Ready for Sunshine

HI! Well I've painted a little and hope I've finished this chickadee painting.I am looking forward to warmer weather. Today we had a perfect day,sunshine and the pansies have started blooming. Sorry I haven't blogged as much. This blasted headache is still with me-- 10weeks now.It will go away.. perhaps that should be my mantra..I feel like painting some bright colors.. It's gotta be simple right now.. Daisy,our Lab, and I sat on the steps for a few minutes and soaked up some sun.. talk to you soon,Diana

Chickadee-dee-dee

Here is a little chickadee painting I have begun. My grandfather,"Jack",loved birds and when my sister and I were little girls he pointed them out to us. The chickadee was one of his favorites,mine too. The chickadee says"Chickadee -dee -dee". talk to you soon, Diana...

The background I like because it looks like snow -so I added more by adding coarse Kosher Salt to the wet Thalo blue background.. to look like snow. just a little snow... :)

Blue Moo 2 gone to Illinois.

HI! My daughter Laura is opening an art shop/gallery in Tuscola,Illinois. It's called Vintage Karma.She and Ainslie are fixing up this amazing building and getting it ready. I sent her my Blue Moo 2 (sorry she's crooked..should have taken the picture better.The cow is actually straight ,I promise! ha ha)--pictured above-I love cows,their angles and forms and mine are always blue!- and Summer Lilies to sell there. Hope you stop by if you are near there to say hello but wait until March. I'll tell you when they open! So I shipped them by mail on Wednesday,I'm hoping to hear they arrived safely.

Did some sketching this morning and a tiny bit of painting,hope to do more tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend, take care,Diana

Birds and ESO Class

Hi,Been working on the heron head. Starting this Thursday,at the ESO in Belle Haven,Va,I'm teaching "Watercolor For the Birds". I'll be teaching watercolor painting of different birds for 6 Thursday mornings.Composition,drawing--,the first class will be cardinals. ESO is an old school that was converted into an art center. Great place,lots of different classes are available for all ages,everything from Karate with Robert Buckner,Pottery with Elizabeth Hunt,dance,so much more--wonderful opportunities for everyone.
Here are also a few sketches from my sketchbook. I"m drinking tons of water and coffee and I sure hope my headache will be manageable for the class. Will give all I've got.. take care,Diana

Experimenting with watercolor.

HI! This is a Great Blue Heron sketch of his head. I was experimenting with my pouring and wanted to show you. The second photo is of the water applied to the paper with some color and I pressed plastic wrap on it and then took a tiny brush loaded with color and stuck underneath the plastic, which defined the lines more but leaves it wispy. I want to try this with clear water and the wrap and the sneaky tiny colored brush,to see what happens. I also put some gold metallic watercolor on it for fun.Taking it slow. But getting some ideas! Always Right!! Happy weekend, Talk to you soon,Diana

Pretty Boy Cardinal-finished!

HI, I just finished "Pretty Boy Cardinal",ok,:) I may change the name but that's what I call him. He comes to the feeder and sits on the wild rose bush in the yard. You know, I love to paint first thing in the morning. I didn't plan to add the holly it just happened. I picked it from the American Holly in our front yard. We have quite a few here in the forest. It seemed to add that little bit of color to that corner. talk to you soon, Diana
Tip: if you need to make sure the colors match,place the leave on your palette as you mix to see if it matches!
Spinal Headache continues -7weeks 3 days. Can you believe it!--That's why I'm not painting as much.. but I will continue painting and yes(I'm miserable but trying) it will go away! thanks for your love.

Cardinal and Sketchbook Page

Hi, I've been working on my cardinal, I'll brighten his red some more with glazing but am trying to allow the background to show thru. I think this makes him more interesting.

I'm showing you one of my sketchbook pages. I love feeding the birds and squirrels and any needy critter, when it's cold and they can't find as much food. It's so funny to see the squirrels sitting in the pumpkin feeder swinging and eating peanut butter and raisin sandwiches.. Provides giggles and ideas! Thank you for all your lovely support!stay warm, Diana

Cardinal Sketching! Happy New Year to you!

Happy New Year! Wishing each of you and your loved ones a wonderful year of blessings and health. I've been sketching a little,so here is Rudy,our 15 year kitty. She doesn't like this cold weather. Today we had maybe 10 snowflakes. They were lovely. I sketched a male cardinal onto this pour. He and his mate have been enjoying the bird feeders in the backyard. One feeder is half a pumpkin with Christmas ribbon as it's handle hanging from the flower hook. Haven't been able to do much. The Spinal headache continues. 6 weeks and one day. I just want it to go away.. and I know it's healing..ah well. I'm pleased I got this sketched. Hope to pick up the brush tomorrow. Take care, Diana