Watercolor Painting: Bicycle with Flower Basket

/ Jodi / 49 Comments

Bicycle with Basket of Flowers in Galway Watercolor – 11×14

Watercolor Painting:  Bicycle with Flower Basket.

I have been wanting to paint a bicycle with a basket full of flowers for a while, but I hadn’t found the right inspiration.

Then I came upon “it”  (the inspiration) at a quaint little shop in Galway on our recent trip to Ireland.

I took artistic license in changing the black bike to turquoise that was on the sidewalk outside of Judy Greene’s Gift Shop on Kirwan Lane.

It brings back sweet memories of a great trip and gave me a painting I love!

Happy #WorldWatercolorMonth!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

There once was…

/ Jodi / 46 Comments

LJM One Year Old Portrait Watercolor 11×14

There once was a little girl
whose Grandma loved her so dearly

she wanted to paint her portrait
to honor her first birthday.

Though the painting didn’t nearly capture
the little girl’s character and charm and beauty,

hopefully she will
someday realize

there once was a Grandma
who wanted her to remember

how much she meant to her
and how much she was loved

that she tried to paint her portrait
and it was done with lots of love.

 

My second granddaughter recently celebrated her first  birthday.  This painting is not meant to be framed or hung, and it surely doesn’t come close to depicting her beauty. But it was painted to be tucked in a memory box as a little keepsake and token of love.  I am going to try to paint a portrait every year of each of my grandchildren for the sole purpose of tucking it away to save.  I like to think that perhaps one day when I am gone, they will occasionally look at them and cherish them as keepsakes of a Grandma that loved them with her whole heart and soul and bring back sweet memories of happy times spent together.  Love you Sweet Baby Girl!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

#WorldWatercolorMonth

Independence Day

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Abstract American Flag Watercolor by Jodi McKinney 11×14

Independence Day.

“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”

– Peter Marshall

Independence Day* (the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain and were now united, free, and independent states.  The Congress had voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2, but it was not declared until July 4.

In honor of this special day, I painted a very abstract version of the American Flag in watercolor for #WorldWatercolorMonth.

Have a fun, free, righteous, independent day!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*Wikipedia

A Pair of Beloved Kitties in Watercolor

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A Pair of Beloved Kitties in Watercolor – 11×14 – Jodi McKinney June 2019

A Pair of Beloved Kitties in Watercolor.

Today, in honor of #WorldWatercolorMonth, I am sharing a painting I was recently commissioned to do through our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy Shop by a sweet man who wants to surprise his wife for her birthday with a painting of their beloved kitties.

Here is the photo he shared with me:

I like to paint in a looser style, so I hope she enjoys my version of her sweet kitties.

Are you painting?  Are you thinking of trying?  Join the fun!  #WorldWatercolorMonth

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Getting Ready for World Watercolor Month!

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Getting Ready for World Watercolor Month!

Tomorrow is July 1st.  How can that be already?!

You know what July means……. #WorldWatercolorMonth!

Please join Charlie O and me and all the other talented ambassadors and artists in celebrating, sharing, winning free stuff, painting along with the daily art prompts, and/or supporting art education with Doodlewash and the Dreaming Zebra Foundation.

I’ve got my paint brush ready!  Do you?

Four years ago, I painted my first watercolor painting, and I have been hooked ever since.  I’ve come a long way, and I still have a long way to go, but I am thoroughly enjoying the journey!  And I still can’t believe Charlie honors me with being an ambassador for World Watercolor Month along with so many professional and talented artists.

July is a great time to take the leap if you’ve ever thought about trying watercolor.  Just grab some paint (this is a link to the first watercolor set I bought for about $20!) and some watercolor paper, click on some of the artist links below that share their talent through tutorials or head to the University of YouTube (like I did) and HAVE FUN!

And as promised about 10 days ago in my post announcing my “ambassadorship” with #WorldWatercolorMonth, I have randomly chosen the following WINNERS for the McKinneyX2Designs World Watercolor Month 2019 Limited Edition Zippered Pouch:

CONGRATULATIONS to:

  • ksbeth
  • Chatter Master
  • Lolo Kleeman

To receive, please email your name and address to me at mckinneyjodi@gmail.com.

Have a wonderful day and month ahead exploring and supporting the watercolor arts!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  Here are links to all of the other amazingly talented #WorldWatercolorMonth 2019 Ambassadors:

As always, you can shop for my art at McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop or Berry Vine Gifts in Bradford Woods, PA.  Visit us at www.mx2d.com.

 

 

 

Open

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

View from our window Sunday morning at one of our favorite “retreats” – Conneaut Lake, PA June 2019

Open.

Open your eyes
to the beauty of a new day.

Open your ears
to the music of nature.

Open your mind
to others’ ideas and beliefs.

Open your hands
to offer support and kindness.

Open your heart
to love and be loved.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Cauliflower Crust Spinach & Feta White Pizza

/ Jodi / 47 Comments

Cauliflower Crust Spinach & Feta White Pizza.

I love pizza!

But I’ve been trying to avoid it in an attempt to lose some weight.

I also adore cauliflower, so I finally jumped on the cauliflower crust bandwagon, and O M Geee!  It is awesome!

Have you tried yet?

I did some reading on it before trying and found an important tip that causes many people to be unsuccessful and create a soggy crust…   It is super important to squeeze the water out of the cauliflower rice.  I got almost a whole cup of water out of my large head of cauliflower rice, and the crust turned out so nice and so delish!

