Garden Gate Door Watercolor 11×14
The Other Side of the Door.
What lies behind
the other side of the door?
Do we dare open?
Or do we just imagine?
Do we take a chance?
Or are we too afraid?
Are we content to simply embrace the beauty on this side?
Or do we take the chance to experience even more?
Do we…
Open our mind?
Open our heart?
Open our eyes?
Open our souls?
To what lies behind
the other side of the door.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The World is our Oyster
As we grow older,
we sometimes wish
we were that beautiful young girl or boy we see
who looks so “effortlessly” attractive
in their skinny jeans and tank top
with skin that is tight and glowing
and hair that is long and soft and flowing.
They appear so confident and self-assured.
The world is their oyster.
When we are young,
we often can’t wait
to be those older girls or boys
who are able to choose what they do
and where they go
and make important decisions
and be independent.
They appear so confident and self-assured.
The world is their oyster.
When we are down or sad
we often think
everyone else
has it better
or easier
or is happier
or is smarter
They appear so confident and self-assured.
The world is their oyster.
But you know what?
Nothing is really quite like it seems.
Let’s try to own and like
whoever we are
at whatever stage
of life we are at.
Let’s try not to compare
our insides
to others’ outsides.
We are all kind of a mess.
The world is our oyster.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Navy and Peach.
They complement each other so well.
One soft and subtle…
One strong and bold.
It was fun to use just three primary colors – indigo, red, and yellow ochre to create this loose abstract flower painting.
I swirled and splashed and dabbed and splattered.
And then I scribbled with a micron pen to create some fun shapes.
So good to find time “in between” to let loose with my watercolors!
So fun to “create” make-believe flowers.
So glad to cherish the moments
at TheCreativeLifeInBetween!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Bringing Home the Christmas Tree in My Little Red Wagon – 11×14 Watercolor
Christmas in July.
Today is July 31, 2018, and it is the last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth 2018.
And even though I’m wearing shorts and the air conditioning is on, I’m starting to think about Christmas.
Just a teensy bit.
Christmas is such a fun time to create art.
I chose to use my little girl character created for this painting (inspired by my first granddaughter) to feature in this first Christmas watercolor for 2018.
My oldest daughter-in-law and I are starting to think about what we are going to create for fall and the holidays for our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop and Berry Vine Gifts and the big Mars Fall Craft Show this year.
I’m looking forward to seeing what we come up with and sharing it here.
I’m looking forward to another Christmas, but with TWO granddaughters in our family this year!!
I’m looking forward to finding time for art.
I’m grateful to Charlie O at Doodlewash for hosting #WorldWaterColorMonth again this year and for honoring me wth the privilege of being a World Watercolor Month Artist Ambassador. (Today is your last chance to purchase the souvenier pouch that supports the Dreaming Zebra Foundation in giving art supplies to underprivileged children throughout the world!)
I’m grateful for your visit here today.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Overflowing Abundance Fuchsia in Watercolor 11×14
Overflowing Abundance – Fuchsia in Watercolor.
Water and paint
dancing and twirling
almost as if a ballerina
with delicate legs
and pointed toes
and a tutu in layers
of pink and purple tulle
emerges as a simple fuchsia.
Overflowing abundance.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#WorldWatercolorMonth
Charlie 7/22/18 Mars, PA
Charlie’s Advice for a Stress-Free Life.
Many dogs have said it before me,
but it bears repeating….
If you can’t eat it
or play with it,
then pee on it,
and walk away.
Don’t make life so complicated!
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Playing and Creating.
Some leftover paint
mixed up for a pouring project
that I played with on paper
with a goal of creating a wave…
Turned out to look
nothing like a wave,
but so many other things
magically appeared.
I see a bird
and a dolphin
or a crocodile
and a fish.
I feel movement
and life
and freedom
and joy.
Art
imitating
life
While enjoying
the special time
at life in between.
