Golden Paints

Tomorrow I teach, but Friday I will place my order for paints from Golden using the certificate I won. It's so much fun just picking out paints and not worrying about anything but what colors I want! I think I'll get some interference colors that look like two different colors depending on what angle you see and what other color they are painted on...I'll put some gold and pearl colors in too. 

I picked up some tiny watercolor paper (the size of a business card) at the cash register at Continental Art. They are for painting tiny paintings and trading. I'll post one when I get one made. I'll send the tiny painting to the first person who leaves a comment and address on this blog. 

VAG 60th Anniversary Exhibit

This is me at the VAG 60th Anniversary Show beside the painting that won the Golden Artist Colors $100 award at VIVA Gallery. This is also the painting that I have been using on my business cards and address labels. Now I will be choosing what paints to spend my certificate on...what fun : )

I won, yipee...

This painting just won the $100 Golden Artists Colors Merchandise Award at the VAG 60th Anniversary Exhibition. The reception is this Sunday, Oct. 21st from 2:00 -  4:00 pm at the VIVA Gallery. Please come, I'd love to see you and you will see wonderful art on display.

"Homage to J.K." is finished

The painting is finished or as most artists will tell you...it has been abandoned. I am actually very happy with "Homage to J.K." and will enter it in the Score VII Southern California Open Regional Exhibition running from Oct. 29th to Nov. 16/08 at the VIVA Gallery. 

I added a wash over the left side of the book shelf and darkened the books piled on the top shelf. The bottom of the painting was darkened a bit as well. I drew a line to follow through on the inside edge on the right. When I looked at it from a bit of a distance...I then decided to sign it. 

Now what Will I paint next?

A Work in Progress Part 4

Ok, so I'm NOT finished "Homage to J.K.". I will work on the upper left side for a bit more (it's too washed out, isn't it?). Here it is for you to decide and I'm adding a Black and White as well for extra help deciding. 

BTW - I entered two paintings "Jennifer" and "Lilies Bright" (see my website) into the VAG 60th Anniversary Exhibit today and will hear soon whether they are both accepted, etc. Stay tuned...

Recent Finds

Here's a dragon fly that I saw at my post office. Wish I could have taken a photo of him from above and seen his wings spread out fully.
I found this baby grasshopper in the shade tucked inside a rose at the back of the bush I planted. Isn't he cute? I may paint him. 

I have finished my "Homage to J.K." and will photograph and post it tomorrow probably. 

In the Shadows Part 3

Here is what I did today. Is it starting to look more developed? I am adding Manganese Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Crimson Alizarin and some Lemon Yellow to the nooks and cranies. Each color is applied seperately and allowed to dry. Because I don't want to get too dark too soon, I keep examining the painting with a squinted eye to see the darks and lights, deciding if the balance is good by eliminating the mid range of values (that's what the squinting does). I also use red accetate for the same reason. When you look throught the red accetate, the red turns your image to a black to white range of values. This makes it easier to decide how dark to go. Taking a photo of your painting in Black and White achieves the same goal.