Back to the Future with Louis Armstrong

Hello again,

I've titled this latest post "Back to the Future..." because it marks my return to pursuing a future career in some sort of artistic endeavor. I have just begun the fall session of watercolor classes through our local Parks and Recreation department in Jefferson Parish Louisiana and I am inspired once again!
The following pictures are steps in my painting of of our first class subject - Louis Armstong. My husband, Alvin, thinks I should consider doing a series of well-known local musicians.
Hmmm... might be interesting.

What do you think?

                              

1. Work in progress with copy of painting subject provided in class:



 

 

 

 

2. Closeup of work in progress:

 

 

3. Finished painting matted:

Finished painting with copy of original photo I found online later:









A beautiful source of inspiration

Well, I have to admit I've been a little preoccupied lately but, with good reason.

Our first grandbaby has arrived!
Julia Carman made her debut on May 20th and she is the most beautiful baby I have ever had the good fortune to meet (I'm not prejudiced I swear).
Of course I cannot claim any resposibiityfor her genes as her beautiful mama is my step-daughter (the "daughter of my heart"). Nevertheless, I was inspired to paint a photo of her, a day old, sleeping peacefully in her PawPaw's arms.
PawPaw Alvin says " its like being able to hold my daughter again after all these years".

Of course I have't done her justice so I'll add the photo I used for inspiration so you'll see what I mean.

Who wouldn't be inspired by such a miracle?

Finding some focus in the Kaleidoscope

I know I've been remiss in posting to my blog for the past month but with a good excuse. I've been immersed in the world of watercolor painting. I just started my second class session through the local parks and recreation dept. and I've also been exploring the Wetcanvas website for all things artistic. A lot of their forums offer monthly projects in which you can participate and hone your skills.
This month I am participating in a miniatures project which calls for submission of your work  based on a selection of reference photos provided. The choice of medium used (watercolor, oil, acrylic) is left to each artist. Below are my first three attempts all using watercolor pencils and a #1 brush on 140lb cold press paper. Finished sizes are 2.5"x3.5".

They are based on reference photos provided as follows:

1. Red Icelandic Poppy 6 bt Stephie20
2. Old farm gatepost by ICanDoIt
3. Fisgard_Lighthouse by Pippen

The worldwide community I'm finding on this website is truly inspiring. You should visit!

www.wetcanvas.com

A Good Resource for Artists

I seem to be on a roll with my watercolor painting lately so I've been searching the internet for how-to info about watercolor painting and ran across this website www.wetcanvas.com.
It's a great site for artists that has tutorials, forums, resource guides, etc in almost any medium .
Check it out.

Longue Vue Magnolia

Here's my latest watercolor entitled "Longue Vue Magnolia" since that's where I took the original photograph.

I think I'd like to dedicate it to my mother, who was quite the "southern magnolia" herself and who would have celebrated her 90th birthday today were she still here

 with us today.

 She's the one who inspired a love of beautiful art and gardens in me.

Here's to you, Mom!

Completed Painting Projects 1

Okay, so here is the first of several watercolors that I have completed. I feel like a first-grader rushing home to proudly show off my masterful scribblings to a hopefully receptive audience.

Its amazing what a simple mat and frame purchased from the local craft store can do to elevate one's efforts to the status of "art".

This is my first completed efffort copied and enlarged from a photo of an existing painting.

My painting is double-matted in soft greens and mounted in a 16"x20" frame

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This next watercolor entitled "Easter Liliies" is based on a photograph I took while visiting the Long Vue Gardens here in New Orleans, La.

This painting is double-matted in cream tones and mounted in a 14"x 18" gold-tone wood frame.

This last one is a study of a birch tree based on a tecnique I found on Youtube. It is simply matted in a dark blue 8"x10" mat.

 I'm really having fun with this and I think all-in-all they're not too bad for a beginner who has never taken an art class before now.

Let me know what you think.

Should I sign up for the next class session?

And Another Thought...

I think I need to add to the sub-title of my blog. It should probably read "Scattered Thoughts- In Pursuit of Creative Focus or My Version of Attention Deficit Disorder".

Seriously, I can't seem to settle on just one project at a time. Is this normal? I mean, I haven't finished my watercolor painting but I've been distracted by the need to work with my polymer clay again. I haven't really touched it much since we moved to Florida in 1995 but now that we're back home in New Orleans I've been itching to get to it again along with several other projects I have in mind.

Anyway, here is my progress on the poly clay front:

What do you think?