Saturday, January 25, 2014

Watercolor on Canvas

 

Last Fall I took a 2 day workshop with Bob Yonke.   Most of Bob's watercolors are on canvas.   I had played around with the technique a few times but  in this workshop I just seemed to "get it".
Since November I have done several watercolors on canvas and really enjoy the process.
This was one of the first ones I did.   The texture in the piece is from the undercoat of gesso that I apply to the canvas before painting.  
 

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Leota's Window

 

Last week I went up to Leota' house to buy some rugs to sell in the Loft Shop.   She lives at the top of a mountain in a stone house that dates back to the 1700's.  It is  beautiful up there and her window sill is always worth a few photos.    This is a favorite.
 

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Western Maryland Watercolor Society Annual Show


The Western Maryland Maryland Watercolor juried show is now showing at the Saville Gallery at 9 N. Center Street in Cumberland.   Each member who qualified to show their work was allowed to display 3 pieces.   This is one of mine.   I did it this winter when I had hit a wall and could not come up with  new subject matter.   One day  I noticed a geranium that I was wintering over in the studio.  Sometimes subject matter is right in front of us.  

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Beginners workshop

For the last few years the Garrett County Arts Council has been offering a workshop called "So You Think You Want to Learn to Paint".   It is designed for people who have never painted. . . . no experience.    It is a fail safe workshop because I don't let people fail. The first day, we begin with "this is paper, these are brushes, this is paint", explaining each as we go.   We mix watercolors. 
On one day I do a demonstration and the students paint along with me.  This is one of the paintings from the class.   
 
The class is being offered July 8-10 at the Discovery Center on Deep Creek Lake.   For information call the Garrett County Arts Council at 301 334 6580.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Farms and Barns

I continue to be in love with the farms and barns of Garrett County.   The Plein Air painters arrive tonight for Mountain Maryland Plein Air event.    I am always curious to see where they paint and what they do with our beautiful area.   Their work will be at the Saville Gallery in Cumberland from June 1 - 14.  
I did this one early in the winter. I think of it as a "typical Suearnson" landscape.   They are still fun to paint.



Saturday, May 18, 2013

Collage

I have spent some time this past "creative season" venturing into  areas other than watercolors.   I  saw a beautiful koi piece done by a member of our critique group.   I haven't done koi for a few years and suddenly wanted to try to do fish with collage.  I stain rice papers with watercolors creating a palate of differing values of each color.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Graphite

I bought a piece of graphite that is about 6 inches long and 2  inches thick.   It is a fistful of graphite.   Then  I got a large sketch pad (18 x24).  I stand and do large drawings, forcing myself to work large and loose.  It is great fun, tho the product isn't really terrific.
o yeah, the graphite is water soluable so I can go in with a wet brush.   Every day when I go to the studio I pick up the graphite and do a quick sketch.  Here is one. . . . . .