Playing With Watercolor

Today I played around with monoprinting using watercolor and acrylic. I added a dash of Golden’s  Fluid Acrylic “Nickel Azo Gold”, to deepen the yellow areas, and then used Cretacolor pencils for the rest.

If your interested in unleashing your creative self; check out “Celebrate Your Creative Self ” by Mary Todd Beam.

Actually I was quite surprised how this turned out!

Watercolor Monoprint #2 – Watercolor, Acrylic, Cretacolor pencil on Watercolor Paper – 8 x 8 inches

“If you are repeating yourself and desiring a new approach to your art, try doing something that you haven’t done before. Explore some new territory.” – Mary Todd Beam

New Beginnings

During this time of the year, the focus is on new beginnings, new projects, manifesting dreams, and I was thinking about what the future holds for us and future generations.

Well, after reading the news this morning I decided it was time to stop and smell the roses so I turned off the computer and headed out to the studio.

I pulled out a sheet of watercolor paper and began to sketch a portrait of my sister which then morphed into something completely different. I began to hear my muse whispering in my ear of ancient forests, beautiful winged beings, swirling colors of blues, russet and subtle shades of green sprinkled with lavender.

What’s a woman to do? Go with the flow, of course!

Below is a photo of the painting in it’s first stages.

Tree Guardian – Acrylic/Watercolor Mixed Medium – 16 x 20 inches on watercolor paper

Merlyn in Calydon

“If you sit still long enough on the forest floor, the universe will approach you like a shy animal.

Breathe softly and don’t move:  If encouraged it will nuzzle your open hand.

Open more! Open your heart … your head … your soul … all doors … all bars

that catch and trap and bind the wild and dreaming beast that sleeps in you.”  – Mara Freeman

Weekend Project

This weekend I started working on the “healing labyrinth mandala” painting below. It was inspired by the mandala exercises I’ve been doing from “The Mandala Healing Kit”,  by Judith Cornell, Ph.D.

After doing the exercises in the workbook, I decided to make a mandala on watercolor paper  using acrylics, watercolor and ink. This is a work in progress so I will keep you updated.

For me, the mandala is a symbol for healing, growth and transformation.

The Healing Labyrinth Mandala – Acrylic/Mixed Medium – 16 x 20 inches on watercolor paper

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” – Joseph Campbell

Creative Warm-up Exercises

This morning I started out my day working on another canvas with the resist alcohol technique from yesterday.

Just a practice session before getting started on other projects. I really enjoy my daily art warm-up exercises because they loosen me up and get the creative juices flowing. I also get to try out different things just for the fun of it.

For years I made endless lists of various art techniques I wanted to try, but never got around to doing them. Then I started trying one new exercise a day and found that surprising things began to happen. Now I am hooked!

Here is a photo of this mornings  warm-up exercise.

Imagination – Acrylic/Mixed Medium – 8 x 11 on Canvas

You will learn to enjoy the process… and to surrender your need to control the result. You will discover the joy of practicing your creativity. The process, not the product, will become your focus. – Julia Cameron

Creative Play

Today I played around with creating a painting with the  acrylic/alcohol resist technique on Bristol Board. It was a trial and error process until I got the look I wanted.

I used Golden’s fluid acrylics and 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. The first photo shows three separate layers of this technique and the second one shows the iridescent bright gold (fine) fluid acrylic paint, I used to add highlights and detail.

Harmony # 1 – Acrylic/Mixed Medium – 8 x 11 inches on Bristol Board

Harmony # 2 – Acrylic/Mixed Medium – 8 x 11 inches on Bristol Board

“I didn’t want to get into something which is played out and narrow. I want to do as I like, invent my own interests.” – Wassily Kandinsky

Work in Progress

Started working on this painting early this morning as the rain came down in a steady rhythm against my studio windows. There is something magical about the early morning hours before the rest of the world wakes up. In those quiet, stolen moments before dawn there is a deep stillness and beauty. I love this time of day!

As I painted I thought about the forest in folklore and mythology and became inspired to create my own version of the lady of the forest. Ideas danced around in my head as I listened to our oak tree let loose an unbelievable amount of acorns on our roof. All the noise reminded me it was time to put the kettle on for tea.

Lady of the Forest – Acrylic/ Mixed Medium – 16 x 20 inches on canvas

“Have a deep respect for the source of life and also for the ocean, for the forest, for the stars and for the truth.” – Unknown

Took the Leap

Today marks the one year anniversary of my art blog and I’m feeling as inspired as ever. I’ve learned a lot over the past year from reading other  peoples blogs, reflecting on my own processes and discovering there are other artists experiencing similar challenges, and most importantly that I am not alone. Yes, there is a wonderful supportive art community in blogland.

I took the leap this year and moved the large easel from the garage into my studio. A very dear friend gave this to me a couple years back and we stored it in the garage until we could make room for it in the house. We had to rearrange the furniture a bit  to make space for the easel, but it was so worth it.

Anco Bilt Easel

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
– Pablo Picasso