Percolations

just changing something

2011-11-03T14:07:00.000-05:00

Walking: Lansford Canal Water Lilies

2011-06-01T14:10:00.001-05:00

I am fortunate to belong to a wonderful group of lady hikers! We went to the Lansford Canal in South Carolina. The spider lilies were in bloom, and so beautiful. They really should be called star lilies, the white of their petals seem to sparkle against the dark water. I was able to capture a brief video with my camera phone, and few photos, but neither really do them justice.

About the lilies (from park sign)

" Lansford Canal State Park hugs the last free flowing stretch of the Catawba River, and includes the largest known stand of rocky shoals spider lilies.

The Spider Lily (Hymenocallis coranaria) found in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, requires

clean free flowing water with uneven, rocky bottom to root. Peak blooming occurs May through June.

These tough plants known for their spring blanket of white blooms are named for the shallow rocky stretches of river they need to survive. As shoals such as this found along the Catawba have vanished, primarily because of damming of rivers, the rocky shoal spider lily likewise has become rare and endangered.

Much of the free-flowing rocky shoals habitat along the Catawba River has been lost to hydroelectric dams built along the rocky elevation drops to take advantage of the natural water power.

The future of such unique habitats depends on their continued wise management by private, corporate, and public partners in conservation and preservation. "

Walking: Green Heron Fishing!

2011-05-28T19:01:00.000-05:00

I mean the bird was fishing, not that I was fishing for the bird :)

While we were doing our weekly long walk (just 9 miles this time,) my friend and I took a break on a bench near the swamppond. The turtles are there every week, but this time there was also this cool looking water bird. I got really lucky and got a shot of him catching a fish with my camera phone. Not a great shot, but hey it has like a 10 second delay after you press the button, so I was happy to get to see the fish at all!
After some google research, I believe this is a green heron (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/green_heron/id )

Hanging with his baby turtle friend.

Waiting for a fish to swim by..

Got it!

Garden: Baby Squash!

2011-05-27T13:13:00.000-05:00

The garden babies have arrived

and I have baby squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Yum!

Travel: Hilton Head Island SC

2011-05-26T11:01:00.000-05:00

Recipe: Peach Crumble

2011-05-25T20:09:00.000-05:00

I picked up these wonderful peaches on my trip to Asheville this weekend wonderful niece. I had actually stopped at the fruit stand for strawberries, but they were out. All they had were peaches! It was a surprise to see them this early in the season, but they are yummy. Going to try out this recipe with them tomorrow.

Ingredients

2 lbs. fresh peaches, peeled and chopped (about 6 cups)
2 t sugar
1/4 c pecan halves (or other nut of your choice)
1/2 c oats
1/4 c whole wheat flour
1/3 c packed brown sugar
2 T unsalted butter, chilled

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.

Put peaches into an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan. Sprinkle with sugar. You can also add cinnamon (about 1/2 t) and nutmeg (pinch) if desired.

Use a food processor or blender to coursely grind pecans. Add oats and blend for 10 seconds more. Combine with flour and brown sugar. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over the peaches.

Bake 30 minutes, or until the peaches are tender and the topping is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe makes six generous servings.

Number of Servings: 10

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 137.5

Total Fat: 4.5 g
Cholesterol: 6.2 mg
Sodium: 3.5 mg
Total Carbs: 26.9 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.4 g
Protein: 1.8 g

Sewing : Chicken Apron and Knock Off Muslin

2011-05-12T13:15:00.000-05:00

This is my chicken apron! I made it to go in the pattern review apron contest: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ContestGallery.pl?ContestID=141 I decided to go with a style and fabric I will actually use in the kitchen. Something dark and not frilly at all :) But I do like the chickens! I don't think I even have a shot of winning the voting contest...there are some gorgeous aprons in this contest. But, there is a random draw too, maybe I will get lucky with that!

Below is my muslin for the Knock off contest. (see this http://emcrorie.blogspot.com/2011/05/sewing-pr-knock-off-contest.html for more details) I like the front so far..back needs work. I think the final dress will be more fitted, but for a summer play dress, I wanted it comfortable. It was stretch poplin, and I didn't put in the zipper the pattern suggests.

Helping Others: Blankets for Tornado Survivors

2011-05-09T14:34:00.001-05:00

If you have been looking for a way to help the victims of the horrific tornadoes that hit the south a few weeks ago, here is a way to help out..hands on. (Of course, the Red Cross can always use your dollars, too!)

Please join Craft Hope and make security blankets for the tornado survivors!

Project Linus has a wonderful list of links to patterns for all types of blankets...quilted, knitted, crocheted...
http://www.projectlinus.org/links.html

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T09:07:00.001-05:00

Roses are in bloom in my garden! If you would like this for your computer wallpaper, just right click and choose "use image on desktop" or it's here:
http://www.ejmstudios.com/wallpaper/rose1280.jpg

Cool Stuff: Little Golden Book Dress

2011-05-06T10:20:00.000-05:00

Golden Book Dress

This is just cool. It combines two of my favorite things: reading and sewing! The dress was made from Little Golden Books. They used pages for the skirt and the spines for the top. The best part is they show how they constructed it. It's amazing. You have to scroll past all the pretty photos of it to get the important stuff. I have a bunch of old Martha Stewart magazines...hmmm.....

Craft : Walking Water Bottle Bag (version #312)

2011-05-04T12:13:00.000-05:00

I've been doing a lot..A LOT...of walking lately getting ready for the breast cancer walk this fall. Our last walk was 9.5 miles. When you are doing a long walk, out in the wilderness of Charlotte, you have to take some supplies with you for all those walking emergencies, like blisters and sudden chocolate cravings. I started out using a fanny pack (bag that ties around your waist) but that gets uncomfortable around mile 5, especially if it is hot out. So, I found a couple of over the shoulder water bag tutorials online, and took what I liked best about each. After 311 versions and came up with this (over there to the left) It's big enough for a bottle, keys, id, blister pads, tissues,and protein bar (or smooshed pjb sandwich for longer walks.) The fabric is a light denim on the outside and quilter's cotton on the inside. I am thinking about making one more that can be converted to a mini-backpack. The first few versions had fabric handles. I am finding I actually prefer that. The fancy webbing is slippery and not as soft on bare shoulders. Any long distance walkers out there with suggestions? If anyone wants a tutorial on this..just leave me a note and I'd be happy to do one.

Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade

2011-05-03T16:11:00.001-05:00

This is soooo gooooood and easy!

1 cup Simply lemonade
1 cup fresh strawberries
8 or so ice cubes

Blend it all up in the blender and drink.

Yes that is an entire mint plant growing out of my drink...

Servings Per Recipe: 2
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 82.8

Total Fat: 0.3 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 8.3 mg
Total Carbs: 20.3 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.8 g
Protein: 0.4 g

Sewing: PR Knock Off Contest

2011-05-02T12:20:00.002-05:00

Okay.. I keep signing up for these contests and then dropping out. I am going to finish this one!

