Category: painting watercolor

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Watercolor Sunday

Typically Sundays are for watering the plants, doing the laundry and spending the afternoons in my studio. Today, I begin a new experiment. Today, I paint at the Angel Fire Visitors Center. From 1pm to 4pm on Sunday afternoons, I’ll paint there as live demo and hopefully get some new work done at the same time!

Which reminds me, the image in the header is a new pastel that I did when taking a class from Martin Pavletich (great fun!). I love pastel. The big issue with it is that it really must go behind glass. Sigh.

Anyhoo….This Sunday is Watercolor. Next week maybe acrylic, or pastel or scratchboard. What do I hope to accomplish? Sales, of course. Sales of my work, my DVDs and private lessons and workshops. Plus, it will just plain be fun!

So, if you’re in Angel Fire on a Sunday, drop by the Visitor Center in the afternoon and say hi!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Grey and Rainy Sunday

Good day for a day off! Dark skies, howling wind and scattered rain, now soft, now hard, now scattered. I hope it doesn’t damage the beautiful peach colored iris that just opened this morning in my front garden! They are lovely.

So it is a good day to stay in. Which is good because we had big day yesterday! My morning was filled with people and painting as I did demo after demo of painting watercolor on yupo paper. In all, I think I did 14 paintings…some as small as 4 x 6 inches, some much larger. By the end I was wiped, but I ran home to shower and rest a bit before the big wedding we had been anticipating for what seemed like months. I’m sure it wasn’t, but we were really looking forward to it. And we were not disappointed! Congrats and all the best, Tom and Bonnie. The setting was beautiful, the ceremony sweet and fun, and the party afterward will likely not be topped! It was way beyond fun!

We actually slept in this morning, sleeping off the exhaustion. This morning we spent mostly brainstorming. We want to start a business incubation center and were tossing around ideas and dreams in advance of a meeting tomorrow to pitch it to some locals who might have guidance and know-how. What kind of thing would you do with a business incubator..or do you need one, and why? I’d value your input.

When we decided to move on with the day, I headed down to what was the hot tub room and did more brick laying. The floor was so badly out of level, that it is tricky to fix it and I’ll have to remove the trim from the doors because it is now too long! To slide a brick underneath it would mean that brick would be a full 1/4 inch below all the others….and I’m barely a third of the way across the room. wow. It’ll be good when it’s done though. At least I know how to do it right now!

So, it’s almost 4pm and the angel food cake John is making has the whole house smelling incredibly yummy. It’s my favorite cake and strawberries were on sale….guess what I’ll be having for desert tonight! oops..the dryer is chiming it’s “I’m done” song. Guess I’d better get to it.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Beautiful Sunday Morning

Wow. I can’t believe it’s been a month since I last posted! My how time flies…regardless of whether or not you’re having fun!

Of course, there’s not really a good excuse. Part of it is a result of messing up my back/ribs again, yes again. Guess it hadn’t really healed before I forgot I wasn’t supergirl and set about to tear the hot tub apart. I was determined to find the leak(s). Well, I actually succeeded, but not without injury. Sigh. It’s been more than a week, and it still sucks the air out of me if I move wrong.

Won’t let it slow me down to much. I can’t, there’s just too much to do! I’m “off” today, so I’m going to head to the studio and paint. Wahoo! I’m working on a large watercolor on canvas, and if you get my newsletter it’s in the header of this month’s edition, even though its not quite done.

Of course, as Mr. Murphy would have it, the newsletter directs people to my site, which of course is down this morning.

Add that the fact that my house is under attack by those infuriating flickers. When I go outside to yell at them to get off my house, they mock me, laughing and come flying just past my reach.

However…

I’m determined to have a fabulous day! And I hope you will too….

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Back in the Studio

It’s been months…maybe even more than a year. It took me about two weeks to finish up the reorganization of the home studio. I still need to paint walls, but they’ll do for now. And I’ve been painting like my life depended on it. My feet hurt, my back hurts…but my soul is happy.

I had to do this because I don’t really have much room to paint at the new gallery. I do have a table, but can’t work on anything larger than about 16 x 20 because the palette and water have to be on the same table with the canvas. Here, I have room for a 48″ wide canvas, and I’m lovin’ it.

I showed you pics of the previous disaster, so here is what it looks like now, and the work I have finished in the past couple of days.

First, the new studio:
This is looking in from the door. Gone is the cumbersome (but nice) big desk left over from days when this room served as office and studio (before the gallery). This one (below) is looking to the right of the desk as you face it. Here I have an easel, and pastel station 1.
And this is looking back the other way and pastel station 2. So, there you have it….and now for the new work. Some of this is commissioned and pres-sold, some if it is not. Ready? Set? Here we go:
this is a two piece vertical diptich…One composition, two canvases. Each one is 24 high and 18 wide, Watercolor on Canvas. I thought I’d never finish this, and truth be told a few edges still need some work. Next we have two commissioned pieces:

this is 12 x 18 pastel “watered garden”. This one is 24 x 18, watercolor on canvas.

