Sketching Spring

sap bucket - sketch
watercolor on paper

Well, technically it's not spring yet here in the Northeast, but it's been brilliant like spring so I'm going with it. The sap buckets are out and the light was just right as I drove by the other day, so I snapped some photos. I want to practice more on my trees, so this seemed like the right subject.  I think I'll do a larger painting of this on clayboard.

Have a great day!

pasted into my sketchbook

Cutler Road - sketch
watercolor on paper

Value Sketches

hand sketch - wip

I've been working on some value studies.  I've always loved to draw and feel I need more practice - both with my graphite skills and seeing values.  

Have a great weekend.

apples and cloth

Little Yellow House

"Little Yellow House"
3" x 3"
watercolor on paper

Click here to bid.

I've been doing some little sketches and experimenting with architecture/landscapes.  I'm a very literal painter (it's all I can do not to paint every brick and leaf - gaaah!) and so I've been trying to do more editing while becoming a little more artistic (hopefully) in my choices.  (I've been greatly inspired by the amazing work of Joyce Hicks - she has a new book and it's fabulous!) 

Specifically for me, I've been working on value and color.  If you scroll down a little further you'll see my sketches and reference photo for this painting.  I'm still not wild and crazy, but hopefully you'll like what I've done.

Thanks for taking a peek.

what this painting could look like framed

reference photo

sketches - and final painting

I'm Still Here

Oh boy . . . have I been lazy about blogging.  I think the winter finally just caught up to me and something had to give.  The (late) Spring sunshine has me feeling motivated again.  Lots of news and images to share:

I am grateful that I was invited to show my work at the Petersham Art Center in Petersham, MA.  My friend and former colleague, Cheryl Adams and I got together and opened our show last weekend.  She primarily works in printmaking and has some really great work.  I think our different styles complement each other well.  We had a terrific turn-out and appreciate everyone who volunteered and came out to join us.  If you are in the area, be certain to check out the Center.

Dad and me

I've still been doing some sketching . . . here are a few . . .

I'm working from some photos I took last summer during a day trip with my brother.  I need to better plan out values for future paintings.  I'm also trying to learn how to edit.  I tend to be very literal in my interpretations -- not always a good thing.

And finally a 6"x 6" on aquabord I'm working on  . . . a barber shop that's around the corner from my brother's house.  I just need to do a little more. Thanks for coming by and not giving up on me!  :)

"Open" - work in progress
6" x 6"
watercolor on aquabord

Window Shadows

"Window Shadows"
10.25" x 5"
watercolor on paper

I did some more sketching yesterday.  I'm letting this one set for a day just to make sure it's done.  Below are some sketches.  I'm still working things out . . . but I think I'm slowly getting back into the groove.  Have a great day!