"Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart" #16

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

Celebrating the last day of 2018.  It was a great year.  I had my biggest and best show yet, plus a few others.  I had 2 videos of the show made by David Escada .. they turned out really cool. Did a ton of paintings, had many classes and workshops.  I took so many reference photos that I will never be able to paint them all. Stayed healthy.  I had tons of fun with my hubby.  It was a super.

Now to see what 2019 has in store for me.  

Hope you are filled with blessings of Love, Peace and  Hope.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #15

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

That white stuff will be happening soon....we didn't have a white Christmas.  Maybe it will hold off till next year.

"Cool Paintings to warm the Heart #14"

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

Along Lake Michigan we had snow last night.  Fortunately, for us here near Chicago, it wasn't much at all.  My deck has a dusting of that white stuff.  stay warm and have a great weekend.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #13

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

Here's a little winter night scene to warm your heart.

"Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart" # 12

watercolor 
7" x 10"
landscape

the wind is really blowing right now....I wonder if I will see more "White Stuff" when I wake up.  Welcome to winter my friends.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart - #11

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

I have completed a whole set of these snow scenes of Indiana in the Winter.  I had meant to post them daily, but I got hung up with taking down, putting up shows, and getting ready for Christmas.  In the last 4 nights I baked 14 different types of cookies and had even doubled up on a few recipes.  Today I was out delivering them.  I also packed a lot away in the freezer for my students when classes resume in January.

May you all have a Blest Christmas with your loved ones and may the New Year bring you Peace, Love and Joy.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #10

watercolor
14" x 21"
landscape

Was up in Chicago today taking photos for future paintings. It was a beautiful day - 48 degrees,  Sunny and not windy....a perfect day for a Chicago Bears win....now to the play offs.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #9

watercolor
&" x 10"
landscape

another in my small works mini series.  These are matted to 11" x 14" white mat.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #8

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

Today there is no snow on the ground, but I went up to Chicago today and it felt like Christmas.  Went to the Christkindle market (got my annual little mug), shopped and photographed the city....was out and about for 12 hours today.  Had a good time.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #7

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

Another small works of the Indiana Dunes at Winter.  Bundle Up.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #6

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

Another in my small works series of Winter....Stay warm.

Cool Paintings to warm the Heart #5

watercolor
7" x 10"
landscape

Indiana dunes in the Winter.  This was one of the paintings that sold opening day.

"Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart" #4

watercolor
7" x 10"
winter landscape

Another in my small works series...perfect for gift giving,  These are matted to 11" x 14" which is a standard size for framing.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart #3

watercolor
7" x 10"
winter landscape

Another in my small works series.  It would make a good Christmas gift for yourself or for a friend.

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart - #2

watercolor
7" x 10"
winter snow

Thought I would post two of these paintings in my small works series.  Great for gift giving.  Matted up to 11" x 14"

Cool Paintings to Warm the Heart - #1

watercolor
10" x 7"
winter snow

I took on this small works challenge with this group that I belong to.  So I will be posting the 26 paintings that I completed for it.  This is #1 one in the series.  They are all matted in a white mat which is 11" x 14" so it is a standard size.  These would make great gifts for Christmas. 

Beets - demo

watercolor
still life

Last month I was teaching my students how to paint some veggies and this was one of the little demos that I did.  

I have been really busy with some shows that I have going on so I am behind on posting.  My reg. classes will be finishing up for this semester tomorrow.  I do have a Christmas card workshop this Friday.  The one I had this past Sunday went really well.  My students talked me into teaching a beginning drawing class for the month of January.  We usually take January off, but I thought if this is what they want....I am happy to teach them to draw.

Logged

watercolor
14" x 21"
landscape

I love the challenge of painting negative shapes in paintings like these.  You can get lost in the process.  enjoy!!

Trains, trucks, boats and train bridge

watercolor
14" x 21"
Cityscape

this is another area of Chicago that I like to visit and to paint.
But, soon we will be seeing snow so the city will have a new coat to wear.

the r-Crane at Night

watercolor
Industry
14" x 21"

this is a crane that changes railroad bridges and railroad ties.  It is really fascinating to see this...  I hope I did it justice.  this gentleman designed this equipment and he has put his heart and soul into this project (and money).  It is truly his passion.

