A Hare with Flair Watercolor 8×10 Saunders Cold Press
I found some time this past weekend
to splash some paint.
Once again inspired by the genius of
Andrew Geeson’s loose watercolor painting,
I painted this
rare,
bare
hare
with flair
that I dare
to share
if you care
to stare
or glare.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Colorful Hummingbird Watercolor 8×10 140lb Saunders Hot Press
A Pair of Hummingbirds in Watercolor.
Among the many birds that visit our backyard are sweet little hummingbirds.
I noticed our little hummer friends that arrived in May didn’t seem to be visiting the feeder recently and realized I had not changed the “nectar.” As soon as I filled it with fresh sugary water, they were back in a snap.
They are so beautiful. Not nearly as wacky colored as I created here in this pair, but I sure had fun going wild with color creating this beautiful, graceful little creatures.
Colorful Hummingbird 2 Watercolor 8×10 140lb Saunders Hot Press
Recalling the one I recently painted for a friend, I had fun creating these ones on a whim and with no agenda or direction in mind. I love this style of painting where you just throw color down and add water and watch it do its magic! Every one is a unique creation.
Hope your day is colorful and creative and magical.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Jenna’s Roses in Impressionist Watercolor 8×10 Saunders 140lb Cold Press
Jenna’s Roses in Watercolor.
My super-talented, creative, artistic blogging friend, Jenna at The Painted Apron reached out recently to ask if I was interested in a “crazy idea.”
Jenna asked if I would be interested in both of us doing a floral watercolor from the same photo and sharing them to show how every artist interprets differently and has their own unique style.
I immediately said “Yes!” Initially honored and excited, then doubtful and nervous, I waited for Jenna to provide the photo.
When Jenna sent this photo of gorgeous roses, I said “Let’s do it!” Then I thought…. what did I get myself into?! Roses are so complex and intricate. And look at all of the detail in this photo. My first painting was an effort to replicate. It was ok, but it wasn’t “Jodi.”
I then decided to just create the beauty I felt from the photo, and I came up with my version. Still not sure I love it, but I like it… and I really, really enjoyed creating it. I painted it this past weekend during a sunny afternoon on the deck. It is fun and completely different painting outdoors when the air and sun dries the paint much faster than while inside in the studio.
Here is Jenna’s painting of the rose photo. Isn’t it beautiful?! She is a real artist!
Jenna is my blogger “soul sister” in so many ways. We both enjoy being creative with art and recipes and decorating and entertaining. Be sure to check out her blog, The Painted Apron. I’m sure you will enjoy! Jenna also sells her art at www.society6.com/paintedapron where her art is made into tote bags and mugs and pillows and iPhone skins and many other beautiful things. Hope you will check it out.
Thanks for the fun challenge, Jenna!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Pink Rosebuds Watercolor 5×7 140 lb Cold Press Saunders
Be Bold.
Be bold…
in doing what you love,
in doing what feels good,
in doing what makes you happy.
Be bold…
in making your own kind of beauty,
in being your own kind of beauty,
in seeing the beauty in others.
Be Bold!
Be You!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Quick, loose painting done on Saunders 140lb cold press watercolor paper using Daniel Smith Rhodonite Genuine and Sap Green watercolor paint.
Loose Pastel Pink & Purple Watercolor Tulips – 8×10 140 lb cold press
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Purple Crocus Spring Watercolor 10×14″ 300 lb Arches Cold Press
Painting Purple Posies.
Though I could never create the beauty Mother Nature does…
especially in Spring when the purple crocuses pop up and remind us once again of the hope of life and rebirth and renewal…
I couldn’t resist painting my impression of these beauties I captured and posted yesterday.
It was good to splash some Winsor Violet and Opera Rose and Prussian Blue and Cadmium Yellow with a touch of Perylene Green.
And instead of trying to recreate them, my goal was to paint how they made me feel.
I struggle with stopping here or filling in the details to make them look more realistic. But ultimately, my love for impressionistic painting wins, and I stopped.
Before I ever ventured into this amazing joy of painting, I would have thought this way easier than exactly duplicating or painting more realistic representations, but the urge to “fiddle” and “replicate” typically leaves me feeling less satisfied.
To restrain….
To stop “before…”
To leave a bit – even if only a teensy bit – to the imagination…
is a challenge…
But a crazy and totally fulfilling, joyful experience when it works.