I’ve had a stack of unfinished pieces sitting around, and am now finishing them. Here’s one. It started out as a demonstration for a class…of painting watercolor on hot press paper, which is a whole different experience than painting on cold press paper..or canvas..or yupo. Typically, if I’m not working on canvas or yupo, it’s 140 lb cold press paper (Arches) Arches papers are hand pressed and made in France. I think it’s the best watercolor paper you can buy, and I’m working “traditionally” it’s Arches paper. The hot press paper tears much more easily so you have to work “fresh” without too many layers (just the opposite of the many layered approach I tend to use on canvas.) Anyway.. here it is:
I haven’t measured it, but I think it’s probably 12 x 16. And there is one more ( I told you I’d been painting like mad!) This one is watercolor on canvas, without too many layers. It is 16 x 12. It’s a traditional depth canvas so it’ll go it in a canvas frame…the edges too narrow to paint.
And there you have it, ladies and gents!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Bail Out Blinders

I have my bail out blinders on. Can’t stand to listen to the news anymore. Spend, spend, spend and benefit a few, but not any of us who do the right thing, fight like hell to pay the mortgage on time, borrow from peter to pay paul every day of the month, struggling to keep that credit score well above 7. There will be nothing for us. Once again penalized by the politicians for being a stand up person and doing the right thing. It makes me sick.

I called the mortgage company, to see if they’d work out a lower rate. Nothing doing. Know why? because I’m not behind. I can’t refinance because I’d never qualify in the current credit debacle, so, because I’ve done the right thing, I’m screwed. How upside down is that!?!

Deep sigh. Ok, I’m done with the rant. I’ll turn my thoughts back to the task at hand which is the development of www.katherinesarttv.tv and www.myarttv.tv (not up yet). I’m recording everything I do every time I pick up a pencil or a brush. My camera’s hard drive is almost full, so probably this week I’ll start editing video. While it is time consuming work, I’m excited when I’m at that because I’m excited about these sites and getting them fully operational. From the 10 or 12 hours I have recorded right now, I’ll probably get 3 or 4 videos, all on watercolor. In the next set I’ll focus on fun techniques but that’s probably at least a week off.

It’s way more soothing to ponder watercolor, and better yet to pick up that brush. Unfortunately my home studio is still a disaster zone and my brushes and paints are at the gallery. I guess that’s ok, because the dryer is beconning. Back to domestic duty. Important stuff, you know, laundry. So off I go.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Painting in Progress

Ok, so I thought since I talked about the piece I’m working on, I would show you the current status. so, here’s a pic. The angle is a little wierd because I took it with my webcam, but you can get the idea. And they are, as a result of the webcam..reversed, so that’s kind of funny! oh well. I’ll show you the finished piece when its done, and you will be able to see the difference.

This has about 5 glazes on it..except for the steeple which only has one..so you can see the difference.
It’s fun, but time consuming. and if you’re not carefuly, the newest layer will lift the layer below it!

So, stay tuned and I’ll put it up when its done!

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Quiet Saturday

It’s Saturday and lovely, though cool outside. I guess everyone is out on the mountain enjoying the fresh powder, cuz they certainly aren’t here! The up side of that is that I’ve been working hard on my next commissioned piece..and recording it. It will be a long video, so I’ll likely release a small segment on youtube and then refine the rest for a full lesson on katherinesarttv.tv

I got the membership software installed and the initial free videos and posts up already, now comes the hard part of recording all the videos! It takes about 9 hours of video recording to get a full hour of indepth content and lesson. At least I can do what i love while I’m recording…..Paint!

So, despite the fact that it is still January, I’ve broken the block and have been painting most of the last two days. The piece I’m working on is an 18 x 18 watercolor on canvas of a Northern New Mexico church. Painting watercolor on canvas requires many many layers so I’ve been working on it for about 30 hours already, but not altogether of course, as the layers have to dry in between application.

Speaking of which..it’s time to get back to it.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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Nothing Else to Do but Ponder and Post

I know, it’s a record. I’ve never posted this much in one day, let alone one week! I can’t help it. Look: Remember, there is a lake and mountains normally in this view from my living room window. What else am I gonna do, but post…..laundry? uh-huh. no energy for THAT! Cleaning? Not likely. I did a good once over before our guest(s) arrived yesterday. Actually, only one made it. The other two got stuck and gave up, headed home like wise ducks. The one that came had a delightful dinner, and then got stuck. You’d think I would’ve seen the trend and got the message, right? Not so much.

