Day at the Beach

Hot as Hades here the last couple of days so we decided to take our dog Jack to the beach to cool off. Beautiful breeze & good surf all day. Took  a cooler with drinks and lunch.  There was a low tide so walked for miles. Really nice day!

Warm Orchid

I just finished this painting today (I think!?). It is upside down but I kind of like it.  I drew  orchids on a piece of Arches, then wet the paper and poured Cad. yellow, Opera Rose & Cobalt (in that order) onto the paper. While it was still wet I sprinkled salt & splattered alcohol. After it dried I painted the parts of the flowers that remained.  I then tinted gesso and made the opaque shapes. There is also a bit of stenciling using the tinted gesso. The final step was adding the gold paper geometric shapes.

Contour drawing

Here is a contour drawing in pen of a black and white image which I embellished with pattern. Another neat technique I picked up in my summer journaling class. I viewed the image upside down as I drew trying not to lift my pen (Hard to do!). I then used random words provided by the instructor to compose a poem.

Drifting journey look deeper

Wonder why today is twisted

And yesterday invisible.

What is real now old heart?



Orchid Morph

I took a class this summer and learned some new techniques to make my journal entries more interesting and fun! I started this piece by first painting a page with black gesso (I know, it was the first time I'd ever heard of it too!) Then I tore a white page out & divided it into quarters and drew an orchid. Next I extended the petals onto the black page morphing them to look like ribbons. I really like the way the morphed petals glow on the black page.  Colored pencils are sooooo relaxing!  

Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach, Calif.

I had a great day visiting the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, Calif. with a fellow artist &  friend (www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org). This outdoor festival has been going on for 80 years and includes a diverse mix of really exceptional artists. I particularly liked the Mixed Media & Assemblage pieces that used found objects.  This is a photo of part of a watercolor painting that looks like a collage! 

Journal Painting

I walk in a very large and beautiful park close to home.  Here is a quick  journal painting I made sitting by the pond on Saturday.
 It was done as a panoramic view in a small spiral journal with a pan watercolor set.

 

Just returned from the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League (www.coalartgallery.com) Opening & Reception.  Two of my abstract paintings were accepted & one received an Honorable Mention.  Needless to say I was very pleased as this was my first show & award!