This piece is a reinvention of one of my favorite subjects: chairs. A challenge with this composition was adding non-related elements, as well as harmonizing the colors. It all began with an elderly blue jay, who flew to our patio and just sat and sat. No movement. He perched on the water bowl for a […] more »
This miniature watercolor was done specifically for the Montana Watercolor Society’s fund-raising program. All the award winners this year were asked to complete a piece seven by nine-and-a-half inches. For me, that is a big challenge. I am more comfortable painting full-sheet paintings of twenty-two by thirty and larger. So painting in a restricted size […] more »
This is my last bouquet from our garden this year with our bright sunflowers and gladioli. It was painted wet-in-wet and completed in two days, which is quick for me. My main concern was to capture the freshness and bold colors of the flowers. The indigo bowl was a gift from my parents and the […] more »
Now that the weather is cooler and changed into fall, I have been thinking about my summer flowers — the wonderful luscious yellow and mahogany sunflowers among the delicate fuchsia cosmos. These were picked and arranged in my artistic vase, filling it thick with blossoms. I am particularly fond of the red-violet color. It really […] more »
I was inspired to do something with the bright orangey colors of our garden cantaloupes. We picked about six of them and I cut them into wedges before cutting them into chunks for breakfast. I wanted to do something fun and whimsical and thought about the praying mantis we had on our back steps a […] more »
I positively love sunflowers! A friend calls me the sunflower queen. Sunflowers are gorgeous large flowers and make wonderful bouquets. I do not know how many paintings I have done of them — lots! There are so many different varieties. This year we have planted at least four different types. In this composition, I decided to play […] more »
I liked the idea of continuing my palette series. This one was a challenge, with the butcher’s tray and two palettes, brushes, glassware, water jar and paint tubes. I set this arrangement up outside on our front deck in direct sunlight — my favorite method for working outside! I walk around the display, taking numerous photographs at […] more »
My artwork is currently in two new shows: the Iowa Watercolor Society and “Celebrate the Bicycle!” Two of my watercolors, License to Paint and Gordie’s and The American Legion are exhibited in the first annual IWS Miniature Watermedia show at the St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines. The intent of this show is to […] more »
I decided to compose another watercolor using my large assortment of brushes with old license plates. I wanted something different for an upcoming competition, although I did set up some of my palettes to start with the brushes. We artists seem to accumulate supplies of all kinds. The design was playing around in my mind for a […] more »
Every time spring rolls around, I am eager to paint my garden flowers, and this year is no exception. However, the weather is unseasonably cool, so I am relying on some of my old photos until some of my perennials bloom. This particular lily had been in my garden a while ago. New flowers are added every […] more »