Watercolor Postcards- Oahu!

We are off to Oahu, Hawaii for a week!  Our son is stationed there- at Pearl Harbor/Hickam AB.  I like to paint watercolor postcards when I go places, and they are fun and quick.  This time, I also ordered some stamps to go on them with beachy themes from some of my watercolors.  I have not ordered personalized stamps before, but it was easy and they arrived in just a few days.

Looking forward to an awesome week with our sons and their wives!  Aloha!

Oahu Beach Triptych

Section 1 (left side) 23" X 25"

A triptych (/ˈtrɪptɪk/ trip-tik; (from the Greek adjective τρίπτυχοs ("three-fold"), from tri-= "three" + ptysso= "to fold") is a work of art (usually a panel painting) that is divided into three sections.

I am starting a huge project- a watercolor triptych of a beautiful beach on Oahu.  The reference photo was taken by my beautiful daughter in law of the beach she goes to on base (Pearl Harbor/Hickam AFB).  The total width will be 100" across and 23" high. Usually, what I call a large watercolor is 18 X24".  This is definitely a new challenge for me!  I am starting with the end sections to get the feel of it (besides, I am terrified of the 50" wide center piece- reloading my brush in the midst of painting water, etc.).

reference photo - Hickam Beach

New Watercolor : Childhood Skyline Memories

Childhood Skyline Memories

9X12 Watercolor

We moved to Long Island in 1993, when both of our boys were  very young.  The first thing we did, was go to New York City- and take the trip out to the Statue of Liberty.  No matter how many times you see it, the Statue is an awesome sight!  

This watercolor is painted from a photo I took that day of the boys looking back at the New York skyline from Liberty Island.  Looking across New York Harbor, you see Ellis Island and the fantastic skyline of New York City. No matter how many photos I have taken since (and there are thousands) this is one of my very favorites.  One reason is that it reminds me of three things-

1. our big move from California to New York

2.  how much fun raising 2 little boys can be

3. how glad I am that we got to see the skyline as it was-

including the Twin Towers

Jar of Marbles- watercolor 9X12

Childhood Memories -Jar of Marbles

Watercolor 9X12

This watercolor is a painting of one of my mom's antique canning jars filled with her childhood marble collection.  I took some photos of it recently because I loved how the sunlight was making all the marbles sparkle.  Like my mom, I have more than a few (some would say too many) of these antique canning/mason jars.  She got me interested in them years ago, and although I rarely buy them anymore- I love to include them in my paintings.

Ben's Dogs- Watercolor

Hurricane & Berserker

watercolor 9X12

I have had some family things going on lately and was away from home much of the time- so not much painting being done.  I have managed to fit in a few new paintings, and this is one of them.  My daughter in law posted a photo of their sweet puppies on Facebook and I knew I had to paint them.  They were in the car waiting to be let out to play- I just loved the faces and the way the sun was shining on them.  They aren't actually puppies anymore, but that is how I think of them.  They are both "scary" breeds, but couldn't be sweeter!  Now I find myself in the mood to paint more dogs- maybe another watercolor of my own sweet standard poodle.

Scallop Shell Trio Watercolor

Scallop Shell Trio- 9X12 on 140 lb. cold press

I am in a beach painting state of mind lately, and the shells and beach glass are getting me back in practice.  I decided that the easiest way to get back to painting would be with the simple objects- and beach finds are something I have in abundant supply.  The variety of colors and all of the little details make for good practice without a lot of pressure to produce a perfect painting.

These scallop shells are from Long Island- Fire Island to be specific.  Walking the beach on Fire Island is amazing when you are a serious beachcomber.  One beach has mostly clam shells, and a mile down the sand, there are zillions of scallops.  If you are having a GREAT day, you find some beach glass to add to your sandy treasures.

I found a new beach today(new to me) that was beautiful, but not much in the way of shells.  Right in the shadow of Mugu Rock, next to Point Mugu Naval Base.  I found a few pretty little shells and 4 pieces of beach glass.  A little extra exercise to add to my 3 miles at sunrise- along with some nice photos made it a good trip.  Who knows? Maybe a future painting in one of those photos.

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. 

