Distance

Distance, watercolor, about 4x4, 2009

When I painted this, I was at a friend's cabin and the scenery was beautiful, but I did not paint the scenery.  I sat outside and painted from my imagination.  I used the paint in a more opaque way than usual for me.  I left the white spot near the base of the tree because it felt right to do so.  The title distance comes from both the close-far feeling in the painting, and the fact that it reminds me of how sometimes I just need to remove myself from others for a little while.  

I almost did not put this one in the show.  I'm not sure why.  But I did and it was one of the first to sell.  Interesting.

Hometown

Before the Fire, watercolor, 4.5x6.5, 2011

study, watercolor, 4.5x6.5, 2011

study, watercolor, 4.5x6.5, 2011

A major portion of my hometown burned earlier this year.  I had not been there for a long time, but it still affected me to know it was gone.  I can't imagine the loss that must be felt by the people whose daily lives are forever changed.

On a lighter note, I attended my high school reunion yesterday and had a fabulous time.  Hayride, bonfire, good food and friends.

Time to tackle the clutter

Just a little watercolor sketch.  I have not been painting much so far this summer because I decided that organization is a higher priority.  Instead of escaping the clutter by going outside to paint, I am tackling the clutter.  At least for a little while.  I need to clear out unnecessary stuff from my studio area as well as the rest of the house.  I'm just tired of looking at piles.  I used to just blame my husband, but recently I have removed the log from my eye and saw that some of the clutter is mine and I can do something about that.

So my posts will probably be just sketches for awhile.

Yesterday I threw away 5-10 pairs of old shoes, and donated 2 pairs.

Today I made up a  box of art supplies to give away.  I put all my gouache in there.  I never use gouache. 

Happy Accidents

Long Lake Solitude 2, watercolor, 9x12, 2010

Branson, watercolor, 9x12, 2010

I like to see what different types of marks remind me of.  I also like to use those watercolor accidents and let them become the focal point.

Bridge 38

Bridge #38, watercolor and ink, 7x11, 2004

I was trying to get to the bare essentials of the bridge.  I like the contrast of the black on the watery swirls of color.  I'm not sure why I made the lightposts marching across the bridge, but there they are.  The curved form under the bridge looks like 80's hair to me.  HaHa.  80's hair.  marching.  makes sense.  For those of you who don't know, I was in marching band in the 80's.  Earlier bridge pictures were about my high school years, some were about my young adult years, this one seems to be about college.

Time management

Figure studies, watercolor, 9x12, 2007

I was trying to be efficient with my use of line and trying to finish the study before the subject moved.
I keep thinking with each post that the next post will have something I just made instead of pulling out these photographs from past years.  But I think it is more important to keep up with posting every 48 hours or so to get in the habit.  I have hundreds of photos of my old work, and it has been valuable to go through them to find the one that matches what is happening in my life at the moment.  Lately its been time management that is in the front of my mind.  What am I currently doing that is unnecessary?  This?  Nah.  How do other people have jobs, kids, interests and clean laundry?

Next post by Sunday 7:30am.

Quick Post

Minneapolis Canoe, watercolor, 9x12, 2008

I did not think I would have time to post this morning, but I did this post in less than 5 minutes!
I think it is important to keep posting, even if sometimes it is not a deep thought.

Time to Relax

Self Portrait, watercolor, 9x12, 2009

 Ah, Saturday.  A chance to put my feet up.  Not quite warm enough for bare feet today like it was when I painted this picture, but a beautiful sunny fall day.  I hope you also have some relaxation time today.

Side Lake Dock, watercolor, 9x12, 2009

I keep thinking I'm going to post more recent work, but I've been letting school take too much time lately.  I actually have been painting, so there should be new stuff here soon.

I chose this one for today because I've been hearing lots of people talk about having to go to their cabins to take in the docks.  Don't forget the hip waders!  It's cold!

A tree and a bridge

Island Lake Park, watercolor, 2008, 7x11

Another black and white watercolor.  I guess I was working on controlling the amount of pigment.  I like that bridge, not sure why.  It is 694 near Victoria St.  Years ago I did a series of bridges, about 40 or so of the same bridge.  Lots of metaphorical possibilities with bridges.

Nice day for a walk

Roseville Central Park, watercolor, 7x11, 2009

I went for a walk in Roseville today.  Beautiful Fall Day!  A stranger asked to see what I was doing.  I showed her.  She said "Hm" and kept going. I smiled to myself.

Emphasis on the Circle

Split Rock Accident, watercolor, 9x12, 2007

This week I've been showing my 5th grade students the work of Andy Goldsworthy and there are a lot of circles.  So here is a circle. 

 I was at Split Rock State Park when I made this.  I dunked my paper in the lake (on purpose), painted the scene in a very abstract sort of way, waited a few minutes, and then set that paper aside and started a new one.  It was a bit windy so I used my water container to keep it from blowing away.  This is what happened.  I kind of like it.

Reminds me of Orange Crush

Exercise in Futility, watercolor and pastel, 22x28, 2007

Jay Cooke State Park.  The water does have a lot of iron in it, but obviously not this orange in real life.  I really enjoyed this one.  Each area has a different texture and shape type like in real life.  I drew with pastel over the top of a watercolor painting I did at the park.  I did a lot of pictures of that spot.  I'd like to go back there.

Split Rock 07

Split Rock Dark, watercolor, 22x28, 2007

While I was painting this, someone said "Look kids, an artist!"

Pics from the past

Island Lake Fishing Pier, watercolor, 9x12, 2008

I still have not painted since getting back from vacation.  I have been working on school stuff.  I'll be giving a presentation to staff about the art program on Tuesday.  I'm a bit nervous and when I am nervous I tend to use more words than necessary which causes the eyes of everyone in the audience to glaze over which just makes me more nervous.

Rocks and Water

Lester Park 2, watercolor, 9"x12", 2009

Here is a sketch from last summer in Duluth.  The grounds at Fallingwater in Pennsylvania were similar.  I was wishing I could sit down and paint, but I don't think my family would have been that patient.

More Plants

Side Lake Up Close, watercolor, 9"x12", 2009

I like the purple/green combination, and painting the extra layer of purple to get the shadow and the far away.

Color Study

"Como Color Study", watercolor, 7"x11", 2009

I like these plants.  Does anyone know what they are called?  They grow in the ponds at Como Park.

A Nice Walk in the Woods

"New Life and Old Moss", watercolor, 9"x12", 2010

I painted this when I was at a retreat at St. Ben's about a month ago.  It strikes me as significant the way new sprouts thrive among old rotten stuff.  I tried to capture the interesting shadows, but they changed too fast.