Sunday Sketches

What are six panels called?

I am creating a painting using six one foot square canvas. I am calling it a double triptych for now unless someone knows what to call it.

Continuing with the yellow water lilies series, here is the watercolor and ink sketch for the oil painting:


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Sunday Sketches

I am on a roll!

This is the sketch that inspired the watercolor collage and oil painting. Here is the progression.......


watercolor and ink sketch


watercolor collage


water-based oil

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Sunday Sketches

Not a sketch.

But I used last week's trillium sketch for this oil painting.........



I am challenged to photograph oil paintings as there seems to be a sheen with the background. Anyone have suggestions?

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Sunday Sketches

Spring would not be spring without a new trillium painting!

I could not resist this subject matter for my Sunday Sketch.


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Sunday Sketches

Georgia on my mind........

Just returned from 10 days in Savannah. The trees and birds were highlights of my adventure. Thought I would attempt a quick sketch to see if I could portray the feeling of the live oak and moss.


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Sunday Sketches

I am sill obsessed with the magnolia blossom!

Previously I posted the block print version.

Here is my latest rendition in oils.


It feels great to be painting again after a quiet time.

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Sunday Sketches

I have been a bit negligent in creating art lately, but I was inspired to design a logo for my cousin's new business. Besides, if he liked it I would get some of his outrageous pastries and preserves!

Apparently in California there is a new law passed which laid the foundations for his business to take off commercially instead of selling to friends and family. He can use his own kitchen.

I did not win the contest for business name, but I did win the logo design. Cannot wait for my goodie box to arrive :)

Do people still create logos by hand? If I were more versed at Photoshop it would have looked very different and maybe more professional. Mine has a hand drawn look and when reduced will not show the imperfections.

Which one do you like?

He is leaning towards number 2.

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Sunday Sketches

The other day, my favorite place to walk my dog, the Chehalis Western Trail, had been cleared of leaves. I realized it was a metaphor relating to having a clear path and it appeared that everything along the path was inviting and beautiful.

When I returned home, I decided to create a mandala capturing this walking meditation. I started by painting a colorful path across the circle and then added some of my experience. I felt the need for words and let them flow along the path.

Walking Mandala
watercolor
18" X 24" More Sunday Sketchers.....

Sunday Sketches

Still trying to hang on to the colors of fall before the dull days of winter. Another one of my favorite trees is the gingko tree.

The fan shape of the leaves of the gingko tree are very distinguishable from any other tree. I love the leaf's shape and in the fall the leaves turn a BRILLIANT yellow which is unmatched on the color wheel.

A friend of mine, Janet, gave me a photo she took of her friend's huge gingko tree which he planted many years ago as a little sapling. Her picture was a view of the magnificent tree through the french doors of his house. The photo inspired my sketch.

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Sunday Sketches

The colors of fall here in Washington have been exquisite!

Notice I used the past tense..........the Pacific Northwest rains have returned; days and days of it. Although sometimes if you watch for it, you might be lucky to catch a "window" without rain. I have learned to get outdoors no matter what otherwise it can become depressing.

In my studio I am still enjoying the fall colors and creating watercolor paintings of the brilliant colored leaves. The big leaf maples are one of my favorites. The shape of its leaves and colors are awesome!

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Return of Froggie

What is it about those little green frogs which create delight.......
not just for children, but also for adults who cannot resist calling them "cute"?

A couple of Sundays ago, I shared a watercolor and ink frog sketch and story on Sunday Sketches. Here is the sketch....

Well, that little froggie stayed in my thoughts and sparked the desire to paint its portrait in oils.

Now, isn't he cute?!?

Trees Take Two

The other day I completed, or thought I had, a sketch of the maple trees along the Chehalis Western Trail. I was not totally satisfied, but posted it on Sunday Sketches which is a group of artists who post art each Sunday as a weekly discipline.

It looks like this.......

And I complained that the computer over did the blues.

Well that was truly not the issue!

VALUES!!!

No values! A classic mistake which can make the difference between a good painting and a mediocre one.

I believe I fixed the sketch and the computer was cooperative.

What do you think?

BTW, for those of you who are not artists, value is an element of art that refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.

Sunday Sketches

My goal today was to paint and post a watercolor sketch. I did this even before taking my dog for a walk!

The subject of my sketch is a little green frog that hung out on my deck. This guy had a favorite rose petal which became his meditation spot. I could always find him there even after my grandson harassed the little frog.

Hot off the drafting table........

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Sunday Sketches

The leaves are turning! What a beautiful time of year.

I did a quick watercolor sketch........and I mean quick!.......to express the turning of the colors. This one is preparation for an oil painting which is on the "to do" list.

The colors did not photograph well as they are way too blue :(

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Sunday Sketches

I woke early the other morning with lots of thoughts going through my head. I took a dose of my own creative remedy.........a mandala painting! Painting a mandala is like a meditation and a journey through the "mind field."

I usually let the colors and shapes flow and go with whatever appears be it an image or pure nothing. At first, the two center images were bonded and floating together in a sea of...... Then, one image sprouted branches followed by its separation and trajectory of the other. I am not sure of the meanings and will allow some time and space for processing.

Any thoughts?

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Sunday Sketches

Not surprising that my sketch this week is of a magnolia blossom after my exciting encounter the other day as I was leaving the house. I do not want to boast too much, but there is a second bud ready to bloom.

I absolutely love the shapes of both the blossom and the leaves of the magnolia tree!

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Sunday Sketches

I believe in echinacea.

It is the herb I turn to when I feel a cold coming or when I am around someone who has a cold. Echinacea linked with some vitamin C are my first choice for cold defense.

I am also very fond of the grace and color of the echinacea flower. After it goes through its first bloom the petals begin to fall and drape gracefully from the center. The orange-ish center contrasts beautifully with the pinkish petals.

Unfortunately, the colors did not come through as clearly in this photo of my painting.

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Sunday Sketches

Shapes again....

I just LOVE the shapes of the Calle Lily!

I am sooo looking forward to the bloom of the yellow, pink, and orange Calle Lilies that I have planted. I wonder why they decide to show up later than the white one?

I tried to keep this watercolor painting very simple and not loose the flow.

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Sunday Sketches

What is it about the poppy flower that make you fall in love?

Is it their juicy color? The crepe like petals? Their wonderful centers full of invite for bees and fascination? Or, is it the bulbous pod with wagon wheel like top knot?

I cannot get enough of them! Many varieties are scattered throughout my garden, and have been subject matter for several paintings.

This red one became so tall that when the wind and rains came it continued to bloom on the ground. I thought this made for a great composition. What do you think?



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Sunday Sketches

Not in my garden! I could not resist the grace and shapes of this delicate flower; the alpine lily.

Actually, this beauty is a native plant of Washington.

I will have to seek her out for my garden :)

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