Here's my inspiration photo:
grant my wish dress

I'm starting with this pattern (pretty darn close!):
http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/27535

I am starting by making the pattern up as it stand in some green plaid stretch poplin I got for $1 yard some where. It's either going to be hideous or a fun summer dress...either way it will show me the changes I need to make for the final. Now..where to get that gorgeous black and white embroidered fabric!

Inspiration: What blogs can be...

2011-04-27T14:52:00.000-05:00

An amazing blog post about a little girl and her mom who are taking what could be a horrible experience and turning it into joy for so many little girls in Russia

2011-04-18T14:28:00.000-05:00

Annabelly posed for me today. She is usually either moving to fast to get take a picture, or so interested in the camera she looks like a grimlin!

Paintings for Boobies - Orchids - bcwpainting-2

2011-04-15T20:38:00.002-05:00

Orchids - Original Watercolor - 10 x 13

bcwpainting-2

Minimum donation $75
Sorry, no refunds, no returns..this is for charity folks! The money is going straight to there.

Donations are tax deductible, and I will cover any shipping charges.

To help raise funds for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk I will be posting some paintings for "sale."

To claim the painting, be the first to post a message here saying "it's mine!" and then go to my official donation page:

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/Charlotte?px=6072556&pg=personal&fr_id=2080

make your donation. Include name and address and the number of the painting, so I know which one you would like. You have 24 hours after posting your message here to post your donation or it goes back up

Paintings for Boobies - Mini Zinnias - bcwpaintings-1

2011-04-15T20:26:00.002-05:00

Summer Zinnias, original watercolor,

2.5" x 3.5" (about the size of a playing card)

Minimum donation $10

Sorry, no refunds, no returns..this is for charity folks! The money is going straight to there.

Donations are tax deductible, and I will cover any shipping charges.

To help raise funds for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk I will be posting some paintings for "sale."

To claim the painting, be the first post a message here saying "it's mine!" and then go to my official donation page:

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/Charlotte?px=6072556&pg=personal&fr_id=2080

make your donation. Include name and address and the number of the painting, so I know which one you would like. You have 24 hours after posting your message here to post your donation or it goes back up.

A Great Reason to get your beads out!

2011-04-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

http://crafthope.com/2011/04/project-12-orphan-outreach/

Beeker's Healthy Muffins

2011-03-16T16:52:00.006-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFebGZ7FJQQ&feature=related

1 Cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal (or steel cut oat meal)

lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease and keeps you regular!

2 cups Milk, 2% (for you anti-milk people out there:

Calcium: Builds healthy bones and teeth; maintains bone mass
Protein: Serves as a source of energy; builds/repairs muscle tissue
Potassium: Helps maintain a healthy blood pressure
Phosphorus: Helps strengthen bones and generate energy
Vitamin D: Helps maintain bones
Vitamin B12: Maintains healthy red blood cells and nerve tissue
Vitamin A: Maintains the immune system; helps maintain normal vision and skin
Riboflavin (B2): Converts food into energy
Niacin: Metabolizes sugars and fatty acids
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20100922/milk-drinkers-may-lose-more-weight )

2.5 White Spelt Flour or Whole Wheat Flour

http://nutrition.about.com/od/grainsandcereals/p/spelt.htm

8 tbsp Flax Seed Meal (ground flax)

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed

1 cup Zucchini,raw grated

http://health.learninginfo.org/nutrition-facts/zucchini.htm

1 cup Carrots, raw grated

http://health.learninginfo.org/carrots-nutrition.htm

1 cup Banana mashed or apple sauce

http://health.learninginfo.org/banana-nutrition.htm

2 Egg, large (

Eggs are a good source of nutrients. One egg contains 6 grams of protein and some healthful unsaturated fats. Eggs are also a good source of choline, which has been linked with preserving memory, and lutein and zeaxanthin, which may protect against vision loss.)

.5 Brown Sugar unpacked...just makes it taste good...

2 tsp Baking Powder (lightens the texture)

1 tsp Baking Soda (raising agent)

1 tsp Salt (flavor, shelf life, calms down the baking soda )

1 tbsp Cinnamon, ground (reportedly helps to stableize blood sugar in diabetics, increases metabolism, and tastes yummy

.5 cup Cranberries, dried, sweetened (craisins) (

Cranberries have moderate levels of vitamin C, dietary fiber and the essential dietary mineral, manganese, as well as a balanced profile of other essential micronutrients. Also good for fighting

urinary tract infections in women)

.5 Walnuts, chopped (

significantly higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids as compared to other nuts, also a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and vitamin E.)

4 tbsp Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips ( flavonoids - antioxidants which protect the body from aging and heart disease, and its great with the cranberries!)

Directions

Makes 24 muffins

Pre heat oven 350

If you are using steal cut oats put them in your mixing bowl and add the milk to soften them..unless of course you like crunchy muffins :) Use your food processor or grate by hand your zucchini and carrots. Add wet veggies, Bananas, and eggs to milk and oatmeal. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon to wet ingredients. Add cranberries, walnuts and chips. Divide evenly between 24 muffins. Either spray tins with pam or use cup cake liners to keep from sticking as there is no oil in this recipe.

You can sub out the bananas for grated apple or apple sauce. You can use blue berries or other fruit in place of the cranberries and chips. I just happen to be in the mood for this combo :)

Number of Servings: 24

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe: 24
Serving Size: 1 serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories		160.3

Total Fat		4.4 g

	Saturated Fat	1.2 g

	Polyunsaturated Fat	1.9 g

	Monounsaturated Fat	0.7 g

Cholesterol		19.3 mg

Sodium		209.3 mg

Potassium		109.3 mg

Total Carbohydrate		24.1 g

	Dietary Fiber	2.4 g

	Sugars	9.8 g

Protein		4.2 g

Fried Cat Fish

2011-03-16T16:52:00.005-05:00

Fried Cat Fish

Flour, white, .5 cup

Catfish 1 lb (4 oz per serving)

Canola Oil, 1 tbsp

Japanese Breadcrumbs - Panko (1 cup), .5 serving

Pepper, red or cayenne, .5 tbsp (we like it spicy!)

Pepper, black, .5 tbsp

Salt, 1 dash

Milk, nonfat .5 cup

Directions

Mix 1/2 the flour ,panko, peppers (you can use Hot Shot in place of the separate peppers), and salt on a plate. Put 1/2 flour plain on another plate. Pour milk in small bowl. Cut fish filets into 2 oz portions. Roll fish in flour, then dunk fish in milk and then roll in flour/panko mixture. The three layers are what makes it crispy.Heat oil in pan over high (may need to turn down if your pan gets to hot) Place fish in pan. Turn over after about 2 minutes. Cook until fish is just opaque and flakes easily. We serve this with Alexia fries, and a salad.

Number of Servings: 4

servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 245.2

Total Fat: 7.0 g
Cholesterol: 66.6 mg
Sodium: 120.6 mg
Total Carbs: 21.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.1 g
Protein: 22.3 g

Curried Peanut Shrimp

2011-03-16T16:51:00.002-05:00

Curried Peanut Shrimp

This is one of my favorite all time recipes. I don't bother with the skewers...just cook it all up in a frying pan over medium high. Serve with rice.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 8 shrimp)

Ingredients

1/3 cup orange marmalade (just some chopped up orange works if you don't have marmalade)
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon chile sauce with garlic (in the Asian section, with a rooster on the label.)
32 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 1 pound)
Cooking spray

Preparation

Combine the first 9 ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth. Reserve 1/4 cup marinade. Place remaining marinade mixture in a large zip-top plastic bag, and add shrimp. Seal and shake to coat. Marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.

