Watercolor

The “Man-Servant” of Moonbeam Farm

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The “Man-Servant” of Moonbeam Farm.

Another character from Moonbeam Farm has come to life!

Please allow me to introduce you to the “Man-Servant” who lives with his animal friends Odessa, Dewey, and Jaxon.

You may recall me introducing you to his friends this past week, beginning with a “just for fun” stab I took at painting Odessa the owl in watercolor at the urging of my blogging friend Carolyn at Nuggets of Gold, who is collaborating with Colin at A Dog’s Life on a children’s book.

Carolyn and Colin were so pleased with the painting of Odessa, they asked if it could be used as the cover photo for their first book, “The Odessa Chronicles.”  I am honored to do so, and I must admit quite flattered and thrilled!  I was then encouraged to paint Dewey and Jaxon, which they ended up loving too.

Then I needed to create the Man-Servant.  Unlike the others, which I created on a first-try, Man-Servant took four iterations before we all decided he was the one.  At first, I was a bit frustrated, but I grew to love creating this character.   The Man-Servant is a human in the senior years of his life, who actually believes he runs Moonbeam Farm.

It’s been fun bringing these characters to life.  I’m now going to venture into creating more to be included in the book.  It’s a fun journey, and I hope you’ll enjoy it with us.

 

 

 

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Pink Dogwood Blossoms in Watercolor

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Pink Dogwood Blossoms Watercolor - 11x14 140lb Cold Press Saunders

Pink Dogwood Blossoms Watercolor – 11×14 140lb Cold Press Saunders

Pink Dogwood Blossoms in Watercolor

As we begin the month of June and the warmth of Summer is upon us,
I celebrate the end of Spring with this painting of Pink Dogwood Blossoms.

We only have white dogwood trees in our yard, but they are very old.
I wonder about their history as they were here on the property for likely many years before we built our house on the wooded 3 1/2 acre plot we’ve called home for 17 years now.

Some have died and had to be cut down this Spring.  Makes me sad to see them go, but maybe we can replace them with some new pink ones.  Maybe the old white ones can share stories with the new pink ones.  Do you ever wonder if the trees and other things in nature communicate to each other?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Thanks Andrew Geeson for another inspiration Youtube tutorial!

The Rest of the Gang from Moonbeam Farm

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Dewey the Cat from Moonbeam Farm in Watercolor 8x10 140lb Cold Press

Dewey the Cat from Moonbeam Farm in Watercolor 8×10 140lb Cold Press

The Rest of the Gang from Moonbeam Farm.

I found a couple hours yesterday afternoon after a glorious, long holiday weekend to paint the other two characters that live on Moonbeam Farm with Odessa the Owl, who you may recall from a post last week.

Above is Dewey the cat.  Dewey is always hungry and always getting into mischief on the farm with his friends.

Below is Jaxon.  Jaxon is a magical Jackalope who often comes to Dewey’s rescue, but other times gets him into more trouble.

Jaxon the Jackalope on Moonbeam Farm in Watercolor 8x10 on 140lb Saunders Cold Press

Jaxon the Jackalope on Moonbeam Farm in Watercolor 8×10 on 140lb Saunders Cold Press

And in case you didn’t remember, this is Odessa.  Odessa is the wise (and wise-cracking) owl.

Odessa the Owl on Moonbeam Farm in Watercolor 8x10 140 lb Saunders Cold Press

Odessa the Owl on Moonbeam Farm in Watercolor 8×10 140 lb Saunders Cold Press

It was fun painting the animal characters that live on Moonbeam Farm and in the imagination of Carolyn and Colin who are working on a children’s book for kids from 1 to 101.

They’ve been sharing excerpts they collaboratively write  on Carolyn’s blog, and it’s been fun watching the characters and plot evolve.  Hope you’ll check it out and join the adventures!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Odessa the Owl in Watercolor

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Odessa the Barn Owl in Watercolor - 8x10 140lb Cold Press Saunders

Odessa the Barn Owl in Watercolor – 8×10 140lb Cold Press SaundersOdessa the Owl – A Wise Old Barn Owl in Watercolor.

A blogging friend, Carolyn, at Nuggets of Gold, challenged me to paint an owl in watercolor.  But not just any ole’ owl…

This had to be Odessa the very wise barn owl who is a character in a book she is collaborating on with another blogging friend, Colin, at A Dog’s Life.

I’m not sure if this is how she pictured Odessa, but this is how I do, so this is a little surprise for her.

If you want to learn more about the wise (and wise-cracking) Odessa and her friends at MoonBeam Farm, check out Carolyn’s blog to read the continuing saga that is soon to become a book!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Friendship Hummer

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The Friendship Hummer Watercolor - 8x10 140 lb Saunders Cold Press

The Friendship Hummer Watercolor – 8×10 140 lb Saunders Cold Press

The Friendship Hummer.

One of my besties is on a well-deserved vacation.  It is her first extended vacation away in two years from being a full-time caregiver to her parents who she loves so dearly and takes such wonderful care of.

In her travels through Oregon, she visited a gift shop where she discovered the amazing art of Dean Crouser.  She sent me a photo of a wall of his artwork with a friendly “challenge” to create a similar piece for her.

