What a storm!

We made it thru the storm. We lost power three times. The last time it was for 30 hours so I had to throw out most of the food from the refrigerator--Daisy got upset when I did this and watched and groaned! The freezer food is fine. No one got hurt although my daughters family's home was flooded in New Jersey. They are fine but it's a real mess for them. Our son is fine,he lost power for 12 hours. Our electricity finally came back on but the pump has lost it's prime so we have to have the plumber come. Hopefully today. We're tired but thankful.

While the storm raged I painted at my art table. I worked on my ES mini Landscape of Davis Wharf Marina. This is from a photo I took many years ago. I realized why I chose a detailed painting. It focused my mind on the painting not the howling wind or crashing of trees in the forest outside. I almost got carried away with the details but hope I stopped it time. How did you spend your time in the hurricane? I hope all your family and loved ones are safe and sound. take care, Diana
ps. I forgot and left a hummingbird feeder out during the storm, one little female came and perched on the feeder and spent the afternoon waiting it out with us. She was in the porch. I moved the feeder to protect her under the roof of the porch. Tried to take a photo but it didn't work. She was adorable!

Painting by Candlelight!

HI, well Hurricane Irene is almost here. It made landfall in NC this morning and is heading our way. When we woke up,we had coffee and breakfast and then the electricity went out. No shower, no hot water,hurry drink the coffee while it's tepid... ha ha.It's 11 am. I started a small sketch. Why I chose something detailed I don't know. I had a candle on my art table and the window is there but it's darker than normal with the rain and wind coming down. The candle didn't help much. So anyway. I had just laid in the sky/background tree wash and the power came on.(This is Davis Wharf,Va. a few years ago). I ran to get my shower while we still have power. I'll go back to the painting in a minute! Living in the country we don't always get the power back soon. I'll add more trees to redefine some lines,still a lot of work to finish it.. Keep safe and good luck in the storm. Talk to you soon, Diana ps Maybe Daisy has the right idea, she hasn't moved all morning..

Hang on During Hurricane Irene!!!

One of my students brought a photo of this little frog,she painted it and so did I.I worked on it today. I thought it was perfect(unfortunately) because here comes Hurricane Irene, from the looks of her,this storm could be worse than any I've seen in my lifetime--we'll ride it out here-- winds could be up to 100... So hang on, blessings and be careful to each of you(Let's keep our heads above water :), Diana
ps-
I'll glaze the background again, I see it needs to be darker..

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

Class at Norfolk Botanical Gardens

HI! Saturday was my class at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. We had a wonderful time and class. This is the building where the classes take place. I also was just working on my vinca painting.I still have more to do but will continue in a few minutes.As you can see I've used negative painting around some of the blue flowers,I like the abstraction.So I will pour some more coffee, and get back to painting. Take care, Diana

Framing A Cat

Some new frames arrived-- Rudy was asleep in the chair. She decided when I wasn't looking it was too good to be true.... so there she is!! I'm getting ready for my watercolor class this Saturday at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. I'm excited.. so many flowers to paint!! take care,Diana