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
Weaving through the River – 11×16 Mixed Media Art
World Water Day – Weaving through the River.
Today, March 22, is World Water Day.
World Water Day is about focusing attention on the importance of water.
The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century. It is about looking for ways we can reduce floods, droughts and water pollution by using the solutions we already find in nature.
Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 21 billion people live without safe drinking water at home, affecting their health, education, and livelihoods.
The next time you brush your teeth and let the water run down the drain or fill a glass of water to drink and pour half of it down the drain or take a 20-minute shower, think about what a privilege it is to have a dependable source of fresh water and how many in this world do not.
Wherever you are and whatever you do today, make a point to consider nature and water.
And if you want to do something about it, consider visiting www.we.org where you can donate $25, which can provide one person with clean water for life.
This original mixed media art I created is being dedicated to World Water Day. It was done using ink-dyed tissue paper and drops of ink on Arches 140lb watercolor paper. I added torn pieces of some old sheet music for “Weary River” sealed down with gesso. I purposely tore the title words to form the word “Weaver.” It makes me think about how water and art and music weave through our lives and make an impact.
I’ve named this piece, “Weaving through the River.”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Kiskiminetas River, Pittsburgh, PA
Reflections from the River
Still water grows stagnant…
keep moving.
Enjoy the journey…
it’s not always about the destination.
A single rock thrown…
can cause a ripple effect far beyond its initial target.
Sometimes what is reflected back from us…
is bigger and better than we are – so shine on.
It is hard work to traverse against the current…
but it is possible, and it is often worth it.
Hubby and I took a little boat ride Friday evening down the Kiskiminetas River – a peaceful little body of water that flows into the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh, PA. With the sweet scent of honeysuckle still in my nose, I’ve been reflecting on the many lessons we can learn from the river. Nature has so much to teach us if only we take the time to listen.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Rusty Old Bridge and Fisherman Original Watercolor, Pittsburgh, PA
I did another watercolor painting this past weekend of a photo I shared recently.
I am challenged with this big of a piece and so many details. The painting is 8 x 10, and I did it on Arches Hot Press, which I rather love for it’s fluidity. So fun to experiment with different types of paper.
I think the fisherman really stands out in the painting more so than in the photo.
It was a challenge. I completed it. I will continue trying!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sittin’ on the dock of the bay
watching the……
geese and birds and fishermen and rowers,
cars and bikers and joggers and walkers.
Soaking up the early Spring sunshine after a fun little field trip day with hubby on Saturday.
We stopped by the Three Rivers Rowing Association Youth Boathouse in Pittsburgh.
As I snapped photos, I was drawn to this beat up ole’ beauty that sat alone
amidst all the sleek and shiny new sweep and sculling boats.
It’s beauty caught my eye the most.
Kind of like people.
Youth is sleek and shiny and new and beautiful,
but the real beauty that more often catches my attention
is the kind that emanates from the wrinkles on the face of the older woman
who has spent decades loving and smiling and laughing
with her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
or the rough and calloused, knotty, sun-spotted hands of an old man
who worked hard all his life to support his family.
Hands with map-like veins protruding as if telling a story of the places he’d gone and the things he’d done.
Hands that hurt, yet gently stroke his wife’s cheek, guide his children’s path, and cradle his grandchildren.
Yep – sittin’ on the dock of the….. river….
wasting time?
Maybe not.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Photo submission for the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Half-Light: Share a photo inspired by a poem, verse, song lyric or story. Also in loving memory of “Poops” Pap McKinney, who we remember lovingly today on his birthday.
Pittsburgh, PA – The City of Bridges – 12/5/15
Let’s build a bridge
that will float above the fog,
that connects confusion,
destroys division,
fastens friendship,
links love,
joins jurisdiction,
unites understanding.
Let’s build a bridge
of peace.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
sometimes you have to break them.
Like yesterday…
Hubby and I went on a Sunday drive to Franklin, PA to the Annual Franklin AppleFest.
It was lovely…. crowded… lots of arts and crafts, food, antique and classic cars…
But the real treat of the day was on our ride home.
The road said, “No Outlet – Turn Around Here.”
Hubby knew better…
and we drove on…
beyond the boundaries.
And we came upon scenes like this.
Sometimes you have to break the boundaries.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Pittsburgh, PA 11/11/14
Yesterday – NOVEMBER 11, 2014 – it hit 70 Degrees F (SEVENTY DEGREES!) here in Pittsburgh, PA! That is simply unheard of, and surely broke some kind of weather record.
But, alas, today it is dropping, dropping, dropping and currently 39 and continuing down.
Not that this is meant to be a weather report – really!!! blah blah blah. But still – YOWSERS – it sure made an already great day even that much more glorious!
I was downtown on business, and was OH SO LUCKY to have the opportunity to have a spare half hour to just walk down along the river front of our beautiful city of bridges and take a few photographs.
As I angled my camera to capture the bridge, the water, a few of the building across the way and the beautiful blue skyline, I noticed the homeless man sleeping on the sun-warmed dock.
It made me pause – – – so grateful for this beautiful day – – – for him.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 