So here is my attempt.  It was fun creating it with the love I feel for this special friend.  And though it is nowhere near the artistic genius of Dean Crouser, I’m hoping she will love it since it was made especially for her full of love and admiration and gratitude for her friendship.

Love you Janet!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

A Birthday Dachshund Puppy

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8x10 Watercolor Dachshund Puppy on 140lb Saunders Cold Press

8×10 Watercolor Dachshund Puppy on 140lb Saunders Cold Press

A Birthday Dachshund Puppy Watercolor Painting.

I have to say I was a bit taken aback when we received a message on our McKinneyx2Designs Etsy page from a sweet lady named Sarah telling us (my daughter-in-law, Colleen and I) that she loved our shop and asked if I could paint a dachshund for her best friend’s birthday.

My first reaction was to immediately decline.  Then I decided to wait a day before responding and secretly give it a try… just for fun… to see if I could even do it.

I seriously allowed myself to have fun with it.  Not worrying if she would like it or not.  I had recently picked up a tube of Daniel Smith Lunar Black just for kicks recalling Debi Riley mentioning a while back, and thought this would be a great opportunity to give it a try.

For this painting, I used only three colors:  Daniel Smith Lunar Black, Yellow Ochre, and Permanent Deep Red, and I painted loosely and quickly.

I’m happy to report Sarah loved it!

And don’t tell Charlie…. but it makes me want want one of these cute little Dachshund puppies!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Jenna’s Roses in Watercolor

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Jenna's Roses in Impressionist Watercolor 8x10 Saunders 140lb Cold Press

Jenna’s Roses in Impressionist Watercolor 8×10 Saunders 140lb Cold Press

Jenna’s Roses in Watercolor.

My super-talented, creative, artistic blogging friend, Jenna at The Painted Apron reached out recently to ask if I was interested in a “crazy idea.”

Jenna asked if I would be interested in both of us doing a floral watercolor from the same photo and sharing them to show how every artist interprets differently and has their own unique style.

I immediately said “Yes!”  Initially honored and excited, then doubtful and nervous, I waited for Jenna to provide the photo.

When Jenna sent this photo of gorgeous roses, I said “Let’s do it!”  Then I thought…. what did I get myself into?!  Roses are so complex and intricate.  And look at all of the detail in this photo.  My first painting was an effort to replicate.  It was ok, but it wasn’t “Jodi.”

I then decided to just create the beauty I felt from the photo, and I came up with my version.  Still not sure I love it, but I like it… and I really, really enjoyed creating it.   I painted it this past weekend during a sunny afternoon on the deck.  It is fun and completely different painting outdoors when the air and sun dries the paint much faster than while inside in the studio.

Here is Jenna’s painting of the rose photo.  Isn’t it beautiful?!   She is a real artist!

Jenna is my blogger “soul sister” in so many ways.  We both enjoy being creative with art and recipes and decorating and entertaining.  Be sure to check out her blog, The Painted Apron.  I’m sure you will enjoy!  Jenna also sells her art at www.society6.com/paintedapron where her art is made into tote bags and mugs and pillows and iPhone skins and many other beautiful things.  Hope you will check it out.

Thanks for the fun challenge, Jenna!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Warm Up

/ Jodi / 37 Comments
Pink Roses Warm Up Watercolor 5x7 Saunders 140 lb cold press

Pink Roses Warm Up Watercolor 5×7 Saunders 140 lb cold press

The Warm Up.

It’s a good thing to warm up…
right?

In life…
when going to bat,
when giving a speech,
when writing,
when painting….

And sometimes…
the little warm up
surprises us
with unexpected joy
and unexpected satisfaction
and pleasure.

This little painting
was a warm up
for painting some roses.

Just a super quick, five-minute
loose test of sorts
that turned out to be something
I found to be quite beautiful.

Much like life…

So many things
we consider to be
the “warm up”
turn out to be
beautiful surprises.

Cherish the moments!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Be Bold

/ Jodi / 46 Comments
Pink Rosebuds Watercolor 5x7 140 lb Cold Press Saunders

Pink Rosebuds Watercolor 5×7 140 lb Cold Press Saunders

Be Bold.

Be bold…
in doing what you love,
in doing what feels good,
in doing what makes you happy.

Be bold…
in making your own kind of beauty,
in being your own kind of beauty,
in seeing the beauty in others.

Be Bold!
Be You!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Quick, loose painting done on Saunders 140lb cold press watercolor paper using Daniel Smith Rhodonite Genuine and Sap Green watercolor paint.

The Orange Azalea in Watercolor

/ Jodi / 53 Comments
Orange Azalea Watercolor 8x10 140lb Saunders

Orange Azalea Watercolor 8×10 140lb Saunders

The Orange Azalea in Watercolor.

Inspired to create and paint once again
from our recent visit to Phipps Conservatory,

I made a first go at
the orange azalea in watercolor.

For this painting, I used Daniel Smith watercolors in Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Deep Red, Green Gold, and Perylene Green.

Hoping the April Showers are bringing you May Flowers.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS – This painting, like most all others I do, is available in our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop as an original, in prints, or as greeting/note cards, along with some great upcycled, re-purposed rustic pallet wood signs my daughter-in-law makes.  Enjoy browsing!