SCHOOL PROJECT TREE

The school project tree was fun!  Not sure why....maybe because I knew it would eventually be covered with birds so mistakes weren't as important?

All the black lines are done in sharpie.  I LOVE SHARPIE! Especially on this cold press (bumpy) paper.  The pen didn't dry up and sort of soaked into the paper.

I love these lines that look like mapping elevation lines.

The trick was the sky....what trouble.  My MIL was here to witness the frustration.  LOTS of hard lines, back washes and funny white hard water? lines.  The color I used was quinacridone violet.  Ugh...don't like it.

The trunk was fun.  Lots of rust colors.

All the birdies done by Mr. Jensen's 5th grade class!

They are paper clipped to their names so I wouldn't lose track.

Mr. Jensen is at the top!

Tommy's fat pink bird. Love it!

These were such charming little birds.  Anyone know how to rotate a picture after it's loaded?

Nice brown frame to complete the work.

Everyone did such a great job.  I love that they are all looking the same direction.  Except for one!  Can you find him?

TREE IDEAS

These pen and ink trees are fun to do.  I was inspired by the Bristol paper I found at Micheal's, it was on sale.  Yes, paper inspires me. A sheet of crisp white paper is so full of possibility!

I'm trying to capture some landscape.  Instead of always focusing on a tree I want to develop some of the hills and vegetation in the paintings.  However, I don't care for these clouds.  My new goal now, is to figure out how to "fix" them.  As always, I start out with one idea and then just finish with fixing all the mistakes. Smooth or Hot Press watercolor paper can be tricky (for me) to paint on.  It's so smooth the paint will pool or sit on top of the paper creating odd color variations. The "fix" will start with fighting the smooth surface of this paper and making the color look fresh and effortless.  We will know better....lots of effort!!

More of the pen and ink on Bristol paper.

EGG ART

Who does this?  I always sharpie my hard boiled eggs.  It's useful, I tell myself, because that way family knows which eggs are hard boiled and which aren't.  BUT really I just want to draw something on those perfect white egg-shaped canvasses!

Working on a bunch of new tree paintings.

I'm using a 005 micro pen.

These have a sense of texture and....what's that called when you have a map that shows height and land shape?  Topography I just googled it.  I used to love looking at those maps as a kid.

I was really interested in the depth of the tree with this painting.  I wanted a lot of the branches to overlap.

WHAT'S UP?

This is called "Steampunk" this is one of the painting I was working on for the Moonstruck Chocolate art reception.

The new "Big Balls" painting but it's not finished.  I forgot to get a picture before I hung it in the cafe!

Here it is hanging...with Andy.

Here is the original "Big Balls" now named "Tammy" that's the girl who loves this painting!

I was so busy with this art reception.  I got 25 paintings framed and on display at Moonstruck Chocolate in Beaverton Oregon.  NOW for something completely different.... I am getting the soap done for the Christmas bazaars.  Trendy Soap.com is doing really well so far.  I'm excited about the lotions this year and I'm thinking about adding lip gloss next year.

TREETASTIC

This is my favorite painting so far....

THIS is my favorite painting so far....I realize I need a new camera.  It's getting more and more tricky to get a crisp picture.

Love the owls!

Each new painting is my favorite painting for about 20min. after I'm finished. Then I just want to get rid of it.  I usually love the painting I'm working on but the feeling doesn't last long.  My sis loves her paintings forever.  She is sad to let them go and always feels like she needs to make two of everything so she can keep one for herself.  I'm an odd person.

I have an art reception coming up Friday 5-7 October 7th at Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe in Beaverton.  Very excited and nervous about that! I've never had my painting hang somewhere public.

Here is a better picture of the Owls 18!  I think that's what I will name this painting.

I don't know how these professional bloggers do it?  I don't have time to paint, take pics, upload, then blog about what I'm up too....everyday?  Wow, they sure are impressive to me. :)