any colored pencil in a very long time.  It was a favorite in high school.  Maybe I'll get out again soon and sketch my other daughter.  It's funny being a parent, it's so nice to get away for a bit but then when you do they're all you think about.  ❤️