art

Watercolor Floral Experiments with Color

/ Jodi / 30 Comments

pink and orange watercolor flower 5x7 sakura koi
Today’s super quick little watercolors were made the same time as my little sailboat yesterday during my time at Girlfriend Camp (#GFCGeneva2016) this past week.

They are really just experiments with colors mingling and using inexpensive Sakura Koi Watercolor Field Travel set (which, by the way have really sold me on the case to buy artist quality watercolors for artist quality results.  I’m not very happy with these, but I did have fun playing with limited supplies while away.  I really should have left them without painting flowers on top and done something abstract.

I didn’t want to miss out on a single day of #WorldWatercolorMonth, however, so  this is all I have to offer today.

yellow green with purple flower 5x7 sakura koi

I get to go wedding dress shopping with my soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her mom and sisters today!  What a great event to come home to!

Happy Saturday, and Happy Weekend!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Come Sail Away

/ Jodi / 38 Comments

sailboat 5x7 sakura koi

In honor of our last day at Geneva on the Lake for #GFCGeneva2016, my watercolor for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a super quick little sailboat on the lake done with my inexpensive Sakura Koi Watercolor Travel Field Set.

I painted a few backgrounds late one night and then added the boat the next day since the random mingling of dark blue and teal reminded me of our beautiful view this past week of the lake.

Come sail away with me… to the lake… or the ocean… or the sea.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Red Red Wine

/ Jodi / 69 Comments

Red Red Wine 5x7 Watercolor Arches 140lb Rough Sakura Koi Pocket Field Watercolor Sketch Box

I’m at “Girlfriend Camp” (#GFCGeneva2016) this week.

Yesterday we went on a little winery tour.

We had some wine flights alfresco at one winery.

image

And guess who had the red one amidst the fruity whites?

image

And by the third stop, we were getting our “wine shine” on.
Okay – maybe the guy at the table next to us at the second stop said we were already there at Stop #2….

image

But my sweet Bub told him I don’t need to have wine to shine.  (See why I love her!?!)

The next evening was Prosecco Sangria on our balcony for happy hour.

proseco fruit punch

So today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth painting is

Red Red Wine…

Goes to my head…..
makes me forget…
(the rest of the lyrics!) 

Which just so happens to be the “ring tone” on Bubby’s cell phone for us three chicas!
(wonder why that would be – eh?)

Wishing you a day to forget the bad
and remember the good.

Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

And the Mountains Echoed

/ Jodi / 62 Comments

mountains echo

I have begun reading a beautiful book….

It is called “And the Mountains Echoed” by Khaled Hosseini.

It is a tale exploring the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

The cover of the book is so beautiful, I decided to try a quick watercolor of it, so this is today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth Painting.

Has anyone else read it?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Simple… Bold… Love

/ Jodi / 38 Comments
Abstract Watercolor 5x7 Arches 140lb Rough Cobalt Teal Blue Raw Sienna Cadmium Red

Abstract Watercolor 5×7 Arches 140lb Rough Cobalt Teal Blue Raw Sienna Cadmium Red

It’s really simple…

Just be bold….

and Love.

Today’s painting for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a simple abstract done with bold strokes of cobalt teal blue and raw sienna and embellished with some tiny hearts in cadmium red.  A simple, yet bold expression of the power of love.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

We’re So Excited!

/ Jodi / 81 Comments
Engagement Ring Watercolor 5x7

Engagement Ring Watercolor

We’re so excited!

We are being blessed with another beautiful daughter-in-law!

Our son, Nick, proposed to his beautiful fiance, Liz, this past weekend.

So today’s little painting for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a diamond engagement ring.

It’s not nearly as beautiful as the real ring…
or the future bride-to-be…
or the smile on Nick’s face…
or the joy in my heart.

But it is a symbol
of a beautiful commitment
for a lifetime of love.

Nick and Liz Engagement

Nick and Liz Engagement

Nick created a beautiful “forever rose” from copper and metal as part of his engagement ring presentation.

Forever rose

And we enjoyed celebrating the happy couple – the new #McKinneytoBe this weekend!

nick and liz

Love you Nick and Liz! ❤

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Spinach Blueberry Salad & a Blueberry Botanical

/ Jodi / 52 Comments
blueberry watercolor 5x7 arches 140lb rough prussian blue panes gray green gold

Blueberry watercolor 5×7 arches 140lb rough prussian blue panes gray green gold

For today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth Painting, I present:   Blueberries in Prussian Blue.  This is a “botanical” painting of sorts and possibly one of my more “realistic” paintings.  A bit of a diversion for me.

