The other evening, after hubby went to bed, I had the urge to paint. I didn’t know what I wanted to paint, and I didn’t feel like putting any effort into it…. I simply wanted to paint.
So I just grabbed some scrap pieces of watercolor paper and decided to try irises – very abstract irises… Not sure if you can even tell that is what they are (except I gave you a hint in the title of this post!).
I literally only spent about 15 minutes on all five of these “paintings” – one rather large that I started with, followed by four smaller ones.
I just starting mixing colors and splashing it on – spending about 3 minutes tops on each.
After a few irises, I did do this other “flower” – supposed to be those blue thistly things you see growing alongside the road. (Maybe called blue thistles?)
As you can see, I was being completely “loose” with all of these. I just ripped scraps of paper and painted.
Some I like… others not so much… But I went to bed happy, feeling like I had this opportunity to unwind and “express.”
When I awoke the next morning, I realized this could be a little gift set of sorts. I simply adhered the small ones – all about 3.5 x 5 inches onto card stock and the larger onto a sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch black card stock, which I could frame. The gift could be four blank floral note cards and a framed floral picture.
I’m trying to discover my “style” in this. I’m getting comfortable with small single items, but can’t even begin to imagine taking on a landscape or cityscape or detailed painting like so many others can that I admire. Maybe someday, but then again maybe not.
I do have to say I felt satiated after completing – or was it the Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade I was sipping while painting…. ?
Hmmmm….
Cheers & Happy Friday Hugs,
Jodi
Really beautiful.
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Just getting in there and doing it, Jodi and I think you’ll find your style.
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We shall see….
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It may take time, but you’ll find it.
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Like most things – eh?
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Pretty much, but I myself think your work has a style. You have this wonderful flair for color.
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I think these are great! What’s really cool is when I came to the thistle, I was like, “wait, I thought she said they were gonna be iris paintings?” I could tell right away it was a thistle! And you can totally tell the irises too! (I was also wondering if alcohol was involved, lol!! But I think that’s because of the looseness you got to in these. And I agree…..loose is good! Jodi, these are great! You’re finding your style, and it’s already “painterly”. It’s a style I prefer, honestly, because you’re bringing yourself to it. If it were more realistic I bet I wouldn’t like it as much. These are unique. And that’s what art’s supposed to be, I think. (I still know nothing about it, but you wanna bring something fresh to the table, yes?) I think you’ve done that here. I wouldn’t change a thing. Irises are tough, and you’ve captured them! Right? How are you feeling about them at this point?
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Oh Laura – thanks – I’m trying to get past feeling nervous about what people will think…. LOL! I like the small top left the most – the first single one I share. The others…… not sure.
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I like the third and the last one best, but it’s hard to choose because I like them all. The first one is more red, the purple, and in my experience iris is more of a bluish purple but that’s the color of ours so that’s how I see it in my head. I like them all! Expressing feelings in flowers is a powerful, sweet thing. 💜
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Laura – a friend on FB just shared this with me – so powerful – I really think you will like this!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1523&v=V80-gPkpH6M
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You are so right! I loved it! *tears streaming down* Wonderful stuff, thank you! And I will pass it on to several, including my daughter who graduated in 2014 as well. Wow. Yes. Brilliant stuff. Choose love. I think Jo would like this too. What do you think?
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I knew you would – I’ll bet Jo will too – hope she sees it here 🙂
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Best line? Mine is “Life doesn’t happen to you. It happens FOR you.” Boy if that’s not also a lesson for loose WC painting!! Do you have a favorite?
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Oh and LOVED the Monsanto line, since I’m pretty sure GMO corn is why my body hates it!! ( I grew up on organic corn; my parents were organic gardeners way back in the day.) This was priceless. Thanks again for sharing. And to your friend too!
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Wish I could spend 15 minutes and produce what beauty you’ve just made. Love these. I’m working on making some note cards with photography, so you might try that with your watercolors. At my age, so many friends need a card for so many reasons. Keep at it. These are pretty.
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Great idea! Do what you love! That’s what I’m trying to learn 🙂 I love sending cards too.
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Last night, my wife attended a “Painting and Wine” fund-raiser for cancer research. What a delightful way of raising money! She enjoyed it thoroughly.
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Very nice! I could tell they were iris’. You are getting better and better at painting Jodi!
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Thanks Peej! 🙂
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Amazing to enter your world.
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LIKEWISE!!! 🙂
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Yes yes yes to the Jim Carrey clip, and yes yes yes to your watercolor journey. I especially like your first photograph and seeing them together.
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so inspiring – eh? I should listen to it every day until it is engrained and I am convinced! 🙂
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Yes and no about listening to it everyday Jodi (in my opinion). Sometimes it takes getting out of the head to get to that place he speaks of. That place of letting, the light, the world flow through you. Do you remember me introducing you to Philip Shepherd? It’s what his work is all about.