Vintage Sand Pail Watercolor- "Pig Family at the Beach"

I collect vintage sand pails and I think that probably makes me crazy, but whatever.  For some reason, I am drawn to all kinds of vintage items- I just love the history.  Sand pails are particularly interesting to me because I love the colorful designs. I can justify (or at least try to) buying them, since I paint them- sort of a "business expense".  Of course I am only kidding about that, and nobody (especially my husband) buys that as an excuse!  I am not as crazy as some of these collectors who will pay hundreds for them- I only buy them if they are a GREAT deal(in the tens, not the hundreds) and I REALLY love them.  I got this one for $35 at an antique barn on Long Island AND it included the shovel.  The rusted edges only make it more interesting to me to paint.

This watercolor is 18X24" on 140 lb. cold press paper - rough surface.  The sand pail is a vintage (1940's, I think) T.Cohn pail. It was completely fun to paint, and I often go back to painting these sand pails when I just want to paint for fun, and for me!

Blood Oranges on Silver Tray- Watercolor

Blood Oranges on Silver Tray  9X12 Watercolor

I finished this watercolor and posted it to the 100 Paintings Challenge, but never got it posted here.  Not exactly organized, I guess.  I have had fun with a few watercolors this last week, and have a few more to post in the next few days.  We got hooked on Blood Oranges while on vacation in Italy and didn't realize how difficult they are to find here in California.  Apparently, they are only in season for a short while.  Needless to say, we buy them up in large quantities when we come across them at the store- they are delicious and the colors are beautiful.  I set them on this silver tray since I am always wanting to paint reflections.  I even had to polish the tray, but it was worth it!

Works in Progress- Two New Watercolor Sketches

I think you can see why I needed to paint this wine label!

The castle design on this cork is exactly why I love to paint corks!

I am in the mood to paint corks again and chose these as my latest.  When I saw the label on the wine bottle I just had to buy it- didn't even care if the wine was going to be good, or not!  As an added bonus, the wine was very tasty! The wine is a Petite Sirah from Michael-David and another good one from the many available nearby in Lodi, California.  I loved the colorful, fun label and there is even an elephant on the end of the cork.  You might be getting the impression that we chose our wines because of the label art, but that is not exactly it. The label may be the reason I pick up a bottle in the first place, so it does matter. The cork is always just a pleasant surprise if there is a good design since you can't see it until you uncork the bottle.  As artists, we all have our favorite subjects to paint- and wine corks just happen to be interesting and fun to me!

  

So Ready For Spring!

I am so ready for Spring!  I start to run out of patience at this time of year, due mainly to those few gorgeous days that get thrown in among the cold, rainy ones!  After I get a few nice days in a row, I start to get fooled into warm weather thinking.  I love to garden and spend many hours outside during the non-winter months.  One of the main reasons I like gardening and being in the yard, is the never ending supply of painting subjects and motivation!  First, I have plenty of clean up to do out there due to basically ignoring the flower beds and vegetable garden for months.  After the pruning and cleaning and adding a new layer of mulch- its off to the nursery.  I love to go to the nursery and happen to have one that I love very nearby.  I do not need any more plants, but that never stops me from filling up my jeep with as much as it will hold. Even though I recently got a fun (but small) convertible- my gardening habit insures my jeep a spot in the driveway for as long as it runs.  There are always spots for new plants, and they are all possible future watercolors!  

Sorrento, Italy- Watercolor

Taking a break from my batch of oil paintings- I finished up a watercolor that has been in the "almost finished" pile for a while. This painting was done from a good supply of photos from our trip to Italy. We stayed at a beautiful hotel - Bellevue Syrene overlooking the Gulf of Naples, with a view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony. Needless to say, we took lots of pictures! I have painted it several times, and have a 48"X60" canvas on one of my easels that is just begging me to finish my oil painting of the view. It is maybe half way done and has been that way for quite some time! Sometimes for whatever reason, I am distracted before finishing a painting and it seems so difficult to get back to it. Anyway- I am happy to have this watercolor completed so I can frame it and enjoy it.

Thanks for visiting!

Sheryl

Works in Progress X 12 - OR Complete Lack of Artistic Focus!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d3ccd6252d36d9156baa9e9/pop?ref=pr_treasury

This last week has been a good one- at least in the area of my painting! For starters, I sold one of my watercolors- wish I could say that happened every week! Also, I finished some watercolors that I actually LIKED when they were done, and at this moment I have 12 small oil paintings in progress. The frosting on the cake- I woke up today to find one of my watercolors in a wonderful Etsy treasury!

