Woodland River and Bridge 11×14 Watercolor
Rolling Down the River.
A rare landscape watercolor
I created of a river
in a wooded landscape
with a rusty old bridge
inspired by a photo shared with me
of the Clackamus River in Oregon.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#mckinneyx2designs #etsy
The Odessa Chronicles.
What an honor it is to see my original watercolor art on the cover of a book!
A sweet blogging friend, Carolyn Shelton, challenged me a while back to create a painting of the one of the characters she and and her writing “partner in crime” (and partner in humor and heart and spirit), Colin Chappell created in their ongoing collaborative fictional story that was being shared on Carolyn’s blog. When I painted Odessa the barn owl as a special gift to Carolyn, she loved it. So I decided to paint the other characters that lived on Moonbeam Farm as well.
As the story grew, Carolyn and Colin decided to publish their series into a book, and they asked if they could use my art for the cover and inside the book. I happily agreed, and now Carolyn’s dream has finally come to fruition!
Odessa is a barn owl with an attitude who befriended Jaxon, a magical jackalope. The two of them met Dewy, a cat who desired a life of luxury, and the three of them moved into an empty farm.
Joshua Jeremiah Jonathan Jacob Jackson Pebblestone bought his dream farm. His life was going to be spent immersed in the peace and quiet of rural life… until he discovered three lodgers had already moved in!
The Odessa Chronicles is a 290-page collection of adventure stories about the friendship and antics of Odessa, Jaxon, Dewey, and the Man Servant at Moonbean Farm that is fun for children of all ages.
Thank you Carolyn and Colin for allowing me to be a small part of this adventure!
If you would like to purchase a copy of The Odessa Chronicles, you can purchase it here.
I have also written and illustrated a small book of silly rhymes and tales you may be interested in called Klaus the Mouse and other Silly Animal Tales. It is available on Amazon here.
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
Mommy’s New Love – Watercolor 11×14
Mommy’s New Love.
The only thing
that can even possibly compare
to the indescribable feeling
of Mommy’s New Love….
might just be
Grandma’s new love.
This is another illustrative watercolor
meant to express the joy
that can only come
from watching your children
experience the joy
of having children…
and getting to be a part of it.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#WorldWatercolorMonth
Loving Lily – Daylily in Watercolor 11×14
Daylily in Watercolor.
The daylilies are in full boom
this time of year.
Along the edge of the woods.
Along the sides of roads.
Varying shades of oranges
and yellows and pinks and reds.
I have Lily fever!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#WorldWatercolorMonth
PS Congratulations Lynn at Lynz Real Cooking for being chosen as the random winner in the drawing of the #WorldWatercolorMonth Yellow Canary Souvenir Pouch! Lynn – please email your mailing address to mckinneyjodi@gmail.com so I can send it your way.
“Bucketful of Love” Watercolor 11×14
A Bucketful of Love.
How much love can a bucket hold?
When it’s holding a little girl, who happens to be your granddaughter, it is definitely overflowing!
Last weekend, I was “helping” one of my daughters-in-law and her sisters get ready for the upcoming wedding of one of the sisters.
As we worked in the barn where the reception will be held on a sweltering hot day, I had the “job” of entertaining my granddaughter so the girls could work.
Once we found a couple buckets of water, we were busy for hours, made a huge mess, and had a bucketful of fun!
I am not a great portrait painter, and I didn’t do my little cutie justice, but it was fun to try, and since it’s #WorldWatercolorMonth, I thought I’d share.
Bucketsful of Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Let’s Make the World More Colorful Watercolor 11×14
Let’s Make the World More Colorful.
Let’s make the world a happier place.
Let’s make the world a kinder place.
Let’s make the world more loving.
Let’s make the world more peaceful.
Let’s do it one person at a time.
Let’s do it one act a time.
Let’s Make the World More Colorful.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
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.
the creative life in between 
