Somewhere over the Rainbow (in pink) Original Watercolor by Jodi McKinney 11×14
Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Where rainbows are iridescent pink…
and hearts have wings…
and drip like rain…
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow.
Another piece I painted on my “pink binge” this weekend in the art room.
Maybe not as elegant as yesterday’s, but something about this makes my heart soooo happy!
Playful and fun and full of love. That’s where you’ll find me!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Pink Floral Heart Original Watercolor by Jodi McKinney 11×14
Let Your Dreams Blossom!
Sprinkling a little pink love after a weekend of splashing in the art room.
Just what this heart and soul needed for some January nesting time.
Embracing the muse.
Going with the vibe.
Happy Monday friends! Let’s make some magic this week! Let’s create some beauty!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Original watercolor, as well as prints in all sizes and cards, available at McKinneyX2Designs and Berry Vine Gifts.
Sparkly Trees in Pink and Blue – Original Watercolor Jodi McKinney 11×14
The Sparkly Magic of the Season.
Are you feeling it friends?
Are you feeling the sparkly magic of the season?
Christmas is only eight days away!
But the magic is here already.
Do you feel it too?
Don’t miss it.
Don’t get too caught up
in what you feel you “have” to do…
in what you “have” to buy…
in what you “have” to bake…
in what you “have” to accomplish.
Relish the magic
that is all around!
To me, the magic is now….
in these days that lead up to Christmas and New Year.
The excitement…
The anticipation!
Oh how I wish we could bottle it to sprinkle on everyone throughout the year!
I went to the post office this afternoon.
The line was longer than I have ever seen it –
and I go almost ever day.
But people were smiling and laughing and cheerful –
those that worked behind the counter –
and those I stood in line and chatted with.
Customers balanced stacks of packages in their arms.
Postal workers kindly explained options.
Friends and strangers chatted.
I visited my son and grandie girls for a brief time
on my way home from work
like I do most every Monday afternoon.
We danced and sang.
We snuggled and hugged.
They dug through my purse with expectant anticipation
of treats they knew they would find.
And then they decided – for the first time ever –
to send home a piece of one of their treats
to their Pap, who they love…
and who loves them back more dearly
than he could ever express,
but we all know.
I went to the grocery store after work.
Sam, a high school junior at a local private Christian school,
was my check-out attendant.
He asked me what special plans I had for the holiday,
and he shared his.
He told me he would be taking the test for his driver’s license
the day after Christmas,
so it was either going to be a Merry Christmas
or a disappointing one,
but he had been practicing his parallel parking with his Dad
and was feeling confident.
He was also studying for mid-terms
and telling me how much he enjoyed music and the arts.
And while we were talking,
a voice from behind –
cheerful and surprised –
told him she was glad to hear he was studying…
and didn’t know he worked here.
She was his high school music teacher.
When I arrived home,
the mail contained colorful envelopes
and tightly sealed packages…
cards and letters from friends and relatives
and a box filled with juicy grapefruits and crisp apples,
bright oranges and ripe pears…
All delivered from a mail carrier
who always takes the time to chat
and scratch Charlie’s ears…
even when his day is running hours later than usual.
This painting…
is a product of a late night visit to my art room.
I was feeling the magic,
and I painted my feelings.
Do you feel it?
I sure hope so!
Feel the sparkly magic of the season!
It is as special as a pink or blue or turquoise tree
found in a magical forest…
or in an art room…
or on a piece of paper…
or in your heart.
Don’t miss it!
Cheers and Hugs,
Jodi
Pink Watercolor Christmas Tree 11×14
Dreaming of a Pink Christmas Tree.
I woke up wide eyed early Saturday morning with a burning desire to paint a pink Christmas tree…
I had a busy day ahead. I was assigned to work a few hours at Berry Vine Gifts (the local gift shop where my DIL and I have our McKinneyX2Designs shop) and plans to visit Santa with my grandie girls. I wanted to get a nice walk in with Charlie too.
