Hazel Eye with Tear Drop Watercolor 5×6 Fabriano Artistico
“There are three things we cry for in life:
things that are lost,
things that are found,
and things that are magnificent.”
– Douglas Coupland, author, artist, designer
Wishing you many tears of joy experiencing things that are magnificent!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Pink Orange Gold Watercolor Christmas Trees 5×7
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves can be so changing;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
They need not be unchanging;
Not only green like everyone;
But you can be whatever you want.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Pink and Orange and Gold look good on thee!
Embrace the magic!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Acrylic Abstract Painting 16×20 Jodi McKinney
On a recent evening out with friends, we passed a little ‘hole-in-the-wall’ diner in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh that had a sign above it saying, “The earth without art is just ‘eh’.” It caught our attention, and it has been in my mind ever since.
This crazy acrylic painting evolved over the course of several days. While far from fine art, it was a fun, creative experiment.
It started out being blue and brown and white to match a recent bedroom redo.
The next day it became an ocean and sky scene… then back to an abstract the following day with drips of gold.
Around the fourth day, I decided it needed some red. The red was too bold, so I added white to tone it down and “pink” it up a bit.
And on and on it went until I splattered white and tar gel with a toothbrush on and decided it was time to quit.
It has all kinds of crazy things going on over many layers, but there is something about it in the end that I kinda like.
Maybe because it reminds me that….
the earth without art is just “eh!”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Dripping with Joy,
Oozing Happiness,
Splashing Jubilation,
Expressing Elation,
Painting with pure Pleasure.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The golden morning sunlight
on the frosty fallen oak leaf
sparkles more beautifully
than any diamond I’ve ever seen.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
CharlieDog Watercolor Character – 10 x 12
I stayed up very late the other night watching election coverage.
It was so nerve-wracking, I had to do something besides watch predictions and “paths” and the shock of the reporters as they announced each state’s decision and electoral numbers.
I wanted to do something pleasant and think pleasant thoughts. The happiest thing that came to mind is our sweet grand baby who is due any day now. As I thought of her, I thought of stuffed animals and cute animal characters. I thought of soft, cuddly teddy bears. And then I decided to create a teddy bear like stuffed character of Charlie, our furry adopted boy.
In the wee hours of the night/morning, CharlieDog was born on a 10×12 sheet of Arches 300 lb cold press. He has chubby chipmunk cheeks and curious cherubic eyes. His chunky belly is plump and soft and snuggable. He has one ear up on alert for Cliff the Mailman or Mike the UPS man or anyone delivering pizza!
Art has become such a calming, stress-relieving outlet for me. If anyone out there thinks they would love to draw or paint or create, but feels they aren’t “artistic” enough or don’t have any formal training, or have never tried, or whatever your reasons might be – just do it. Don’t let your mind tell you that you can’t. I would have said that a year ago. Do it for the joy. Do it for you – not anybody else’s approval or praise (that part was/is a struggle for me that I am getting much better at). Do it to create your own kind of beauty. Do it for peace and love and goodness – for yourself or someone your share it with.
Focus on things that make you happy, bring you peace, express joy, demonstrate love. Small acts change the world. Be your own kind of beautiful. Make your own kind of art or sing your own special song. Do your thing! Be you!
#FocusingonPeace
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Tranquil Trees & Peaceful Mountains – A Serene Scene Watercolor in Prussian Blue & Panes Gray – 7×9
Today I wanted to paint and share something peaceful…
tranquil…
serene.
On a day in the U.S. that is likely not to be.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Autumn’s Golden Glow in New Gambouge and Cadmium Yellow – 9×12 Watercolor Painting
Along our usual lunch time walk, Charlie and I pass a house we refer to as the one ‘where the kids live. ‘
There are not many little ones that live on the street we walk on (much to the dismay of the sweet kiddos that recently moved into this home).
But when we do pass this home, if we are lucky and the kids are home and out playing, they come running to visit us. What a joy that is for both Charlie and me.
When the family first moved in and Charlie was newly adopted, he would cower when they came running. These day, he looks for them with anticipation when we pass. What a difference a year makes.
This watercolor painting is my very loose interpretation of the beautiful trees that line the street in front of “the house with the kids.” It was such a beautiful sight this past week that I had to take a picture with my phone as I knew I wanted to paint it.
Soon all the leaves will be gone, but this day they glowed golden in the Autumn sun.
Wishing you a day that is bright and golden and glowing.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
In one breath, I think…
How could it be November already?!?
In another, I anticipate…
Can this month move more quickly please?!?
November is always a time of year
when I think about gratitude and thankfulness.
There is so much to be thankful for…
Let’s celebrate the month of gratitude.
Happy November!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Abstract Pastel in Orange and Blue – 9×12
I woke up early Sunday morning – before the sun, before the birds, before the rest of the house. Sometimes this is my favorite time of day. It feels like an extra gift of time to do whatever I please. So I poured a cup of coffee and sat down with some blank paper and my box of Sennelier soft pastels.
Abstract Pastel in Blue and Orange
For about an hour and a half, I drew and I rubbed and I smudged with abandon and nothing in particular in mind, and these two 9x12s were the result. On the second one, I decided to see what would happen if I splattered some white…..
It was fun to just create some abstract abandon in shades of oranges and blues.
Wishing you a day with a gift of time to do what makes you happy.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 