Bold Pink and Peach Spring Tulip 11×14 Original Watercolor
Painting Spring.
It is March,
and the temperatures
are still
below freezing
where I live.
But we are
“Springing” ahead
this weekend
to daylight savings time.
Longer days,
warmer temperatures,
birds singing,
flowers blooming….
But for now,
all I can do is
paint
Spring.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Single Purple Iris Watercolor Loose 8 x 10
Purple Irises in Watercolor.
Continuing on my kick of violet and crimson and gold…
and thinking floral…
and thinking Spring… (it continues to be in the 60’s and sunny here this crazy February of Spring in Western Pennsylvania!)
I created a couple iris paintings.
They are both very different, but I kinda love them both.
I painted these on Sunday after dinner on what was such a beautiful sunny, warm day.
I have to admit I gave purple irises a try on Saturday (in the midst of “construction” work on another project in the house).
I painted four or five different versions. They were all terrible!
I hate days like that. It makes me feel like I’ve “lost it.” Not to say I’m anything magnificent in the whole big world of amazing watercolor artists. But I’ve finally come to a place where I feel like I have some bit of my own style and can often appreciate the beauty in some of my work.
When I did this first one, I was so pleased. I felt like I finally achieved what I was going for.
I thought I’d try another version, and I like it too. In fact, I can’t decide between the two. I wish the photos better represented what they look like – or maybe it ‘s just me, but they look so much better in real life.
Single Violet Iris Loose Watercolor 8 x 10
Wishing you a day filled with simple little victories and moments to feel good about yourself!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Who knew shades of violet could vary so greatly?!
Before we went away on vacation last week, I had some fun playing with purple in this super loose vase of violet tulips. I have done tulips in shades of reds and oranges in this style, but was excited to try purple.
I decided to mix Winsor Violet (WN*) and Quinacridone Violet (MG**) – two VERY different violets – and touch in some Quinacridone Gold (WN), because I always so love how it moves!
I used Green Gold (WN) for the foliage and a touch of Cobalt Teal (MG) for drama. I shook it, and I splashed on it.
This large 10 x 13 in. painting is done on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper.
I wasn’t sure if I liked it when I finished it, so I just set it aside.
I don’t know whether it is the “curing” of the paint or the “stepping away” that changes a painting so often, but…. when I came home after a week away and looked at it again, I decided I rather liked it.
It’s loose.
It’s kind of wild.
It’s unique and distinctive and venturesome.
It’s Very Variegated Violet!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*WN – Winsor Newton Professional Grade Watercolor Paint
**MG – M. Graham Watercolor Paint
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
the creative life in between 