But first…. I had to paint.
I had to paint this pink Christmas tree.
I painted it with layers of three pink watercolors – Opera Pink, Rhodonite Genuine, and Permanent Rose. I started with a little wet in wet after lightly spritzing the paper with water and spritzed a little more after adding the layers.
I then went for a walk. Stepping away to let it dry and let the watercolor magic happen is sometimes the hardest part, but it is also often so rewarding!
The thing with watercolor painting (that is so different from acrylic or oils) is that what you first paint is not how it will look once dried. It can be frustrating (for impatient peeps like me), but it is also the fun and fascinating part of the art.
Once the pink watercolor was dry, I splattered some Inka Gold “ornaments” and Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White “snow” on the tree.
I totally envisioned this painting framed in gold, so in between my time at Berry Vine and our visit with Santa, I cruised through Home Goods where I found some beautiful gold frames that I wanted to try with prints of this painting.
Then today, with a full festive heart, I processed some prints and created some greeting cards from my dream of a pink Christmas tree.
I absolutely adore it!
I imagine there will be some who don’t “feel it” or don’t like a pink Christmas tree, but that is the beauty of art.
As I mature in my art journey, I am really seeking to paint what I love and what I feel in my heart rather than painting for what (I think) others will like. There will always be those that like and dislike…. love or hate…. but that is what makes art so wonderful.
I’ve added this piece – the original – as well as prints and cards – to our McKinneyX2 Etsy shop if you are interested.
May YOUR Christmas dreams come true….
kinda like my little dream of a pink Christmas tree.
Cheers & Hugs,
Josi
Live intentionally.
Look with your heart
instead of your eyes.
Listen with your soul
instead of your ears.
Feel with kindness
instead of your hands.
Give unconditionally
without expectation.
Trust completely
without hesitancy.
Love incessantly
without inhibition.
Live intentionally.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Peony for Your Thoughts…
My thought for the day:
Sometimes saying nothing
says so much more.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Bleeding Heart.
Every Spring
you show up
and you remind me
of Grandma’s love.
You remind me of her presence
and influence on my life.
Thank you
Bleeding Heart!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Many years ago, my Grandma gave me this bleeding heart plant. I have transplanted and moved it. It will always be where I am. Grandma will always be a part of me. There is likely not a day that passes where something doesn’t remind me of her or make me think of her, but this plant is an extra special reminder. It makes my heart soar and swell each Spring when it blooms. Just like her love for me did and still does. With Mother’s Day approaching, I remember Grandma with love and the deepest admiration. May I be even half the Grandma to my grandchildren that you were to me. ❤
PS – I will be taking a blogging break for a week or so. See you when I return.
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
This past week…
I gasped at the beauty of the early morning sunrise.
I cried about a brother who would never celebrate another birthday.
I shared overwhelming joy with a friend who became a grandma for the first time.
I shared deep grief with a friend whose mom is dying.
I celebrated life with the birthday of my longest, dearest friend.
I worried with a friend whose mother-in-law was in the hospital.
I laughed with a friend I chat with every morning on our way to work.
I discussed deep, important topics about relationships and next stages of life with people I love.
I played on the floor with two little girls who know me as Grandma and cheered first potty successes.
I was devastated to learn that friends got news they are going to lose their second child.
My heart was warmed by gratitude and comforted with love for my forever Valentine of 40 years.
This past week.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Crimson Flowers Watercolor 11×14
Crimson and Coral.
Coral Flowers Watercolor 11×14
Painting Fluid Florals.
Watercolor on the Weekend
makes me happy…
makes me feel fine.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS I’ve been known to have random songs pop in my head for almost anything – and then break into tune (or out of tune as it most often turns out) when they do. Can you guess the two songs running through my head when writing this post?
Links here if you can’t guess:
Song One
Song Two
These original paintings, prints and cards are available at McKinneyX2Designs.
the creative life in between 