“The Journey” Abstract Acrylic
The Journey
Difficult roads
might lead to
beautiful destinations.
Cherish the moments.
Enjoy the journey.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Journey
abstract
Wisdom in the Wind
Abstract Wind in Acrylic – 6×6
Wisdom in the Wind
Wherever you go…
carry seeds that spread and plant joy and beauty.
Recognize that some seasons call for soft and gentle whispers…
while others call us to blow strong and loud and bold.
And the same breath that creates a cool and gentle breeze
can also fuel a fire.
Realize that adjusting your sails
will allow you to sail smoothly and dance freely.
And when you aren’t sure what the question is,
consider that the answer just might be blowing in the wind.
This is my third and final in the series of Lessons from Nature.
It follows Reflections from the River, and Truths from the Tree.
The “art” above is my first attempt with Acrylic Paints after about a year of watercolor adventures. I am still learning to master watercolor, and it is still my first love, but I’ve been itching to try Acrylic after seeing so much beauty created by other artist friends and the encouragement of Laura at CreateArtEveryday. For this piece, I simply wanted to feel the paint and see how it moved, so I decided to create “Wind.” It is done on a 6×6″ Aquaboard, and the beauty of that is, I can just wash it off and create something else over it. I must admit, it was fun to be able to “over”work with acrylic paint and even add white!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Birthday Cake Card for Colleen
Abstract Impressionistic Watercolor Birthday Cake Card
Yesterday was our dear daughter-in-law, Colleen’s birthday, so along with the Sprinkle Cake I made for her, I thought I’d paint an abstract, impressionistic sprinkle birthday cake card in watercolor.
I’m not sure which one I had more fun doing… baking the cake or painting the card.
Hubby noticed my cake was a bit crooked, and it was a bit wonky… that’s how you know it’s homemade – right?! Well – I guess it’s an impressionistic cake too!
Not matter what – I enjoyed doing both because they were for a special young lady who I love a lot!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Compassion
“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
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
My son, Nick, challenged me to try something different in watercolor as a painting for him. He requested something like “space” or planets or the world. Well – that’s a pretty wide open request, so I asked him to show me some examples of things he liked, and he sent me a few ideas.
I really loved what he had found, so I used one as an example to try to recreate it Jodi-ish. This painting is done on 10×14″ 300 lb Arches Cold Press. I used Winsor & Newton Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Yellow and New Gamboge, Windsor Violet, and Burnt Sienna watercolors. I also used liquid frisket to mask off some white spaces I wanted to be certain to preserve.
I’m excited to mat and frame it for him!
In full respect and disclosure to the original artist, to view and/or purchase the original art print that inspired this, prints are available here at a home decor shop called Artollo. It appears the artist is Elena Romanova, who goes by Fairy Somnia, and I am a new total fan of this young lady from London! Her loose, impressionistic style is my favorite way to paint. I hope she appreciates the shout out and my admiration of her work.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Peaceful State of Mind
Abstract Cobalt Teal & Inka Gold (inspired by Debi Riley)
Wishing you waves of peace
richness of gold
and a world of happiness
this Sunday and always.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This abstract piece I created was done on a 5×7″ sheet of 140 lb. cold press shizen professional grade rough texture rag watercolor paper that is 100% recyled from post consumer waste. I love the texture of it and bought a package of 100 sheets through Blick. I’m curious to know if others have tried it. I typically use Arches, but am loving this paper.
I began by slathering on some Inka Gold acrylic paint with a palette knife leaving it thicker and lumpier in some places. After it dried, I added some cobalt teal blue watercolor to one side and then mixed a bit of lemon yellow into it for the green on the other side. Before it dried, I placed a crinkled up piece of saran wrap on it, which I did not remove until the paint dried. It is really beautiful in person, and I am even making card prints from it for our ETSY Shop.
Spring Splashing
A few days ago, our little corner of the world was covered in snow and ice. This weekend, however, the temperatures rose to near 60 degrees and the sun shone brightly.
It was a little crazy for mid-February when we typically experience some of our coldest, snowiest weather, but we sure enjoyed it.
On Sunday morning, Charlie and I took a nice four-mile walk with our buddy, Tracy. We visited Kitty, and we splashed through some puddles of melted snow and ice.
After breakfast and a few chores, I spent a relaxing afternoon splashing paint at the kitchen table with the sun streaming in.
I painted this bunny that reminds me of Spring and Easter and babies and renewal.
I painted another fun little piece that will be a gift for an upcoming baby shower, and a couple other things before packing up the paint and making dinner.
What a great way to spend a day. Thinking Spring. Enjoying warmth and sunshine. Doing the things I love….
at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Open your HeART
February is National Heart Month.
Take care of your heart.
The people you love and that love you are counting on it!
Protect your heart.
It is fragile and vulnerable.
Share your heart.
It is the greatest gift you can give.
Open your heart.
There is so much to be discovered.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Swooning over Watercolor
One of my favorite, most inspiration watercolor artists is a sweet lady that lives on the entire other side of the world from me in Mars.
Debi Riley lives all the way in Perth, Australia, but because of a chance connection through WordPress and the World Wide Web, I have the joy of following her lovely work and SWOONING daily.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she may come to the U.S. some day to visit relatives and find a way to Mars to meet and spend some time showing me how she makes such beautiful magic with paint and paper… I will cook and bake for her and serve lots of wine if only she will show me how to make such swoonable art as she does!
Debi makes it look so effortless, yet when I attempt to do the same…. ARGH! No swooning!
I keep reading, though, and I keep trying to absorb, and I keep laying paint on paper.
This little landscape card, came after two frustrating attempts to do a full-sized painting and not liking what happened. Then I realized I didn’t pay attention to cool colors for background and warm for foreground. After a while, do these types of things become natural? I just want to be loose and free and “do it” without thinking….. but it seems there really is a lot of discipline – even in (if not especially in) abstract art, which ends up looking so effortless.
If you would like to see some truly beautiful art, please be sure to check out Debi Riley’s blog here. Debi is an award-winning creative arts instructor with over 15 years experience who works in watercolor, acrylic, oils, pastels, charcoal, mixed media, and photography. She also has a beautiful Pinterest page here.
In the meantime, I’m going to keep trying, and I appreciate you humoring me by allowing me to share.
Happy Tuesday! Happy Groundhog Day! Happy day to do what makes you happy… at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Favorite Pairs
A partial list of favorite pairs:
- Bert & Ernie
- Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
- Simon & Garfunkel
- Wine & Cheese
- Lucy & Ethel
- Chips & Guacamole
- Falling Snow & Warm Fires
- Gin & Tonic
- Movies & Popcorn
- Beaches & Sunrises
- Beaches & Sunsets
- Dark Coffee & Italian Sweet Cream
- Paint & Paper
- Milk Chocolate & Caramel
- White Chocolate and Peanut Butter
- Dark Chocolate & Raspberry
- Hugs & Kisses
- Friends & Laughter
- Family & Time Together
- Chubby Cheeks & Tiny Toes
- Wrinkled Cheeks & Words of Wisdom
After practicing a few more watercolor skies last evening (and feeling frustrated!… Why are skies so hard for me??!), I decided to do something that made me happy, so I just took a small piece of watercolor paper and did a quick, free and easy abstract pear in some of my favorite colors – letting the colors blend and do their thing. I could then relax happy, and it made me think of some of my favorite pears pairs.
Do you have some favorite pairs?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 