Under the Tree

watercolor 7" x 10" $75

The challenge this week for the daily paintworks is to do a painting of the Christmas aftermath. example: the bows and the wrapping. Well, the challenge was posted while we were celebrating with my family and my husband's family, so I did not want to do a painting of my recycle bins. Anything to show after Christmas is the topic and I painted this little painting to depict it. These are actually the gifts that I have left under the tree to still give to some of my friends. Maybe you are one of them??? The two little kissing angels are about 40 years old and they belonged to my aunt. She gave them to me about 25 years ago.

Santa is Tired!!!

watercolor
5" x 7"

I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday. I don't know about you, but 2 parties in a row and I am pooped. The next one will be even bigger than today. That will be the party for my students on Jan. 7. We had 22 people here today of all ages and it was a 7 hour party. Lots of food left. Now I do not have to cook or bake for awhile and I can soon get back to painting.

"You've Got Mail"

watercolor 14" x 21"
landscape

Thought I would send you all a little Christmas wish. I didn't know all of your addresses, so I hope this will do. Enjoy!!

Frozen Memories III

watercolor 14" x 21"
landscape

Continuing on with my reflective series, this finds me painting the Little Calumet River. It is pretty in the winter but caused a lot of damage a few years ago when we had massive flooding from it during some summer storms. It runs all through the neighboring towns.

Stay warm....

Frozen Memories II

watercolor 15" x 19"

I didn't plan on doing a series of reflections...but then the challenge this week on daily paintworks was to do reflections in the water. So watch for more of them because I love to paint snow and this is a great time to catch those reflections in the water.

Stay warm.

Frozen Memories

watercolor
19" x 15"
Landscape

I thought it would be ok to paint a snow scene since we had our first snow fall yesterday. Now you can not blame me for the snow.

All of my trees are all up and tonight I finished the village. It is hard to put up a whole city under the tree. But it is now done and I can sit back and enjoy it. All my baking will begin soon....

No Football Today-Soldier's Field, Chicago

watercolor
10" x 14"
landscape

Bet you wondered what had happened to me that I didn't post for a while....Well, I was busy putting up Christmas decorations. I have trees in every room and I finally got them all up last night. I missed not being able to paint. But it is looking a bit festive in my house now.

This is a painting as you go into the city of Chicago. Soldier's field is the stadium where the Chicago Bears football team play. It is really a neat shaped building.

Well back to decorating for me....

Rural Landscape

watercolor
8" x 21"
landscape

Thought I would take a break from decorating for the Christmas holiday by doing this painting. There is so much to do...but you still have to take time to fill your soul. Enjoy!

He's Watching You

watercolor
21" x 21"

It's time to hang Santa...no, not really. Time to hang him up in the kitchen. This is a painting that I did of my dad who used to be Santa. I have many fond memories of those years.

"Working on the Railroad"

watercolor
landscape
14" x 21"

This is a painting that I did with my husband in mind. He was working on this piece of equipment. No, he is not one of the guys standing to the left. He is actually on top of this doing the wiring and electrical work. It sure was a different subject of me. No way for me to be loose on this one.

Dunes Sunset
6" x 12"
acrylic

Tried another acrylic today. They are really a lot of fun. Some ways a bit different than watercolor. You can easily change things. This is a bit trickier to do in watercolor.

Fall Acrylic

acrylic
fall landscape
6 x 6

Did another one of those little 6" x 6" acrylic on canvas paintings. This is just a wrapped around canvas. It was fun to do, but I feel like I am cheating since I have painted in watercolor all of my life.

Today I went to see the David Becker 11-11-11 exhibit at the Palette and Chisel in Chgo. It was the closing of his exhibit which was up for 11 days. Today was also his 50th Birthday. What a way to celebrate. I even bought one of his paintings. I will be happy to hang it in my studio for the students to see it. It was a fun night in the city.

Winter in Acrylics

acrylic
6" x 6"
landscape

Yes, you read that right. It was even hard to type...I am so used to typing watercolor. Today I did this little acrylic. I had the whole afternoon class working with them and trying them out. They all enjoyed it. It's our secret that we did this in my watercolor class. But...I think I am going to try it again. These would make nice little Christmas gifts....hint, hint....

