Yupo Floral

This is my latest adventure I've been working on.  This floral is painted on Yupo paper.  Actually, it isn't paper, but a plastic surface that does not absorb any paint.  The paint "floats" on top of the surface until it dries.  This one's done in watercolor.  The fun thing about Yupo is you never quite know how the paint will dry.  It's a surface that causes you to keep coming back many times to re-wet and re-paint.  In the end, it has a much different quality than painting on regular paper.  Comments are always welcome!!!

Orange Pears

I'm trying to get caught up on my posts.  As usual, I'm behind.  This is the 2nd of the 3 different colored pear paintings we did in class.  Pears are so much fun to paint!  I'm currently working on some large Yupo watercolor paintings - so stay tuned.  I am working you know.

Pear Glow

This is the subject I used while teaching my beginning watercolor class.  I painted it several times in different colors.  This is the yellow green version. 

"Retro Rouge" - SOLD

I've painted this room once before several years ago.  It's the upstairs portion of a French restaurant where we dined several times in Provence.  The public was downstairs, the room upstairs was bright, sunny and quiet.  The first time I painted it in oils, this time it's a watercolor.  It is currently on exhibit at Round Rock ArtSpace, 231 E. Main Avenue, Round Rock for the month of August.  Thank you Cathy for purchasing my painting for your home.  You're the BEST!!

Seven Stars - Watercolor Class

I recently taught a beginning watercolor class at ArtSpace.  These are my graduating students holding their beautiful paintings.  I was immensely proud of each and every one of them who proved that you can paint even if it's the first time you've ever picked up a brush.  Way to go!!!!!

Textured Abstract - Encaustic

This is the last of my encaustic paintings that I'm willing to post.  This one has embedded papers and paint as well as some colored wax on top.  It was fun and I hope to some day pursue this further.  For now, that's the encaustic collection!

Swimming - Encaustic

This is another encaustic I did in the workshop where the technique was embedding.  After laying down several layers of wax and doing some painting on the different layers, I embedded objects into one wet wax layer.  A final thin wax layer was then added to make sure everything was secure and not going to pop off.  Encaustics should be viewed "live".  It's very difficult to represent them accurately in photos.  Once again, these are not great works of art by any stretch, but an opportunity to try a new medium.  With much practice they CAN be beautiful pieces.  Not there yet!  Ha

Flower Power - Encaustic

I just took a weekend workshop in Encaustic painting.  Encaustic is an ancient art form involving painting with melted wax.  This was my introduction and first attempt!  I drew a quickie flower and used colored oil sticks for color.  I melted the colors with a torch and fused them permanently to the board.  The last layer is more non-colored wax which gives a translucent uneven look.  Once everything is fused with heat, it is a very permanent art piece.  No worry about it melting on a hot day (which I asked).  I will show you my other works from this weekend in my next posts.

"The Genius"

Hello Bobby!  Here is one of my favorite poets that I've loved since I was 15 years old.  That was a couple of years ago.  This image is too small to read the calligraphy on the painting, but the words are all from "Subterranean Homesick Blues" (which is the first song I slaved over trying to write each and every word).  I just didn't get it -  I'm still trying to figure him out all these years later. 

"New Hope, PA"

This is a full sheet pastel on velour paper.  The dreaded, can't make a mistake, velour paper.  I took the reference photo while on vacation in PA last year.  There are so many wonderful quaint towns full of historic buildings.  I was surprised at just how scenic it was.  This scene could easily pass for a place in France or Italy.  Enjoy!