And while we are on the subject of blueberries – the yummy, nutrient-packed fruit of the gods,  here is a recipe for a spinach salad I made last week with blueberries in it.  DIVINE!

Spinach blueberry salad

I tossed some fresh spinach with blueberries and blue cheese (but you could use feta or goat or any other cheese you like), toasted walnuts, and green onions, and then drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette for a really fresh, yummy salad.

Spinach blueberry salad 2

Some other favorite blueberry recipes I’ve shared in the past you might want to check out are my “almost famous” to-die-for Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies and melt-in-your-mouth  Fresh Peach and Blueberry Streusel Muffins.  Maybe not quite as healthy, but very delish!

ENJOY!

Spinach & Blueberry Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Spinach
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • 1 cup toasted and sugared walnuts*
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/3 cup Balsaimic Vinaigrette

Combine fresh, clean spinach, blueberries, green onions and walnuts and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.  Top with crumbled blue cheese and serve immediately.

*Melt 1 Tbsp butter in skillet over medium heat.  Add walnuts, and sprinkle with sugar.  Saute over medium heat for approximately five minutes until sugar has melted and walnuts have browned.  Cool completely.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Unwinding with Abstract

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

 

Abstract Geo 5x7 140lb Arches Rough Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold, Quin Rose, Winsor Violet

Abstract Geo 5×7 140lb Arches Rough Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold, Quin Rose, Winsor Violet

Unwinding…
De-stressing…
Relaxing…

after a busy work day
one evening this week

through drawing geometric patterns,
dropping in watercolor,
and letting it do it’s thing.

Then I twisted it
and turned it
and shook it
and salted it
and spritzed it

and finally
a quick splatter or three.

Zen…

Finding Peace in Painting.

#WorldWatercolorMonth Rocks!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  Thanks for the inspiration Laura!

Tomato Bruschetta Chicken

/ Jodi / 54 Comments
Tomato watercolor 5x7 arches 140lb rough DS Pyrrol Scarlett Hanssa Yello Green Gold Sap Green

Tomato watercolor 5×7 arches 140lb rough DS Pyrrol Scarlett Hanssa Yello Green Gold Sap Green

Oh fresh, sweet, vine-ripened ruby red tomato…
How I love you from my head to-ma-toes!

It is tomato time of year around here, and there is nothing finer than a fresh-picked tomato right from the vine to the dinner table.

For today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth painting, I give you …. the Tomato…. in Daniel Smith Pyrrol Scarlett, Hansa Yellow, Green Gold, and Sap Green.

And to celebrate, here is a recipe for what we had for dinner the other evening – Brushetta Chicken.  A plump grilled chicken breast smothered with fresh mozzarella cheese and topped with sweet, juicy tomatoes, basil, and garlic.

Oh the yumminess!

And even better – oh the easiness!

Hope you’ll give this winner winner chicken dinner a try.  We had it with some brown rice and quinoa and a fresh spinach salad.  How will you serve yours?

Bruschetta Chicken

Bruschetta Chicken

Bruschetta Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts seasoned with garlic herb seasoning and salt
  • 1 large ripe red tomato
  • 1 large ripe yellow tomato or 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 4 slices fresh mozarella cheese, optional

Directions:

Prepare Bruschetta by chopping tomatoes and combining with chopped basil, minced garlic, salt, olive oil and vinegar.  Let sit and flavors mingle while you grill chicken breasts.

Top grilled chicken breasts with slices of mozzarella cheese, if desired, for last few minutes on grill and let melt.

To serve, top grilled chicken breast with large spoonful of fresh bruschetta and enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Looking Sharp Cashew!

/ Jodi / 42 Comments
Cashew the Cactus Watercolor 5x7

Cashew The Cactus Looking Sharp Watercolor 5×7

My son, Nick, has a cactus plant.
His name is “Cashew.”

He put Cashew out on the deck recently
to give him some bright sunshine and warmth.

Cashew used to be quite overgrown,
but after several months of neglect, he is being revived.

On Sunday, when he was outside
grilling the burgers for dinner

and my camera was set up ready to take a photo
for the Guacamole Burger blog post,

Nick decided to shoot some “glamour shots” of Cashew.
After all, Cashew was looking pretty Sharp!

Cashew Cactus Glamour Shot - Looking Sharp

Yep – Looking Sharp Cashew!
I’d really say you do!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

#WorldWatercolorMonth 
Day 20 Silliness