Earthquake Today and Painting

Hi! We just had an earthquake. I don't remember us ever having one on the Eastern Shore. I heard a boom. My daughter called from New Jersey,we are in Virginia, and said she felt the house move up there. Heard from my son in Richmond,Va. by email, they had to evacuate their office building at his work. It originated near Charlottesville,Va. (5.8 on the Richter scale) No one was hurt that I know of. I was cleaning the porch so I could go sit outside and paint. Moved the table to the corner and Daisy and I finished my new "Vinca and Hummingbird". I knew the painting needed something and I love hummingbirds so much, so I drew it into the painting yesterday and painted it today. The birds were flying around me as I painted! Even a hummingbird moth came to see what I was doing,they too are beautiful. Unfortunately I couldn't get the lid off my iridescent medium and so I used the powdered iridescent to glaze the bird... but if I can get that lid off.. well take care and stay safe.. talk to you soon, Diana

Creating a path for the paint to flow..

Hi! This week I've done a small demonstration and here it is. How to do a simple flower painting in watercolor. First I draw the flowers,then paint clear water around the flowers and leaves using my 1/2 inch flat(you know,that's my favorite). Afterward I have mixed up 3 or 4 colors of green on my palette,and flow these around the flowers into the wet edge. I only use viridian green because I prefer to mix my own.It's more fun that way and I can control the color and intensity. After all of this dries I paint the flowers and leaves. I tried to show you how I paint the petals of the vincas- I paint clear water on a leaf, then just a touch of red rose deep(Da Vinci Paint) in the inside corner, I then use my pencil and draw while it is still wet from the center to the outer edge of the leaf. This creates a little path for the paint to flow into and creates a vein.. I just love watercolor! But it has to be wet while you do this or it doesn't work. Let me know what you think. I enjoy your comments so much. take care and have a wonderful weekend!.. ps.. here is my bigger vinca painting.. I worked on the left side today! talk to you soon,Diana

Just a Few Blooms..

Hi! Today has been a busy day. My sister and her daughter came to visit from Richmond,Va. She'll be starting college in 2 weeks, her Junior year. Time does fly doesn't it. So I didn't get much painting done. I plucked a couple of pieces from my basket and brought it inside..and have continued to sketch and had to start on the blooms. Just a few but a beginning. This painting will evolve, which can be risky! ha ha. I know it will need a butterfly or bird under the flowers, what do you think? talk to you soon, Diana

Sketching Vinca

Yesterday I went up to Parksley,Va. to Annie's Restaurant, I had to pick up my paintings because Matt is having the restaurant painted inside. On the way home, I stopped by Hortico Garden Center.. oh no.. and everything was on sale..

I bought some pale pink Bee Balm, and two other tall perennials the garden expert told me were very invasive. I said, "No problem I like invasive.. one is pale blue, the other bright red. I know the hummers will love them. Also I bought this gorgeous hanging basket I couldn't resist.. it was on sale for $10 and it's magnificent. Of course after I brought it home it drooped terribly and I thought I had killed it already.. but no I watered it and it looked so much better.

I started to draw it today and asked my dear husband to photograph me with the plant while I was drawing. (That is the photo of my feet- He took.)I didn't include the one of just my body, no head and no flowers.. ha ha. oh he tried. So I will be painting this vinca basket... Hope the painting does justice to the amazing beauty of the flower! talk to you soon, Diana--

Look at the Eastern Shore Art League T shirt I have on! It's an antique,on the back it has work by Doris Hoffmaster, Jane Hinds, Mary Ann Clarke,Joan Trapp,Me and more!