18 Days

18 days since I last did a blog entry.

I've been busy.

Still taking my watercolor classes at the Dunedin Fine Art Center under the tutelage of Taylor Ikin. My latest paintings from that class:

Dogwood Blooms
11" X 20"
Watercolor on Yupo

Coral Aphelandra
20" X 26"
Watercolor on Yupo

I have discovered a real love for this fabulous substrate.  I am so glad I decided to take these classes.  And what I love about Taylor?  Anything goes.  She sees beauty in everything her students do.  She doesn't treat us as "students", even though none of us have her expertise.  She never takes a brush from your hand but does gently suggest what you might do next or what to watch for in the movement of the watercolor on your painting.  I have not tried to emulate her painting style.  She doesn't want us to do that.  But I have learned to be more patient.  I wait for the paint to dry enough to lift it out and create more detail -- and try to back away before I screw it up.  (Smile)

My intermediate class in alcohol inks starts next Saturday and I have the materials list.  I plan to sit down with that later today and put everything together in a project box so I will be ready to start when the first lesson is made available to me.

I also have several books and a DVD I have been working with.  I want to do a portrait of Beau, And another subject that needs to remain a secret until it is finished.  I started a Facebook page just for my paintings.  Please visit Sherri Patterson, Artist if you have a mind to.  My new paintings will be posted there instead of my regular page.  Last time I looked, I had 13 "likes." 

This summer is half over.  When I haven't been painting, I have been spending time at the library working with the book donations for the Friends' Bookstore.  I've been working with a friend on plans for a series of art workshops for the Woman's Club and a flyers for three fundraiser events I will be involved with in the coming year.  And, I have spent a lot of time with my husband.  In a little over a month we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary.  A second marriage for both of us. I still enjoy just sitting and talking, listening to music and reading, watching TV, just generally "being" with him. This morning he brought me three lovely blooms from our plumeria trees.

They are from two different trees.  We have several red trees. They are a variety called "Key West Red." The white with pink and yellow are blooms from a tree we have been watching grow for several years. Some varieties bloom the first year. Others make you wait.  This "Makawao Rainbow" waited three years, growing taller every year but not blooming.  The friend who ordered it from Maui gave it to us as an anniversary gift passed away the year after he gave it to us.  This will be another wonder memory of him.

The plumeria in the front yard are all blooming and so are my roses.  The avocado trees are growing wonderfully. This tropical summer seems to agree with them.  The banana plant is growing like a weed and the tangerine tree is covered with hard little green balls.  My Bird of Paradise even has a few blooms.   

But our tomatoes are done...done...done.  And they were very good.  Especially the Cherokee Purples.  We will be eating the last ones this week.

Have a great day.  It will be another busy one for us. 

My Latest Bird

In my watercolor class yesterday, we were asked to pick a favorite flower for our subject.  The rose, plumeria, hibiscus and bird of paradise all came to mind -- and the bougainvillea.   They are all blooming right now.  I looked at my palette and and thought through it.  I could save time by avoiding  a preliminary sketch of my flower if I did something simpler than the rose or bougainvillea. I decided to divide my large 20" x 26" sheet of Yupo and do both a bird of paradise and a plumeria.

I did the bird first so it could dry while I was doing the background for the plumeria.  Then I did the shading and lifting of color on the bird, added more orange and softened the green while the plumeria background dried.  By the end of the class, I had a completely finished bird and a somewhat messed up plumeria.  I will be reworking it tomorrow.

But for now, here's my bird.

Bird of Paradise

I haven't signed it yet, but I do like it and think it's a "keeper."

Now to fix that blasted plumeria.......