I am thrilled to have met him, that he likes my work and has purchased a few that I have done of this R-Crane.  Yes, he did like this one when he saw it, and he is adding it to his collection.

Rusty Classic

watercolor
14" x 21"
transportation

Just an old car I ran across at one of the car shows this summer.  

The Falls

watercolor
14" x 21"
landscape

 One of the local art groups that I belong to is currently having an exhibit titled, "Small, Medium & Large."   The shows are at three different venues with openings on different nights.  the first one is this Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Promise You Art House in Highland, Indiana. I had my 3 entries accepted into this exhibit.  That is the Small show...

 This painting is one of the pieces that was accepted into the Large show.  That opening is at Wildrose on Nov.17.  The Medium show is Nov. 10 and that is at Sip II.  Lots happening at this time of year here in Indiana, near Chicago.

One-color class demos

watercolors

these were some demos that I did for my classes way back in Sept.  I have been really busy these last few months and I didn't get to blog...Oh My...I am so sorry.

I took down my watercolor's from the exhibit "Along the Lake Shore" at the Indiana Visitor's center.  I had 48 framed paintings in this show.  It was my best show yet.  Videos are on my FB page of my Chicago paintings and my paintings of Industry.  I sold 5 framed pieces and 3 matted pieces, some cards, and one is on lay away for Christmas :))  It was awesome and I have so many great memories from this exhibit.

Then I was busy getting ready for another show that will start November 2 in Michigan City, IN.  I will post more about my next show in my next post.  but I took on a small Works Challenge so I created 16 paintings that will be a part of this next show.....stay tuned...

Indiana State Park

watercolor
14" x 21"
landscape

A summer day at one of the state parks in Indiana.  So peaceful...Wish I was fishing....

The Ups and Downs of the Art World

watercolor
interior

this stair way caught my eye as something I wanted to paint.  It is in a local gallery in Chicago.

Mill workers

watercolor
14" x 21"
industry

I love the excitement that goes on in the steel mills.  Maybe that is why my husband has been working in them for  about 45 years.  

In the Summer Time

watercolor
14" x 21"
landscape

On a summer stay-cation we went to an Indiana State Park.  It was a lovely afternoon to get inspired....

Video of my show at the visitor's center

My show at the Visitor's Center is running through Sept. 22 in Hammond, Indiana.  There are two photographers in this show too, Matthew Kaplan and Tom Hocker.  I have 48 watercolors of Chicago and Industry.  

Go to my Face Book page and look for Kathy Los-Rathburn and there you can see my video of my Chicago paintings.  Let me know what you think.  The show runs through Sept. 22 but will run on my FB forever.  lol.

acrylic/ workshop ...purple fall

acrylic
landscape
9" x 12"

watercolor classes begin next week.  Summer is officially over after this weekend.  So sad.  Bit fall is just around the corner.

An acrylic workshop is planned for Friday, Sept. 28 from 6 till....It is fun doing a few small acrylics for a change.  My students seemed to like the change, too.  

Dog's Best Friend

watercolor
12" x 9"
animals

Two weeks ago I was in a local art fair.  Not a good weekend weather-wise for an art fail....so much rain....they even had to move my tent and display on Sunday since it was under 2" of water.   We had a few hours when it didn't rain on Sunday and some people wadded out. This is one of my students, Jodi, and her gals.  I took some photos and then did this for the Daily Paintworks Challenge.

Marigolds

watercolor
10" x 14"
floral

I felt like painting a little fall...but I do not want summer to leave us.  It is so sad that the schools begin classes in about 2 weeks.  Bring back fall semesters that begin after Labor Day.

More Mill Shapes

watercolor
14" x 21"
industry

another local Industrial scene.

Take the River Tour-Chicago

watercolor
cityscape

This is a perfect time to come to Chicago and experience it for yourself.

Helped to hang 88 paintings for the SLAC (South Lake Artists Co-Op) today.  There were 4 of us helping. It took us almost 8 hours ....This is at Wildrose Brewery, in Griffith, Indiana.  I have 3 pieces in this show.  As I was hanging it, I even purchased a piece for my art collection.  See, even artists purchase art from fellow artists....so you can, too!!

