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.

Breaking Rules

I recently have discovered the artwork of British painter, Shirley Trevena.  I have purchased her DVD "Breaking the Rules of Watercolour" from Creative Catalyst Productions and have also purchased one of her books "Taking Risks with Watercolour" from Amazon.  Mixing paint on the paper rather than on the palette reminds me of the way I used to paint before I began glazing.  It's a much more spontaneous approach.  A chance to get excited about surprises.  A chance to suspend expectations.  A chance to throw exactness out the window.