WATERCOLOR POSTCARD FOR CHARITY

pelican
watercolor
postcard sized

A few weeks ago I was contacted by one of my fellow Twitter artists, David Sandumart,  and asked to do a small postcard sized painting to send to Moss, Norway for a Twitter art exhibit. Although my time is very limited right now, I wanted to be a part of this project, so I have done this little pelican watercolor postcard.


The original art work will be on display at the Moss Public Library, with all the fund raised going to help a charity - The Women's Crisis Centre - where abused women and children receive counselling, food, shelter and support during a very difficult time in their lives. Over 260 artists from all over the world participated last year, and David anticipates a similar or greater number to be involved this year. What a privilege to be a part of raising funds for such a worthy cause!

PORTRAITS AND DREAMS

Sydney's Orange Hat

The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy - but with life events that have left me little time or energy for doing my own work in the studio. Even my blogging slipped...sorry!


Since I don't have any new work to show you (other than eyes, noses, and mouths that I have been teaching my students to draw...), I thought I would post my first attempt at a portrait in watercolor, which was back in 2003! I can't believe how many years have passed and how quickly...


This portrait is of my first grandchild, and only granddaughter. Sydney was born just five days before the 9/11 event which changed the world... At this time, I was just beginning to explore painting, and most of my work was done on holidays and during summer as I was an elementary school teacher -full time. Enough said! But I had a dream that someday I would do art whenever I wanted, in my own space.


What I loved about this portrait was the combination of colors and how beautiful the blush on her cheek turned out. At times this was an exercise in frustration, but I persevered until I got a result that I was happy with. Since then, I have learned so very much, but I still like this painting and think I learned much from just tackling a project when I knew very little. 


If you are just toying with the idea of painting, or of doing something in particular, I encourage you to try it. Persevere. Learn from doing. It will be worth the effort and the time. Since doing this painting, I have left teaching in the public system, and am now a full time artist. I now teach art to students in my own home studio. And I love what I do. You can live your dreams too. It takes courage, and there are times when your hopes may be dashed. But continue anyway. Get back on the road. You will be going toward that dream, and who knows what adventures you'll have along the way? It will be worth it all - I know. And I'll be cheering you on!!!

NEW BEGINNINGS

new oil portrait on the easel

Yup - this is going to be a beautiful portrait in a couple of weeks...I just KNOW it!  

PRINCESS MIKAYLA

Princess Mikayla
9" x 12" oil

My friend's little girl is a princess indeed! She is all over posing for the camera, and getting prettied up for me to take her picture.
I am happy to have completed this portrait ...painting always gives me a feeling of peace and joy. 

ON THE EASEL TODAY

oil painting currently on my easel

I got to work on this painting for a bit this week. Although this photo doesn't do a good job of showing the pink blush on her cheek and forehead, I am pleased with how the painting is progressing. There will be several more hours until she is done...I have to let the painting dry before I go back in with more detail. I have left out the dangling earring she had on, so once that area is completely dry, I'll lay that over the skin and hair in that part of the portrait. The day I took this photo, she told me she did her hair all by herself, and she looked like a princess! Strands of individual hair will show how she had it in a ponytail, wrapped in ribbon, and then doubled up and under the headband. So very, very cute! LOVE how the oil paint blends so smoothly!