Sunrise On The Firehold River - Yellowstone

Sunrise On The Firehole River
Yellowstone.

6x6in oil on canvas panel $130. SOLD

Artist Note

Steam rising up by the river

at sunrise was a jaw dropping
sight that has stayed with me.

I had to work out
how to do the steam
first because I had not
painted it other than
from one or two
 geysers before.
The palette knife was handy
for "mushing" to achieve
the softness.

Next it was just a matter of 

adding the colors of sunrise.

I am very happy with 

the way this one turned out.
especially the
colors in the steam

One of the highlights of my 

visit was 

seeing a room full of 

Thomas Moran paintings

Below are the notes 

from my sketchbook

 I noticed the
absence of GREEN in his work!

Here is a link to the collection.

Thomas Moran Yellowstone Watercolors

Santa Fe - Pink Adobe

Santa Fe Adobe

6"x 8"

oil on canvas panel  $130.

After all the previous "abstract" landscapes 

here is a direct painting

of a pink adobe house.

I love this particular house 

and have painted it several times!

Artist Note

I  have been having major computer problems

and my daughter is posting this one for me.

Thank you, sweet Rainy! 

Another thank you for

everyone's visits 

and comments.

Early Light - day 10 in the CHALLENGE

Early Light

9x7in watercolor on Yupo  

Day 10

A friend's sunroom is the source of

this painting. It faces southeast

and is flooded with light in the mornings.

Her plants go crazy and put mine to shame.

Artist Note.

Yupo is not the easiest of papers to work

with. I admit I am more comfortable with it 

than when I first started, but still find it a 

tricky surface to get used to. 

I love the watery appearance so it has 

been worth the time experimenting and learning

all about it.

I am gathering 

quite an arsenal of techniques and will 

share them when I know they are solid.

Nesting - days 7 & 8 in the challenge

Nesting

8x7in watercolor on paper $NFS

Days 7&8

Artist note.

I started this one on day 6, but things got in

the way...like tennis finals and 

 Denver Bronco football.

No, not moi, but hubby is an avid watcher

of all sports..

When he became so ill last year I pulled 

out my old watercolors so I could sit and be with

him on weekends as he watched whatever sport is on.

The golf is my favorite because I look

up and see the most beautiful views.

It is tranquil with good background noise

to paint with.  By that I mean no screaming 

with excitement as someone is being 

smashed into the ground!

Anyway -  about the painting.

It looked rather too old fashioned because 

at first everything was so brown.

 I used Chinese white to add to some blue

and washed it into the background.

This nest is made up of dead grasses

and I am thinking a solid dark

background would make it pop...

My week's avian/nature theme is at an end. 

I start a new theme tomorrow

Watercolor and my Stress-Buster Guest

 Roses and Pears

10x8"watercolor on Yupo

This one has been piddled with for quite a while.

Doing little bits in between doing other things...

like having a lovely friend visit me.

Artist Note.

I have followed the work of Lisa Graham 

for a couple of years now.  I have always been drawn to her 

artwork. They are unique, personal and usually 

tell a story I can connect to.

I loved and admired the way she took care of her mother

who was seriously ill. Over time, some personal

emails were exchanged and the friendship

became a delightful part of my life.
A magic moment happened last Christmas
when Lisa sent me a
glass ball stuffed with bird feathers
(link  feather ball )
I was so excited I painted it in the car
on the long trip to my daughters house

I had already invited Lisa to come, stay 

and paint with me, and, after her 

mother passed on a month ago, she
managed to do just that.

We painted together,  and of course, 

laughed and cried together. I had nursed my mother

so could could relate to much of what she was feeling.

Lisa discovered on her trip that there are 

lots of adobe buildings

and many blue doors in New Mexico

She enjoyed a toboggan type ride

down White Sands steep dunes

before doing 

a plein air painting of this area below.

Then we drove less than an hour to that 

strip of blue mountains ( you can see above)

where the large cloud cast its shadow on this

view from Cloudcroft, NM

9,000ft up and you can see the white strip

of White Sands where we were, in the distance. 

We enjoyed the cooler weather, light rain

and the hospitality of a good friend,

Anne Spier, who baked us choc chip cookies

before we headed back home to Las Cruces,

and more painting days...

Lindy, I thank you for joining us and brilliantly

thinking of adding the trip to Cloudcroft

Lisa bought me a favorite painting

as a house gift. She knows I love birds.

It is to be treasured.

Thank YOU, dear  Lisa

Your trip made me very happy.

To see more of Lisa's work

click here  Lisa Graham

Refreshments In The Garden

Refreshments In The Garden

6x8in oil on canvas $125. SOLD

I visited a good artist friend who has really beautiful 

front and back gardens.

Artist Note

In the mornings we stood and painted standing
in the shade on the west side of the house,

and in the afternoons we hauled our stuff to the east side.
I added to this when I returned home.
The white legs on the sunny side of the chair
jumped out too much so after placing the glass
over the painting
I added a front pot on the left side.
This also helped with a layering effect
indicating more frontal space than first shown.