Prepare grill or broiler.

Remove shrimp from bag, reserving marinade. Thread shrimp onto each of 4 (12-inch) skewers. Place kebabs on a grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray; cook 3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are done, basting frequently with remaining marinade. Spoon reserved 1/4 cup marinade over shrimp.

Nutritional Information

Calories:: 228 (24% from fat)
Fat:: 6.2g (sat 1g,mono 2.1g,poly 2g)
Protein:: 19.6g
Carbohydrate:: 24.6g
Fiber:: 0.3g
Cholesterol:: 129mg
Iron:: 2.5mg
Sodium:: 626mg
Calcium:: 60mg; from Cooking Light, JULY 1999

Sewing Project - Fall Wardrobe

2009-09-26T09:26:00.002-05:00

I am going to participate in the PatternReview.com fall contest...never done this much sewing at once! Not a chance of winning, but I will get some new clothes out of it. Here's the plan:

Charlotte Kidney Foundation Benefit

2007-10-05T15:39:00.000-05:00

The Charlotte Kidney Foundation is having a art and wine night to raise money for this great cause. The even called "Art After Dark" will be held Oct 27th. If you are an artist please donate a work of art. If you are an art lover (or a wine lover!) please come out and go home with a great work of art. You can learn more about the event here: http://www.kidney.org/site/208/dark.cfm?ch=208

I donated my Fall Leaves painting to the auction:

another tree id...

2007-05-14T07:25:00.000-05:00

I have tried to use some online tree identification sites. It comes up as an Ash, but then the photos don't look like this tree. It formed there stranges big buds, and then the leave stems sort of popped out of the buds. Never seen anything like it, not that I am a big tree expert, but I know most of the common trees around here. I noticed it growing on the edge of our woods behind a honeysuckly vine and some weeds.

The red is where the leaf "bud" was.

Japanese Maple

2007-05-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

How embarrassing! I was trying to take a picture of the trunk of the tree and saw a little bit of yellow sticking up out of the dirt. Turned out to be an id tag! sheesh. This little guy is a Acer 'Tamukeyama' Red dissectum.

Still trying to get an id on my Japanese maple. We bought it at the farmer's market. We got a deal on it because it lost it's top branches in a wind storm. They said it was about 12 years old. Right now it's in a south eastern spot to get morning to early afternoon sun, then shade in the late afternoon. I'm in Charlotte, and our late afternoon sun is very strong.

In the Garden...

2007-04-25T10:50:00.000-05:00

This is my little square foot garden I am trying this year. It has two tomatoes, two peppers, onions, peas, squash, and few other veggies. I can't wait to see how my experiment works out!
In the back ground are my two new blueberries (another farmer's market find..much nicer than the ones at home depot.
Dev and I were fortunate enough to find this Japanese maple on sale at our local farmers market. We aren't sure exactly what type it is...or where we are going to put it, but it's beautiful!

About half of our back yard is trees. I would love to plant some wild flowers and plants that attract butterflies along the edge of it. But I am not sure what to plant yet. It definitely needs a little oomph! That's my dog, Schnapps hanging out in front.

This is the stone patio we put in. I re-grouted the stones this spring and laid out a few more stones on the edge that I am going to sink into the grass. The table is our old kitchen table that I cut down the legs on and tiled the top. The trellises will have morning glories and moonflowers later in the season, and the one to the side will have gourds and squash, with a little lettuce / spinach garden in front. I made the little fence for it out of the branches I trimmed of our crab apple trees. Dev says it looks like something from survivor :P

Okay.. I promise I have a painting drawn out and on my drafting table. No really! In the meantime, I have been enjoying our spring weather here in Charlotte, NC.

Paintings that Dance with Light

2007-02-28T16:19:00.000-05:00

My sweet husband surprised me a few weeks ago with a wonderful new painting book called Paintings that Dance with Light by Elizabeth Kincaid. Now, I have a whole library of watercolor books, and this one still manage to have tips that I had never heard before! For example, you can use ammonia to thin masking fluid! Who would have thunk :) She has some of the best use of masking that I have ever seen and her paintings do dance with light. I don't know Ms. Kincaid, but I did email her to thank her for that ammonia tip. She was very gracious and sent me a reply telling me her husband was a chemist and he was the one who knew that ammonia would thin frisket. She does have work shops and classes, so if you are in the Seattle area you might want to investigate!

2007-01-29T07:59:00.000-05:00

Wow, I haven't posted in ages. PrettyRock.com (the gemology business I run with my husband) had a wonderful Christmas season. I am thrilled it is doing so well, but it doesn't leave much time to paint. I am hoping to get back into the studio soon though! My painting fingers are getting itchy!

I did want to share a place that would love to have hand made cards. Any type of art work will do! It's the starlight foundation and you can read about it here:
http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/org_detail.jsp?orgid=59365
Even if you just make one card, you will be brightening a child's day. And what a great project to do with your friends or children.

Hopefully I will be back soon with a new painting started. I have had one of morning glories dancing around in my head for weeks now. I need to let it out soon!

The Chess Player

2006-10-28T17:06:00.000-05:00

Here's one I thought would do well on eBay, and then didn't sell. Oh well...

This one is up now, keep your fingers crossed for me :)

and another...

2006-09-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

Here is another of this little ACEO's I have been doing for ebay. They are very addictive. Several people have asked where they can trade cards. The group I am a part of is : artist trading cards on yahoogroups.com Everyone is welcome to join in the fun! This group is for trading, not for selling. So they make ATC, and not ACEO... whole new vocabulary here!

ACEO / ATC - a new hobby!

2006-09-21T06:40:00.000-05:00

I've discovered a new hobby. Trading ATC (art trading cards) and have joined a great yahoogroup that has group and individual trades. I've also put up a few ACEO (art cards editions and originals) on ebay to see how they do. The pink orchids above is one of the eBay ones. They are so much fun to make. The only real rules are that ATC are traded, not bought and sold. ACEO can be bought and sold or traded. They must be 3.5" x 2.5" Other then that, the sky is the limit in terms of creation and materials. I usually do watercolor, but I have received some beautiful college and needle word ATC in trade. I bought two colored pencil ACEO that I have had framed and hang in our hallway. Anyone else out there into ACEO / ACT?

Morning Glories!

2006-09-06T15:30:00.002-05:00

They have been so beautiful this year! These are the blue.. there are fuschia in the backyard, and deep purple by the front door. I am sure these will end up in a painting at some point! That's Schnapps and Bailey peeking out from behind the vines.

