Dreaming of Cool October Nights

I am already dreaming of October and the fall weather, even though summer hasn't officially hit! My latest painting up for bid on eBay, "Haunted Halloween," is on Arches watercolor postcard paper. You can fnd it by clicking here. And, I'm painting more pieces, and creating other art for my upcoming folk art shows, Tinsel and Treasures, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in downtown Danville, CA and one I will be participating in for the first time Spirits in Sanford, Saturday, October 13, 2012, in Sanford, FL. I can't wait to see everyone and meet new faces! Mark your calendars!

Oh....and if you're creative yourself and would love to learn a new technique this summer, check out ArtfulGathering.com! I'll be teaching an online art workshop about paper mache using strips of newspaper and a homemade paste recipe to create a hot air balloon ornament. There's lots of other artists too, so have a looksie! Here's a movie trailer for my class. Hope to see you soon!

Painting with Sepia and Cad Orange - A Work in Progress

 

I continue to play with my watercolors and other water media, experimenting with different techniques and tools. I painted this and see gnomes, woodland faeries and other creatures. As I see these mysterious beings, I am enhancing them slightly, so they can't hide from us quite as readily. It's still a work in progress. What do you see?

A New Year Means Time for Reflection

 

"Halloween Haunts"

The start of a new year means time to reflect on my art. You may notice that I often paint a pre-teen girl and a younger boy. You see, unconsciously I am painting our two children, during a time long ago. It is a time I cherish most of all, when the world was still innocent and our family was still complete.

The new year also brings the birthday of our departed 17-year-old daughter Brianna. January 12 ushers in wonderful memories and much sadness. The fact that she is now gone is as fresh today as it was three and a half years ago when she died.

So I keep painting scenes in which innocence abounds, and the world on Halloween is full of wonder and not too scary. My idealized world helps me cope with our loss. Some of you have told me my paintings help you escape to a gentler time and place too.

So as I think about my art moving into 2011, I've realized it has been a source of joy for me during the darkest time in my life. And it continues to elevate me to a better state of mind each time I put pencil and paint brush to paper.

The above painting is available on SpookyTimeJingles.com.

Halloween Smiles

I'm busy decking the house, inside and out, for my favorite holiday! It always makes me smile when I  break out the decorations! I take special pride too when people walking past tell me they always love my Halloween yard display.

So still smiling, I managed to complete another original Halloween-inspired watercolor. It tells you how I feel at this time of year! It's painted on 140 lb. waterolor postcard and bears all the necessary postcard markings on back...except postage! What better way to say Happy Halloween to someone than to send an original painting! I have finished it with a special spray coating for protection. It's available now on eBay and ends Friday, Oct. 22.

My Watercolors Featured in Celebrate365 magazine!

 

I am so proud to be in the Halloween issue of Celebrate 365, a journal for the ornament enthusiast. There are many other Halloween artists featured too, as you can see from this two-page spread of the quarterly publication. The magazine also offer artist interviews and many photos of ornaments and October 31 inspired art.  Another large watercolor of mine also was featured, in addition to my Victorian Paper Doll Witch wall decor. Publisher Connie Porcher does a great job finding the best in the industry and I'm humbled to be a part of it.

Climb Aboard the Halloween Hayride!

I have always wanted to climb atop a wagon filled with hay for an old fashioned hayride, especially on Halloween! The fall colors surrounding me while enjoying the crisp country air. Now, I've finally gotten my wish...at least I can dream. Take a peek at my latest watercolor now on eBay.

Beware of Odd Encounters in the Woods

As you may know from my last post, I met a tree gnome and actually snapped his picture. What I didn't tell you was the old witch we met during our meanderings in the forest. She was a bit creepy and invited us in for tea. Thankfully, my husband and I had to get back to our visitors, so we couldn't accept her invitation. I don't know if her disappointed expression was because she was lonely or because she had something unfavorable in mind! You'll find her art-card-sized watercolor portrait on eBay, here. You never know who you'll meet in the forest these days! Happy wanderings!
 

Homecoming and Graduation

For the past few weeks, we've been focused on our son's high school graduation. Not only was there the ceremony, but a senior picnic, senior photos, senior barbecue and grad night, in which directly following the ceremony the students were whisked off to a USS destroyer docked in Oakland and outfitted with all sorts of games and activities. The night culminated in the 200+ recent grads hopping onto a boat and crusing the San Francisco bay with more music, games and lots of food and espresso. They didn't get home until 6:15 am the next day!

While our son was off having a good time, we had family and friends staying with us. So we took a day trip to Muir Woods in Marin County. If you've never gone, it is one of the few remaining places in the world where giant redwoods still tower above the land.

Some reach as high as 260 feet and are as old as 1,000 years! They are magnificent sentries near the coast and are among the oldest living things on earth. We even spotted a few deer that came down from the hills to feast on the lush carpet of greenery.

And...I even found a tree gnome!

Do you see his profile? He is looking to the left of the screen, with his button nose and big chin! I just knew the forest there was enchanted!!

With all the entertaining, sightseeing and celebrating, I managed to finish a watercolor "Halloween Homecoming," and post it as a "Buy It Now" listing on eBay.

I hope you are enjoying the start of your summer.

Curiousity Did Not Kill the Cat

We've been having many rainy, cold days during the past couple of months, so I've been staying indoors and experimenting with some new mediums. Block printing has always intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try. I did a bit of research and found some wonderful tutorials on YouTube. The most helpful was one by Milliande. She provides information about the materials to use, ways in which she uses the prints and carvings, and more. Here's part one of her seven-part series.



So off I ventured to Micheal's with my 50% off coupon in hand. I purchased a little kit that included a easy carve block, some ink and a carving tool with two blades.

Since I have painted many watercolors, I figured I could use one of those designs. However, for my first one, I thought I'd better keep it simple. I sketched something out and transfered the drawing onto the block. Remember, it's in reverse! Here's what I ended up with.

 
And then the printed version.

Of course, I had to add some watercolors! But I plan on carving more of these and have all sorts of ideas of how to use them. It was so much fun just experimenting with these! If you have the time and need a break, give something new a try.

Greetings on Halloween

Ready to greet all who wander along the nearby path, this scarecrow seems to have a sinister smile. Beware on Halloween, for magic is in the air! An original Halloween watercolor postcard available now through Sunday under my eBay listings. Happy Haunting!

A Crazy Colorful Halloween

Trying something a bit different can be fun and freeing. Thought I'd give a lighter, more whimsical touch to a haunted house. I had fun letting the colors bleed into each other. This one is now available on eBay. Have you tried something different lately?