Cross. An Untitled Abstract.

Untitled Abstract.  Watercolor.
Approximately 9.5 x 8 inches.

I bought a new computer earlier this week--I'm in the process of transferring all my files to a new computer, and figuring out how I want to manage all the photos.  And, I'm getting ready for a couple of different shows.  All these various activities mean I'm abandoning 30 in 30 a little bit early.  That's code for I have a short attention span, and I just don't want to paint any more flowers right now.

Lake Huron At Dusk

Lake Huron At Dusk.  Watercolor.  9x10 Inches.

My critique group, also known as the Mixed Media Mavens, is hosting a themed show at the Pendelton Arts Center Final Friday Event.  Here's the scoop:

One Hundred!

Blue Barn II.  Watercolor.  Approximately 10x12 inches

This is my 100th post!  Woot.  I posted for the first time on October 4, 2012, which means I'm pretty close to averaging a post a week.  However, if you've been reading this blog, you'll know that I've been post crazy for the last few weeks.  This is my 11th post in January 2015--not to worry, I'll be back to my normal pace at the end of January.

Bouquet Abstracted

Bouquet Abstracted, Watercolor.

I mentioned last post that my computer is dead as a doornail, and that I'm using my gracious husband's until I decide what to do.  I've got a work around going, but am missing (really, really missing) gimp, which is a free photo editing program, that is a good alternative to photoshop.   I am using pixlr to do my editing (because I can use the web, and do not need to install the program on this computer).

The Road Home (aka Not A Flower II)

The Road Home.  Watercolor.

I have new paint!  Orange is back on my palette.  Hypothetically, I could mix orange, but I really like some of the intense oranges that come out of the tube.  I thought really hard about how to lay my paints out.  I have two palettes, and I was trying to put set up two palettes that could be used independently but still covered the ranges of hues (is that the right word for pure color?) I might need. 

And......Back To Flowers

Iris Abstracted.  Watercolor & Crayon.

Last night, after I painted Iris Abstracted, I bit the bullet and started cleaning my John Pike palettes. The last time I needed to clean out a palette, I just bought a new one!  That was not a great precedent, but it was incredibly easy. To get one of the wells cleaned out required many minutes in the laundry tub, an attack with a toothbrush, and then attention with water, q-tips, brushes and paper towels.  You might understand why I've been putting it off.  I have one palette fully cleaned out, and the other needs work.  You'd think they'd design a palette that doesn't have so many crevices.  (As the mom of two middle school boys, I frequently have the same thoughts about toilets....  if you don't know why I'm thinking that, you don't really want to know, and as a future service, it would probably be a good idea if I made the boys responsible for cleaning their own/guest bathroom....)

Not a Flower.

Not a Flower.  Watercolor.
Approximately 6 x 7 inches.

Do you ever listen to Ted Talks?  I rarely listen, but I do like to read the interactive transcripts. Videos or youtube?  No, thank-you.  Art demos? Not so much.  I do like to look at finished pieces, and I love to see what people are writing about. Some artists are also fabulous writers.  Not me.  I ramble.    

I get a lot of quotes from various Ted Talks in my inbox, and this one caught my eye:

"Why you will fail to have a great career..."  by the economist Larry Smith.  It's from 2011, so you may already have seen it.  But, if you're an artist, especially a late career artist like me, and it the talk is new to you, you should read it (or listen!).  Plus, bonus, it's funny.

Now on to the painting

Black Eyed Susans

Black Eyed Susans.  Watercolor and Crayon.
Approximately 9.5 x 6.5 inches.

I painted this on Saturday, which would be day--....?  I am losing track.  It is a combination of indian yellow, hansa yellow medium (which was garbled in my palette), indigo, and a little carbazole violet. Then I overlaid with an orange Caran D'Ache Crayon in the flower petals.

Cherry Trees (Day 5)

Day 5.  Cherry Trees.  Watercolor.
6.5 x 9.5 inches.

When I decided to try and "informally" participate in 30 paintings in 30 days, I did not factor in my son's 14th birthday, or snow days (yesterday our schools were closed and our house was full of middle school boys--and as I type, I have about an hour before more arrive for a birthday party)  This may be more than you ever wanted to know about my life, and it is the long winded explanation for why I did not get to paint today--I did, however, get birthday gifts for my son.  I have not gotten them wrapped.

In three minutes it's important that I go start a birthday cake, so briefly, this is perleyne red, phthalo blue rs, and indian yellow.  There may be a tiny amount of cobalt teal that was left in the mixing well of my palette.  It is on Fabriano 300 lb paper, rough.  The trees are supposed to suggest cherry trees.

And I'm off to make a cake!

Pansy

Day 4.  Pansy.  Watercolor.
Approximately 9 x 6.5 inches

This painting is done with phthalo blue rs, cobalt teal, quin purple, and quin gold.  I painted it late last night.  I need to make more of an effort to paint while there's still natural light--I think the overhead kitchen light affects the way I think about the colors.

Second Verse

Day 2.  Second Verse.  Watercolor.
Approximately 9.5 x 7 inches.

This is the same set of four paints as yesterday.  But, now I'm out of cobalt blue.  Not literally, it's just my continued quest to get my palette under control, and  I'm getting close.  It's sort of its own challenge to create with what's available....

Totally imagined, and totally different than yesterday, despite the same colors.  I like the intense colors from yesterday, but overall like this painting better.

Informal Participation in 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Day 1.  Tie Dye.  Watercolor.
Approximately 8.25 x 5 inches.

I follow the blogs of a lot of painters--it's interesting to see who's doing what and why.  Something that caught my eye recently, was a January project 30 paintings in 30 days project led by Leslie Saeta.  I found the project via David Boyd, Jr. at Compelled to Paint (sucked in by his tractor--I have a soft spot for tractors).

And A Few Painterly Resolutions For 2015

Three Oranges.  Watercolor.
Approximately 8 x 11 inches.

As 2014 closed, I looked back.  Today, it's the first day of 2015.  Since it's a clean slate, this post is about looking forward and setting a few goals.