Duochrome Stargazers

2006-09-05T21:33:00.000-05:00

I've been in the mood to paint some fun paintings, instead of such serious work. Experiment a little with color and paint. This is a stargazer lily. It's from my neighbors yard..they are used to me crawling around and taking photos in their yard. I painted it fairly traditionally at first, and then played with some duochrome paint from daniel smith that I got for Christmas this year. They are so beautiful, and think I went a little over board with them! My favorite is the Autumn Mystery..its a gorgeous copper color. I've got this one up on ebay, keep your fingers crossed for me! (My id is ejmstudio if you want to check it out.)

It's hard to get the shimmer to show up on camera, but this shows it a little bit.

Pears and Crystal

2006-08-13T19:24:00.000-05:00

This is the latest crystal painting. It's a redo of one I did a few years ago. Not too thrilled with the pears, but I am calling it done before I work it to death. Moving on to a sunflower painting. I will try to do a step by step of this one.

We went to the farmers market this afternoon and got peaches, tomatos and corn. Wonderful! Trying not to eat it all before I can get some photos taken.. the peaches are just gorgeous and smell even better. I just know that heaven either smells like summer peaches or my mom's chocolate chip cookies baking...

Little Pink Rose

2006-08-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to add a few smaller works and studies to the website. These are paintings I do to practice with a new tube of paint, experiment with a technique or just have fun! This little rose is 5 x 7 and available here: http://www.ejmstudios.com/site/watercolor-paintings-gallery-smallerworks.htm

PaintAmerica Competition (aka always read the fine print!)

2006-07-20T17:15:00.000-05:00

I have received several post cards and emails about this competition. I just got a prospectus in the mail. If you read the information on the back, it looks to me like you are signing over ALL rights to reproduction of the work. Not just for advertising like most show, but any reproduction and the use of your name... and this is just for entering the show, not for the winners. So with the entries, the have a built in library of images to make prints and any other item they choose. They say they will give the artist 10% royalty on limited edition items, but flat rates on things like posters and note cards. For posters and note cards they could sell millions of, you get $50-$100 flat rate.

Scary world out there for artists! Always read the fine print, and never, ever give away your copyright!

Comparison Pricing!

2006-07-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

watercolorpainting.com has added a new page: price guide

It's a printable price comparison for watercolor paint at all the major online art supply stores. Love this website! Check out the rest of it while you are there.. lessons, featured artists and lots more. (No, I'm not associated with them, just a fan :) )

New Art Book!

2006-07-18T08:03:00.000-05:00

I love art books...and add to my collection whenever possible! Nita LeLand who is one of my favorite art authors has a new (well revised, but new to me) book that is just coming out: New Creative Artist I can't wait to get my copy. You can read more about it on Nita's site here. I think I might have to save mine for my mid-winter slump.. when I need all the creative help I can get.

If you have a favorite art book, please share!

Fun site!

2006-07-10T11:23:00.000-05:00

http://www.jacksonpollock.org/

Great stress relief! It will look like a blank page, move your mouse across the page, click to change colors.

(Found on a recent artcafe.net thread)

Daisy Jar 5

2006-07-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

Almost done here.. still a few little details I see now that it's on the screen. Not sure if I should take the darks darker, or leave them be. I'll put it in the studio and stare at it a while...make that decision in a few days.

Back to working on pears and crystal.

Daisy Jar 4

2006-06-29T12:06:00.000-05:00

Continuing to build up the darks and work on the jar. I'm not sure about the checked cloth at this point.. we'll see where that goes. Still working capture that feeling of light in the daisies and glass. I think I might put this aside for a day or to and work on the next fruit and crystal one...a re-do of a pears and crystal. This time in a larger size for the print people.

I sent off a packet to a gallery in NY that requested some slides and information. I've never really worked with a gallery before, and I hope I sent the right information. I already feel I didn't send enough slides. Funny how just sending information to NY can make me feel like a country bumpkin LOL I'm not really, I grew up right outside Washington, DC and now live in Charlotte (which while not a big city, does hold it's own :)) There just something about "new york gallery" that can strike fear in the heart of an artist! Please keep your fingers crossed for me... maybe they will like my work, even if I didn't have the packet just right.

Watermelon Art

2006-06-26T17:19:00.000-05:00

Just shows, art comes in all shapes, sizes and mediums! I wish I knew the artists, but this was sent to me in a forwarded email...I have no clue where it originated, but wanted to share.

Daisy Jar 3

2006-06-25T19:54:00.000-05:00

sorry the photo came out a little whopsided on this one!

I consider this painting to be in the ugly adolescent stage.. all my painting seem to go through this. Just have to grit my teeth and keep painting and hope it all turns out okay in the end. Working on adding darks to the leaves, starting to work on the jar and shadows. Darkened the back ground and added shadows to the daisy petals.

2006-06-24T09:31:00.000-05:00

Pentecost, A. Wythe,tempera, 1965

A few weeks ago, Dev and I went had dinner with some of our fellow rock enthusiasts. It was a wonderful evening of good food and better company. Our host is an avid collector of minerals..museum quality. He has a stunning collection. However, while the other guests were ooooing and ahhing over the rocks, I was blown away by what they had over their couch. It was a signed Andrew Wythe print of fishing nets blowing in the wind. I am sure I have seen the painting in books, but seeing it full size just stopped me in my tracks. I must have stared at it for 10 mins.. it was like having a painting class to be able to see the painting so close. I tried not to leave any nose prints on the glass!

Daisy jar 2

2006-06-19T20:16:00.000-05:00

Have the first layer on the stems and the cloth painted. Next will be the daisy centers and some of the shadows. Shadows on white flowers are always tricky.. keep your fingers crossed for me.

Dev and I just finished two weekends of rock and gem shows. One in Charlotte (our home club) and one in Asheville. I couldn't believe how "arty" Asheville has become since I was a kid. I enjoy the shows and meeting people, but I am glad to be home and excited that tomorrow is my painting day! (after filling orders, and vacuuming.. ah the life of an artist is so glamorous!

The Daisy Jar - Drawing

2006-06-05T13:01:00.000-05:00

Drawing on paper.. photo darkened so you can see the lines. Painting the stems through the glass should be an interesting challenge!

Grapes and Crystal II - finished

2006-05-23T21:32:00.000-05:00

This is another in my series of fruit and crystal. Didn't take progress pics...sorry! If you would like to see a larger image and a close up, you can see them
here.. just click.

Trying something a little different and working on a seascape next! I'll try to get progress pics of that one.

2006-05-15T16:07:00.000-05:00

Didn't do progress shots on this one. I love the shape of calla lilies and did this a break from an new crystal still life I have been working on.

All done...

2006-04-13T15:58:00.000-05:00

All done and have it up on the website if anyone is interested :) Working on a grapes and crystal painting. Hopefully I will be doing a step by step of it also.

Just click here to visit the website

2006-03-27T16:02:00.000-05:00

I got a new quilter's sewing machine for my birthday and took a little time off from painting to play with it. So much fun...a different kind of creative. Here is a jacket I just finished:

almost done

2006-01-26T10:03:00.000-05:00

Finally...another step! This is getting close to done. I need to darken the markings on the petals and maybe a few more edges here and there. Soften the edges where I removed the masking. That's about it. I have an idea for a new painting and I am anxious to get to it!

