Another lesson finished. I took my time with this one as it was very involved with lots and lots of layers. I am very happy with the way it turned out. I learned a lot with this lesson too. Now I am ready to tackle something less stressful. I ended up with a stiff neck today from stressing too much while working on this. I must learn to relax while painting.....just breathe!!! LOL!! I think I will work on some watercolor lessons that I am taking from Michelle Brown. One class is learning to loosen up while painting.....I definitely need to study this one MORE!! The other class is Spring Flowers. I've got a link to her blog on the left and you have got to go and check her out. On her blog, she has several videos of her painting that you can watch. The first time I saw her painting I knew I had to take her classes!!

I've spent several days last week cleaning out my studio. What a mess it was and so disorganized. I sorted, and sorted and threw piles of old junk away. It really felt good. I've got my cupboards organized...paints stowed away on shelves and my table cleaned off. Now I'm really ready to do some serious ART!!! It feels good to have it done!!

Just finished another Lesson yesterday. I really do like the way this one turned out. It was a very difficult lesson for me to paint. I lost some of the transparency in my colors on the last layer, but still do like it. This was painted on an old tray I had and never used. The tray is about 12x18" and I will hang it up on a wall. This is my first venture with gold leafing. It wouldn't have been so hard if the tray edges hadn't had all of the curves and edges it does. I spent most of an afternoon applying it to the tray edge. All in all, I finally got it so that it looked okay and I'm happy with it. I don't think I will try that again....unless it is an edge that is square and plain.
I'm going to take a few days off from my lessons now and chill out. Think I'll work on something that is less tedious to paint. Maybe some watercolor or a mixed media collage.
I will post whatever I come up with. I've got some new watercolor brushes ordered and hope that they show up today. I can't wait to play with them!!! A girl can never have too many art supplies!!! LOL!!!!

I just got done with this lesson today. It is painted on an old painters' box that I bought years ago at a sale. Now, it has a new lease on life. This was another lesson with layer upon layer of paint and transparent washes. I wasn't too crazy about the end results at first, but it is growing on me. Now, I have to paint the inside of the box, which is little cubbies for brushes, paint and supplies.

I think the next thing I will work on will be something in watercolor or another mixed media collage. They are such fun to do.

Boy, it has been awhile since I've adding anything new to my blog. It's been busy around here ....still!! Same for everyone, I am sure! I've been busy painting all kinds of things. I've got my Traditions lessons going strong again and am feeling better about getting caught up. I am somewhat behind in the other two classes I am currently taking...Watercolor Journaling and Inspirational Journaling. I LOVE the watercolor class. In fact I did my first "real" watercolor the other day. This painting was published in the current issue of Paintworks, and since it is a farm scene, I had to try to paint it for my hubby. He loves it. I can see a lot of things I should have done differently, but hey, it's not bad for a newbie watercolorist!!!

Then I finished another Traditions lesson. This one was very difficult...layer after layer of transparent paint to achieve depth. It did turn out nicely, and I am wishing that I had spent the money of the box it was suppose to be painted on, instread of a masonite panel. Oh well, I can always do it again on another surface. We are studying Intensity in this Module and it is interesting. Here is my rendition of "Jonah and the whale".

I am now working on my newest lesson, which is a French Regency design and it is beautiful. Lots of flowers!!!

I have also been working on my Watercolor Journal and it is such fun.

Here are a couple of my recent pages....

These are just little quick sketches that I've done. I've got more and will upload them as I get time.

I am ready for winter to be overwith. It has been such a cold one this year. We had some nice weather above freezing last week and got rid of a lot of the ice and snow we had piled up around here. It was just treacherous to walk anywhere....even from the house to the car to leave. I hate ice!! In the middle of the week, they have in the forecast for more snow....Oh goody!!!

I've been busy trying to keep up with all of my lessons. I signed up for a wonderful watercolor journaling class and I am having a ball with it. I also signed up for an Inspirational Journaling class at the same time. My lessons with Traditions are caught up for now, and the picture posted is a recent lesson I've done. It is a Telemark design. When I first saw what we were going to be painting, I wasn't too excited about it. It would not be something I would normally paint for myself. As I worked through the lesson though, I found myself liking it more and more. I love stroke work and this lesson was full of it! It takes a lot of time and patience, but learning brush control is what it is all about.

I will post more tomorrow with some of my journal photos. I am so enjoying this and learning to "let go" and just paint....it is such fun!

Collage From Paulette Insalls' Faces Class

I just loved taking this class and learned so much. This isn't quite finished yet...will add somemore media to it and some words that I have chosen for it. I will post the final results once it is done. This is the same face on both paintings, but with different eyes and hair. I think I like the blond one the best of the two!

We had to draw the faces and then paint them. I've got somemore collages started and will add them here as I get them done!

The Christmas Holidays

Today, we woke up so a strong northeast wind, light snow and very cold temperatures! UGH!! Guess that winter is here for sure. I would someday love to move to a warmer climate and get away from this cold, cold weather. Our spring, summer and fall aren't bad....but sure do hate winter time. The only good thing I can say about it is that it gives me more time for my artwork. That is a good thing!
Our holidays are going to be a bit different this year. We only have one son close by, so it will be quiet. The other children aren't going to be able to travel here this year. Our holidays with all the kids and grandkids in the years past have been kind of hectic and I will probably miss that, but a quiet Christmas isn't all bad. We have ordered a big old prime rib for the two of us and will cook that and eat ourselves into oblivion!!! LOL!! Ho Ho Ho!!!
Shopping is almost taken care of so I am stressless this year. Feels pretty good. I think I will spend the rest of today getting somemore decorations out and make the house look a little more like Christmas.
Merry Christmas one and all!