Wisteria Experiments in Watercolor

HI, I found some wisteria on the side of the road and brought some home,but I had to run some errands. So I decided to try an experiment before I left,I took cold press(on your left),yupo(in the middle),and hot press(on your right) paper laid them side by side and quickly dashed some wisteria onto the paper with my angle brush,changing colors on the paper,not mixing.I allowed this to happen on the paper. I used Ice Cream Salt,which is very coarse and placed that here and there on the wet paint. Hoping when I got home it would be dry,but it wasn't but I do think it was a success. Which one is your favorite. These are just studies. They will probably go in the trash but will give me ideas for when I do get my wisteria drawn on paper. I kinda like the Yupo best..Let me know what you think!

I also added some cad. yellow light to my butterfly and dripped this yellow down each side to give it more pizazz. I darkened around the dogwood because I felt it was fading too much into the paper and needed to stand out.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy our spring. take care,Diana

Butterfly Morning

Well,here's my morning. The plumber came and fixed the shower and I sat down and finished my butterfly,drinking coffee on the side. I put Iridescent watercolor medium on the butterfly after I finished painting it. Just a tiny bit with water as a glaze so it would glisten,like butterflies do! I've already seen 3 tiger swallowtails just the other day. They are my favorite butterfly so far. The dogwood in the forests are blooming and I saw some wisteria in bloom.. OOOH. Now where can I get some!It grows wild.. I'll be on the lookout! talk to you soon,Diana

Silly Daisy

You meet the nicest people at art shows. Last year I showed at the Chincoteague Easter and Decoy Art Show. I decided not to do this show.. with my back problems this year. The lady in the booth across from me made gourmet doggie biscuits and she sent Daisy a little stuffed bunny toy. Last night Daisy started growling at it and barking. J. and I thought she had lost her mind.. but she's fine today.(She had hurt her leg trying to plunder in the woods earlier.)

Anyway I bought some daisies and basil at the grocery store today and noticed they were called "Darling Daisies".. so I had to take a photo of both Darling Daisies!

Then I painted on the porch. I've decided to replace the bird with a tiger swallowtail.. Will show you later. I'm looking forward to class this Saturday! talk to you soon,Diana

Found the Dogwood!

I went by Mama's and Daddy's for a cup of coffee yesterday. Their yard is gorgeous! The cherry trees are blooming as well as the dogwood and flowering quince.. so many flowers. Ma gave me a few branches to bring home!!

So first dogwood and a little goldfinch.. a small painting.I've been wanting to paint dogwood. The other day when I walked I went in search of them on the edge of our woods.Well,they weren't blooming and a few of those blasted 2 inch yellow hornets got after me. Soooo I ended up walking longer to avoid them ha ha.. J. was so impressed I exercised so much.. oh boy.. ha ha.

Enjoy your weekend! take care,Diana

Hummingbird Hopeful

For the past couple of days I've been painting this little hummingbird. I keep thinking any day the scout will show up to my kitchen window. I always enjoy when they come. I have at least 3 feeders to get ready for them. It's been warm and nice outside. The wrens are building a nest in the back porch.(over top of Daisy's spot-when she was younger she would have chased them around the porch.)

I decided at the last minute as you can see to put some rice paper into the painting to echo the delicate blossom I picked on my walk today. Someone told me it was wild apple tree.?? It does feel like spring! talk to you soon. Diana -- do you have hummingbirds yet??(That's iridescent powder in the pill vials!)

Opening and Lovely Day

The opening last night was lovely. Lots of artists,patrons and lovely work. The show continues until April 9th at the Red Queen Gallery in Onancock.There's Monelle again! I was sneaking the photos!

It's a beautiful day,Daisy just got a bath in Dawn dish detergent. J.'s cutting grass for the first time of the season. I've tried to mark all the flowers some with large red bows. Hopefully they won't get mowed down!! I've sketched some this morning. It's a really lovely day. Hope you all have a wonderful relaxing weekend. Take care,Diana

ESAL Spring Show Hanging

HI, I went up to Onancock today and picked up Monelle,my dear,dear friend and we delivered our paintings to the Eastern Shore Art League Spring Show held this year at the Red Queen. Here's some photos of Jane,Susan,and Lois,-all artists and friends..and then individuals of Monelle and I.(Her new Rooster watercolor is behind her.) There will be 100 new originals at the opening and show. Monelle said,"let's do lunch," so we did at Janet's in Onancock. Delightful morning! talk to you soon.Diana

Come to the opening if you are near!! Friday night 5-8.. show continues to hang until April 7

Tiny Pansy Watercolor

A tiny Pansy painting finished today!Talk to you soon,Diana

Silly Titles

Today,I framed the Chickadee with the Star Magnolias. Thank goodness I've got both paintings ready for the opening on Friday. It's the Eastern Shore Art League Spring Art Show at the Red Queen Gallery in Onancock.The Opening is March 16 from 5pm-8pm.

About a month ago we were asked for the titles of our paintings. Naturally, I didn't have a clue, because I hadn't painted them yet! I came up with some names but truly wanted to name them Spring Masterpiece#1 and Spring Masterpiece #2.. but I was good and didn't do it. They are "In the Spring" and "Springtime Blessings".. well I didn't know what I was going to paint either! ha ha..

Tell me about what you are painting now!! talk to you soon. Diana--The other painting for the show is the daffodil watercolor pictured..

Spring Greens

The inspiration for this post came from my husband. Last night he came home with a lovely bag of turnip greens.. a HUGE trash bag of greens. Freshly cut and gorgeous but I knew a lot of work. So I washed,picked thru,and cooked greens before supper,after supper, this morning, and have the last batch on the stove now. They are delicious and so tender and bitter as good turnip greens should be. I don't put anything on them but some salt. Gran used to grease them with lard or butter. They had to glisten and almost glide down your throat. We try for the healthier way and they are still wonderful.

So I'm showing you my green in watercolor. I use just one, viridian. I can mix any green from that.. Here too is a vegetable painting I painted. It hangs either horizontal or vertical. Veggies have so much color. Ok,so I'll go finish my greens and then a short walk.I'll be painting in a bit. Talk to you soon.Diana

Branch and Chickadee

HI! Here's what I added today to the Chickadee and Star Magnolia. I've got to keep going, but I don't want to over do the flowers.. I'd like them to be delicate.

Daisy is barking in the kitchen,this very minute. I cooked a chicken for dinner and she knows it. What a dog!!

talk to you soon,Diana

Painting with Plumber.

HI! I put the finishing touches on this watercolor yesterday. It was one of those hectic days. We had a plumber here and he was going and coming and in and out right in front of my art table. So I ended up putting more green leaves than I intended. But I like it and I'm finished, I hope. Ha ha.(I'll sign it in the morning.) Just got to finish the one with the magnolia,both paintings are due next Thursday. I do have to frame them but I'll wait and grumble about that later. You know how I love to frame! Have a happy evening. Take care,Diana