Rhodie 4

2005-12-09T12:19:00.000-05:00

I finally had some time to work on the petals...using quin. magenta and trying to let it go with the flow. My students and I have been working with a book by Roland roycroft, WATERCOLORS WITH LIGHT AND COLOR. I can't find this on on amazon anymore, but you might want to check ebay.

My book of the month this month is Transparent Watercolor Wheel by Jim Kosvanec. I have two copies of this book, because I ripped pages out of the first one to post on my wall near my painting table! It has the best information about watercolor apinting and how and why it does what it does.

I'll try to get pictures of the new studio (AKA the former guestroom) some time this week.

Rhodie Three

2005-11-13T16:38:00.000-05:00

And beginning to work on the leaves and stems.

Did I tell you all I have the honor of being one of the featured artists on www.watercolorpainting.com this season? Very cool!

Rhodie Two

2005-11-13T16:35:00.000-05:00

Working on the background..trying to keep it loose. This is a wet on wet and salt technique.

Here's a close up of the background.

Fall Leaves Watercolor

2005-11-02T19:52:00.000-05:00

Hello out there in blogland! I haven't forgotten the rhodie, just wanted to share this painting of fall leaves. I did it as a demonstration in a class on texture last night. Lots of spraying and layers. You can see close ups and a larger version in the website gallery.

I also added a page on painting textures in watercolor to the website on the step by step page:
http://www.ejmstudios.com/site/watercolor-step-by-step.htm

Yes, my thumb is still prussian blue!

Went to the library today and got two books on tape. I listen to them when I paint and when I walk. I think I have funded several new purchases for the library with all my late fees!

I'm going to go work on that rhodie right now :)

2005-10-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

I've put aside the blue glass for a bit. It's hanging in the studio.. just not sure where to go with it next. In the mean time, I'm working on this 16 x 20 rhododendron from a photo I took in a friend's garden a few years ago. The image is darkened here so you can see the pencil lines clearly.

Halloween e-card!

2005-10-01T16:07:00.000-05:00

Click here to see my very first flash card!

I haven't been painting much, I have been working on learning new programs. Sorry! Some day I will get back to painting regularly. I do have a show that I am hanging on Monday, but no new work to share :(

Blue Glass Painting - One

2005-09-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

September is here and it's time to get painting again after a summer of doldrums and dog days in the studio. This one is a painting of my kitchen window. I collect blue glass and display it on the window ledge behind my sink. When the sun comes through in the afternoon, it glows with gorgeous shades of blue. I hope I can capture just a little bit of all that brilliant color!

I've continued to work on my graphic design skills, and revamped my entire website: http://www.ejmstudios.com Still a work in progress but it is getting there!

2005-08-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

This little guy is a hummingbird moth in my zinnia patch. I have been fascinated by them this summer. They are one of the few moths that feed in the day time. They buzz around from flower to flower and look just like hummingbirds!

You can learn more about them here:
http://www.massaudubon.org/printwildlife.php?id=5

I haven't been painting much this month. I've been busy trying to get a graphic design portfolio ready and learning some new programs. I do have a painting of blue glass drawn out and on my drafting table, and will share progress pics just as soon as there is some progress. A flash animation of the Prayer of St Francis is my current project, along with some logos for friends.

Chickadee and Blossoms 5

2005-07-18T19:23:00.000-05:00

Almost finished. Maybe a little softening of the flowers that are furtherest away, and some work on the larger branches...have to look at it again in the morning.

Exciting news! My lemons and crystal painting (you can see a little pic of it on the side of the blog) was accepted into the NC Watercolor Society 2005 Exhibition. So, it will be on display this fall in Winston-Salem, NC.

Random thoughts:

My cat, Empress, is OCD. She over cleans herself until she is bald. She has been to the vet several times over this. All we can do is put oinment on the current spot, and one of those big plastic collars around her neck. Such a bizarre little creature.

I try to walk every morning. When I walk, I listen to books on tape. Yesterday, I was so into my book that I almost walked into a tree! Good thing I walk at the park and not on the roadside!

There are two rocks shows over the next two weekends. I am such a good wife ;)

Down the hall from my studio, there is a therapist, and she has a therapy dog named Jazz. She is the sweetest thing. Everytime she sees me she snorts and wiggles. Her owner says boy! she sure does get excited to see you! Her mama doesn't know that she is a dogcookie junkie, and am her dogcookie dealer. She gets a fix everytime she comes to visit me.

Still working on flash. Made a bouncing ball this week(yes, I am a flash genius!) and went through a few tutorials. What is it with graphic artists and insisting on mac platform? are they still in the stone age? or is it some kind of mac cult? Employment ads keep asking for mac platform..why do they care? It's the exactly same program on the pc as on the mac..I promise I can learn how to turn a mac off and on.

You can't depend on your eyes if your imagination is out of focus.

- Mark Twain

Chickadee and Blossoms 4

2005-07-10T17:38:00.000-05:00

Developing the branches and the center of the blossoms.

Random thoughts:

I can't for the life of me decide if having an agent is a good thing for an artist... or not.

The morning glories have survived three days..so far, so good.

My cat, Samurai, drools when he is happy. Last night he sat in my lap and drooled on my ice cream. Then, he was even happier.

My mom got a cell phone. She emailed me to tell me about it, because she doesn't know how to place a call..or how to answer one.

I think that I mentioned I am learning flash. Its a animation program for the web. I can't believe how much I am enjoying learning it. See..old dogs can learn new tricks!

The essence of all art is to have pleasure in giving pleasure.

- Mikhail Baryshnikov

Chickadee and Blossoms 3

2005-07-09T09:08:00.000-05:00

Starting to add shadows to the petals and working a bit on the chickadee.

Most of my time lately has been spent brushing up on my graphic design skills. I got the latest version of flash this week. Yesterday I made a dancing pumpkin!

Dev and I rented Hide and Seek yesterday. I am a big movie buff :) That little girl actor (Dakota Fanning?) is just amazing. She was in War of the Worlds too, and stole the show from Tom Cruise. She is has so much talent and will be a joy to watch her grow and expand her roles as she gets older. I hope her family is keeping her safe from "Hollywood."

Chickadee and Blossoms - 2

2005-07-07T16:47:00.000-05:00

Working on some of the darks today. The flowers and bird are back lite.. he's sitting inside the tree. Also started the shadows on the flowers, but didn't get a photo of that.

My prayers go out to those affected by the bombing in London this morning.

An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Pear Blossoms and Chickadee - background

2005-07-01T15:24:00.000-05:00

Taking a break from all the detail and eyestrain of reflections and crystal! This painting is based on several different photos. The pear blossoms are from the tree in my front yard, and the chickadee is based on reference photos from the web and my bird feeder.

July 4th - Done!

2005-07-01T15:05:00.000-05:00

You can see a larger version and a close up here.

I'm pretty sure this one is done...I will hang it up in the studio and stare at it for a bit to be sure.

I added a few more layers and some white gouache highlights. I really prefer pure watercolor, but sometimes you just have to have a little gouache :)

I thought this was really interesting. 100 questions science hasn't answered yet!

Japanese beetles have become the bane of my exsistance. They are evil creatures that are eating my roses, day lilies, and other plants.

Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?"
Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
Charlie Brown (Charles M. Schulz)

July 4th - Almost done

2005-06-28T09:54:00.000-05:00

I have some of the darkest darks to add, and maybe a few highlights, a little smoothing out here and there and this will be done. I switched to a mixed dark from the payne's gray..it was looking flat. At least one more layer in the red, yellow, blue areas..maybe several in the red to get nice deep colors.

Something fun to play with:
http://metaatem.net/words/

Fourth of July - finally another step :)

2005-06-21T20:57:00.000-05:00

Here's another layer...deepening the reflections and adding shadows.

In the craft class yesterday we did shaving cream paper marbling. It was so much fun. The ladies got such a kick out of it, and said it was cheap therapy! Tonight in the watercolor class we practiced "pulling" the color in a wash to create a gradiation.

Still haven't heard anything from any of the competitions, but not holding my breath either.

Someone emailed and wanted to know what my palette is. It's mainly transparent, and I work in glazes to build up deeper colors:
New Gomboge, Aureolin, Permanent Rose, Quinacridone Red, Cobalt Blue, Prussian Blue, Hooker’s Green, Sap Green, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Payne’s Gray, Quinacridone Gold, Green Gold, Transparent Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Violet, Cerulean Blue, Viridian, Antwerp Blue
(okay okay.. I added commas :) )
Today's quote:

"Painting is easy for those that do not know how, but very difficult for
those that do!" ~ Edgar Degas

Fourth of July - Next Step

2005-06-15T09:36:00.000-05:00

Sorry it have been so long between up dates! Next step..another layer all around, and the shadows.

Another of my favorite art quotes:

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. "
Scott Adams

Fourth of July - Day 2

2005-06-07T22:05:00.000-05:00

First layer on most of it done. The reflections of reflections are going to be interesting paint and it's nice to be away from the prussian blue / burnt sienna combination of the last two paintings.

I finally got to do some painting today. I hid out in the studio and listened to a book on tape. Funny how no one will interrupt you if you have head phones on :) The book I am listening to is called Diary. It's by the same person who wrote fight club. It's about an artist...and after that it gets a little surreal. It's fun to listen to the parts about the artist painting watercolor and want to correct the author. I imagine that scientists feel that way about science fiction all the time.

The beginning watercolor class started tonight. I have three students this time, and I think it will be a great group. We talked about paint (how to read a tube, and what brands are good, etc. ) and washes. They did little paintings of a sunset and palm trees to practice. Next week we will be doing snow scenes and using salt to create the snow.

The Fouth of July - Day 1

2005-06-03T15:45:00.000-05:00

(As always with the drawings, I increased the contrast so that you can see the drawing lines.)
Starting a new painting today. This one is of pinwheels and a flag. I've been wanting to do a Fourth of July painting, but didn't want to do the standard eagles or other symbols. I think the colors and reflections in the one will make for an interesting painting puzzle to solve.

This one might be slow to progress. Dev has his rock show next weekend, so I will be volunteered to help with that...pricing rocks, packing rocks, moving rocks. I am in for a rocky weekend. (I know, I know *groan* )

Pears and Crystal Day 9 & and a no good, terrible, very bad day.

2005-06-01T20:21:00.000-05:00

I think I like it vertical better than the horizontal.

I'm pretty sure this is done. We'll see in the morning. It's been a long day.

This is from an email I sent a group of friends, just cutting and pasting so I don't have to retype it all. We artists do live the glamorous life!

Don't read this is you have a weak stomach!

I had a real coke today to help me drown my sorrows.

I woke up this morning and stepped in dog throw up. Not just any dog throw up mind you... he had eaten about a pound of grass the day before. It was slimy and it was still warm. *gag* *ugh*

I should have gone back to bed then.

I got up and did my daily stuff and realized it's the 1st, and I forgot to give the landlord a check for the studio. He's a sweetie and probably wouldn't have minded it being a day late, but I mind. So I head out to the studio, and it's pouring rain. I get there and get soaked to the bone walking from the car. I get to the rental office with my check, and he's not there. Won't be there for several days... so I run by the studio and pick up three tubes of watercolor paint I need for a painting I'm working on at home and stuff them in my pocket.

Get home and notice the bad smell in the garage has gotten worse, and start investigating. Happen to look at the plug in the wall and realize that the button has tripped. My eyes follow the yellow extension cord plugged into that outlet...down the wall.. along the floor.. behind the work bench to.... the outside freezer. I shut my eye hoping I will jump to an alternate reality when I open them again. Nope.. still in the same garage.

I slowly go over to the innocent looking freezer and open the lid. It's one of those little top-loading freezers. In it we keep frozen pizza, seafood, chicken, bread, cheese.. what ever is on sale and doesn't fit in the freezer in the kitchen.

The smell literally about knocked me over. I don't normally retch from smells...but I did this time. I slammed the lid shut and stared at it for a while. The odor had already escaped and was hanging like a cloud over me. Pushing the button on the garage door opener, I ran for the driveway and stood in the rain for a while. Then I gathered my strength and got the tools I would need: rubber gloves, paper medical mask (I have no idea why we had these..but I'm glad we did), old towels, and lots of plastic trash bags.

I opened the freezer again, and even through the mask, I almost passed out. The pizza had exploded out of the box and the plastic that was sealed around it had blown up like a pizza balloon. I won't describe the shrimp or the chicken or the wilted bread. Just remember that I am short and this is a top loading freezer. I had to stick my head in everytime I pulled something out. And there was about 4" of "liquid" in the bottom. I had to use old towels to sop it up.

I rinsed the whole thing out with pinesol, and left the bucket sitting in the freezer. All the windows are open.

Then I realize how bad I smell. So I step into the laundry room (which is connected to the garage) and strip off my clothes and immediately put them in to wash. I run upstairs and get in the shower and scrub. I can't get that smell off my hands.. I feel like Lady MacBeth.

I then have my real coke.. consider adding some rum for medicinal purposes, but decide against it. Good thing, since I haven't had that much sugar or caffeine in a while. That was probably all my body could handle.

And you see.. while I am sitting here typing this.. there is another adventure waiting for me. Remember those tubes of watercolor I stuffed in my pocket at the studio...and remember how I stripped down in the laundry room and immediately washed the clothes? That's right.. I washed three tubes of watercolor. Burnt umber...raw umber... yellow ochre.

I'm afraid to go downstairs and look in the washing machine.

I told Dev we were going out for Chinese tonight.

Pears and Crystal - Day 8

2005-06-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

Put in some of the darks in the crystal, and shadows. Working on the shadow on the pear. Next will be a layer of refracted (?) color in the crystal.. touches blues, reds, purples. Then pulling out some of highlights and smoothing some of the edges a bit.

Meanwhile.. my husband sent me the link to this little java game The goal is to see how many of the little squares you can get connected. It's addictive!

I'm going through the w3schools html certification program in hopes of understanding html better so that I can then move on to bigger and better things. I know a mishmash of it just from doing webpages, but there a lot of little things I never learned. Who knows.. maybe someday I will be a computer geek!

Pears and Crystal - day 7

2005-05-29T16:33:00.000-05:00

Still struggling with this one. Funny how sometimes a painting just flows from your brush, and sometimes you fight for ever bit of it. Next step is to add some of the darks into the crystal.

