Sunday, February 24, 2013

SCAD, Savannah...

I didn't realize when you finish a painting it would feel like when you finish a book or a great T.V. series (I'm mourning the end of season 3 of Downton Abbey). I feel very down now that I have finished the Paris Market painting.




 My daughter loved it and I loved working on it. Every minute was exciting as I learned more about shading and perspective. I also enjoyed painting a place my daughter and I have chosen as one of our faves. 

I really struggled to figure out what to paint next. I finished my January painting.



This is still not my favorite painting. I ruined it with the black and I didn't recover it in any way. Oh well, chalk it up to learning about composition.

I started my February painting. 



I played around with lettering but nothing seemed to be crying out for me to paint. Finally, I settled on another painting of Savannah. Painters paint in series...correct?

I took a neat picture of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and thought, "Why not?". I'm sure I'm not the first person to paint the SCAD theater (mostly because it is a school is for ART and DESIGN!



Don't you just love the "oh so cool" sign?


I stole a trick from my architecture days and sketched the angles and perspective before I began. 


At this point I have put in hours and I'm not enjoying it very much. I'm still mourning the finish of The Paris Market (and the death of Matthew Crawley of Downton Abbey!).



Another day and I’m feeling refreshed and finally excited about this painting.


It's time for bed so I'll have to put it to rest. Darn...tomorrow is a work day. Maybe I'll have some studio time tomorrow night. 
Thanks for letting me share and for peeking inside my sketchbook.










My New Studio...

I would like to show off where I work. About a year and 1/2 ago I downsized in a big way by moving from my large home in a crowded suburban neighborhood to a little house near the lake. One of the perks of the new house was a beautiful room that was once used as a plant room. It has large skylights and 2 sliding doors. I immediately thought it would be my studio and I set myself up to have a perfect work space. 

Well, life intervened and my sister and I decided we would combine the 2 families and they moved it too! This has been a great experience for us. Both families complement each other and there is always someone at home. Unfortunately, I lost the studio and it became a totally adorable boy's room. 

For a few months I tried different spaces in the house to paint (and work) but I just couldn't find a place that worked until just recently. I moved a drop-leaf table into my large bedroom and set up shop. It is a little space but it is working great. 

My daughter leaves for college in a few months and everyone will shift rooms. My sister and her husband will take over my daughter's large bedroom. My nephew will move to their room and I will reclaim my studio!!! Don't you think it's fair that I get 2 rooms and everyone else gets 1? I'm not complaining.

Let's do a little shout out for a cute little workspace!  Wooo Whooo!!! 






Thanks for touring my little (hopefully temporary) studio!







Thursday, February 21, 2013

Savannah's Paris Market...

I'm so excited to post this week's painting. Recently, my daughter and I took a road trip to Savannah, Georgia...one of our favorite places. We decided we would do some shopping on Broughton Street (totally adorable and artsy shops). We were so excited to get to spend some "quality" time in the Paris Market. This store has an eclectic collection of decorative items. The last time we were there they had an enormous sculpture of Neptune made of shells. It is a truly a beautiful store.

I've spent the last few days painting my sketch of the exterior of the store. I enjoyed this painting so much because it is a beautiful place, in a beautiful town, where I had a lovely time with a beautiful young woman.
Arches cold press paper, Holbein watercolors, black Sharpie

I enjoyed this painting more than I can possibly explain here. Great memories! Thank you for peeking into my sketchbook.



Friday, February 15, 2013

Cartersville, Georgia...

Yesterday I had a meeting in Cartersville, Georgia. I arrived early and took a little trip to the historical downtown of Cartersville. They have done a wonderful job preserving the historical buildings. I was about 30 minutes early for my meeting so I parked where I had a great view and sketched. The first sketch I made was of the wonderful Grand Theater.


I sketched using my HB pencil on a 6x6 watercolor pad (cold pressed 140lbs). then painted it at home. I outlined using my Sharpie and added the white outlines on the windows using a Pentel white gel pen. 

Here is a sketch of the Gold-domed courthouse. I'll post it when I'm finished.
(I could only park where I could view the back. I'll have to return and spend some time sitting outside sketching.)

Thank you for peeking into my sketchbook!



Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Happy Valentines Day!!!


The Best Valentine Gift I've Ever Received!

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV

Monday, February 11, 2013

Massey Ferguson...


I've finished what I believe to be my last tractor painting (at least in this series).  I liked the deterioration of the barn and all the grayed wood. I'm not sure I got the perspective correct but I enjoyed working on this painting. Tractors have a lot of memories for me. When my son was little he always carried a John Deere model B by the scoop. He would spend hours digging holes in the dirt and putting together imaginary construction scenes. He was precious. 

Here are the 3 paintings together...



Thank you for peeking in my sketchbook!



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Atlanta...

It has been a good week. I have traveled many miles and have seen beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers. As I drove through Atlanta, the sun was out reflecting off of the skyscrapers. I made a quick sketch of the skyline and added watercolors when I got to my hotel room. 






Oh! I forgot the lettering on the street signs! I'll have to figure out what exits are there and add the lettering.

Thanks for peeking in my sketchbook.


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Iced Tea...

I never travel without my tea. I prefer my Starbucks glass, ice, and UNsweet tea. My family says it tastes like swill but for me it is my "Go Go Juice". 



Thank you for peeking in my sketchbook.