Saturday, March 30, 2013

Bartow Motel...

I love vintage signage. At one time, arrows pointed toward all the "best" places. Neon and twinkling lights dotted the roadways. Every time I see a vintage sign I must get a pic!

Note: These are not my pictures. I've credited them when I could find the photographers' info.


from Retro Roadmap

This week while I was in Cartersville, Georgia I spotted the old Bartow Motel and knew I must pull over for a quick pic.
The only thing I love more, is painting vintage signs!

I was traveling and wanted to paint on larger paper than I had. I found some cheaper on sale at a local hobby shop. I hated it!!! It pilled up when wet and then wouldn't lay back down. It was very frustrating! Live and learn. 
Thank you for peeking at my painting!






Monday, March 25, 2013

Decisions...


What a weekend! Rain, storms, sunshine, cold, the weather kept me in the house. It was a great opportunity to get a few things finished. I cleaned out my closet and found so many neat things I had forgotten about. I worked on 3 paintings at once. I would do a little work on one and while it dried I would pick up another one. I got stumped on a little painting I've named "Decisions". I wanted a vintage look to the luggage and then I felt I needed vintage shoes as well. I don't think the bag on the top has the "vintage" feel. 

A couple of other projects I finished were a custom "girl" palette and a unique workspace.


This palette is centered around Holbein's Opera. I can't wait to dream up a project so I can use it!

My second project was a painting board. I wanted something I could put in my lap to work. I found a board at the Restore Store that would be perfect to tape down my watercolor paper. I had a small magnetic sheet with adhesive on one side. I cut it into 2 pieces and stuck them to the board. The magnets hold my wonderful palette I purchased from Kremer and a child's watercolor box I use to hold pencils, brushes, an eraser, and a small sponge. I have a paint cup  from Home Depot to hold water and I slip the handle through the binder clip. This is not a perfect set up but it is nice to have to paint while I listen to a program on TV or watch a movie.

What is the project I'm working on? I am starting, what I hope will be a long-term project to paint the buildings in my town, Gainesville, Georgia. This building is the train depot. It is a large station which is now used for special events and for the Smithgall Arts Center. I chose to start with the back of the building. I believe the beautiful park and atrium area might have been added in the 1980s. 

I hope you had a great weekend. Thank you for peeking at my work!



Sunday, March 17, 2013

Outdoor Studio...Opening Day


Okay, so it's not a studio, but I do enjoy working on my back deck.  I worked on painting the sketches I made this week. Here is what is in my sketchbook (#18) right now.











Thank you for peeking in my sketchbook!


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Brown's Bridge, Gainesville, GA

Brown's Bridge, Gainesville, Georgia
Yes, the secret is out... Brown's Bridge is GREEN (not brown)!

Before you look at my latest work, here is a link to a beautiful picture of the bridge by Sussman Imaging

Here is my version from a terrible photo I took. I need to work on the water in this painting. Maybe I'll pick it up again and see if I can fix it.  I guess it is important to keep growing my skills. 

Thank you for peeking in my sketchbook. 



Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Sketchbook #1

Sketchbook #1


This is not my very first sketchbook, but the first one I've counted.

I believe it is from 2007. I didn't date my sketches back then. I would love to have the sketchbooks from the 80's.
Blackberries @ Collins Hill Park, Suwanee, GA

This is a quick sketch of trees as I waited to pick up my son from practice.

Collins Hill Park, Suwanee, GA
It is rare that I will do a sketch or painting twice. This is a sketch that came out much better the second time. I wish I would make myself repeat sketches more often.
Flower in Vase, Take 1 


Flower in Vase, Take 2
I had a few minutes waiting for my son to finish up practice and sketched a couple of pine boughs.
Georgia Pine


 We took a little trip to Chattanooga and I enjoyed sketching along the way.
Rock City Sign
 We stayed at a very nice camp site named Raccoon Mountain. If I remember correctly, I created the sign for the Go Cart track.
Raccoon Mtn. Go Carts

 Just playing with paint!
Swirls
 This was a little sketch from a magazine picture. I was learning about watercolor pencils. 

I don't know why I did these. I guess I just thought it was fun.

Topiaries
It is interesting as I look back at this sketchbook. The sketches I like the best are of the things I've experienced. Another thing I've realized is how many sketches I've done waiting for the kids to finish practice!

Thank you for peeking in my sketchbook!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Jewelry...



I have a love of all things sparkly! My grandmother would tell me that I need to cut my hair, put away the heels, and choose less sparkle. A dignified Southern lady would wear a large real stones. I'm not sure they would wear rhinestones! 

I love the sound of the jingle of the bangles and the sparkle of the earrings. I did the best I know how to catch a little of the feeling of my favorite jewelry. 

Thank you for peeking in my sketchbook!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Just a little cleaning...


This weekend started rather bizarrely. I had plans to paint all weekend and when I pulled out my paper, the drawer was so packed I dumped it out to straighten it.




Well, a few hours later I had taken an inventory and decided I needed a portfolio to protect the larger paintings.

I hopped in the car to run a few errands and pick up a portfolio on the way. Heading out of my neighborhood I noticed the neighbors had a pink ribbon on their mailbox. As I was driving I prayed for the new little life the ribbon symbolized.


A little closer into town I rounded the corner and saw a small church. A bride and groom were leaving the church in their wedding clothes. The bride was beautiful and in her white gown she was glowing. Everyone was throwing streamers and yelling well wishes. I prayed for the couple and the life they would have together as I drove. 




Not even a mile from the church I passed a funeral home. The parking lot was packed with cars. People were hugging one another as they were getting in their cars for the procession. It is just an illustration of how short life is. In less than a few miles people were experiencing life's full range of emotions; joy, excitement, anxiety, pain, heartbreak. 

My daughter and I were just discussing the way time progresses in life. She is in such a hurry to get to college and start her life there. It is so hard, at her age, to wait on all the wonderful experiences ahead. She has an exciting summer planned with a job as a camp counselor waiting for her. In the fall she will pack up and move hours away to start her life on her own. 


My M&M


I, of course, have another view of this time in her life. It was just yesterday I was trying to get her to quit sucking her thumb. She has always been in a rush to grow up. She is like a ray of sunshine and I hope she values the days she is experiencing now because the days are fleeting. 

Back to painting...

Knowing all, this I wonder about whether I'll ever master this painting thing or not. I read a post about an artist (Liz Steel) who numbers her sketchbooks. I actually thought I would have to start numbering now and label the sketchbook I am working in as #1. (Remember, this whole post started because I had a drawer so packed I had to organize it!) 


Well, guess what? If I just number the sketchbooks I have kept since the kids entered high school, I'm on #18. Cool beans!!! I don't have my other sketchbooks. Maybe some are packed away, but most were lost when our basement flooded. 
I'm going to post some of these old sketches and paintings (just for fun). Thank you for reading and for peeking into my drawer!