Pears and Crystal Day 6

2005-05-27T09:02:00.000-05:00

Not sure where this is going.. I'll give it one more day and then it might be scrap paper.

Pears and Crystal Day 5

2005-05-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

hmmm.. still not looking like much... I'll give it one more day and then decide if I should keep going or move on to something else. I had an art prof that once told the class if you can get 1 in 10 paintings that you are happy with you are doing well. I think that is the reason I don't move on to the more expensive 300# paper.. I don't want to feel like I have to finish a painting or be afraid to try something.

Pears and Crystal - day 4

2005-05-25T09:15:00.000-05:00

Starting to look a bit like a bowl now...I had to rest yesterday afternoon, I was getting eye strain. Happens everytime I paint crystal :)

My entries for the NC Watercolor Society and a exhibition in Texas went off yesterday. Wish me luck!

A few weeks ago I went to Lowes and bought every different type of daisy seed packet they had.. short ones, tall ones, all different colors. When I got home, I mixed them all up and spread them in my little flower garden. I had zinnias there last year, and few volunteers are coming up from those. This morning I noticed that many of the seeds have sprouted! Yea! Now, if I can just remember to keep them watered.

Pears & Crystal Day 3

2005-05-24T08:13:00.000-05:00

The first layer on the crystal is done..payne's gray and q gold.

Look, I'm artist of the day on artistoftheday blog :)

And artist of the month for June on Bridges 2 Design

Pears and Crystal - Work in Progress

2005-05-23T07:57:00.000-05:00

This is going slow...a wash for the background and pears, and a start on the first layer for the crystal. I need to speed up or I won't have the slides for the competition by the 8th. Not looking like much at the moment :)

Just have the drawing done today. I think I might have a painting marathon this evening during CSI (the repeats and the peats)

Where do marshmallows come from?

2005-05-22T20:29:00.000-05:00

They come from a farm on route 17 in Georgia. Dev and I spotted this giant marshmallow farm on the way back from a rock hunting expedition.. where we found some cool amethyst and clear quartz.

This is one of the crystals Dev found. It hasn't been cleaned yet, so it looks like it has spots, but it won't.. the inside if clear and a gorgeous purple color.

Roses and Grass

2005-05-19T17:23:00.000-05:00

I cut the grass today (part of the glamorous life of an artist!) Am I the only one that likes to cut grass? I like the smell.. I like how the shaggy weedy grass turns into nice neat grass. Now I don't like to vacuum :P so I don't think it's cleaning thing.

My roses are fighting black spot and now they are wilting away. They were sooo pretty a few weeks ago:

Egg Basket - Day 5

2005-05-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

Calling it finished..
You can see a larger version and a close up here:
Great Grandmother's Egg Basket

Next in line is a crystal bowl and pears.. I know.. crystal again lol

Egg Basket - Day 4 1/2

2005-05-17T21:27:00.000-05:00

And almost done.. a few touch ups in the morning. I can see already that the little triangles of light to the right of the basket are too even.

Days Three and Four

2005-05-17T14:28:00.000-05:00

Adding darks to the weave of the basket. The flash reflected off of the masking fluid and gave a little hit of what it will look like when I remove the mask. Neat!

And deepening the shadows... Added burnt sienna and q gold to the table top, and decided not to put in the wood grain. I think it would be to fussy and fight with the basket. It's getting really close to removing the masking. I need to add some warmth to the eggs and cloth, and just a touch of cool to the table top. Tone down a few the highlights on the basket. Anything else?

Day Two - Egg Basket

2005-05-16T09:14:00.000-05:00

Adding color to the basket, and a few more darks.

More darks, developing the shadows on the eggs, & erasing the pencil lines. This photo was taken in sunlight, instead of flash...so the whites are much warmer.

Egg Basket - WIP Day One

2005-05-14T21:10:00.000-05:00

The contrast was increased on the drawing so you can see it better online. This painting is based on a photograph I took of my great grandmother's eggbasket

Here I've added the masking on the highlights through the basket, on the eggs and on the table. The background and the cloth have their first layer.

Starting the darks in the shadows, and shading on the eggs.

More shadows on the basket, especially in the weaving. Had to take a break and rest my eyes :) So far, so good.. even if it is an "adolescent" painting.

Shelter Auction

2005-05-12T13:05:00.000-05:00

Our local animal shelter is having an auction June 10 & 11 at Birkedale Village in Charlotte NC. 100% of the proceeds go to fun surgeries /medical care, toys, food, etc. for cats in the shelter. They would love any cat or animal related paintings,prints, note cards, glass work, sculpture, jewelry, etc. Please send submissions to: CMAC c/o Erin Murphy, 8315 Byrum Drive Charlotte NC 28217

I'm donating the painting above and a few other cat prints. Samurai, Diva, and Emp approved.

Drawing Class

2005-05-11T20:13:00.000-05:00

We did one and two point perspective and talked about MC Escher. I think it went pretty well. I always like it when a 12 year old says,"Class isn't over already, is it?" Teaching in my own studio is soooo very different then teaching in a school. We can really concentrate on learning art, and not on discipline or the 1000 other things that they try to throw in to the curriculum for arts classes.

Some of My Favorite Art Quotes

2005-05-11T08:56:00.000-05:00

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures. Henry Ward Beecher

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. - Emile Zola

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better. - dré Gide

I cannot help it that my pictures do not sell. - Vincent van Gogh

My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.- Claude Monet

There is no short-cut to art, one has to work hard, be open and flexible in your mind, keep the child alive inside you, and through a whole lifetime be ready to learn new things and – of course – be mentally prepared for a hard punch on your nose – especially when you think you are doing well.- Bente Borsum

The artist himself is often surprised at the finished work of art. He cannot tell 'how it happened', nor could he repeat the feat at someone's bidding. -John F. Carlson

An artist's job is to surprise himself. Use all means possible. -Robert Henri

Art seems to me to be a state of soul more than anything else. -Marc Chagall

Anyone have one to add?

Irises

2005-05-10T12:04:00.000-05:00

My irises are so pretty this year! I can't wait until I have a sunny day to take photos, they are sure to end up in a painting at some point. The trick for larger blooms seems to be allowing the green to die back on it's own (no trimming! no matter how scraggly they look.) and a healthy dose of epsom salts early in the spring. Epsom salts are also good for roses and magnolias...and just sprinkling over the grass.

Strawberries and Crystal - another update!

2005-05-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

I went to the Charlotte Art League awards for their juried show and I actually won first place! Woo woo!!! I'm so excited! This is my first blue ribbon and I am so honored. It was a wonderful show with so many beautiful paintings.(I don't think the one I won in 4th grade for standing on my head counts. lol )

2005-05-06T15:42:00.000-05:00

I finished the calla lily painting for my brother's wedding present just in time. I hope they like it. I had my mom acting as a spy to find out my new sis-in-law's favorite flower and it's calla lily. The plant the painting was done from is also part of their gift. They can plant in the yard of their new house.

