Trout

This is a multi media piece I did after the Liz Hill workshop. It's on watercolor paper. I used collage, acrylics watercolors and charcoal. It's a really fun process. 

Figure drawing

I have been taking figure drawing classes lately. I am really enjoying the process of learning to draw better.

The other side of the Marsh 12 x24 oil on panel

Yupo, India Ink and Alcohol Inks

These pieces are also from the Mixed Media workshop. I have been playing with the India and Alcohol Inks. I have come up with a series of floral patterns. It's on yupo paper so I am going to mat them with a 5 x 7 mat in an 8 x 10 frame.

Mixed Media Workshop

This painting is a 12 x 18 on Gesso Board. It's oil paint and cold wax. This is my first time using cold wax and I love the feel and texture of it. I plan to use it in some of my future work.

It's titled "Keep Rolling". I started our with various shapes and hated what I had. Part of the workshop was to push yourself and to keep adding layers. I continued to add layers and finally took a roller and kept rolling on it. I ended up with this really neat texture and design. This is my first abstract painting that I can actually feel it is art worthy.... Whatever that means... 

Pink Flamingos 2

This is the second pink Flamingo painting. I just finished. It is 12 x 24 Oil on Panel. I took the photo at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. It's their Flamingos. They are beautiful birds and I found out that they turn that color because they eat shrimp!

Plein air painting

Yesterday I got out to the Dallas Arboretum to paint with friends. The flowers are blooming and it was beautiful! Although..... Here in Texas in the summer it is HOT! It was also muggy and sweat was dripping down my back as I was painting!

I have always thought that people who plein air paint should get more money for there paintings! It's much harder and if you are not an artist, you probably don't realize how much harder it is to paint in plein air.

When I go on a plein air painting excursion, the goal is not to have a frameable painting in the end. I feel I learn more and am challenged by the colors from life that a photo can not capture. Your drawing and simplifying the scene is crucial. I find it has made me a better artist and progressed me faster than painting from photos.

Back to yesterday, I did two small paintings, neither fabulous.... With the heat, bugs, carrying equipment, making sure you have all your supplies... I forgot my wet canvas carrier and only had one trash bag. We broke for lunch and had a fabulous meal at the restaurant at the Arboretum. Air conditioning and lots of iced tea were very welcomed. It was a successful painting day!!