Watercolor In November

Buddah and Bob watercolor  9"x12"

Getting together with friends to watercolor is good for the soul.   On a dreary November evening that consists of drizzling rain and wet leaves descending to the ground, a few of my watercolor comrades will be arriving to paint.  We will eat homemade pizza and then attempt to paint something that has caught our eye since the last time we have got together which was just last week.  Having this small group of painters that I see regularly has been beneficial in keeping me accountable and productive.  Even though I do not complete the watercolors that I start at these get togethers until later, I still make headway in trying new techniques and subject matter as well as sharing ideas.  Also, a little constructive criticism from an outside source that you trust is beneficial to the painting process.

What have I learned?

Gracie 6"x6" Acrylic on board

I am posing a question for the holiday.  Usually we sit around the table at Thanksgiving and routinely say what we are thankful for.  It is important to reflect on these things that we take for granted.  Health and family are two big ones that come to mind.  However, this year I am reflecting on the things I have learned as well.  Last June I took a painting class in Grand Marais, MN which brought me back to acrylic painting.  It has also brought me to this blog.  I entered an artwork in our local Area Art Exhibition put on by the MacNider Art Museum here in Mason City, Iowa and was selected for showing.   I have also sold several of my works which is also reaffirming.These are all steps in the Creative Way that I have come forward and progressed.  So, this Thanksgiving, I am reflecting on the question of "What have I learned?"

Flexibility

Meeting people halfway

Keeping an open mind

The above painting is of Gracie.  This little dog is owned by a past student of mine.  I taught art in the local high school for many years and I was delighted to have the opportunity to paint this little guy for someone I had in class in the past.  Lots of unruly fur made the dog fun to paint with the liner brush.

Discovery...An Ongoing Adventure

Jazz Fest Lily 6"x6" acrylic on hardboard

For two weeks I have been writing and adding paintings to this blog.  During that time I have been thinking about the direction the blog might take and its purpose.  On the first entry I said my main purpose was "reflection, inspiration, and accountability toward my work in progress".   
I like having a record of my work as I complete the daily paintings.  Some, like todays Jazz Fest Lily did take just one day.  Some works have taken two or more depending on the problems I have had to solve to complete the work.  
So, what have I discovered in the last two weeks?
 • The technical aspects of painting, (loading the brush, combining a limited palette of colors, working with black gesso,) 
•Composition (viewing composition problems before I am too far into the painting to correct them easily)
•Setting up a blog, photographing artwork web ready and original, filing artwork, keeping a system for future reference on a spreadsheet.
•Organizing and prioritizing my life and schedule so that I have time to paint on a daily basis.  I am creating a habit of painting.  
•And finally I am continually viewing my world around me for inspiration.  As I sit here and type I look out directly below my window and I can see a small brown bunny nibbling at something near a hosta plant.  The sun is almost down. No shadows exist.  Not a breeze stirs the air.  If only I had a camera and I was closer I would take a photo ........ 

The painting I included today was done in one sitting.  It is a photograph I took of a daylily that was blooming over the 4th of July at the Iowa City Jazz Festival (therefore the name Jazz Fest Lily).  I like the movement of the leaves as if it is dancing.