First, I want to explain the multitude of wet canvases in front of me. I love to paint in oils, but once you get to a certain point in the painting- you need to sometimes let some paint set before putting more layers (shadows for instance) over the first layers. It is also a good way for me to concentrate on certain aspects of my painting that I think may need more work (practice, practice). Some of these are on canvas, some are on masonite and they are in various sizes- all fairly small. I don't tend to start watercolors the same way- just a few at a time at most!

Thanks for looking- I hope to have some finished oil paintings to post soon!

Sheryl

Tootsie Pops and Painting Ideas

This week, I was having trouble coming up with new painting ideas. That is when I start looking around my studio at things on my shelves. I have a supply of Tootsie Pops- a sand pail full and a mason jar full, to be exact. They are great little sugar fixes while painting- no hands required after unwrapping and only 2 points on WW (used to be only 1 point, but I will deal with it). So, I decided to do a 20 minute challenge with a Tootsie Pop. I kept painting for longer than the 20 minutes because I got caught up in the little wrapper details, but it was fun. Next, I am working on a watercolor of the Mason jar with Tootsie Pops inside- plenty of interest for me with the colorful wrappers and the shininess of the jar surface.

I came up with a lot of new still life ideas also, so hope to get some reference photos taken this weekend for at least a few. I spend so much time trying to think of what to paint- even though I have lists of ideas. So much painting time gets wasted. I hope if I have some good still life ideas ready to go, I will just sit down and paint. Then, I think I will paint at least some of these still life paintings two ways- in oils AND in watercolors. One of my other problems is deciding which medium to go with. I really enjoy both and some paintings are an easy decision. Beaches, and garden types are watercolors to me- but I love still life and there my decision can go either way. If I plan to paint a still life both ways, I won't waste the time choosing a medium PLUS I will have 2 paintings and I am bound to like at least one of them! I know, I know- most of this dilemma could be solved by just being a more decisive person, but that will never happen to me.

Any other of my artist friends have these problems in their studios?

Mason Jar Madness

One of my favorite ways to spend time with my mom is looking through antique stores. Let me correct that- I use the term "antique" loosely- JUNK stores are more our specialty. The scary thing about these stores is that along with seeing things my mom grew up with, we also see things I happen to have in my house (such as wedding china). We both love antique mason (canning) jars. I think I just love the history that comes with old items. My mom has collected them for years, and I was actually stopping to buy some (for my mom) that a farmer in Rhode Island had put out at the roadside for sale. That was when I decided that I wanted some- even though my mom DID get the ones I found for her. Now, when we are in an antique/junk store, its every collector for herself! The artist in me loves the shades of aquas to ceruleans, and of course, the bubbles in the old glass. There is actually a book that lists types and makers of these old jars, so we can get an idea of how old they are and - even though I can't say this with a straight face- how much they are worth. My husband and sons have had fun with this for years. The fact that we will pay $10 for a jar that someone threw away many years ago is amazing to them. I like to put tags on the jars that show where we found them, just because it reminds me of the places we visited and the fun we had that day. I like to justify my obsession for these old jars by using them to hold anything from seashells and beach glass (other little obsessions we will talk about another time) to buttons, corks, candy, whatever! I also paint them often, which in itself is a good reason to have them.

Do you have something you like to collect? I love to hear about other people's favorite things!

Sheryl

Stalled Watercolor- "Rooster and Roses"

This is the cookie jar we grew up with, and then it spent more than a few years up in one of my mom's cupboards. I don't know why, but I really love the design. I googled it (of course, how else do you find out anything?) and found out there was a whole dinner set and it was made in the 50's. The cookie jar was a wedding gift, she didn't collect any of the other pieces. I don' know if its the bright colors, or what- but I really wanted to paint it. The watercolor has been fun and so far, trouble-free. My problem now is what to do with it at this point. I know I will need shadows to help ground it, and a table or tablecloth maybe (the reason for the extra space under the cookie jar), but don't want to do that until I am sure what I want to add. I guess I am afraid that I may ruin it when I add other elements and a background. That is my kind of thinking- I have gone this far and I still like the painting, so something bad may be only a brush stroke away! Any ideas? I keep changing my mind on what other things to add- like a table cloth, fruit, cookies, or what? I will paint something else or maybe several other "somethings" while I ponder how to continue with this one.

