Crafty Cork

A trip to Slovenia/Bosnia/Croatia in October 2014, included visits to several wineries and wine drinking at some great restaurants.  Always walked away, if possible, from both with the wine cork.  I have been looking for a unique craft using the cork I brought home.  Finally found a project on Pinterest, but it used the cork as a stand for a dinner place card.  I am using it for small paintings or cards.

[Sorry Mom, I am giving you a preview of your Mother's Day card.  Only small painting I have right now as an example.]

Using cork from the Lisjak winery and from the winery run by the Serbian Orthodox monks, I made up my mini painting "easel" using hot glue, twine, and unused jewelry.  Nothing elaborate, but I like it! Will be making more.

Still Painting––Colors of Utah

Still painting with both watercolor and pastels.  Latest watercolor painting should strike a chord with people familiar with trails.  Hikers, you should recognize the painting subject….

(From a reference photograph I took while in Arches National Park.)

Two more days until I leave for my Adriatic Tour of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (one night in the small ancient town of Mostar).  Will be away from the husband and little dog for three weeks.  Will miss them terribly, but excited to be on a new adventure.

Painting for Mom

Mom’s kitchen lacks a window, so I created one for her.  Finished painting this floral today and will ship to her for Mother’s Day. 

Hope she likes it!

Painting with Pastels–Rooster #1

Monday Project – Need color above our kitchen cabinets.  I would say this will add some color.

Painting with Pastels (Chalk)

Just tried painting with pastels (chalk) and I love it!  It may be my favorite medium now.  The painting is from a photograph taken at the Oregon Painted Hills. 

There was a rain storm in the mountains so the clouds were a bit dark, but the sun was still peeking through.

Desert hills in the foreground with the mountains in the distance.

Driftwood Sculpture

For six weeks the hubby has been attending a weekly class on driftwood sculpture taught by Tuttie Peetz at her studio near Sequim, Washington.  Tuttie is a member of the Olympic Driftwood Sculptors organization established in October 2008, to share and promote the art of driftwood sculpture on the Olympic Peninsula.  She teaches an art form based on the LuRon® method, developed by Lucile Worlund of Seattle almost fifty years ago. This method is unique to the Pacific Northwest and forms the basis of driftwood sculpture techniques utilized in creating exquisite sculptures. The goal is to reveal the inner beauty of the wood. The driftwood artist sees, develops, and refines the natural shapes and designs of found wood into a work of art.

What a great hobby this has turned out to be!  There is an abundance of interesting wood shapes to be found around here, the tools are relatively inexpensive and it produces some beautiful pieces to display.  The photo shown above is Mike’s first work.  It is incredibly smooth and shiny.  The picture really does not do it justice.

Below is a before and after of Tuttie’s work, entitled “Nebula”. 

Easily transported (the tools are small), we can pick up interesting wood pieces any where we travel.  Pinion.  Mesquite.  Rosewood.   Different parts of the country have unique and beautiful trees.  The possibilities are endless. 

Still Painting

Climbing that learning curve and having fun with it.  Two new paintings—the pheasant in oil (first time/be kind) and elk in watercolor.  Watercolor is my favorite medium (so far).

Saturated Paper

Tuesday through Thursday last week were devoted to a 3-day watercolor workshop instructed by Kay Barnes.  Entitled “Saturated Paper” the course objective was to get you “loose and spontaneous”.   (I am talking about watercolor, remember.)  After designing and planning the painting, this approach gives the artist freedom when it comes to handling really wet paper and making corrections during the process. This is accomplished by making dense puddles of paint with a wet brush to wet paper, making the paint run and move. Exactly what I needed to get me away from the tight and contrived painting I was producing.  We tackled the subject of koi fish using explosive color combinations.  For a first try, I think my painting turned out pretty nice (see photo).

The workshop was held in the Straitside Studio a few miles from home.  The studio was once an indoor swimming pool—the owners filled in the pool and remodeled the space into a light and airy retreat.  Expansive windows open to a view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Besides the occasional workshop, a small group of artists living on the North Olympic peninsula who share a common love of the watercolor meet once a week to share ideas, tips, techniques and constructive critiques.

I am signing up for another workshop to be held in September.  This one concentrates on reflective light. 

Watercolor–Reading Chair

Not as colorful as the poppy posted yesterday, but it was fun to paint.  This is a lamp and figurine next to my reading chair in the bedroom.  Okay, enough painting, golfing tomorrow with the Lady Niners and Friday a hike on Mt. Walker.

Watercolor–In Work

Lots of time devoted to learning watercolor techniques and general painting composition.  This will take years to master, but love the challenge and so rewarding when you can make something beautiful.  This poppy is my latest project.  Poppies are everywhere right now growing in the fields and in front yards.  Reds.   Oranges.  Pinks.  Makes you smile as you walk by.

There are many artists on the Peninsula—all willing to give advice and mentor you along.  Signed up for a 3-day workshop in July.  Private studio overlooking Dungeness Spit and Puget Sound.  May be difficult to focus on painting.