New paintings

Sometimes I have a nagging worry that the muse has packed up and left town.  Maybe not yet.  That's usually when I go out and buy fresh flowers and visit the Goodwill for props.

The Sweet Robin

The robin.  They've just always been there.  In the yard, cocking their heads to one side listening for worms.  Do worms make a noise?  They must.   Every now and again I get a request from a market customer for a robin card for someone with the same name....so here it is.

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.

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.

Nesting

The last bird has sprung from my brush for my "For the Birds" series due to go on the walls of Whimsey in Fairhaven the first week in May. It will be just in time for Fairhaven's "Girls' Night Out", but men are also welcome. A portion of any sales of these 8 acrylic paintings will be donated to Paws Awhile, a wonderful eclectic little shop a couple of doors down from Whimsey that helps support the Whatcom County Humane Society.

This painting is sold.

Tulips on my mind

The last 2 days here in the Pacific Northwest have been the best I can ever recall for April.  It sure helps to lift the spirits in these dark days of human history.    

Winging towards Whimsey

Spring is....springing. The last of winter still hangs in the air, but I have daffodils coming up...so there. I think that rhymes. My artistic mind has been focusing on an upcoming show in May at Whimsey, a wonderful little shop in the Fairhaven District. I'm aiming for 7 or 8 bird-inspired "dwelling" paintings, each sporting their little "roof" of picture frame molding. I actually hope I get to keep a couple of these paintings. The others have been whisked away to new homes almost before the paint was dry.

This painting is sold.

Redwing with Cattails

Of all the wonderful birds this corner of the world has to offer, I think my favorite song comes from the red winged blackbird. There is something about its song that is the essence of summer. I, unfortunately, do not have them on my property, but there are several places I know I can find them on a quiet summer's day. This painting was begun in transparent watercolor on 140# hot press paper and enhanced with acrylic.