Thanks for looking!

Sheryl

Watercolor- "Dom Perignon Cork"

An earlier cork watercolor- almost true size

9X12" (this time on smoother surface paper- I think I prefer the rough for corks)

If you have visited my blog before, you probably know that I enjoy using wine corks as painting subjects. I love to paint corks because there is an abundance of detail and each one is unique. I like the different logo designs stamped on them, along with all the nooks and crannies that make them one of a kind. Most of the corks I have are wine corks, but there more than a few champagne corks also. Christmas, New Years, anniversaries- they deserve champagne at our house. With the holidays almost upon us, it made me think a champagne cork would be a good watercolor. I have painted many corks in the past, but they have all been close to their true size. I wanted to try out larger than life corks. I have to say, it was lots of fun- more area to work with meant more fun with the details.

Thanks for looking!

Sheryl

Watercolor - "Corkscrew"

I posted my drawing of this watercolor the other day and wanted to show the finished watercolor. I had fun with this one- no problems to fix or paint to lift in frustration. Just a nice, enjoyable painting day- hopefully that doesn't mean today won't go well....I am going to sit down and work on some Christmas card ideas. I used to paint my own cards, and it has been a while. I think, mainly, because I wait until almost Thanksgiving to get to it. I should be painting sandy snowmen in July. Hopefully, I will have a few cards started to show tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting!

Sheryl

Pretty New Palette... and a new watercolor

Got something great in the mail yesterday -whenever I get mail from Cheap Joe's it is great! Woo Hoo - fun, new art supplies! I decided it was definitely time for a new palette since I have made such a mess of my other painting and mixing trays. I ordered a smaller palette with a lid that I can take places, and a big porcelain one for my painting table. The porcelain palette is heavy so it won't move around while I am mixing colors, and I took pictures so I can remember what a nice, organized palette looks like. I even set the paint tubes around it and rearranged them until the colors were in the order I wanted. I usually just squirt paint onto the tray wherever there is an empty (or kind of empty) space. I was afraid to make a mess of my shiny white palette. I also took a tip from Cheap Joe, and labeled my colors.

I also have a start on a watercolor I have been wanting to paint for quite a while. In the Spring, two of the rose bushes in my garden were homes to bird nests. Birds were constantly flying in and out of the roses. I managed to get some photos during one of the moments the birds were away. I have been thinking about painting this for months and now that I am getting to it, I hope I will not be disappointed with the finished product.

Thanks for looking-

Sheryl

100 Paintings Challenge- #1 " Evening in Paris"

I just started the 100 Paintings Challenge, and am so excited to be a part of it! I paint most days anyway, but I think with a number as a specific goal, I will really keep at it. Only 99 more paintings to go! The way I understand the challenge, it isn't about masterpieces. It is about working on your skills and, for me, making painting even more of a priority. I think if I paint even more than I already do, I will definitely improve- practice makes perfect, right? I am already doing The Twenty Minute Challenge, and love how it makes me work on prioritizing the details in my paintings since the clock is ticking away. I have a tendency to keep working and reworking my paintings until SOMETIMES I go too far and no longer like the painting. Even I can't overwork a painting in 20 minutes!

I chose this Paris street scene as the first of my 100 for many reasons. My main reason is that I love this street- Rue St. Dominique in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris. We stayed in a hotel on this street and the location was perfect. Rue Cler, the beautiful Seine and Pont Alexandre, La Tour Eiffel - all VERY nearby. Most of my photos of the street were daytime and I really wanted to try a night scene. My night photos were all very dark except for the bright lights. I used one of the day photos (actually, as I often do, I used several photos) and tried to turn it into a night scene. That is one of my other reasons for choosing this painting- it is my FIRST attempt at a night painting. What better way for me to learn, than to try something very different for me? I am sure that if I keep working on night scenes and the different use of color, lighting, sky, etc,- I will improve. I do have a photo of a beautiful night view of San Francisco from Treasure Island. Maybe next time....

Thanks for looking!

Sheryl