I made this last weekend when the family came over for Father’s Day brunch.  It is quite healthy and low fat/calorie.  I used fat-free mozzarella cheese, fresh sauteed spinach and crumbled feta for my toppings.  YUM!

Here is how I made it.  Would love to hear your thoughts if you try it and/or your tips if you’ve made it other ways.

I loved it hot and also loved it cold the next day for lunch at work.  (Though I am one of those crazy peeps who loves everything cold as well!)

Cauliflower Crust Spinach & Feta White Pizza

Ingredients:

Crust:

  • 1 large head cauliflower
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste

Topping:

  • 1 lb fresh baby spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese
  • 6 oz. feta cheese
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Cut cauliflower into florets and “rice” in food processor in batches.  Place in microwave-safe glass bowl with lid and cook for 8 minutes on high.  Allow to cool slightly and place cooked riced cauliflower in 3-4 even batches at a time in a dry tea-towel.  Roll up and squeeze water out of the riced cauliflower.  Squeeze hard and get as much out as you can.  This is an important step in creating a crust that will not be soggy.  You may get up to a total of a cup of liquid out.

Add eggs, cheese and seasonings to cauliflower and blend well using your hands.  Place on a parchment-lined baking stone, and pat into a crust.  Bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown.

While crust is baking, saute minced garlic in about a tablespoon of olive oil until soft and fragrant.  Add fresh baby spinach and cook until just wilted.  It only takes a minute or two.  Remove from heat and set aside..

When crust comes out of the oven, top it with the shredded mozzarella followed by sauteed spinach and then topped evenly with crumbled feta and seasoned with salt and pepper.

Place back in oven for about 10 more minutes.  Tastes wonderful hot (and cold!)

You can also add other favorite toppings like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, grilled chicken – the possibilities are as endless as your personal palate!  

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

The Waves of Life

/ Jodi / 34 Comments

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland – May, 2019

The Waves of Life.

Remember the stillness before the wave forms.
Understand the friction it took to create.

Respect the energy it fueled.
Ride the power at the crest.

Honor the crash.
Bask in the calm.

The waves
of life.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

World Watercolor Month 2019 – I’m an Artist Ambassador Again!

/ Jodi / 54 Comments

World Watercolor Month 2019 – I’m an Artist Ambassador Again!

My amazingly-talented, awe-inspiring, huge-hearted buddy, Charlie O’Shields at Doodlewash is once again hosting the annual World Watercolor Month celebration in July, which he created four years ago to inspire people to paint with watercolor while raising awareness for the importance of art and creativity in the world.

I wish I could express how much joy art has brought to my life since I discovered watercolor painting about four years ago – around the same time as Charlie – when we became blogging friends.   Charlie has taken it to a whole new level with his energy and creativity, while I hobby along, yet he has once again honored me this year with the privilege of being a World Watercolor Month Art Ambassador along with some “real” artists I totally admire!

For the month of July and in honor of World Watercolor Month, I will be donating $1 from every watercolor sale (originals, prints, greeting cards) from our McKinneyX2Designs ETSY shop to Dreaming Zebra which helps support children in need around the world by providing art supplies and art education.Research has shown that art education has a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the learning field across socioeconomic boundaries. Unfortunately, arts education programs are too often the first to be cut when cuts are made, so more and more children each year are missing out on the important benefits of art classes.

The Dreaming Zebra Foundation is unique in that they provide an art recycling program that is free to the public. Reusable art & music supplies that would otherwise be discarded, along with new or unsold materials, are donated by individuals and businesses and matched to recipients who have requested those materials for arts education purposes in communities around the world.

This year, Charlie chose my Bumble Bee watercolor, which I love because it also expresses an important environmental message, as the MX2D watercolor to be put on this year’s limited edition Artist Ambassador zippered pouch souvenier merchandise for World Watercolor Month 2019.  100% of the proceeds from the purchase of these zippered pouches will go to the Dreaming Zebra Foundation!

To learn more about World Watercolor Month, click here.

I’ll be sharing more in July, which is only 11 days away!  How is that possible?!  Hope you will join us in the fun – through sharing your art or supporting art through your purchases.

I would also like to give away a couple of these pouches as a way of thanking all of you sweet supporters of The Creative Life in Between and McKinneyX2Designs.  To be entered in the random drawing, simply comment with “I want it!”  I will choose two winners July 1st!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

#WorldWatercolorMonth

Iced Orange Cookies

/ Jodi / 35 Comments

Iced Orange Cookies.

Summer baking calls for bright, citrusy flavors; and ever since painting my lemons last week, I have had citrus on the brain!

I found a great old-fashioned cookie recipe for these cakey iced orange cookies from Taste of Home.   I had just bought a bag of clementines, so I knew they would work great for this.

I gave some to my Dad for Father’s Day and served some to our kiddos at our Father’s Day brunch for Hubby.

Be sure to use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest for the best flavor.  These cookies freeze well and taste amazing right out of the freezer on a hot summer day!

Iced Orange Cookies

  • Servings: 2 1/2 dozen
  • Print

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Butter Crisco shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp freshly-grated orange zest
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Icing
    • 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
    • 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice
    • 2 Tbsp butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In an electric mixer, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in orange juice and zest.  Add baking powder, salt and then flour to creamed mixture until well combined.

Drop by tablespoon or cookie scoop onto baking stone or ungreased cookie sheet about two inches apart.   Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until edges just begin to brown.  Cool on wire racks.

In a small bowl, combine icing ingredients until smooth.  Drizzle generously over cooled cookies.

TIP:  I refrigerated the cookie dough for a couple hours making it easier to work with and hold its shape.  

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi