Category Archives: process

Tools: Watercolors, 8, Primateks

When I painted with acrylics (above) I was in love with the textural qualities of Golden Acrylics: ground hematite, sand, metallics.  I mixed and pushed them to create textural patterns on both huge canvases and small paper sketches.  It was … Continue reading

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Color is Not Enough

Sometimes I start with color… I think color will be enough, because I am mad for color… But color is never enough. There is the line, and it has a lot to say. Because you can’t read my handwriting: Playing … Continue reading

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Alizarin Gladioli

Middle-of-the-night, deep inky-maroon gladioli challenged me! The Da Vinci Alizarin Crimson is semi-transparent, but the secondary top color had to be quite opaque, and i don’t like nor work well with opaque paints. I painted them in my Nostalgie journal, … Continue reading

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Peach Glads

Can you spot the mistake? (I corrected it by now….) Middle-of-the-night, I took on the peach gladioli Mitchell gave me earlier in the week. I tried one of the new DaVinci watercolors, Rose Dore, a quinacridone paint. Such a pretty … Continue reading

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Ganesha and Matteo Grilli’s Paints

Sometimes I try small handmade paint companies. I took a chance on Aussie painter and paintmaker MatteoGrilliArt handmade paints! and liked his so much I ordered more! LOOK AT THOSE COLORS!!!! Intense pigment, beautiful, not as creamy smooth as a … Continue reading

Posted in animals, art journal, Buddha, color, gods and goddesses, journal, process, ritual, sketchbook, tools, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

VSW: Barcelona, 5, Casa Batllo

Finishing off the two-page layout for our Gaudi walk, I tackled the fireplace I desire! I keep seeing this sweet heart-shaped chair breaking into song and dance in Angela Lansbury’s voice!. The final layouts finished by the collage of four … Continue reading

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VSW: Barcelona, 4, Palace Guell

For the Foyer, I squinted to imagine what might be seen in a small sketch. I went in with grisaille in Lexington Grey to suggest the tones; later I painted the color of the marble with Super5 Frankfurt warm grey … Continue reading

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Walnut Park, Portland, Oregon Commission

A commission to create a painting from photographs for an intern leaving for the next leg of her journey landed on my desk. I typically work on several images at the same time; it relieves the pressure in case one … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art, commission, making a living, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

VSW: Barcelona, 3, Palace Guell

The rooftop chimney skins in the Palace Guell are so beautiful — like sculpture gardens. When the families lived in this palace, I wonder how often they used the rooftop sculpture garden and for what — did they have lunch … Continue reading

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VSW: Barcelona, 2, Map

Made a map of our walk, starting at the World Trade center at the wharf. Heading up to the Palace Guell, Casa Batllo, and the Casa Mila! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new … Continue reading

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Hahnemühle Post Cards, 7, Palms

A tropical island, one place I go that is my happy place… Not too hot, Pacific Ocean, breezes. Brunaille and grisaille underpainting.  Sent! Laguna Beach iconic view — from one of many photos I’ve taken over the years. Brunaille and … Continue reading

Posted in creativity, drawing, ink painting, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

USk: Yama Sushi

Yama Sushi, named after Yamantaka, apparently! First time was for our anniversary. Discovered just before we found the kitties.  A sign. Amazing sushi, clean, fresh fish, good sushi man, and a woman sushi chef (wow a first!) No more having … Continue reading

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New Art Journal

I’ve been so busy getting my new website live and cleaning my studio and sorting art *and then that pesky thing, making a living at our business* on top of managin to keep up with World Watercolor Month, that I … Continue reading

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USk: Cargo Portland

Picking up an old Fabriano Watercolor journal that I really don’t like *but will finish off in some way, like the 100 faces challenge*  I came across an old drawing of the building in the Pearl that originally housed Cargo, … Continue reading

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Tools: Hahnemühle Carnet de Voyage (Bamboo)

Today I played with the Hahnemühle Carnet de Voyage (the Bamboo Journal). First off, I love the cover!  Hahnemühle uses lovely pieces of art for all their covers, and if I were to use this as an actual journal, after … Continue reading

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USk: PAG Trip to Monitor

This shows you how busy I’ve been! April 29th PAG took a field trip to Donovan Harding’s amazing woodworking shop, Monitor Millworks.  He creates doors and windows the way they did them in the late 19th century.  He was kind … Continue reading

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Hahnemühle Post Cards, 5

A second image of Randy’s Gardenia created during the video. Terry Phillips’ Morning Glories climbing her bird feeder, showing a bit of the layering process from ink to finish. Hahnemühle makes a longer post card, which I played with above. … Continue reading

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HBG: Scary Things!

It is not nice to be scared but they are so freaking funny when they are… Yamantaka (who I keep calling Charlie, as in, “Listen Charlie…”) was running pell-mell with his new-found freedom in our studio when he came face … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments