Swans in the Valley

Drawings of Swans
As my husband and I were traveling through the valley we came across a flock of swans that were feeding off the flooded pumpkin fields. They were large birds and stayed until the waters subsided and then moved on to a new location. Although their stay was short they inspired me to return to drawing and painting these lovely creatures.

I Have Been Painting Roses

Roses, Roses and More Roses

I have been painting roses and having a great time. 

Poinsettias

Today I spent my time painting poinsettias. What a magnificent flower for contrast and vibrant color. I enjoyed experimenting with approaches and techniques.

The single flower was painted reds first while the painting with multiple flowers was painted with the greens coming first. It is amazing how the approach changes the result. I also did another one that is larger and was painted without pre-drawing any of the foliage. It is a lot of fun and leans to a more modern technique. It was a great day with my poinsettias and paintbrushes.

Mountains

Currently I am working on the 50 drawings that I created as we drove across the country. This picture is from Montana as we came out of Yellowstone National Park and headed for Washington State. In this process I have learned a few more things about my computer so the colors in the paintings are actually a little more accurate to the real painting. These paintings although they look like they could be a large work are only 5 X 7 inches.

Birds

When I visit a place I return with images in my mind that demand to be put on paper. The crane is from our recent trip to Korea.

The penguin is from our trip to Hawaii where at the Hilton Hawaiian village they have a beautiful display of these marvelous birds.

The owl was seen in Yellowstone National Park this summer. A memorable place to visit.

Mountain Studies

Studying Begonias

Fall colors

Fall in Korea was and is maginficent. Enjoy these pictures of Korea in the fall.

Reflections in Korea

Visiting Korea 
As we have now returned from Korea it has become obvious that travel impacts art and life. The trip has expanded my thinking and my world view. My husband and I traveled to Korea to visit family and came back from Korea appreciating a new culture but also appreciating the freedom that is taken for granted in America. Here are just a few reflections on the latest trip.

Reflections from Korea . . . What a trip! The weather was amazing with the sun shining most days creating beautiful reflections of the autumn leaves in the ponds surrounding the palace we visited in Seoul. 

There were more . . . reflections to be seen in Korea. Another is the reflection of family members who are not together due to the division of the north from the south as a result of war and conflict. This is something that is constantly on ones mind as we traveled up to the DMZ to see the border and climb through a tunnel built by the North Koreans to invade South Korea. Razor sharp wire as well as guard posts separate us from the quiet, calm river. It is an amazing reflection in itself to realize that the DMZ is now a sanctuary of birds, flowers, trees and wildlife because man is not allowed to set foot on that part of Korea. The crane is just one of these beautiful creatures that inhabits this area. I have already begun to work on capturing the cranes image in my current paintings. We were fortunate to see several in the harvested rice fields around the area.

A third reflection is how we see ourselves when visiting a new country. How are we reflected to the native population. Do we come across as pushy Americans or are we respectful of their country and traditions everywhere we go. 

Koreans seemed very friendly and thoughtful in every way. The country is beautiful and may need to be revisited in the spring for further insight but for now I want to explore the reflection in my art and the reflection in my heart so a tiny part of this Asian society will be seen in what I am doing as an artist.

More Roses

It is hard to stop painting roses once you begin. It reminds me of golf, you are always looking to the perfect hole. I am always looking for the perfect painting. I have learned more about painting roses and that is never give up. I learned the most from a painting I thought was so horrible that I should just throw it away. I didn't discard the work but instead picked up a green pen and began adding the green and blue hydrangeas to the composition. Then I painted over the flowers to give somewhat of a luminescence to the work. 

It is not about these 23 little studies . . . it is about what I learn as I complete each. I know that if I work through the emotional down turns I will ultimately be successful.  The bottom line is keep at it. Don't give up. Painters get better by painting, artists get better by doing art. Step back look at what you are doing and keep at it . . . then put the work away for a while allowing for emotional maturity.  As I develop as an artist I know I can view my work in a rational way. 

I personally cannot wait to get more roses and paint more in the months ahead.

Art is a Process

Roses 

I am working on my rose paintings so I can finish my large painting. I am trying many new ways of painting the roses including starting without a pencil drawing. By just starting to paint the work looks more spontaneous and less planned.

One of the other experiments I am working through is the geese. I have worked on large almost life size Canadian Geese but now I am trying to do miniature drawings that are ultimately to be paintings of geese. 

These little studies have a wonderful humor and sensitivity

to the subject. These drawings are created from pictures takes in early September when we were visiting Lake Union in downtown Seattle. I find I am somewhat inconsistent in my product but I am improving.

    Geese

New Art Created

It is difficult to work all day and also find time to do art. My experience is I do my painting when I am rested and my mind is clear. The best time for me is the morning. I create my art early in the morning. I was visiting with my friend the pie maker and talking about my art work and I explained that I may work on 3 or 4 pieces at the same time. While I was explaining this to her I also realized that I had been quite productive in creating art work this month. The more inspired I am by the subject matter the more I want to paint. 

Even thought I create 3 or 4 pieces at a time the art does not look at all the same because I approach each piece from a different vantage point. For example, I started working a year ago focusing on just one rose or two rose buds now I am working on a vase full of roses. This is growth but how did the growth occur. First of all I never mastered the one rose, but I did improve at it. I wanted to try larger paper so I kept the roses the same size and just made more on the page. I also realized that I need to work in stages to give the paint time to dry that is another reason why I work on multiple pieces at a time. These simple discoveries about art are important to discovering who I am as an artist. 

Redesigning

What is it like to clean and reorganize a space in the home for new art. Sometimes we purchase and purchase items and then its time to put them up in a perfect place so a memory will be revisited every time they are seen. This last Saturday I finally put up the fish. These are fish purchased in Hawaii for our home so we would remember each trip. It worked the fish are on the wall and they are doing just that creating pleasant memories for their owner.

How can I do that with my art for others? I will explore this concept this year.

Painting the Road Trip

This week I have gone back and started to work on drawing and paintings of the road trip. There are over 50 drawing and although they are small I am enjoying the process of painting and interpreting the drawings not from photographs but from memory. I use colors in my palette to create images that may or may not reflect the location. I will post some as I complete a series. 

Visiting and Seeing New Ideas

This week I have been to three different locations where I got to talk about art with other artists. I talked to illustrators at a meeting of writers and illustrators, watercolor artists at a street fair, and I went to see my art at the fair where I talked to more artists. Everytime I talk to someone I learn a little more and gain new ideas to work into my art.

One of the things I learned by looking at art at the fair was that in order for the art to really be seen at the fair it must be able to stand out. The art is placed in ways that the colors blend together therefore, finding ways to get viewers to look at the art is the challenge.

Many of the best pieces at the fair were done with acrylic paint or pastel. I felt the displays of these two medias were extraordinary. 

Over all a good week to see art, think about my subject matter and plan for the future.

Celebrating Life Together

The Top of the Hilton Downtown Seattle

Today I am celebrating 35 years with my dear husband. He has been my biggest fan and encourages me daily to paint. His office is filled with my art work and I celebrate his patience as I use many surfaces in our home to paint at. 

This weekend we toured the Pike Place Market and I brought home a large bouquet of flowers. I am painting their beauty and enjoying their splendor. 

I am also celebrating the birth of our 1st grandchild. This life I am sure will bring me back to drawing and painting children as I have done when our two children were small. A great weekend full of happiness and adventure. 

Swans

This is what I have been working on for the last 2 weeks. The picture was taken in Boston and I love how the swans are placed on the page. I have noticed that the reflection of the swan and the colors of the water are connected. It may take me months before I decide the 3 paintings are actually complete as I set them aside I contemplate the process and the content. 

As I begin school I will work on paintings before I go every day. This is a wonderful approach for me because I get my day going in such a creative way and it is so peaceful. Although the quantity of painting accomplished may be less I am still working on the process in the back of my mind. 

Inspiration for Art

Las Vegas has been an inspiration for a number of my pieces of art. The flamingos have inspired a wall full of orange and pink birds in various shapes and sizes. Their personalities shine through as you study their quizical looks or humorous poses. 

The Bellagio's Atrium changes with the season and excites the eyes with its various themes. This summer is was travel with trains running everywhere through out the beautiful flowers.

The hot, hot weather kept me inside painting on the table. Most of the works I will bring home are not finished and are in the early stages. I tried some new pens that are ok and some new paper that is great. I love Las Vegas for its inspiration, energy and even its heat. I always look forward to returning as time permits.

Dr. Suess the Artist

As we toured the Roman Forum Shops in Las Vegas we can across a gallery and there he was Dr. Suess. His work was displayed in various forms. There were pages from his books, drawings, paintings, and even sculpture. One of my favorites was a preliminary drawing for a page that had his notes on it for what the final product should look like. 

I am reminded that art is a process and taking ones time is necessary. Revisiting subject matter and all of the various looks and changes that may need to be made is just standard operating procedure to becoming all I can be as an artist.

Traveling Again . . . Las Vegas

It was time to get out of town for the Traveling Artist so here I am in Las Vegas. Visiting the sights is part of the fun when you are in Las Vegas. Last night we were with friends who had not been to Las Vegas. It is so much fun to see through the eyes of a newbee. One can begin taking for granted the enormity of the place until you hear these words, "It is so big!" Yes the Venetian is huge. The stores are from around the world. The prices for the designer clothing and art objects are also huge. 

I do not feel small or even envious in Las Vegas. My feelings tend towards the thankful side. I am thankful to visit such an alive place. A place that continues to grow and develop by tearing down old and building new. I am thankful see large art because it inspires me to think big and work big. I know it is time for my art to grow in proportion to my vision. This year I will be creating larger pieces because I have the convidence that I am growing and developing as an artist.