One late evening this week,
feeling loose and creative,
I decided to paint some coneflowers.
Some were pink,
and others were just creative colors.
That is the joy of watercolor. It is not a photograph. It is an expression of feelings.
Hope these bring some expression of joy to you as you view.
Wishing all a joyful holiday weekend.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A sweet friend told me one of her favorite flowers is the Stargazer Lily and “challenged” me to paint one.
First thing I had to do was “google” what a Stargazer Lily is!
Then I tried to paint one.
I struggled with this flower, and ended up doing several versions thinking each time I would be happy with the result.
But, alas, I am still not sure I am completely happy with any of these, and I’m not sure my friend will be either, but I decided to share them and see what you think.
Do you have a favorite? Do you like any of them?
After drawing and trying the first one (#3) with a background and then the second one (#4) in a little different style and without the background a couple of days ago, Sunday morning I drew this darn flower again and came up with my third rendition (#2).
Still not happy, I decided to just slap some water and paint on the paper without drawing it first, and I created my fourth version (#1) in about 10 minutes, and I think it’s my favorite. But when showing my hubby and youngest son all four, they each chose a different one! LOL!
I still don’t think I have even come close to capturing/mastering this beautiful flower, but here it is Tonya. If you like one of them, let me know, and it will be on it’s way.
Any artists out there mastered the Stargazer Lily? The challenge of this one for me was the lighter colored outer edges of the flower I think. I would love to hear any tips!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
After painting Spooky earlier this week, I still felt like doing more.
I was on a watercolor roll.
So while the paints and brushes were still out,
I saw a Youtube video by The Frugal Crafter.
Lindsay made painting a gold finch
look like a cinch.
So I made the one above.
Then I felt like Jodi’ing it up a teensy tinch,
which meant loosening it up and splattering a pinch.
So I went at it again – on my own this time.
That’s why this original is having a bit of a bad hair day…
Oh dear…..
I sure have mountains to climb!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Our dear daughter-in-law lost a special beloved furry buddy this weekend.
My heart breaks for her as this is her first experience losing a pet.
I thought of her all day yesterday and wanted to do something special, so I decided to try to draw and watercolor a photo she posted in memory of Spooky and make it into a card last night.
This is my first try at doing a cat, and he sure doesn’t look exactly like sweet Spooky. But hopefully it is close enough to give Colleen a little remembrance and show her how much I love her and ache for her loss.
Hugs & Sweet Memories,
Jodi
Brusho seems to be quite the rage these days.
Brusho Crystal Colours are brilliant, intense transparent color crystals that are great for painting, color washes, staining, and creative textile design on porous surfaces such as paper, wood, and fabric.
I thought I’d just do a little experimenting with the colors and the way they work. A couple sprinkles of the crystals before and/or after spritzing with water created these basic designs.
Nothing complex or intricate – just testing them out and seeing how they work. So these are just some simple experiments, but oh the possibilities that are running through my head.
In trying different combinations and amounts, I learned quickly that a very little goes a long way. What great effects might be possible combining these with watercolor painting, stamping, embossing, sewing, woodworking!??!!
Oh so many possibilities….
and oh so little time…
Make it count…
doing the things you love…
at life in between.
Cheers and Happy Friday Hugs,
Jodi
Monday’s Hummingbird Cake Recipe post had me thinking of hummingbirds,
so I decided to try my hand at watercolor painting one.
I lightly outlined the basic shape in pencil,
filled it in with some clean, clear water,
then loosely dropped in some paint.
When I was mostly pleased with it, and it was dry,
I adhered it to some vanilla card stock and made it into a little card.
Today my wish for you
is that you find some time
to do things you love
with people you love (even if that is yourself!)
at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
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
You know that Dos Equis “guy” who is famous for saying, “Stay Thirsty My Friends?”
When I am water color painting, his voice runs through my head…
“Stay Loose My Friend.”
I know – you do not want inside my head – eh?
So when I picked these beautiful, vivid peonies from the “other side of the house” this past weekend to make a fresh centerpiece for the kitchen table, I had the urge to paint.
I know I don’t have the skill to recreate the actual image…
but that is what I LOVE about watercoloring!
To me – it is freedom.
Freedom to express creativity.
It is not about recreating the exact image.
It is being inspired by the image to create your “own thing.”
So after watching an inspiring tutorial by Janet Rodgers, I decided to “wing it.”
In 15 minutes, without even sketching first, I just took paint and water to paper and created my “idea” of the peony.
Janet talks about just throwing water on the paper and keeping it “loose” and just the idea of the actual image – not the exact color nor the exact representation.
Watercolor allows you to express your vision of the image.
Mine is so far from artistic perfection,
but oh what freedom it is to create!
Thanks for visiting.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Is it a sunflower or a black-eyed susan? Not sure… but that’s the beauty of art – and especially watercolor painting. The freedom to create something new, something different, expand OUTSIDE the lines.
Whatever it is, it is bright and cheery and for a special young lady’s birthday!
Happy Birthday Week Liz! 🙂
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Shall we talk about strawberries…
the yummy, juicy, sweet, delicious, nutritious, ruby-red fruit of summer?
Or shall we discuss what John Lennon was talking about in the amazing Beatles hit, Strawberry Fields Forever…”
and boy are there a lot of commentaries out there on that!
Or do we want to talk about drawing and watercoloring and cardmaking and “art…”
some of my favorites things to do?
Or how about strawberry recipes…
Strawberry Spinach Salad, Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad, Strawberries & Cream, Strawberry Pie – OH MY!?
What is your favorite? I love them all!
Or shall we just “Let it Bee?”
Let it be whatever we want it to be…
A symbol of summer,
A memory of our childhood,
A favorite hobby,
A sumptuous summer treat.
Let it be Strawberry Fields Forever…
at LifeinBetween.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS Barbara, you know I love a challenge!
the creative life in between 