Infusing Beauty into Every Corner

This is my new personal mantra.  Infuse this day with beauty.  It will be a large project for me personally because I've been preoccupied for way too long.  It doesn't have to mean having a house Martha would covet, but rather making the best of my situation, whatever that might be.  With spring only a few weeks away, what better time to make some changes.  I've also printed this little phrase out in several colors using my new-to-me Epson Stylus printer and will be posting them on Etsy.  Maybe there are others who will catch the vision of infusing beauty into life.

Warm ups.

These guys seem like they're swimming in a big fishbowl.  Just a little warm up exercise before starting another watercolor.  The original is currently listed on Etsy (site whimrab) for some lucky person to grab.  

 I'm at about 205 in the number images I'm trying to keep stocked in my card inventory.  Yikes!  Where did all these paintings come from?

Tiny Frog with Zinnia

Maybe it's because I usually root for the little guy, but this frog just ended up tiny next to the towering Zinnia.  It makes spring seem closer somehow.  Our 50-degree weather does a lot for the illusion as well. 

This painting was done in transparent watercolor on 140-pound Arches cold-press paper as well as some black and white acrylic for the background and frog highlights.  The fine lines on the leaves were made by gently scoring the first layer of paint, while it was still wet, with a blunt object (in this case, I used an embossing tool from my scrapbook supplies).  When the second transparent layer is placed, the pigment settles into the lines and creates nice skinny lines that I could probably never do as well with a paintbrush.  It's a cool trick.  I like cool tricks.

Winter Whites

The calendar says it's still winter and groundhog Phil has seen his shadow once again.  Winter has it's own beauty of rich neutral hues of a deep sleep.  The yard is alive with birds, squirrels and an occasional deer and bunny.  Time to prune the roses back.  

These are some tags from my reference photos I'm going to post on Etsy.  They work as tags, bookmarks or a garland for cubicle or home.

Spring Fever

After last week's arctic blast, I am so tired of cold and dark weather.  I'm ready for Spring and am so happy to see signs of a little more daylight on both ends of the day.  This little mixed media piece is my way of dreaming of spring.  It has a gouache underpainting with pastel pencils and soft pastel on top painted on hot-press watercolor paper.  Tulips always make me happy.

Staying Warm. Staying Focused.

B-r-r-r-r.  The Pacific Northwest is getting the big chill this year.  Fighting the urge to hibernate is at the top of my to-do list.  Remembering that spring is only a few weeks away helps.  With spring comes the Farmer's Market and the need for new card designs for my loyal patrons.  In between long winter naps, I've checked off a couple of winter to-do items:
I've combed through my painting idea piles and prioritized the card projects that strike me as ones that will resonate with more than just me.  
I've gotten my new-to-me Epson printer up and running to create archival prints.
I've completed several Christmas designs for next year, since I never seem to get them done in time for Christmas if I wait until the holiday season to start them. 

Well, time to go feed the squirrels and birds.

Love and Hate

I have a love-hate relationship with my computer when I use it to create artwork.  Sometimes I do it, but there's a teeny, tiny voice inside my head that says "You're cheating, you know."  Then why do I love seeing what fun new thing "Hal" comes up with using my artwork?  I'll have to think about that.