Watercolor on Watercolor canvas workshop

watercolor
12" x 12"

Today I had a workshop in the studio on how to paint on watercolor canvas. We were painting pumpkins so that they would have something to decorate their homes with this Thanksgiving. It was a challenge to paint on the canvas, but they loved it. We also found out that the student grade paints just don't match up to the professional brand of paints. I personally use Holbein paints and I just love them!! The colors are so intense and you do not get all of that filler that you do in some of the other brands. You get what you pay for. Use the best supplies to get the best results!!

Fall Boat Yard

watercolor
14" x 21"
Landscape

Here is another painting inspired from my trip to Michigan a few weeks ago. Today I was back to Michigan delivering some paintings for some shows coming up. If you live close to the Box Factory, you'll be able to see 4 of my paintings. I believe it is in St. Joe, Michigan. Stop at the Round Barn Winery and you will be able to see my work there, too. That is at Union Pier, Michigan. Tell them I sent you :)

Jack's Jonquils

watercolor
floral
12" x 12"

This is a demo that I did for my class yesterday. We were all trying to paint loose. Those of you who know my work know that I do not paint really loose so this was a challenge for me too. It is done on a new board called Arches we board. It has a hot press surface to it. The thing I noticed about this board is that it didn't lift like other hot press surfaces.

See how loose you can paint!!

Michigan City Boat Yard

watercolor 14" x 21"
landscape

After going out to Michigan to deliver a painting last weekend, I took advantage of some of the fall colors that were still hanging onto the trees. I came across this boat yard and it was exciting to me so I thought I would paint it. I hope it is exciting to you, too!

Step-by-step of the court house painting

watercolor 14" x 21" on 300# wc paper.

This may help you to see the process of this painting. This is tighter than I usually paint, but I felt that the subject warranted it. Enjoy.

Crown Point, Indiana Court House in Fall

watercolor
14" x 21"

Thought I would paint this 'ol court house tonight. The only thing about doing a painting such as this....you can not be as loose as I was in the last painting. Or should I say...I can not be.

Pumpkins and Mums---step-by-step.

watercolor 14" x 21"
still life

Thought I would do my pumpkin challenge for the daily paintworks. Since it is almost Halloween, I thought tonight was a good night to do this. I hope you enjoy my step by step process. I didn't think I needed to explain what I did. They say a picture paints a thousand words. Enjoy.

Fall Reflections

watercolor
14" x 21"
landscape

Ok, here it is, the same subject matter that was done on that canvas board. Went back to traditional watercolor. It is amazing how the two surfaces react so differently. You need to try new things to grow as an artist. Each technique presents a new challenge and a different look. Enjoy!!

Prairie on Canvas Board

watercolor
landscape
6" x 12"

Found this neat board when I was in Chicago a few weeks ago. It was a canvas board with a cradle (?) Thought I would give it a try. It was different. I almost pulled out my acrylics. It didn't respond to transparent wc like paper does. It would even lift off. That would be great if you made a mistake. I just wanted to paint thick on it. I am going to do this composition again but on paper...watch for it.

Pumpkins and Mums

watercolor-14" x 21" $75

Felt I would just do a painting today to represent fall. I went to a pumpkin fest in a local town and so I was inspired to paint this set up from a local farm stand. The sketch I did many years ago and today was the day to make it a painting.

Mini 5" x 7" #20

watercolor-landscape-5" x 7" - $50 includes mat

Ok, this is it. This is the last of the paintings for the centerpieces. Yeah... they are all done! I hope that the guests enjoy the neat things we have planned for them at the gala.

5" x 7" #19

watercolor 5" x 7" landscape $50 includes mat

Ok. Just one more after this and you will have seen all 20 paintings. The copies which will go on as table decorations are all framed and so are all of the originals that are for sale. Whew. Still have more work to do for the decorations and a little book that I am making filled with ice breakers. One will go on each table. I am in the process of making 20 of them. So back to the studio I go. I would rather be painting. Have a great weekend.