Keep painting. Paint will take you there too, if you let it.
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good point – as always 🙂
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Jodi, I’d have thought you were already there. Or at least, pretty close! Wise women rock! (I mean you two of course lol)
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haha! I wrote that about you and Jo before I saw this – LOL! we must be soul sistas
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LOL 😀 Thanks for saying that. When I stop feeling like throwing paintbrushes, I’ll be closer lol.
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I agree, Jo – I think almost anything will take you there if you let it. Life will take you there. A flower. A bird. A sunrise. Meditation (going inside). IF you let it. Ooh. That is so key! Thanks for your comments; I was curious what you’d think about that clip!
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It resonates, deeply.
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you two are always so wise 🙂
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As are YOU! I learn a lot from you both.
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I love your flower paintings Jodi! YAY! You have great style! Keep being loose as it shows the JOY you have in your heART! ❤️🎨🌈
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Thanks Jill – loosey goosey it is! 🙂
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OH you cracked me up with your last line 🙂 I say it was both 🙂 It is so awesome how when we create, we can feel so much more relaxed! That’s why I want to do it FULL TIME! That day will come for us, right? 🙂 Great job, love purple! Keep it up! Wishing you a great fun, loose week-end! Or does that sound bad??LOL!
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Love it JR! Loose as a goose! 🙂
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE……the iris’ are beautiful. Very flowy – is this a word? – maybe not, but I like it!!
Keep on being free Jodi.
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I like that word too, Terry! Flowy it is! 🙂
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So beautiful. I love iris. They remind me of my childhood. Mom had them planted around the entire perimeter of our yard.:)
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Awh! Love those kinds of memories. Amazing how one little glimpse or thought of something can make you feel. I have those moments about my Grandma – sometimes even just a smell in the air outside. Glad to give you a happy memory of your childhood 🙂
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I love seeing you build your confidence through posts like this. You’re really letting us experience your journey with you and it is most exciting!
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Awh! Thanks Torrie! Appreciate you and your support 🙂
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Jodi, wow. I want some of what you are sippin’ because every one of your creations is a beauty! I wish I had your talent to to watercolor, and you say you did this in 15 minutes. I am awestruck. What a beautiful gift this set will be.
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Very fabulous Jodi, love the less is more loose approach~
Jenna
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Jodi, do you ever go to Artist TV Network and check out their video workshops? Charles Reid has two on painting watercolor flowers. The first one inspired my rosebuds and I’m watching the second one now. Anyway, he splatters all the time! He keeps reminding me of you! He says that every time he feels like he’s getting too rigid he splatters immediately lol! I think you would love his lessons on flowers. So I thought I’d give you a link to the lesson, in case you’re interested. It’s $19.95/mo for the subscription, but there are literally hundreds of lessons in there. And the a artists are quite well-known. Turns out this guy has written tons of books (so of course I’ve requested some through interlibrary loan already lol). Anyway he has such a loose style and he teaches so well. I think you’d really like him. Another one who is so similar, but she’s a woman, and I love her so much. She does florals, landscapes, lots of stuff but you would love her too. She is Joanne Boon Thomas and you can find lots of her stuff on youtube. She has one on poppies where she turns her board upside down and shakes it and lets the paint drip. She is totally loose and free. Anyway, I keep thinking “Jodi would LOVE this” so I just had to share. 💜💛💜
Here’s the one I saw yesterday by Reid. At the beginning it may seem a bit dry but once he starts painting and splattering he loosens up lol. https://www.artistsnetwork.tv/learn/course/painting-flowers-in-watercolor-with-charles-reid-part-1/video/video
You may not be interested, but I couldn’t not tell you! 😘😊💃
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I’m super interested ! Thanks so much for passing this on as I had not heard of. Can’t wait to check out later !! Thanks so much Laura!!! Xo
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You’re so welcome!
Ok, this is my favorite youtube of all. This is the one where Joanne shakes her board. Seriously, everyone who knows me has heard me say I’m gonna shake mah board, shake mah board lol! She is so wonderful. If you google her you’ll find tons of youtubes that are free and then she is one of the artists on arttutor.com, which is the Brit equivalent of Artist TV. Same price too! Anyway here she is. Tell me if this doesn’t inspire the ever-loving heck out of you. I’ve tried this painting twice and I just may try it again now that I’m really starting to enjoy painting loooooose. Again, thanks to you! http://youtu.be/Fg-yNMXLWFo
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You are such a cutie. Shake your board !!! Can’t wait to check these out later !!! Thank you so much for all the resources. I really appreciate !!
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Have fun!!!! Looooooooosy goosy!
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OMG – just watched! AWESOME!!!!!!!
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Isn’t she great?! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
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