Painting

Hal the Colorful Cow

/ Jodi / 41 Comments

Hal the colorful cow
simply did not know how to smile.

He tried things like raising his brow,
but still there remained a grimacing scowl.

He visited Frau,
who just gave him a meow.

He wandered around here and now,
and sighed and sadly whispered, “wow.”

So he went about his daily plow,
trying and trying to think of somehow.

When it came to him that he would take a vow –
he simply committed he would disallow.

So he took a bow,
and all of the sudden, he was able to smile.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

This is one of a series of fun animal watercolor paintings and rhymes I am pursuing.
See the others:
A Rare Hare with Flare
A Duck Named Chuck
A Fawn at Dawn
Rooty the Rooster
A Precocious Pink Pig  

#WorldWatercolorMonth

A Precocious Pink Pig

/ Jodi / 64 Comments
Precious Pink Pig Watercolor 8x10 140lb Saunders Cold Press

Precious Pink Pig Watercolor 8×10 140lb Saunders Cold Press

A precocious pink pig
with the name of Mig
was happily dancing a jig.

She took a zag and then a zig,
and all at once bumped into a twig.
To her sweet surprise, it was bearing a fig!

She had never seen such a thingamajig,
but it sure smelled good, and it was big,
So she voraciously gulped it down with vig!

YUM YUM – to be a Pig!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

This is one of a series of fun animal watercolor paintings and rhymes I am pursuing.
See the others:
A Rare Hare with Flare
A Duck Named Chuck
A Fawn at Dawn
Rooty the Rooster        

#WorldWatercolorMonth

Rooty the Rooster

/ Jodi / 58 Comments

Rooty the Rooster Watercolor 6x10 140lb Saunders Cold Press

Rooty the Rooster Watercolor 6×11 140lb Saunders Cold Press

There once was a rooster named “Rooty”
(which is the chicken language version of Rudy).

He married a chick named Judy,
to the envy of the coop –  his great booty.

He took very serious his duty
of handsomely being a beauty.

He sang a fine cockle doodle dooty,
which made him even more of a cutie!

To some he appeared a bit snooty,
because he could be so darn moody.

but in truth he was just a tad fruity,
which saved him from being sent to the zooey.

Phew..ey!!!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

This is one of a series of fun animal watercolor paintings and rhymes I am pursuing.
See the others:
A Rare Hare with Flare
A Duck Named Chuck
A Fawn at Dawn

PS – Rooty the Rooster is dedicated to my “CreativeLifeinBetween” follower friend Ellen “Gem” and her 3-year old grandson, Benjamin. 

 

This watercolor painting is, in part, inspired by the wonderful, whimsical oil painting work by Roz at drunkencows.

A Fawn at Dawn

/ Jodi / 60 Comments
A Fawn at Dawn Watercolor 6x10 140lb Saunders Cold Press

A Fawn at Dawn Watercolor 6×10 140lb Saunders Cold Press

A fawn
I named John
was on the lawn
at dawn.

I yawned,
turned the lights on,
and like a phenomenon,
he was gone.

The beauty of nature
and new life
never ceases to
amaze me
no matter how often
I witness it.

Morning memories…
Cherishing the moments…
at life in between.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Just a quick little fun splashing some paint on Saturday afternoon in the sunshine after awaking that morning to the sight of two fawns on our front lawn.

A Duck Named Chuck

/ Jodi / 58 Comments
Chuck the Duck Watercolor 8x10 140lb Fabriano Cold Press

Chuck the Duck Watercolor 8×10 140lb Fabriano Cold Press

 

There once was a duck
named Chuck
who never really had much luck.

When a tempestuous storm struck,
he was stripped of his cluck.

It really did suck,
and he felt like a schmuck.

But not one to pass the buck,
he simply smiled and said,
“Oh F……..antastic!”

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Just a little fun with negative watercolor painting and silly rhyming!

A Rare Hare with Flair

/ Jodi / 55 Comments
A Hare with Flair Watercolor 8x10 Saunders Cold Press

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

A Pansy for Your Thoughts

/ Jodi / 43 Comments
Purple Pansy Watercolor - 6x9 140lb Saunders Hot Press

Purple Pansy Watercolor – 6×9 140lb Saunders Hot Press

A Pansy for Your Thoughts.

I painted this pansy one night this past week, and it kept “speaking to me” in a thoughtful way.

It just keep saying, “A Pansy for Your Thoughts.”

Anyone that knows me well, knows I’m a bit of a “deep thinker.”  In fact, you might say I overthink things.  But it is who I am, and now that I’m in my fifth decade of life, I’m pretty okay with it.  A nice place to be.

So today, I just wanted to share a bit of me, and I’d love to hear about a bit of you.  You know… A Penny… A Peso… A Pansy for Your Thoughts.