Plen Air Painting

watercolors
9" x 12"
Landscape

A local art group here in Indiana is the "Illiana Artists" art group.  We had our annual picnic at Larry and Carol Lyn Brechner's home/lake.  We had a blast.   A few of us were painting and many were taking photos.  As president of this group, I thought it would be best if I do some painting...It was so much fun...will have to do more painting on location.

More Glass at the Pier

watercolor
interior

another painting of Chicago....again I take you to Navy Pier to see the Stained Glass Exhibit that was on display a few years back.  Man were they beautiful.

Still Raining- Chicago

watercolor
14" x 21"
ciryscape

Here is another painting in my new Chicago series.

I delivered 52 paintings.today for the "Along the Lake Shore"
exhibit that will be at the Indiana visitor's Center. This is in Hammond, INdiana off of 80/94 and Kennedy Ave.  The venue is 6,500 sq. feet.  The place is huge and there are two photographers also included in this show...Mathew Kaplan and Thomas Hocker.

It runs from July 21 till Sept. 23.  Opening reception is on Tuesday, July 24 from 5 till 7 om.  If you live close to the REGION you may want to come and check out this exhibit.

Coal and coil

watercolor
industry

This is a typical scene that you would see all the time if you lived in the "Region."   This is the calumet region of Indiana which is about 35 miles south of Chicago.  The mill in the background is Inland Steel.

Tomorrow I will deliver my paintings for the show at the Indiana visitor's center in Hammond, Indiana.  The center in off of 80/94 at the Kennedy Ave. Exit.   It opens July 21st. The show is titled "Along the Lake Shore."  You will be able to see between 40 and 62 of my watercolors of Chicago and Industry.  Also included in this exhibit are photos by Mathew Kaplan and Thomas Hocker...they will also have at least 40 photos each on Industry and Chicago.

More info to follow.....

Rainy Day People

watercolor
cityscape

Here;s a Chicago scene that will be in my up coming show that will run from July 21 till Sept. 24 at the Indiana Visitor's Welcome Center in Hammond, IN

Backside

watercolor
14" x 21"
cutyscaoe

Sometimes I find interesting painting material ... just around the corner.

The Bridge is Up

watercolor
14" x 21"
cityscape

Been busy painting Chicago and Industry for a show that I will be a part of here in Indiana.  I just finished framing 40 pieces for this show.  More info to follow.

Peony

watercolor
floral

These are some of the peonies that I had this year in my garden....I have all kinds of flowers growing now....hopefully I will get to weeding the gardens in the next few days.  I do enjoy weeding and I do it a couple times a week....It has been really hot here in the Chicago area...stay cool.

Still Unloading

watercolor
14" x 21"
industry

Been really busy here getting ready for a big show next month.  I just finished framing up 40 paintings on Chicago and Industry....While I was framing the last 2 paintings, I broke my flexi-brad gun thing....you know to hold the painting into the frame.  Luckily, I had a regular brad gun so it was ok.  But now I need to order another flexi point gun.   

Lilac from Nancy

watercolor
7" x 10"
Floral

What do I do when a student brings me flowers....I paint them.

Jansen Memories

watercolor
14" x 21"

This is a memory from the past.  I remember going here when I was a little girl with my parents.  My mom would always get veggies here along with her plants for the garden and  for her flower pots.  She always would buy a bunch of gladiolas, too.  She always loved flowers so maybe that is where I got my love for flowers.

This farm stand is long gone along with the one that they also had in Hobart, Indiana.

Chicago Bridge

watercolor
14" x 21"
cityscape

It was another fun day taking photos and then coming back to my studio to paint them.... Digital photography is the best.  I remember when I was an art student.....eons ago.  We had to go out and take photo references.  Back in my day slides were cheaper than prints.  I think the reason why I married my hubby was because he had a Polaroid Instant Camera.  That was so cool in the day.  He also had an expensive calculator and I think it just added and subtracted.

Cala Lily

watercolor
floral

another little demo that I did for my students.  my gardens are all planted now....so let the painting begin.