Saturday Paint Out

With the temperature getting up to a "balmy" 62 degrees, I painted out today with four other artists. The 5 of us scattered out on about 4 acres of trees, a pond, little paths, & some outbuildings. I chose to paint the neighbor's house across the fence row. This time of year, the North Texas landscape is pretty blah...not much color except for a gorgeous blue sky and some evergreen trees and shrubs. It was great to get back out into the landscape after a too long holiday season and a month of awfully cold weather. One great thing about Texas is that the cold doesn't stay around long; we have a few days of cold, then a few days of warm. So, here's my painting of the day. Enjoy!

"The Dawson Place" 9 x 12 Watercolor on 300# Arches Rough

WATERCOLOR CANVAS

Technology...don'cha love it? The new surfaces available for watercolor begs for experimentation and takes me out of my "comfort zone". I'm basically a "traditional" watercolor painter...my mantra is "wetter is better". I rarely use mask, saving the whites and following the "rules". Watercolor canvas requires a different approach...less water,(wetter ISN'T better), more paint, softer touch. Anyway, here's a little 6" x 6" Gallery Wrap.

TITLE: INTO THE TREES

JANUARY AFTERNOON

JANUARY AFTERNOON - Watercolor - 8" x 12" - 300# Arches Rough.
I teach a weekly class in beginning and basic watercolor techniques at an art school in Cedar Hill Texas. My class begins again next week, so in the process of checking my supplies, I found this little demonstration painting from the last class before the holiday break; It was still stapled to my foamboard. Demo paintings usually lack in one or more areas; composition, color, linear and/or aerial perspective, contrast, etc. While this one may not get a "juror's nod", it still has appeal.

Today is 70 degrees...January 2nd! I'm on my way out the door with my paint gear in tow. We don't get this kind of day very often in January so I'm taking advantage of it. The mess in my studio can wait until tomorrow...or the next day!

MIDWINTER SOLSTICE

I love Christmas, but it sure does sidetrack my painting schedule! I've been on holiday for the past 5 days, but now I'm back; I painted Midwinter Solstice today. It's 11 x 14 on 300# rough Arches.

"WHISPERS"

The title adds a little mystery...you're drawn into the painting by the 3 small figures in the distance; two are talking and the other has walked away... This is a watercolor, 16 x 20. I completed this painting 2 days before Christmas.

1st Place Award

I'm delighted to announce that my painting, AWESOME AUTUMN won First Place in DeSoto Art League's annual membership show. There were 44 entries and 4 "over-all" awards; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention. Winning is a good "motivator"....back to work I go!

RIVER BEND RANCH

RIVER BEND RANCH - Watercolor - 8"x10"
Today I spent about 3 hours cleaning up my work area; emptying the trash and sweeping up little bits of debris that is always under my drawing board. I only had a couple of hours before dinner so I decided to do a small landscape. This is the 3rd in a series of "River Bend" paintings.