I care what people think…
about me…

I really wish
I didn’t.

But I always want
everyone to like me.

And if they don’t,
it bothers me – a lot.

And it is not possible for everyone to like me.
I really do “get” that.

But it still troubles me,
no matter how hard I try.

My head
understands this.

But my heart,
which I prefer to think with,

Or just can’t help
but to think with…

just can’t wrap
its arms around the notion.

Is it just a part
of my DNA?

That is what
my personality assessment reveals.

I’m a High “I”
not matter the circumstance.

So I truly believe,
though I wish it weren’t so,

I will still think this way
if I live to be 108.

Do you care what other people think…
about you?

A Pansy
for your thoughts…

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

A Pair of Hummingbirds in Watercolor

/ Jodi / 57 Comments
Colorful Hummingbird Watercolor 8x10 140lb Saunders Hot Press

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 Hummingbirdm2 Watercolor 8x10 140lb Saunders Hot Press

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

Purple Finch in Watercolor

/ Jodi / 31 Comments
Purple Finch in Watercolor 5x10 140lb Saunders Cold Press

Purple Finch in Watercolor 5×10 140lb Saunders Cold Press

Purple Finch in Watercolor.

After moving on from yesterday’s post  and so grateful for the many kind comments and encouragement from so many of you, I decided to paint!

Yep!

But just a sweet, simple, loose little impression of one of the beautiful little birds that visits our backyard frequently – the purple finch.

And it just so happens to be the 8th of the month, which is #DrawaBirdDay, so why not?!  It’s been a while since I’ve participated.

I painted this little darlin’ on an odd-sized “scrap” of watercolor paper I had that was about 5×10″.  I used Quinacridone Rose for the “purple” and mixtures of Curelean Blue, Yellow Ochre, and Rose for the browns/grays.  I added an extra dash of Perylene Violet to the background just for kicks, used a white gel pen for some feathery “detail,” and finished with some signature splashes.

It was fun, and I like how it turned out.

Now I must go feed the birds!

Have a wonderfully fun day filled with doing something you love.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

I Failed!

/ Jodi / 111 Comments

I failed…

I let people down.
I let myself get upset.
I got in over my head.
I took on more than I could handle – bit off more than I could chew.

And now…
I have to eat crow,
because I told everyone about it before I really carefully considered it,
before I really tried it,
before I realized the time and commitment involved.

You may recall I got all excited about some paintings I did for a sweet blogging friend, Carolyn, who is co-authoring a book with Colin.  Carolyn had challenged me to paint some characters in the book they are writing.  I did, with the full intention of gifting them to her, but when she fell in love with them (and Colin liked them too), they asked if I would be interested in illustrating their book.

In my enthusiasm, I eagerly accepted.

Then they sent me the first chapter to illustrate…

After three evenings’ attempts, my “illustration” didn’t even look good enough to turn in for a First Grade art project!

I grew frustrated and began to get nervous at how much time would be involved in creating 30 illustrations – likely through multiple iterations – and the time I had to do it in -considering I work full time (and then some), the time I love spending with my family, the time I enjoy on this blog, and the real creativity I enjoy.

What was I thinking??  I have no education or professional experience in this.  I am NOT an illustrator.  I love loose, expressive watercolor painting – painting flowers and birds and any ole’ thing that strikes my fancy.  I love turning them into cards and prints and sharing and selling them on my Daughter-in-Law’s and my little Etsy Shop.

But drawing and painting pictures and scenes….   Well – not only do I not (currently) have the talent  (I say that because I believe anyone can learn to do almost anything they want to do with enough time, practice, effort, and passion for it), but I honestly don’t have the time or the passion for it.

So I quickly told Carolyn and Colin this just wasn’t going to work for me.

It was HARD!

I do not like to fail…
I do not like to give up…
I do not like to break commitments…
I do not like to let people down.

But they were so understanding, and my four paintings were carefully packaged and mailed to Carolyn for her to always have as a small gift and remembrance from me.

And I have to admit a weight has been lifted from my shoulders,
and my heart is light and carefree again.
I failed, but I failed fast and am not beating myself up about.
I uncommitted quickly and decisively and before I got in too deep.

I painted this big red letter F.
I loosely painted a big red circle around it.

and I feel Free,
and I am Forgiving myself.
I am Focusing on what I love to do,
and I am having Fun…

at Life In Between.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  Thank you Carolyn and Colin for your faith in me, for giving me this experience, for helping me realize where my heart is, and for forgiving me for letting you down.  I wish you the greatest success on your Moonbeam Farm books!  I know I’ll be purchasing and reading them – and admiring someone else’s illustrations! 🙂