pink

Pink Flamingo

/ Jodi / 65 Comments
Pink Flamingo Watercolor 8x10

Pink Flamingo Watercolor 8×10

Happy #DrawABirdDay!

On the 8th day of every month, many of my fellow artistic blogging friends and I enjoy sharing our drawings and paintings of birds.  Thanks Laura at CreateArtEveryDay for hosting!

I painted this pink flamingo a week or so ago and have been saving it to share for today.  I have to admit, I think this is my favorite watercolor painting I’ve done to date.

And I have to thank Laura again for calling my attention to a tutorial on the Artist Network done by one of my favorite watercolor artists, Jean Haines, who inspired this flamingo.

I just couldn’t wait to see what it looked like framed.  Doesn’t it make such a difference to see it matted and framed?

pink flamingo 2 original watercolor 8x10 matted and framed to 11x14

Pink Flamingo in Watercolor -8×10 matted and framed 11×14

I also thought it would make beautiful note cards, so I printed some up for our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop.

pink flamingo 2 watercolor card set

Pink Flamingo Watercolor Card Set

I love pink….
I love birds….
I love watercolor…
So creating this painting was pure joy for me.

Wishing you a day filled with joy and love and moments to cherish!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Paint

The Pink Side of Life

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pink peony

Dreaming of ruffles and lace and ribbons and bows,

of tutus, tiaras and shiny, bright toes,

pig tails,  tea parties, and flowery prose.

The pink slide of life…

My heart overflows.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

That moment…. right before

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peony blossom

Pink Peony bud ready to bloom, Mars, PA – June 2016

That moment….

right before

you open up
and come out of your shell…

It is when you reveal

your true colors,
your full potential,
your ultimate possibilities,
your complete self.

It is a defining moment,
when you reveal your vulnerability,
and step out of your comfort zone.

There is such beauty
in that moment….
right before.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Eva’s First Birthday

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Eva Birthday 1 Card

Some of you might remember little Eva from some photos I shared several months ago.

Well – time sure does fly, and Eva just turned ONE!

Eva’s Aunt Liz asked if I would make a special card for her sweet little niece’s first birthday.  The request included incorporating an elephant, so Eva’s baby elephant is glammed up a bit with a purple velvet bow and a tiny pearl.

I had so much fun drawing and painting this card for an exceptional little princess.

Wishing you a day and year ahead as special as you little Eva!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

A Pink Flamingo for Draw a Bird Day

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pink flamingo watercolor1

 

Although some blogger friends and I celebrate #DrawABirdDay every eighth of the month, April 8th is the OFFICIAL Draw A Bird Day, so I wanted to do something extra flashy and a little out of the ordinary – a Pink Flamingo!

Bright pink to open your eyes
and wish you a cheery flamingo kind of day,
a Happy Friday,
a Happy #DrawABirdDay!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Be Kind

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Be Kind Rose

Why does there have to be

So much fighting…
So much hatred…

Politics.
Religion.

In a world where
you can be anything,

Be Kind.

It’s really not that hard.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

(pink rose from my anniversary bouquet)

Roses and thorns

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pink rose impressionist watercolor 5x7 matted 8x10 2

I’ve never been very successful at growing roses,
but I thought it might be fun to try painting some this past weekend.

Roses remind me of love,
of Mother’s Day,
of Romeo and Juliet,
of Valentines and fragrance and summertime.

purple rose impressionist watercolor 5x7 matted xx10

Roses also remind me that there is always two ways to look at things…

Roses have thorns…
or
Thorns have roses!

May you see roses in all of your thorns.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Pink Clouds and Puddles

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pink sky and puddles

One day last week

when it seemed to rain all day

the sky cleared up just enough

right before dusk

for Charlie and I to walk to the mailbox

at the end of the driveway

for a bit of a stretch

and the chance to deeply inhale

the damp, crisp, clean air.

When we turned around

to head back home

my jaw dropped open

and a gasp escaped

when this was the sight

that awaited our return.

Pink clouds and puddles

shimmering in the day’s last light.

No white Christmas,

but what is wrong with PINK?!

Cherish the moments of now.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Pink Zinnia Bluez

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pink zinnia

Last week I posted a photo of a zinnia that seemed like it was just begging to be painted, and I couldn’t wait to give it a go!

One evening, I printed the photo and lightly drew it in pencil using my lightbox – a great tool for us beginners who so often struggle with the drawing part.  (Well – let’s face it – I often struggle with ALL the parts!)

I gave it a light water wash and first glaze of pink before quitting for the evening, as I am trying to learn patience and allowing drying time to achieve more complex watercolor paintings.

When my friend, Janet was over one evening, she asked to see what art I’ve been up to.  When she saw the beginning of the zinnia, she said it would be a great post to show progress photos of the steps I go through.

Yes – great idea, Jan….   but I haven’t really figured out what steps I go through really!

Anyway – Charlie and I arose early the next morning – around 5:30am – and I decided to give my zinnia another coat.  Well – that led to another, and then a disaster, followed by another disaster and a third disaster.

I kept re-trying to reproduce with watercolor what I had envisioned in my head.

Now I am one to promote that it is all about the journey – all about the process – but sometimes I just want to do it perfect – do it right – do it beautiful —- and alas, it wasn’t happening with this beautiful pink zinnia.

This was my fifth effort of it, and I got to where I gave up.  It is not even close to what I had envisioned, though somewhat pleasing…  at least compared to the first four efforts!  I tried wet on wet, wet on dry, sketch first, sketch after, no sketching…

But WHY can I not reproduce on paper what is in my head?!

This is where I call out for support and advice from my artist friends.

Please offer your wisdom.

I obviously tend to “overwork” it.

Watercolor is something I’ve just had this urging to pursue.  I’ve watched a few YouTube videos, perused a few books, and follow some amazing bloggers, but I have no formal training and no artistic experience.

I would so appreciate anyone who would be willing to offer their top advice for a wannabee watercolorist!

I am writing this a few days ahead of when it will post, so who knows where my head will be when this posts.  But I so look forward to your tips and advice, and hope to be feeling a little better about my watercolor journey by the time you read this.

Can the encourager seek some encouragement this time please?   😉

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Laura had a little Lamb & Doodling

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pink lamb baby card watercolor

When I heard the news and saw the beautiful photo of a dear young lady’s sweet baby girl who was born this week (and made our sweet Liz an Aunt), I couldn’t wait to make a card.

And for some reason, I kept thinking, “Laura (that’s Momma’s name) had a little lamb.”  (You don’t want in my head – eh?!)

I had seen a cute cartoon drawing of a lamb I thought I’d draw and just add some watercolor too.  It had to be pink of course!  🙂  Get ready Laura – everything is going to be pink for a while!  And oh what fun!

I used a Micron pen to outline the shape and make it stand out.   (Thanks for the great recommendation, Laura!  They are glorious to draw with!)

In fact, I liked drawing with them so much, I did this silly little doodle at about midnight the other evening – just not wanting to quit.

Midnight Doodling All You Need is Love

Does what you mindlessly doodle speak to what you are thinking?  I guess I was filled with love <3.  So I made it into a card…

Cheers & Doodley Hugs,

Jodi