Month: July 2016

Pittsburgh Rainbow Cityscape

/ Jodi / 59 Comments
Pittsburgh CityScape Watercolor

Pittsburgh Rainbow Semi-Abstract Cityscape 9 x11 Arches Hot Press CBT WV QG

Today is the last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth, and I am proud to say I was able to post an original watercolor every day this month.  To celebrate the last day, I’ve been itching to do a semi-abstract cityscape, so here is my version of the Pittsburgh Skyline in a rainbow of Cobalt Teal Blue, Winsor Violet and Quinacridone Gold.

I have lived in the Pittsburgh, PA area my entire life.  Though I have moved from suburb to suburb growing up and then after getting married, I have always loved this beautiful, “most-livable” city.

We live in the “country,” but it is only a 30-minute drive to all the wonderful things our city has to offer for arts, entertainment, business, restaurants, sports, rivers, and shopping.

In fact, that is just where we went yesterday to look for bridal gowns, and oh what fun we had!  Well, we actually passed through town and went to the “South Hills,” but it was a successful venture, and Liz said “Yes!” to the most beautiful dress!  I gasped, then I cried.

I feel so fortunate that both of my boys have found such wonderful young ladies to share their lives with.

Want a sneak peak of the dress????!!

Liz said yes to the dress

You didn’t think I’d actually show you, did you?  But it is under there and in the hands of the beautiful, glowing bride-to-be!  A big thanks to Chelsea and Greg and the wonderful folks at Anne Gregory for the Bride for such an amazing experience, we didn’t have to go anywhere else!  More time for toasting champagne and celebrating with  Liz and her sisters and mom!

Happy Sunday, and happy last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth!  I hope you’ve had as much fun as me.  (Or maybe you are as relieved as my son Nick that it is over!)  Whichever the case, thanks for spending it with me here at lifeinbetween!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Watercolor Floral Experiments with Color

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pink and orange watercolor flower 5x7 sakura koi
Today’s super quick little watercolors were made the same time as my little sailboat yesterday during my time at Girlfriend Camp (#GFCGeneva2016) this past week.

They are really just experiments with colors mingling and using inexpensive Sakura Koi Watercolor Field Travel set (which, by the way have really sold me on the case to buy artist quality watercolors for artist quality results.  I’m not very happy with these, but I did have fun playing with limited supplies while away.  I really should have left them without painting flowers on top and done something abstract.

I didn’t want to miss out on a single day of #WorldWatercolorMonth, however, so  this is all I have to offer today.

yellow green with purple flower 5x7 sakura koi

I get to go wedding dress shopping with my soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her mom and sisters today!  What a great event to come home to!

Happy Saturday, and Happy Weekend!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Come Sail Away

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sailboat 5x7 sakura koi

In honor of our last day at Geneva on the Lake for #GFCGeneva2016, my watercolor for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a super quick little sailboat on the lake done with my inexpensive Sakura Koi Watercolor Travel Field Set.

I painted a few backgrounds late one night and then added the boat the next day since the random mingling of dark blue and teal reminded me of our beautiful view this past week of the lake.

Come sail away with me… to the lake… or the ocean… or the sea.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Red Red Wine

/ Jodi / 69 Comments

Red Red Wine 5x7 Watercolor Arches 140lb Rough Sakura Koi Pocket Field Watercolor Sketch Box

I’m at “Girlfriend Camp” (#GFCGeneva2016) this week.

Yesterday we went on a little winery tour.

We had some wine flights alfresco at one winery.

image

And guess who had the red one amidst the fruity whites?

image

And by the third stop, we were getting our “wine shine” on.
Okay – maybe the guy at the table next to us at the second stop said we were already there at Stop #2….

image

But my sweet Bub told him I don’t need to have wine to shine.  (See why I love her!?!)

The next evening was Prosecco Sangria on our balcony for happy hour.

proseco fruit punch

So today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth painting is

Red Red Wine…

Goes to my head…..
makes me forget…
(the rest of the lyrics!) 

Which just so happens to be the “ring tone” on Bubby’s cell phone for us three chicas!
(wonder why that would be – eh?)

Wishing you a day to forget the bad
and remember the good.

Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

And the Mountains Echoed

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mountains echo

I have begun reading a beautiful book….

It is called “And the Mountains Echoed” by Khaled Hosseini.

It is a tale exploring the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

The cover of the book is so beautiful, I decided to try a quick watercolor of it, so this is today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth Painting.

Has anyone else read it?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Simple… Bold… Love

/ Jodi / 38 Comments
Abstract Watercolor 5x7 Arches 140lb Rough Cobalt Teal Blue Raw Sienna Cadmium Red

Abstract Watercolor 5×7 Arches 140lb Rough Cobalt Teal Blue Raw Sienna Cadmium Red

It’s really simple…

Just be bold….

and Love.

Today’s painting for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a simple abstract done with bold strokes of cobalt teal blue and raw sienna and embellished with some tiny hearts in cadmium red.  A simple, yet bold expression of the power of love.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

We’re So Excited!

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Engagement Ring Watercolor 5x7

Engagement Ring Watercolor

We’re so excited!

We are being blessed with another beautiful daughter-in-law!

Our son, Nick, proposed to his beautiful fiance, Liz, this past weekend.

So today’s little painting for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a diamond engagement ring.

It’s not nearly as beautiful as the real ring…
or the future bride-to-be…
or the smile on Nick’s face…
or the joy in my heart.

But it is a symbol
of a beautiful commitment
for a lifetime of love.

Nick and Liz Engagement

Nick and Liz Engagement

Nick created a beautiful “forever rose” from copper and metal as part of his engagement ring presentation.

Forever rose

And we enjoyed celebrating the happy couple – the new #McKinneytoBe this weekend!

nick and liz

Love you Nick and Liz! ❤

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

If you Carrot All…

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watercolor carrots

Watercolor Carrots 5×7 Arches 140lb Arches Rough

Today’s painting for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a quick and simple one celebrating the glorious carrot.

It was fun to create the leafy greens by gently rubbing the side of a rigger brush across the rough watercolor paper in random strokes.

Carrots are a beautiful, healthy vegetable that is equally delicious raw and cooked.

For a yummy version of roasted carrots, check out my recipe for Roasted Caramelized Garlic Carrots here.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Spinach Blueberry Salad & a Blueberry Botanical

/ Jodi / 52 Comments
blueberry watercolor 5x7 arches 140lb rough prussian blue panes gray green gold

Blueberry watercolor 5×7 arches 140lb rough prussian blue panes gray green gold

For today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth Painting, I present:   Blueberries in Prussian Blue.  This is a “botanical” painting of sorts and possibly one of my more “realistic” paintings.  A bit of a diversion for me.

And while we are on the subject of blueberries – the yummy, nutrient-packed fruit of the gods,  here is a recipe for a spinach salad I made last week with blueberries in it.  DIVINE!

Spinach blueberry salad

I tossed some fresh spinach with blueberries and blue cheese (but you could use feta or goat or any other cheese you like), toasted walnuts, and green onions, and then drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette for a really fresh, yummy salad.

Spinach blueberry salad 2

Some other favorite blueberry recipes I’ve shared in the past you might want to check out are my “almost famous” to-die-for Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies and melt-in-your-mouth  Fresh Peach and Blueberry Streusel Muffins.  Maybe not quite as healthy, but very delish!

ENJOY!

Spinach & Blueberry Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Spinach
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • 1 cup toasted and sugared walnuts*
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/3 cup Balsaimic Vinaigrette

Combine fresh, clean spinach, blueberries, green onions and walnuts and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.  Top with crumbled blue cheese and serve immediately.

*Melt 1 Tbsp butter in skillet over medium heat.  Add walnuts, and sprinkle with sugar.  Saute over medium heat for approximately five minutes until sugar has melted and walnuts have browned.  Cool completely.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Unwinding with Abstract

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

 

Abstract Geo 5x7 140lb Arches Rough Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold, Quin Rose, Winsor Violet

Abstract Geo 5×7 140lb Arches Rough Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold, Quin Rose, Winsor Violet

Unwinding…
De-stressing…
Relaxing…

after a busy work day
one evening this week

through drawing geometric patterns,
dropping in watercolor,
and letting it do it’s thing.

Then I twisted it
and turned it
and shook it
and salted it
and spritzed it

and finally
a quick splatter or three.

Zen…

Finding Peace in Painting.

#WorldWatercolorMonth Rocks!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  Thanks for the inspiration Laura!