Bathed In Light

6" x 6"   watercolor      $50.00

I asked Nancy Wylie for permission to paint her precious granddaughter.  She graciously said "yes".  This is my first renditions of this little one, however I don't feel I captured the innocence.  But I did capture the light, which was important to me.  It seemed that no matter how many times I layered color on the face it wasn't dark enough  Now it may be too dark.  Oh well.  It was worth the try and loved the exciting process.  Maybe I will take one more stab at it.

Campfire Days Indigo and Flame Day 7 of the 30 day challenge

6" x 6"    watercolor and colored pencil    $35.00

Light swarms the face and shadows hide in the crevices.    I well remember the campfire nights huddled in a blanket next to my best friend, listening to stories of faith, honor, and duty that others carved out from past experience.  I pray that all young people have an opportunity to encounter the divine and take it into their hearts, through the goodness of those who are willing to share.

Last Light

30" x 30"    oil   $800.00
In the last light of day, the American eagle, a symbol of freedom, ceremoniously surveys his kingdom, a desert sanctuary.  Generous golden light passionately kisses every edge, transforming the harsh landscape before putting it to bed.  Gooddnight eagle.  Goodnight desert.  Thank you God, for the symphony of color.

“Dusk is just an illusion because the sun is either above the horizon or below it. And that means that day and night are linked in a way that few things are there cannot be one without the other yet they cannot exist at the same time. How would it feel I remember wondering to be always together yet forever apart?”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

And Light Came In On Wings of Love

20" x 20"  acrylic on canvas, framed  $200.00

Inside the temple was a huge thick veil which was torn in two from the top down at Jesus' death.  Did you know that it was a sign of the new covenant?  Does the ancient priest look confused, in awe, and blinded by the light?  He is!  Butterflies are a sign of new life and I portrayed them  bounding through the tear in the curtain, blessing everyone and opening their eyes to the wonder of Christ's love.  This was a painting for an Easter show that is a different style for me, but I had a lot of fun painting the bright and colorful scene.  It is kind of like a window of hope.  I hope you like it!

Springtime Cache

21" x 29"  watercolor matted and framed  $1050.00

How do you know when spring arrives?  Is it the small soft green buds forming on the branches,  or is it the small baby animals that suddenly begin to appear on the landscape?  I have to admit that Spring is my favorite time of the year because of hope...anticipation...delicate colors...play of light...and newness.  I painted these trees, nest and eggs with that thought in my mind.  How do birds do it?  They just get so excited making the nest for their lovers!  How sweet to know that love is in the air everywhere.

I'll Love You Forever

13.5" x 20"  watercolor $450.00

Little girls love their horses and the warmth of their skin and their soft breath.  Children like to feel in charge and when the horse is gentle she doesn't seem to mind.  In fact she seems to love the comfort of children. The little colt is simply observing and learning.

Jack, the Musician unfinished

I want to teach you how to maximize the look you want

 painting inspirational, informational and impressionistic portraits in watercolor. 

 Let me show you how I do it. 

#46  "Jack the Musician"  unfinished   6/29/11    11 x 14 watercolor.  NFS

 I will work on this painting again tomorrow when I am fresh. So far it looks pretty much like Jack, my son, who is the band leader for Velvet Rut. They play popular music from almost any era all over the midwest and he will be playing at our 50th anniversary. Yay! He is such a dedicated young man and I love being his mom and live for his bear hugs and smile.

INSTRUCTION

As you can see, this painting is a little over halfway finished.  Since this photo was taken I have already lightened most of the blue shirt on the left shoulder (right bottom of the paper) with my sink sprayer.  It is just too dark.

1.To begin, I carefully drew the face, measuring with my pencil.   I lie it flat on the paper to get proportions.  this painting is twice the size of my photo.  You can use a grid or whatever suits you best or you can work from life

2.  After I get the drawing finished I add masking with a masquepen to keep the wonderful whites and pieces of light.  This masque  tint is green, but you can get other colors.

 3.   Next I proceed to put a wash of clear water over almost all the face, hat, ears and hair.  

4.  Now I added a light wash of lemon yellow over the face and letting it bleed out into some of the other areas.  It is very light, so it will not be seen much, but it adds life. 

 5.  Proceeding while the  painting is still wet, but not shiny, add any of the colors that you see in the photo or make them up, but keep them subtle at this point and tip your paper to let the colors bleed. make sure you wet any dry edges while you are on the face so that you don't have specific lines.  At this point you want it very soft.  

 6.  Please stop and evaluate now and let the painting dry or go on to the hat or background.

After the whole painting is dry, I then rewet almost all of the face except the lightest parts with clear water, and begin the same process over again trying to maintain similar colors, and heightening the shadows.  Sometimes it will look pretty garish when it is wet, but remember, it dries lighter.  

7.  The painting as you see it is finished to this point. After it was dry I removed the masking on the face.

 I am going to finish it and show you the background and finish the detail that will make it sparkle. 

‎# 46 "Jack the Musician" 6/29/11 11 x 14 watercolor.