Watercolor Weekend - Adobe and Garden

Adobe and Garden

7x9in watercolor on Yupo paper

Artist Note

Still playing around with watercolor on the Yupo paper.

It was painted plein air and dried very quickly.

Using the fracturing technique added some excitement 

for me, as unexpected areas of paint reacted in different ways.

I "puddled" the paint in places and liked the fine line

it left at the edges. 

Maybe this summer I can

spend a bit more time experimenting with painting

on the Yupo. I like the idea of mounting it to a board

so it can be framed without using glass.

Birthday Flowers

Birthday Flowers
6x8in oil on canvas panel   $125. SOLD

No - not feathers, but it was my birthday on Saturday
and I have so many flowers to paint before they die.
These are from my daughter. A beautiful mixed bouquet.

Artist Note
I received some fabulous suggestions for my painting
of the eagle feather. It has set me off on a whole new
way of thinking about how I want to paint it.
Thank you all so much. Keep the ideas coming and it
will lead to a new series.

Pansies Have Arrived!

Pansies and Creamer

6x8in oil on canvas $125.

I was thrilled to find pansies at the garden center. I love
them because they bring me joy throughout the winter.
Who can resist their smiley face and beautiful colors?


Artist Note
I had a request for a pansy painting quite a while ago
and I had been waiting for the live ones to come in.
Unfortunately when my computer crashed it took all
my flagged emails with it so if the interested person
likes this one, I will delay placing the paypal on DPW
for a day to give them a chance of getting in touch with me.

California Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

8x6in oil on linen panel $125.


DAY 19
This plant ( see below) was in a yard not far from
our son's house when we were visiting California
earlier this summer.
I was blown away by the beautiful range of colors.

Artist Note.

I elected to paint a close up first and would like to try
the whole bush sometime. I admire the range of variations
in the colors.

This is another one painted on the Senso linen canvas.
I buy mine in pads of 10 sheets. I find I can toss out a
sheet, if I am not satisfied, much easier than if I had
paid for a stretched canvas.
If I like one, like the one above, I then
glue it onto a panel.

I have had several emails asking about the product.
This is the cover and below that the color of the linen

I love the texture because it has some tooth, but if
you like smooth then this is not for you. Most of the
catalog places have it. I get mine from ASW Express.

Oleanders, Peaches and Handy Hint.

Oleanders and Peaches

7"x5" oil on canvas panel $100. SOLD

#5 in the 30 day challenge

I decided to throw in a formal still life or two during this
challenge.  This one is even smaller than usual.

Artist note

I have been asked how I manage to paint what
looks like a large painting composition,
but on a panel size so small.
Easy...I stand far enough back from my set-up
so that it is all actual size. (not as far back as you
would think)
I have a piece of glass from a photo frame
the same size as my canvas (in this case 5x7)
and I hold it up in front of me and move back from
my set-up until it fills the space the way I want it.
I then take a magic marker and
(as I am holding the glass with other hand) mark off
the main spots. I have found this works much better
for me than the regular viewfinder.
I lay the glass over the panel to check I like the design
and then I can either trace the marks or lift up and
nudge a few spots in as a guide if I want, but anymore
I find I only use it as a guide.

(I do tape the edges of the glass with scotch tape.)

Watercolor Weekends - Sunflowers

Sunflower Study

8x6in watercolor on acid free paper. Not for sale.

Artist Note.

I had fun with this one. It was the quality of the paper I think.
Much easier to do the fracturing technique.
I used Strathmore 4ply Smooth paper.
(left over from my illustration days)
I remember Strathmore was my favorite brand.
Always consistent in quality. I also remember the awful
smell Arches brand used to make when I wet it.
Is it still like that?

Crabapple Study

Crabapple Study

6x6in oil on canvas board  $100.

I have been told that crabapples make a wonderful jam.
I wonder why the name 'crab" apple. Anyone know?

Artist note.

After painting these in watercolor it felt weird to use oil paint.
A good weird though as it shakes me out of any comfort zone
I may be feeling..
I tried for similar colors as in the watercolor, but look how
different they appear. I guess I will be going back and forth
in my quest to achieve a cohesive style between the two mediums.
Almost completed another oil crabapple in a rectangular format.
I also finished another farmers market. Love doing those and still
have more to do, but these gorgeous branches came along...
A pat on Julie's back for productivity!

Farmers Market #7

Farmers Market #7

8x6in oil on canvas  $125. SOLD

Cauliflower or Coliflower?

I am  notoriously bad at spelling so imagine my pleasure at
seeing this sign. There is another one like me around around!

Artist Note.
The farmer cut off most of the outer leaves before wrapping them in
the plastic.Huge knife...I behaved and did not mention the spelling.

