QUICK FUN

Fast practice session with acrylics, watercolors and acrylic ink.

REDO

Working in watercolors has always been an adventure for me. It's definitely not my best medium. I have started pulling out old paintings that I was unhappy with, and reworking them with acrylics (thank you Chris Forsey). Below is one that I worked on the last few nights. I'm not sure it's any better but certainly a lot more colorful!

Second Life

BE YOURSELF

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.      ~Dr Suess~

Noko
Acrylic painting
on Arches watercolor paper

MIX AND MATCH

Spent the last couple of nights down in the studio with no particular direction in mind. Mostly just fooling around. Started this out with pastels and then switched to acrylics. Have no idea why!

SOMETHING NEW

I've had some Ampersand Pastelbords setting around for quite a while, but never used them. Noticed that they can also be used with other mediums such as watercolor and acrylics. Even though watercolor is always a nightmare for me, I decided to give it a go. So far I've done a pour method and then added a small amount of detail. Hope to have time today to get back down in the studio and do some more damage.

THAT WAS FUN!

Finished the new pastel over the last few days. I enjoy this medium so much more than my trials and tribulations with watercolor. With pastels and acrylics I seem to be able to work past of fix mistakes. Watercolor, for me. is very unforgiving!

OLD PHOTOGRAPHS

Belinda Del Pesco wrote in her blog about her collection of old photos she keeps and uses as subjects for her wonderful watercolor paintings. Watercolor still escapes me but, I too, have used photographs my wife and I have taken as subjects in some of my acrylic paintings. The piece to the left is one of Belinda's newer works. Below is one I did of Teri (my wife) at a car show here in Big Bear, and another of a biker cafe in the small town where Teri's mother lived in central California.

CHICKENED OUT

About a month ago, with good intentions I started a new watercolor painting. I really told myself that I would see this one to the finish. That resolve lasted through the first two washes. I am such a wuss! As soon as things started being uncomfortable for me I broke out the acrylics. Out of all of my attempts at watercolor (and there have been many) I have one painting that I like.  

ART FOR A FRIEND

A good friend of mine, who teaches here in Big Bear, gave me a photograph that she really likes and asked me if I could paint it for her. I went back to my old stand by, acrylics and think I like the results.

SIMONE BINGMER

I have found myself working with pastels a lot over the last few months. I think part of the reason is the pace they allow you to work at. Also, I struggle with watercolors so much, never being able to correct problems I encounter. With both pastels and acrylics, I find it much easier to fix things that I am unhappy with. I was sent a link to Simone Bingmer's web site. She is a wonderful pastel artist who lives in Cologne. I've never been quite sure weather to call the pastels I do paintings or drawings. Hers are definitely paintings. They look like beautiful oil portraits.

http://www.simonebingmer.de/index_en.html

On the right is one of my attempts.

FLORAL

I spent some great time with my grandson over the weekend (oh, and my son and his wife too!). I can't get enough of him. Also took some time to shoot some pictures of the many flowers that are opening up with the coming of spring. I've done a few floral paintings using acrylics but really want to jump into the deep end of the pool and try one with watercolors.