Relaxing
while playing
made something
I would never sell or hang on a wall,
but I created
and learned
how things react
and mix and mingle.
Art – like life –
isn’t always about
the destination –
but about the journey.
Play and create today.
Do something that brings you joy
in that “in between” time you get to call your own,
and enjoy the journey.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Original Watercolors, Acrylic Abstracts, and Handmade Rustic Decor available at McKinneyX2Designs. Klaus the Mouse available on Amazon here.
Breaking Free in Blues Abstract 11×14 Arches 140lb Cold Press
Breaking Free.
Three months ago,
when I lost a job I loved
that I thought would be my last,
I was devastated.
I was broken free.
Two months ago,
I started a new job that I now love
and hope will be my last,
and I am so energized.
It is like breaking free.
Over the past few months,
I’ve started exploring new art mediums –
in my “life in between”
from watercolor to acrylic to mixed media.
I am breaking free.
This painting,
done over two days this past week
combining these old and new mediums
feels like I am expressing
the elation of breaking free.
And I love it….
The painting….
The joy…
The freedom…
Yes – I’m breaking free!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This original painting – as well as high quality prints and card sets – is available at our McKinneyX2Designs ETSY Shop!
AND PS I’m so excited to let you know the Yellow Canary McKinneyX2Designs World Watercolor Month Limited Edition Pouch is NOW AVAILABLE!!! Here is the link to order yours! Hope you will help support Dreaming Zebra – a nonprofit encouraging children to embrace their individuality to express themselves creatively and follow their artistic dreams. 100% of the proceeds for the sale of this Limited Edition Pouch will help provide art and music supplies to underprivileged children throughout the world.
Father and Daughter and Red Balloon Watercolor 11×14
Happy Father’s Day.
Happy Father’s Day to my Dad.
So glad we have the opportunity to make up for lost time.
Happy Father’s Day to my Hubby.
Sharing parenthood with you has been one of my life’s greatest joys.
Happy Father’s Day to my Son.
Watching you be a dad melts my heart.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I painted this watercolor to create a card for my Dad for Father’s Day. I wanted to create a feeling with art that represents a bond that can’t be broken. The bond between a father and daughter. A representation of the feeling of being Daddy’s little girl – no matter age or time. Love you Dad. xoxox
World Watercolor Month 2018 – I’m an Artist Ambassador!
My amazing buddy, Charlie O’Shields at Doodlewash is at it again! He is hosting the annual World Watercolor Month celebration in July, which he created three years ago to inspire people to paint with watercolor while raising awareness for the importance of art and creativity in the world.
Art has brought me so much joy since I discovered watercolor about three years ago that I want to be a part of sharing it, so Charlie honored me with the privilege of being a World Watercolor Month Art Ambassador.
For the month of July, I will be donating $1 from every watercolor sale (originals, prints, greeting cards) from our McKinneyX2Designs ETSY shop to Dreaming Zebra which helps support children in need around the world by providing art supplies and art education.
Research has shown that art education has a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the learning field across socioeconomic boundaries. Unfortunately, arts education programs are too often the first to be cut when cuts are made, so more and more children each year are missing out on the important benefits of art classes.
The Dreaming Zebra Foundation is unique in that they provide an art recycling program that is free to the public. Reusable art & music supplies that would otherwise be discarded, along with new or unsold materials, are donated by individuals and businesses and matched to recipients who have requested those materials for arts education purposes in communities around the world.
And Charlie chose my Yellow Canary, which I created in honor and memory of a special blogging friend, Terry, as the MX2 watercolor to be put on this year’s limited edition Artist Ambassador zippered pouch souvenier merchandise for World Watercolor Month 2018. 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of these zippered pouches will go to the Dreaming Zebra Foundation!
To learn more about World Watercolor Month, click here.
I’ll be sharing more in July, which is only 17 days away – can you believe it?! Hope you will join us in the fun!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#WorldWatercolorMonth
the creative life in between 