I have a huge amount of energy and no where for it to go. I know, I know, I could clean and reorganize. It’s not that kind of energy..and don’t mock me for saying so…..i need to create to explode in color and prose and so, since my studio is an utter disaster, I’m writing.

My studio recently became the repository for all things in the “what do we do with this?” category as we work through the house to clear the clutter and make room for freshness and cleanliness. Not funny, just worked out that way. I suppose on some level I loathed it anyway and so it was the natural choice for the chaos it has become. Why did I loathe it? That is the deeper question and I’m sure I’ll come face to face with it soon.

For starters, it’s cold. It’s the room furthest away from the heat sources, on the North side of the house.

It has a great view of Wheeler Peak, and good light. I think part of it is that there is just entirely too much stuff in it. So, see that desk and hutch and chair? I think I’ll sell it. I know, it’s hard to see for all the extraneous stuff. and my painting cart is parked in the middle of the room…I moved it because it has various flammable substances on it and there is now a heater parked in the doorway to, theoretically, warm the room so I can venture in to it to begin the clean up. Of course, the scenario will likely be, that the room won’t warm enough today to begin, so I’ll close the door and it will cool down and tomorrow I’ll (hopefully) be back at the gallery. Ah, the saga continues.

oops, time to go. The stomach is rumbling. Anybody need a desk?

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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My newest paintings

Well, I finally got it done. Those layers and layers I wrote about a few days ago. I lost count of how many hours I worked on it, and to be honest there is a little bit left to do, but I will likely not get it done before we head home. Since it needs time to dry, I’ll probably wait. In the meantime, what I have to do will be almost imperceptible to most, so here it is. “Wrapped in Gold”. I still don’t know exactly how big it is, but I cropped the photo where the canvas will wrap around the edges of the wood.

That done (or done enough for now) I whipped out another sheet of YUPO paper and let the brush fly. I was having so much fun, I couldn’t stop, so John went to bed without me and I painted well into the wee hours of the morning. Then I fell into a peaceful sleep. When I woke up, the painting had changed so much in it’s drying (apparently the counter it was on is not perfectly flat!) that I ended up with a whole new course to take! Anyway, this is what came out of it. “Waving Goodbye” is 20 x 14 (I think) and is, of course, Watercolor on Yupo. I’d love to do another, but there just isn’t enough time for drying left before we have to leave. Sigh. It’s kind of wierd. We have been for a week longer than we normally are, but I managed to finish only 7 pieces…exactly half as many as I usually do. I honestly think that’s because I spent the first two weeks essentially brain dead. At any rate, I’m thrilled to be painting again, and resolutely refusing to think about what awaits me on my return!

I have decided, though, to NOT make a mad dash to put the gallery together. I will take my time and do it right. I need to walk through the newly renovated space (assuming it will be done!) and get the ‘feel’ of the space. Observe the energy and discern if I need to paint, and if so what color, and where to put what and so on. At the same time, I have a grant to finish for the Arts Council and paperwork to file for the Art Trail (Northeastern New Mexico Arts Alliance) and I’m sure, mountains and mountains of mail. While it did manage to wake me up in the middle of the night last night I’m keeping my eyes on the goal and soul in the free place that painting brings. Stay tuned.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM
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What have I begun?!

I told you I’d keep you posted here. I started a new piece today.. a large one than I typically do. I’m not even sure how big it is, since i just unrolled the canvas and started painting. I think it’s probably about 16 inches wide and maybe 24 or even 30 high. I’m very excited about it because it’s a complex compound hibiscus and I resolved not to use a pencil. WaHOO! Color is liberating! So is freehanding with a brush loaded with color!

I can’t show it to you yet…It’s too wet to have John hold it up so I can photo it. Don’t want it to run where I don’t intend!

In the mean time, picture layers and layers of delicate petals, in bright yellow that turns to red as it nears the center of the flower. Oh yeah!

Ooops, better watch out, can it be…is it true? I slept all night last night, for the third night in a row. Even dreamt, though I don’t recall the dream, it’s encouraging to me that I did. I use to dream alot, very vivid, easily recalled scenes, but it’s literally been years. Hope is rising and optimism is looking cautiously up.

Tomorrow we’re going to catch the bus to El Tuito, a tiny village tucked away into the Sierra Madre, the mountains that rise from the waves lapping at their feet. I hear it’s about an hours drive. I’m taking the video camera to check back on Wednesday to see what we found along the way.

Angel Fire ArtSpace,
3469 Mountain View Blvd, Suites B2-4 Angel Fire NM