Remembering a trip to Spain

Shelter for IF

"...shelter me in the shadow of your wing..."

Spring Birds watercolor postcard

Quick snap of Spring Birds postcard heading to New York for the 2016 Twitter Art Exhibit.
I just found out about this art show two days ago, but didn't have time to work on something until this morning.  A few pages of sketches and some miniature paintings "for the bin" as Jean Haines would say, and this quail couple was chosen for the journey.
Safe travels my friends!  


Twitter Art Exhibit: NYC - 2016

Illustration Friday topic "Hat", pigeon nest

Honey, have you seen my gardening hat?

Winter ice skating

Figure skating is one of my hobbies.  There is a girl at my rink who wears these thick, fuzzy leg warmers and matching hat, with a skating skirt and I just think she looks adorable.  I started thinking about that last night and the fact that it's still February, so I decided a winter scene was in order!  The weather has been great for us lately (in the 80s!) but I still remember winter.  If this were my backyard, I would be out there every day!

Easter Island Girl for Illustration Friday's "Mystery"

Rapa Nui girl, Easter Island.  Virtual trip for research!  I thought it would be fun to go to Easter Island, wander around the land and festivals in my mind.  I let my eyes feast on all the images I could find, did some quick pencil and color sketches before bed, and let it all sink in overnight.  In the morning I asked my daughter to try out a couple poses for me.  She picked this one on her own, even though I had envisioned something else, and wouldn't you know it, this one worked best.  She got a brief introduction to Maxfield Parrish, one of my favorite artists, and how he used models for his work.  Years ago when we lived in New Hampshire, I was able to see a special exhibit of his works in Manchester.  I admired his use of color and dreamy quality in paintings, illustrations and even theatre sets.  I always fantasized about attempting a mural in my house based on one of his paintings.  Alas, it never happened.  We moved to Arizona, found the Phoenix Art Museum, and I was pleasantly surprised to find another painting by Parrish of the local landscape.  I recognized the artist immediately.  I think of that painting often when I drive and can see those mountains in the distance.

In progress...saguaro blossom watercolor

I'm in the middle of working on another cactus watercolor.  Not sure how comfortable I am with no pencil lines on the paper first, but it does make it interesting.  I've drawn enough of them that by the time I'm ready to paint, I should know what I'm doing, right?  I gave this one an initial wash of color, leaving the white for the flowers, and plan to add layers to finish.  

Smart for IF

Dog bath time.  Each is trying to out-smart the other.

Watercolor illustration.