ACEO- Art Cards & Fun Little Watercolors

Red Cherry

 Hueneme Pier and Channel Islands

California Poppies

I have been having better luck with these tiny ACEO watercolors than with larger ones lately.  Art Cards Editions and Originals- they seem to be very popular on Etsy. I guess that means there are plenty of people collecting them.  As an artist, I like that they are just fun to paint since they are so small (2.5 X 3.5") and I can work on quite a few at a time.  They are a great way to practice and get some painting time in.  I love painting on large sheets of paper, but sometimes just want to work small- in those cases, postcards and ACEO are the way to go!

California Poppies Watercolor

I painted this watercolor for my mom.  I think I have to give her credit for my love of California Poppies.  She loves them and we grew up with them growing in the yard outside.  Now, I have them spread around my garden- blooming right now.  Although I have painted many poppy paintings for her- watercolors, acrylics, oils- this is probably my favorite.  This watercolor is 16X20 on 140lb cold press paper. 

Fun with Watercolors and ACEOs

ACEO, ATC, whatever you call them- they are fun to paint!  These papers are 2.5 X 3.5 inches.  They just seem like pure fun to paint since you don't have a large piece of watercolor paper in front of you waiting to turn into a "serious" painting.  I have also been trying out the canvas ACEO papers for oil paints.  I have been seeing many artists on Etsy putting these tiny paintings in their shops and decided to give them a try.  I painted more of them, but didn't want to post too many at once, so will post more later. I found some small frames just the right size for them, and if you are like me, you probably like your paintings more once they are matted or framed.  The small size is also just right for painting two of my favorite subjects- wine corks and sea shells!

Stained Glass Window- California Poppies

I included this photo since it shows the copper patina

My latest stained glass window is ready to hang. I finished the poppies a few days ago and put a copper patina on the solder.  I took these photos before I had my husband hang it up since it will be in a high window and harder to photograph. The next window I am going to do, I will be working with lead and learning a new process.  Making these windows has been so much fun, I am really happy that I decided to finally learn how after years of thinking about it!

Stained Glass Window- California Poppies

We spent Christmas away from home, and I haven't been painting for the last few weeks- but I have made some progress on my latest stained glass window. I haven't been going to the glass studio every week because of the holidays, but I did manage to get my pieces ground and on my board. I love this stage of work, since you can finally see what the window will look like. Next step- foiling the edges and getting ready to solder.

I got the pattern for this window from my mom. She made a window like this many years ago, and my compliments to the artist who made the original window! My mom's window was made with lead, and mine will be soldered with foil, but the look will be the same. I can't wait to finish it and have it in my home- I have always loved seeing it in my mom's kitchen window.