5" x 7" #18 Fall

5" x 7" watercolor, landscape, $50 matted

Moving right along into fall....except today it is so cold, rainy and really WINDY. Oh yeah, did I mention that it was windy. lol

Mini 5" x 7" #17 Fall

watercolor 5" x 7" landscape $50 matted

Here is another for the gala....

Mini 5" x 7" #16 Fall

watercolor, landscape, 5" x 7", $50 matted

Here's another in the series of paintings that will be used for table decorations. The copies will be given away at the dinner/dance/gala. The originals will be sold and a % going to the Chesterton Art Center. ' Sure you do not want to attend Nov. 4 in Chesterton Indiana???

"Summer Shadows III"

watercolor - 14 x 21 - landscape - $75

Still hanging on to summer...this is probably the last in this series of summer shadows...it will be a short series. Think I will be doing some fall paintings next. Have a great week.

Winter Demo

watercolor
11 x 15
landscape
$60

Today I did a demo for my afternoon class. One of my students brought in this photo and was having trouble painting it. I hope the demo helped her.

Mini 5" x 7" #14 Fall

5" x 7" watercolor -landscape-$50 includes mat

Sorry I did not get these small paintings posted in order. Just follow the numbers...

Mini 5" x 7" #12 fall

watercolor 5" x 7" landscape $50 matted

Back to posting the paintings for that gala that is coming up. They are all completed, matted, framed. Whew...

Summer Porch Shadows

watercolor 14" x 21" landscape $75

This is a demo painting that I did for my afternoon class today. The assignment is to do a close up of something....it is up to them to decide what this means....lol. So it is exciting to see what they are doing for their value sketches. They were so busy working and so hard at it that you could hear a pin drop. I have carpeting on the floors of the studio. They are never this quiet. They will finish up their masterpieces next week and the following week we will have a big critique.

Summer Shadows

watercolor 14" x 21 landscape

Decided that I needed to get away from those little brushes. Give me my mop...no, not the kind to wash the floors with. I want those big brushes...it was fun to paint large again. Nice and relaxing. I was tempted to paint this as a fall scene...but thought I did enough of those for now.
Enjoy!!

Mini 5" x 7" #13

5" x 7" watercolor landscape $50 matted

Hope you are not tired of seeing all of these little paintings that I am painting for the gala. I can't wait to paint larger and looser. I have a few demos planned for this week so I will be going back to 1/2 sheet size and back to my mops :) Enjoy!!

Mini 5" x 7" #15

5" x 7" watercolor - landscape $50 matted

Just five more to post. Been working on the matting and framing, too.

Hand Challenge

watercolor 5" x 7" $40 matted
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/1ee2ba66-786a-4b7c-a0e3-f03f642a9fcf

This past week's challenge on the daily paintworks was to paint your hand. It is Friday and I am finally getting around to doing this. I have been so busy painting those little 20 paintings for the gala fundraiser.

Tonight I went to the Michigan City Art walk and opening of the Southern Shores Member's show. It couldn't have been a better night and I was with some great friends. Had an awesome time and it was good to get out of the studio for a few hours.

This is the new Parker Ingenuity 5th Mode Fountain Pen (also known as a writing instrument) that came out Oct. 1. It was delivered this week. Fun!!

Mini 5" x 7" #11

watercolor 5" x 7" landscape $50 includes mat

Ok, This is the last in the snow mini series. I need nine more for the gala...what will they be.....come back and see.

Heading to the studio to frame....see you there.

Mini 5" x 7" #10

watercolor 5" x 7" landscape $50 includes matting

Ok...Today I started framing. Whew. Last night I was cutting mats. Some people do not know how much work there is to being an artist. It is a good thing that we do what we love....enjoy.

mini 5" x 7" #9

5" x 7" watercolor landscape $50

Tonight I was cutting mats for all of these paintings. The chairwoman of the gala said it was too big of a donation to give the originals. So, I went and had copies made at the office supply store on card stock. They actually turned out pretty good just for a copy. So I made 20 mats for the copies and then 20 double mats for the originals. I will frame them all and hopefully I will sell the originals this holiday season....Get yours early. lol.

I will be so sore tomorrow morning from cutting these mats. What we do in the name of art...because this is what we do.