Moving On

Willow River, watercolor, 9x12, 2010

This was the one I decided to enter in the State Fair.  It was rejected.  So, moving on....

DC New Life and Old Moss, watercolor, 9x12, 2011

This one I started on my trip to DC when I went to a farm that has a name I have forgotten.  I just finished it a few days ago.  I like the blue in the middle, although I have no idea what it is doing there.  I think showing just a suggestion of the rotten log looming over the fragile little plant is something I might try to do again.

Gooseberry Falls, watercolor, 9x12, 2011

We went camping on the north shore of Lake Superior this past weekend.  I enjoyed putting the color down wet-in-wet, and then it was so sunny it dried almost right away and I could add some detail.  I had to stop before it was done.  I may still add more value contrast to this one.

Knife River, watercolor, 9x12, 2011

This one was just something to do as I waited for the rest of my group to be ready to go to Gooseberry Falls.  This was 10 feet from our tent at Knife River Campground.  I highly recommend staying there.  The guy who owns it is refurbishing an old boat that is way cool.  We were there with some other families from our neighborhood.  The 10 year old boys in our group were playing at the edge of the river as I was setting up to paint this.  "What's that?  Oh!  It's a rock!"  "Are you going to put in the graffiti?"  This one doesn't feel done yet either, perhaps I should put in the graffiti?  Or perhaps the boys all trying to stand on the rock at once?

How about this one?

como sunset, watercolor, 9x12, 2011

I just finished this one.  I think I like it better than the other three I was considering for the State Fair.  It's got a feeling like time is running out.  Which it is.

Which one should I choose?

Time Lapse, watercolor, 9x12, 2010

Fall Retreat, watercolor, 9x12, 2010

Willow River, watercolor, 9x12, 2010

It's time for my annual attempt at the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition.  Not sure why I keep doing this, logically I should try some other shows where the competition is not quite so fierce, or where my work would fit better, but it has become tradition for me.  Perhaps it is good character development to experience the rejection.  It keeps me humble.

So my plan is to choose one of these three watercolors, or I might create something today or tomorrow that is better.  We will see.  When I registered online, I just said "watercolor, untitled."  If you want to give feedback on which one I should choose, I would welcome your comments.

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. 

Summer is almost here

Rebecca's Purple Feet, pastel, 9x12, 2006

There is something about climbing on rocks that I just love.  Climbing on rocks in water is even better.  With this picture, I was thinking about the process of looking for a foothold, a stable place to stand.  Sometimes you have to take a step at an awkward angle.  The intense blue and purple is there just because I liked it.

wild grasses, acrylic, 18x24, 2009

Small stream tiers, watercolor, 9x12, 2007

The show went really well, better than expected.  It was a steady stream of people and some of them even bought something, so I am very happy about the whole thing.  It is fun to talk about art and so nice that people seemed to want to hear me talk about my art.

Now it is two weeks before the end of the school year.  I look forward to setting myself down in front of a stream and watch how the water passes over and around the rocks.

I think there is a deadline today at school for some paperwork of some kind.  I'd better get over there.