Artwork for my first juried show in Austin has earned a Merit Award!

Entering shows has long been a favorite of mine; one that I have not participated in for quite some time. Yes, there are fees, specific photography, deadlines, rules for submissions, sizes and framing, drop off locations, etc BUT it is a big thrill when a credited juror allows your entry ( actually two)into the competition. Just being a candidate with other members of  the very prestigious Waterloo Watercolor Society for the annual Fall Show was good enough for me! So...after watching a very eye opening demo by the juror, Kris Parins, who also taught a work shop for some very lucky artists, I was smiling. Then came the list of paintings to be displayed at

              North Hills Gallery 7050 Village Center Drive Austin                             

   and one of my paintings was selected! The Show will be open to the public Nov 10-Dec 1st. If you are in Austin, do stop by.

Allow me to introduce..."Simply Delicious"

 

...also please allow me to introduce Kris Parins' very carefully planned pouring techniques. Using 3 colors and masking all whites, she adds her colors and lets them mix on wet 140 lb paper which has had her basic drawing transferred to it. It's amazing to watch and the results are even more incredible. There can be more than 4 pourings per painting for the mid and dark tones to be masked as well. Her training as a graphic artist is evident.

                                            

 

3 colors selected were simply a light, middle and dark tone but I believe this is cad yellow (started with the lightest) and quinacridone red 

 

With the addition of her blue (Manganese?) the green appears and is carefully controlled by her spraying and rolling

 

The smart painters who took her workshop will no doubt be forever changed in their thinking. I will sign up soon! I will try it immediately.

Meanwhile I am so impressed with a pen and ink wildlife artist that I met this past week, Sherry Steele. If you have not yet seen this woman's incredible , delicate but powerful portrayal of animals, especially African varieties, head to her website as fast as you can: www.sherrysteele.com.

Happy painting....

Just back from Italy and Sicily with lots of beautiful scenes to paint!!

What an incredible trip! We are just back from a 14 day journey to Rome  then across Sicily to the east Coast and over to Italy's Amalfi Coast before returning to Rome. We saw beautiful country, idyllic waters, enjoyed the friendly people & their foods  & marveled at well kept relics of life from 7 centuries before Christ. The influences of  different empires that situated themselves there from Africans, Arabs , Spaniards, Greeks and Normans are still evident today. Ancient temples were reconstructed as Basilicas still in use today but left with Arabic domes and tiles to show their history. Even earthquakes could not stop this area from being the showplace of life in the past and yet it is vibrant today with its inhabitants. Colors are indescribable...so I guess I'll have to paint them.

I definitely doodled a little on the trip. Thanks to advice from fellow painter, Martha Ruth, who had just returned from Rome the week prior, I brought 10 4"x5" pieces of watercolor paper and a very small travel kit ( 5" round) from Raphael paints. It was equipped with a mini paintbrush but I brought my favorite 2 sided flat/round as well. One of my favorite moments was in Catania painting on the steps outside our picturesque Hotel with my new friend, "Luige" . She is a relatively new painter but an accomplished quick learner with a nice, loose touch. We spent just an hour there and
think we will both remember it as very special. Here is my balcony scene from that morning in Catania and also a balcony view from our hotel in Reggio Calabria, Italy. Across the sea is Sicily.

 

 

 

 

FYI if you plan to travel by air, no paints are allowed in the cabin...bummer but the rules are for safety regarding hazardous concoctions and odors. I did bring a pencil and changed my genre to drawing which was a good practice for me. This is a favorite tool of my daughter, Leslie, who has mastered the pencil sketches. Here is my chosen scene of The Fountain of Trevi. I plan to paint a larger version of this , for sure.

 

 

BTW, the winning title of the cactus wreath contest ( see my Aug 18 blog) was Anne Witt, my clever daughter in law , who immediately titled it "Cool Yule". That lead to the final title: "Have a Cool Yule, Y'all!"....we do live in Texas and that is a Texas cactus, after all... Cards have been ordered and will be sold at two shows in November. I will send details soon for anyone wanting to order for Christmas. I do encourage you to create your own cards. It is great fun and many comments are promised from your recipients.

Ciao, Bella!