Brown Betty

Vintage Brown Betty

6x6in oil on canvas panel  $100. SOLD

I was invited to be a guest artist on the Moses Botkin Challenge.
A small group of very talented artists enjoy the stimulation of a
combined challenge once a month.
The Theme  for June - Vintage


And that brings me to Brown Betty.
This is my mother's tea pot and it is very old.
This style of pot is fondly referred to by the Brits as Brown Betty.
It was first made in England in 1695.
You have to admit that was a very, very long time ago.
It seemed that the specific type of red clay used appeared to retain heat
quite well so it became very popular to use for a teapot and still is to this day.
I can remember seeing the Brown Betty in all of my friends homes
when I was growing up. My mother loved this pot so much she brought
it to this country with her. It only gets used when another Brit comes for
a cuppa tea.
If you are interested you can click to read more info on Brown Betty

Here are the other Challenge entries.

"Old Hotness" 

Oil on canvas panel, 

8"x6" ©2013 

Diana Moses Botkin

"Old Red" 

Oil on linen, 

20"x20" 
©2013

Suzanne Berry

"Absinthe" Pastel, 

20"x16"
©2013 V. N. Ross

If you don't already, I hope you visit their blogs and get to know
these talented and fabulous women

Avian Architecture - watercolor

Nest

6x8in  watercolor on moleskin book paper SOLD

Whenever I do a series I venture into various media to explore
different effects.  Here are a few of the watercolors I did.

Artist Note


The one above was the first of the watercolor sketches I did of the nests

I was experimenting with the fracturing technique using

the basic warm and cool colors. Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna.
Next came the one below - this time with less blue.
I dry brushed the really dark areas.

Nest in Tree  7 x 9   moleskin book paper  SOLD

The one below is a watercolor of a cactus wren's nest
on YES multi media canvas. I added some ochre and pale yellow
 to the palette and was careful not to use a staining color.
I found it easier to fracture in watercolor on the canvas than the paper.
I painted a dark shape for the nest and lifted out the shapes for
light nest material. I actually placed the wren in this one.
 My computer is acting weird and I keep
trying to download some of the others, but it is not working
going to have to let this be the last one.
Tomorrow I will show some of the others from the show.

Cactus Wren Nest   8x8  Yes canvas SOLD                                                                                                          

Pansy Revisit

Pansy Revisit

5x7in oil on canvas panel $100.

This is a pansy study I did a while ago.
I liked the bright colors and abstract background
so I did another layer to freshen it up.

Artist Note.

Kathy Squires, a personal friend and fellow member
of the Artist Guild, posted a lovely flowering cactus
painting on which she had used the fracturing technique.
Take a look HERE

Lisa Graham did a fabulous job of fracturing
a couple of pieces. The bird in the tree is awesome
and my favorite. Take a look HERE
I really enjoy seeing what others artists do and hope
you do too.

I am very excited as we leave tomorrow to visit
our daughter for the weekend.
It will be a six hour drive so I will
be doing my usual painting in the van. I hope to
do some work for my May show.
Enjoy your weekend.

Bat That Ball

Bat That Ball

5x7in  oil on linen  sketch  $75.

This is a quick sketch as I was trying to capture
a kitten with the fracturing technique.
I rather like the feeling of movement I managed to
capture so I stopped before I lost it
...and that is why it is just a sketch.

Artist Note.

I enjoyed seeing another artist having fun doing the
fracturing from the Artbyte video.
Click on Sharon Rose Smith
Scroll down one post to Red Peppers and a Squash.

Sharon wrote,  "I am a realist by nature, but you 
piqued my interest and released a wild part of me."

She did a great job. Thank you Sharon

Celeste Bergin worked more on the red chair from
yesterday so take a look and see how well she did.

Please send me a link to your blog if you try the
fracturing. It is fun to see what everyone does.

Tea for Two

Tea for Two

6x6in oil on canvas $100.

Celebrating ending the 30 in 30 day challenge
with a pot of tea with my hubby.
I have two new red mugs and was excited because
they matched the teapot, but the handles are small
and high up which makes them uncomfortable to hold.
Guess they will be for painting and not to use.

Artist Note.

First time ever painting a cupcake!

My Artbyte video should be released at any time by Daily Paintworks.
Nervous in case no one likes it.

Dried Artichoke Flowers

Artichoke Flowers

6x8in oil on canvas SOLD




Day 29 in the 30 in 30 Days Challenge
My personal goal for this challenge - to paint only
what I have never painted or thought of painting before.

I was muttering away last week about how I was missing
painting flowers and another artist told me she bet she had
a flower I had never painted before. She brought it to the
Guild today and she was right, I had never even seen one never
mind paint one. Here it is - the artichoke flower.
For those of you who were like me and didn't know about this,
the thorny part in the center of the
artichoke (that you cannot eat) becomes a very beautiful purple
flower. These were past their prime and were at the totally
dried stage but I still loved painting them.
There were three heads on the one stem - very dramatic.
I will be painting them again I am sure

Personal note...
The artist who gave me these flowers owns a winery here

in New Mexico with her husband. She is a really good artist
and does some of the posters for the marvelous festivals
they hold. She is taking a year off from painting,
BUT will be back!
Have fun, Denise, we will all miss you.