Expect Surprises.
Around the bend…
on the other side of the bridge.
Along the edge of the road…
after the rain.
Before the “main event”…
in simple places.
In between the drops of rain…
when the sunshine peeks.
Look closely…
and pay attention.
Expect surprises.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This photo was taken on the property of a country wedding we attended this past weekend. It was a several-hour, stay-overnight kind of trip to a remote place that was full of happy, special, loving surprises.
The Colors of Spring.
Tulips in Apricot…
and Crimson…
and bright, sunny Yellow.
Daffodils and Hyacinths in soft pastels of Coral and White.
A strikingly perfect Purple Delphinium.
Azaleas in bursts of Orange.
And the delicate Pink of this flower I do not know the name of that I call the snake flower.
Just a few of the beautiful colors of Spring soaked in at a brief stroll through the last days of the Spring Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA this past weekend.
Such a sight for sore winter eyes.
Happy Spring!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Loose Pastel Pink & Purple Watercolor Tulips – 8×10 140 lb cold press
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Spring Tulips in a Planter – 11×14 Watercolor Painting
And then I’d be called to hold or reach or retrieve,
while the soup was simmering and the laundry was tumbling.
And tulips bloomed on my paper and in my heart,
while we spent another blissfully ordinary Sunday in home sweet home.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*Tulip painting inspired by Andrew Geeson Loose Watercolor Painting
Who knew shades of violet could vary so greatly?!
Before we went away on vacation last week, I had some fun playing with purple in this super loose vase of violet tulips. I have done tulips in shades of reds and oranges in this style, but was excited to try purple.
I decided to mix Winsor Violet (WN*) and Quinacridone Violet (MG**) – two VERY different violets – and touch in some Quinacridone Gold (WN), because I always so love how it moves!
I used Green Gold (WN) for the foliage and a touch of Cobalt Teal (MG) for drama. I shook it, and I splashed on it.
This large 10 x 13 in. painting is done on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper.
I wasn’t sure if I liked it when I finished it, so I just set it aside.
I don’t know whether it is the “curing” of the paint or the “stepping away” that changes a painting so often, but…. when I came home after a week away and looked at it again, I decided I rather liked it.
It’s loose.
It’s kind of wild.
It’s unique and distinctive and venturesome.
It’s Very Variegated Violet!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*WN – Winsor Newton Professional Grade Watercolor Paint
**MG – M. Graham Watercolor Paint
This past weekend, I found a little time to splash in some paint, and I recreated an original watercolor of tulips in a jar. Tulips lend so well to impressionistic, loose painting. I adore tulips, and I adore painting this way.
I say “re-created,” because I recently sold a similar original painting in our Etsy Shop.
The funny thing was… when I painted it, I sort of liked it, but was hesitant to share it. I had it tucked away for a few weeks. Then last week, the little cash register dinged on my phone alerting me it had sold. When I dug it out to ship, I looked at it again and really liked it. I remembered how much fun I had painting it, and I longed to do it again.
So this is the latest version. It is its own original. The painting is 9×12, and I stuck a little white mat around it just to see what it would look like.
I kinda like it, and it’s kinda fun to say that. 🙂
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This painting is now available at McKinneyx2Designs
Orange is…
Energetic,
Optimistic,
Bright and Bold and Brave.
Orange is…
Spontaneous,
Sunny,
Outrageous, Outgoing and Outspoken.
Orange is
the HAPPIEST color!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Pink Tulips Impressionistic Original Watercolor 9×12 matted to 11×14
Painting tulips and unwinding last evening…
splashing loosely and freely
allowing the paint to create
flowers
to celebrate…
April 13, 2016,
Wednesday – Hump Day,
Spring,
Sunshine,
Warmth.
4 days down, 6 to go on my Spring head cold,
Happy 43 years to Dad and Mom II,
Happy Birthday to Charlie O,
Happy National Grilled Cheese Day (a day late),
Happy Peach Cobbler Day.
Happy 24 days until Punta Cana R&R Vacation,
Happy “It’s a Perfect Day for a Perfect Day” Day,
Happy Anniversary Month Marty and Jodi.
Happy day to cherish the moments,
share a smile,
spread joy,
experience happiness,
give love,
encourage peace
hug someone.
What are you celebrating today?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Today is the first day of Spring!
Spring always brings with it such energy,
such hope,
the possibility of renewal.
We are awaiting our first McHendy grandchild (my BF’s daughter is due any moment).
I am also mourning the tragic loss of a grandchild to other very good friends.
Life is so precious.
So fragile.
Cherish the moments.
Hugs,
Jodi
Your mind is a garden.
Your thoughts are seeds.
You can grow flowers,
or you can grow weeds.
– paraphrase from William Wordsworth
Choose flowers!
Cherish the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 