Tonight is the open house for the Charlotte Art League show. I will finally find out what award I won. Honorable mentions get a gift certificate to a local art store so that would be great! I really need to get off the computer and go get dressed. We are going out for chinese (Fong's the best chinese in Charlotte NC! and I hope that get's them a good google spot lol) I have no clue what to wear. I have probably the least artsy wardrobe of any artist alive...how can an artist be such a geek at the same time :)

Betsy was here today. She's my trainer and I usually meet with her once a week. Today we did full body, but concentrated on triceps, biceps and shoulders. My arms were shaking while I was trying to paint! Oh well.. they pain we suffer to be healthy :P

Okay...off to shower and search my closet for something appropriate..wish me luck tonight!

A Spell for a Southern Green Anole

2005-05-04T21:40:00.000-05:00

This little guy is living in the jasmine vine out side our front door. He is so very elegant. He is a Southern Green Anole Anolis carolinensis seminolus. They are often confused with chameleons because the green anoles can turn brown.

Isn't the internet a amazing? I typed in "little green lizard with red thingy under it's chin" and *poof* I have the Latin name and it's feeding habits!

(Any other closet fantasy readers who get the title reference?)

Today was drawing class. My students were working on texture and trying out conte crayons. They seem to be learning to observe more carefully... I guess all those contour drawings worked.

Spent the morning working on the website and linking...bah. Hopefully tomorrow will be mostly working on the calla lily painting for my brother.

Strawberries and Crystal - Update!

2005-05-03T16:48:00.000-05:00

I entered the Strawberries and Crystal watercolor (scroll down to see the painting) in the Charlotte Spring in to Art juried art show. They called and said it won a prize, but they didn't say what it was! I have to go to the awards show on Friday to find out lol It could be anything from an honorable mention to best in show...I'm leaning toward the honorable mention side. It seems like most of the previous winners have been abstracts. That's true for most shows it seems...not sure why that is. Some I can see why they win.. their use of color or composition or depth is amazing. But then some... I just don't get it, they just look like splotches to me. And I have had several years of art history, I understand what is supposed to be the intent of abstract art....I still don't understand why some abstracts are considered good. Oh well, to each his own.

I have the entry ready for the recipe and art contest. I entered the lemons and crystal (homemade lemonade) and the strawberries and crystal (strawberry shortcake.) I think we just get a free recipe book if our work is used, but it was a fun contest anyway :)

A gentleman came to the shop today and purchased a small daffodil painting for his wife. He said her birthday is May 1 and every year he gives her a present everyday between her birthday and Mother's Day. How sweet is that!

Tonight I am filling orders that have backed up while I was away this weekend and working on a painting of calla lilies for my brother's wedding present. He is getting married this weekend and I am so thrilled that he has found someone to share is life with. He deserves to be happy!

Gem and Mineral Show in Charleston

2005-04-27T10:55:00.000-05:00

Dev and I spent the weekend as vendors at a gem an mineral show. I just can't say enough about how great the people were! I've never been part of a show like that for art or rocks where the people giving the show treated everyone so well. They fed us home cooked breakfast and lunch. They even helped set up and packed up the displays. We had a wonderful time.

On one of our walks to the colisium from the hotel, we saw this creature..some kind of catapiller. Does anyone know what it is??

Gemstones day 2

2005-04-25T20:49:00.000-05:00

I didn't get as much done today as I had hope. I really wanted to get all of the first layer done. Hopefully tomorrow will be a painting day.

Tomorrow I pick up the lemons and crystal and drop off the strawberries for the juried show. I also need to get my entry ready for the art and recipes contest. I'm using the strawberries and strawberry short cake...had to make it today and take photos as part of the contest. *yum*

Gemstone Painting WIP

2005-04-24T20:55:00.000-05:00

The chickadee and blossoms painting is on hold for this week. We are going to the Gem and Mineral Show in Charleston SC this weekend, so I will be working on some more gem and mineral paintings for that. This is the drawing for a gemstone painting. I took photos of some gemstones and blew up the images in a photo editor to work from.

Majestic Bath Art Show

2005-04-23T17:47:00.000-05:00

We had the Majestic Bath Show last night. Over all it went pretty well. Majestic Bath is a bath fixtures store. They work in conjunction with Hotel Charlotte, a nice little restaurant a few doors down. I didn't sell anything, but I met some really nice fellow artists. lol Most of the art was abstract or impressionistic, I think I was the only one realist there. There was a portrait artist, is that the same genre as realism or is portraiture in a group by itself? hmmm There was a thunderstorm and high wind warning right in the middle of the show, which I am sure kept many would be visitors away. It was a little disconcerting to see my work displayed next to toilets.. very nice expensive toilets...but still:

Everyone seemed to like the strawberries and crystal. I am entering it a juried show (meaning they can kick it out if they don't like it, and you might win a prize if they keep it ;) ) The winners of last year's show were abstracts for the most part...but we have a different judge this year. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

And I am taking a break from the chickadee and blossoms and working on more gemstones for this weekend's gem and mineral show in Charleston. About to go do the rough drawing for that. Dev has to work this evening. I'm so glad he can dial in from home on the weekends!

Pear Blossoms & Chickadee WIP

2005-04-21T07:15:00.000-05:00

I thought I would start my first work in progress with this one...

This is the rough pencil drawing. For this painting, I am combining several reference photos. The blossoms are from my front yard this spring. Not sure where the chickadee is from..it was in my reference file. I will post another image when the final under drawing is done. (I've raised the contrast and intensity in the photo so you can see the lines, they are actually very light.)

Tomorrow is the event at Majestic Bath...it should be a lot of fun. Four businesses are working together to have an art & wine evening. It was my good fortune to be invited to join in. There will be seven artists in my group, each of us with 3-4 easels to display our work. They have been advertising the event in the local magazines and paper.

I have to put the easels together today and figure out how to add an extra ledge below the original one. Should be an interesting project...measure twice, cut once...measure twice, cut once...measure twice, cut once...

Strawberries and Crystal Watercolor

2005-04-19T06:40:00.000-05:00

Finally finished!

This took a while. Painting the crystal really just requires patience, and to believe what you are seeing. Yes, the colors are really that bright or that dark..and there are those strange little flicks of color from the prism affect. What really got me with this one was the strawberries... I wasn't sure just how to get those depressions created by each seed, and the highlights, and the right color. I saw strawberries when I closed my eyes to sleep, and had several strawberry dreams before I was finished. It's done now, and I will have it framed and ready for the showing on Friday evening.
You can see a larger image of the painting here.

The Chess Match

2005-04-17T20:17:00.000-05:00

The doorbell rang this afternoon, and it was our 7 year old next door neighbor asking if my husband could play...chess. Turns out he is a chess whiz! He's amazing, and went to the national championship last weekend. He beat Dev 2 out 3 games! That's Samurai sitting watching.. he's a very social animal.

I have pretty much finished the strawberries and crystal painting. I'll put up a photo of it tomorrow. Then I will be working on the gem and mineral series to take the Charleston Rock and Mineral show on the 30/1st week.

Tomorrow we are making bead weaving bracelets in the crafts class. That should be fun! I need to make an example using yarn to make it easier to see. Maybe in the morning.