Not convinced I hit it with this one, but the joy in the journey might just be as satisfying as the ultimate goal.
Kinda like life – huh?
It’s a journey – meant to be embraced and expressed and felt – all along the way.
Once we reach the destination – then what?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Abstract Gold Flower 8×10 Arches 140lb Hot Press
The Best Things in Life…
aren’t things.
The Best Things in Life are..
Hugs -real, authentic, tight bear hugs,
Family – and friends who are our chosen family,
Smiles – the kind where your eyes and cheeks and whole face smiles,
Laughter – from the belly that can’t be contained,
Happy memories – of cherished moments,
Love – the verb, the action, the undeniable, overwhelming choice and joy.
The Best Things in Life
aren’t things.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Daniel Smith Watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Perylene Green
Sunflower Loose Watercolor 11×14 on 140lb Fabriano Artistico
There’s something about sunflowers
that draws me in artistically again and again.
I’ve painted several versions in the past year or so
since I’ve taken on this challenging and fun journey of watercolor.
I saw several loose and similar to this on Pinterest while perusing
and had the urge to paint sunflowers again.
There’s just something about sunflowers!
For this one, I wanted to work on creating lots of layers of greens from Prussian blue, so I created this little mixing tester sheet ahead of my painting to see what colors could be created from mixing it with yellows and browns. Look at all of these amazing colors.
Daniel Smith Watercolors used: Prussian Blue, Quinacridone Gold, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Raw Sienna
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS This original painting, as well as prints and cards are available at our Etsy Shop: McKinneyX2Designs
Perky Portulacas in Pink & Orange – 8×10 Watercolor on Saunders 140 lb Cold Press
Snowstorm Stella & Perky Portulacas.
Last night
when all the talk was about Snowstorm Stella
that is supposed to be coming our way…
(could a snowstorm have a lovelier name?!)
I thought of my Grandma –
my Stella Star.
And as I painted what started out to possibly be poppies,
they seemed to emerge as perky portulacas.
When I think of Grandma,
I think of portulacas.
Grandma had a next door neighbor and best buddy
who grew the most amazing portulacas.
I remembered hot, lazy summer evenings
with Grandma and her friend and the talks we had.
I remember all the things I learned about life and love
from these special times.
So as I smiled at the snowstorm with the most beautiful name,
I fondly reminisced about my Grandma and portulacas.
And these wild and loose and crazy
pink and orange flowers grew on the page
With joy and happiness
and gratitude and love.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Watercolor Paint: Daniel Smith Cadmium Orange, Winsor & Newton Permanent Rose, Daniel Smith Lemon Yellow, Daniel Smith Cobalt Blue
Mixing Basics in Watercolor: Blue – Red – Yellow.
Going back to basics with my new watercolor palette and realizing all the colors that can be created by using three simple basics. For all three of these simple, loose, impressionistic flowers, I used the same colors: Cobalt Blue, Permanent Rose, and Lemon Yellow.
For the first I mixed Permanent Rose with just a drop of Cobalt Blue for the flowers and Cobalt Blue and Lemon Yellow pretty equally for the green.
For the second I mixed Cobalt Blue with just a drop of Permanent Rose for the flowers and Cobalt Blue and Lemon Yellow with an emphasis on the Cobalt Blue in places nearer the flower.
For the third I mixed Lemon Yellow with just a drop of Permanent Rose for the flowers and Cobalt Blue and Lemon Yellow, but only a tiny bit of Cobalt Blue to lighten up the green.
And there are likely hundreds more color combinations in various shades that could be achieved by simply using these three basic colors.
It’s fun and easy and creates such clean, bright, un-muddied results when you keep it simple.
I also used one brush for everything – the Rekab 320S #2 Squirrel Mop (which I could only find by ordering from Australia, but LOVE it – also recommended by Debi Riley), It is so versatile, but I really had to learn to use it after using inexpensive synthetic brushes at first. This brush holds a lot of water and paint. It also can come to a fine point and do small lines with a light touch, and can make fat, wash strokes too.
So if you are even thinking of giving watercolor painting a try…. three colors, one brush (you don’t have to order from Australia – but find a nice natural hair medium sized brush to achieve results you will really enjoy) and some paper (I recommend you start with Cold Press 140lb Arches) is really all you need to create some beauty and experiment with this wonderful hobby.
Thanks to the inspiration of Debi Riley on Watercolor Basics! So much to learn from such talent!
Enjoy the journey!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 