Watercolor

Eva’s First Birthday

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

Eva Birthday 1 Card

Some of you might remember little Eva from some photos I shared several months ago.

Well – time sure does fly, and Eva just turned ONE!

Eva’s Aunt Liz asked if I would make a special card for her sweet little niece’s first birthday.  The request included incorporating an elephant, so Eva’s baby elephant is glammed up a bit with a purple velvet bow and a tiny pearl.

I had so much fun drawing and painting this card for an exceptional little princess.

Wishing you a day and year ahead as special as you little Eva!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

A Little Birdie to say Happy Mother’s Day

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goldfinch watercolor drawabirdday

Goldfinch Watercolor Doodlewash for Draw A Bird Day

Some of you may remember the darling little goldfinch I captured in a photo recently as his family has become a regular in our backyard and at the feeders.

I decided to do a quick little watercolor and doodlewash him for today’s monthly #drawabirdday.

I am out of town today, but he is flying by to wish all the Moms out there the happiest of Mother’s Days!

Being a mom has unequivocally been the greatest privilege of my life and has provided me with such joy and love.

Thank you Jake and Nick for all you have given me.  My life would not be nearly as extraordinary if it weren’t for what each of you has given me since the days you were born.

Now that you are grown men with lives of your own, I thank you even more for still allowing me the honor of being a part of your lives and being your Mom.  And thank you for the beautiful ladies in Colleen and Liz that you have allowed me to “mother” too.

I am the luckiest Mom of all!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Happy Tulips in a Jar

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Original Watercolor 9x12 matted to 11x14 impressionistic tulips in jar

This past weekend, I found a little time to splash in some paint, and I recreated an original watercolor of tulips in a jar.  Tulips lend so well to impressionistic, loose painting.  I adore tulips, and I adore painting this way.

I say “re-created,” because I recently sold a similar original painting in our Etsy Shop.

The funny thing was… when I painted it, I sort of liked it, but was hesitant to share it.  I had it tucked away for a few weeks.  Then last week, the little cash register dinged on my phone alerting me it had sold.  When I dug it out to ship, I looked at it again and really liked it.  I remembered how much fun I had painting it, and I longed to do it again.

So this is the latest version.  It is its own original.  The painting is 9×12, and I stuck a little white mat around it just to see what it would look like.

I kinda like it, and it’s kinda fun to say that.  🙂

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

This painting is now available at McKinneyx2Designs

Compassion

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world love abstract

“Compassion” Original Watercolor – Jodi McKinney

Skip the religion and politics,
head straight to the compassion.
everything else is a distraction.
                                                                   – talib kweli

A while back, I read this quote shared by Beth at I Didn’t Have My Glasses On ,
and it hit me like a brick!
Went straight to the heart, and stuck with me.

I recently did this little abstract watercolor.
To me, it resembles the world surrounded by a heart.
And I call it, “Compassion.”

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Rusty Old Bridge in Watercolor

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rusty old bridge watercolor original matted

The Rusty Old Bridge and Fisherman Original Watercolor, Pittsburgh, PA

I did another watercolor painting this past weekend of a photo I shared recently.

I am challenged with this big of a piece and so many details.  The painting is 8 x 10, and I did it on Arches Hot Press, which I rather love for it’s fluidity.  So fun to experiment with different types of paper.

I think the fisherman really stands out in the painting more so than in the photo.

It was a challenge.  I completed it.  I will continue trying!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

In Honor of the Ole’ Dogwood Tree

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dogwood blossom watercolor

Original Dogwood Blossom Watercolor Jodi McKinney

On Sunday I posted a photo I took of a blossom on one of the beautiful old dogwood trees in our front yard.

So, that same sunny, happy Sunday afternoon, I painted it, still glowing with the news we were allowed to share from the day.

The old dogwood tree, I honor you.
Thank you for blossoming each year,
hard as it may be.
You give hope of new life
as we celebrate the hope of a new life.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Orange

/ Jodi / 53 Comments

Orange Maybe Tulips Watercolor

Orange is…

Energetic,
Optimistic,
Bright and Bold and Brave.

Orange is…

Spontaneous,
Sunny,
Outrageous, Outgoing and Outspoken.

Orange is
the HAPPIEST color!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Hope Thistle

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Hope Thistle Watercolor

Thistle Watercolor

Hope Thistle bring a smile to your lips.

Hope Thistle bring joy to your day.

Hope Thistle help you see the beauty in nature.

Hope Thistle encourage you to create.

Hope Thistle brighten your day.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Pink Tulips to Celebrate

/ Jodi / 57 Comments
pink tulips impressionistic watercolor 9x12 matted to 11 x 14

Pink Tulips Impressionistic Original Watercolor 9×12 matted to 11×14

Painting tulips and unwinding last evening…

splashing loosely and freely
allowing the paint to create
flowers
to celebrate…

April 13, 2016,
Wednesday – Hump Day,
Spring,
Sunshine,
Warmth.

4 days down, 6 to go on my Spring head cold,
Happy 43 years to Dad and Mom II,
Happy Birthday to Charlie O,
Happy National Grilled Cheese Day (a day late),
Happy Peach Cobbler Day.

Happy 24 days until Punta Cana R&R Vacation,
Happy “It’s a Perfect Day for a Perfect Day” Day,
Happy Anniversary Month Marty and Jodi.

Happy day to cherish the moments,
share a smile,
spread joy,
experience happiness,
give love,
encourage peace
hug someone.

What are you celebrating today?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

A Pink Flamingo for Draw a Bird Day

/ Jodi / 73 Comments

pink flamingo watercolor1

 

Although some blogger friends and I celebrate #DrawABirdDay every eighth of the month, April 8th is the OFFICIAL Draw A Bird Day, so I wanted to do something extra flashy and a little out of the ordinary – a Pink Flamingo!

Bright pink to open your eyes
and wish you a cheery flamingo kind of day,
a Happy Friday,
a Happy #DrawABirdDay!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi