Vivid Iris Watercolor

The Eastern Shore Art League is having our annual Fall show at Stage Door Gallery in Cape Charles, Va. in a couple of weeks. I had to send in the names of 2 not done watercolors...ok, not even thought of. So I said "Fall" and "Memories".  These were the same names I had last year.. oh well. I've been racking my brain on what to paint. Today it hit me. Iris for one. Let's just work on one at a time. Here's this one so far..  I've taken my cooked chicken out to church for the bazaar on Saturday, then returned with Coffee Brownies for the Bake table. Craddockville United Methodist Church Bazaar, Nov. 1, Sat. from 8am-12 pm. Go if you can , I'm teaching in Norfolk but I'm excited about that too. Talk to you soon, love to each of you,Diana

Red Hibiscus Watercolor and How to Glaze in Watercolor

HI. This is one of my very favorite paintings I ever did. It is a red hibiscus.  I glazed each petal probably 5 times. Glazing is after the wash was dry I put clear water on the petal then added the colors where I wanted them onto the wet wash. Glazing can also be done by just putting a layer onto the petal with the color and water together.  I watched each glaze dry so I didn't have any back washes appear. If they did I simply glazed with clear water to get rid of them. I do like back washes sometimes..I really love them at  times but for this painting I wanted it smooth and voluptuous. I sold this to either a lady in Onancock or Jamesville, I can't remember..Reds do seem to require more glazing than other colors..to make them intense.

The bazaar was wonderful. I got up and went out there to the church this morning. I had made brownies too for the bake table,and took the sunflower watercolor for the auction. Everything looked lovely, so many Christmas decorations to buy and so many cakes!! I know they must have done well! I bought a huge radish,4 coffee mugs--tall and skinny for John--that's how he likes his mugs,a cup of coffee to sip as I visited and meandered,and a couple of books.

Tonight we are going to watch Taken 2-- a new movie on tv. Sadie, on her Serta, ha ha and Rudy, the cat, on John's lap will snooze the night away. Have a great relaxing evening. love,Diana

Our Church Bazaar

HI! Tomorrow is the Craddockville United Methodist Church Bazaar. I give a painting to the silent auction each year to help. The money earned is used to help local people who need their heating bills paid,electricity, have had a fire,an operation,need help in some way. It's wonderful how many people we can help. Craddockville is known for it's baked goods.. old timey wonderful homemade goodies !!!and quilts, just gorgeous work. I've decided this watercolor will be for tomorrow. Hope it brings a good amount for the Missions. Sadie has taken the pumpkin from the steps and eaten half of it. Hope that doesn't hurt her... oh my!!! That dog!.. love to you, and I started another rose painting..Going to go get some coffee and try to paint now. love to you all,Diana

Finished Rosebud

HI, here is the finished Rosebud,I used negative painting under her feet to make the grasses and define the belly of the pig. What do you think? I like her! take care, Diana --oh yes the bazaar is Saturday. I'm getting ready for the show and White Elephant table... the info is in the upper right hand corner.. talk soon!

Bazaar-Watercolors and Chicken Salad

HI, here is my fall wall. My gallery wall getting ready for more shows. Next is Craddockville Methodist Church Bazaar(this is my church) next Saturday, November 13 from 8am on. Which means if you want the most wonderful baked goods and homemade chicken salad to die for- you had better be there at 7:45am and poised with arms and feet in the running position.. haha. ok.. I'm exagerating but really just a little.. these women are serious and ready to get Miss Charlottes homemade rolls( they melt in your mouth) and Gran's chocolate pound cake( this will not be there as Gran passed away in May-- but her love will be there- she loved this church and bazaar).A silent auction with one of my originals will be there as well.. all the money earned will be given to the local folks who need help.

I will be there manning the White Elephant table-- selling odds and ends and such.. and also

I will have my booth of my beautiful watercolors there.Hope you can come. It will be fun it always is. Lunch can be hotdogs with onions and coffee and donuts..

The other photos is a tip.. for watercolor artists. When you want to dry your watercolor and do not want to use the hairdryer which can move the paint around if it's super wet I use my clothes dryer. Just put the painting on top and as you are drying your clothes your painting dries. This is great too for masa or rice paper application to your watercolor paper.One of my students as I had suggested put her masa paper applied to her watercolor paper outside in the sun to dry.. unfortunately it blew away and she still hasn't found it. That was a few years ago..alas.. the problems of a painter.. take care, have a good weekend.. I'm doing something special tomorrow but I can't tell until later.. it's a surprize.. don't tell.. Diana