The Learning Continues: One More Round of Painting

I've been practicing some more on Soon Y. Warren's method of painting crystal in watercolors.  The composition is Soon's and I am using her video instruction to help continue to guide me along.  I've taken three of her classes over the past couple of years; I LOVE her work and the way she brings her paintings to life.  Oh, I still have so much to learn and it continues to be exciting!  This one was still on the board after I had finished it... and something just didn't look right about the right lower quadrant to me... I don't know enough to recognize exactly what the problem was, but it wasn't right. 

While staring at it trying to figure out what didn't look right, I decided that if I cropped it, I was pretty happy...  Much like photos can sometimes be better when cropped.

I think I robbed too much light from the area that is purplish on the right lower part of the crystal... but, I'm still too inexperienced to know exactly where or how or what I was doing when I ran it in the ditch!  But, I do know I DID!  Guess I will just have to keep on keeping on trying to learn. 

Here is the partial painting framed.  It was kind of sad to have to cut away all that work... good or bad... but, I did manage to make a hand painted card from the part I removed.  So, it wasn't a total waste.

Waves from our Little Lady!  She's growing like a weed!  Her Noni sure loves. loves. loves. getting those sweet, slobbery little sugars!   She enjoys balls like her cousin, Little Roo.  Makes me smile. 

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."  ~ Mother Teresa

Amen to that.  May your week find you doing whatever you do with great love. 

blessings ~ tanna
PS The Unloved is still d.r.a.g.g.i.n.g. out... I have to force myself to do two rows... about every other day.  At this rate, I may never finish or get to a fun knit again!   Wish me knitting speed!!  ;)

Koi and Creativity...

It's been awhile since I've shared any photos of the Koi Boys, in The Pond (see how much they've grown).  They are so big and bright and beautiful... I spent some time this past weekend studying them after having the urge to attempt another Koi watercolor. 

I wasn't satisfied with the one I did in class last year... and it's taken awhile for me to work up the courage to attempt the water... and the fish UNDER water again.  I love how the shadows and reflections of the water show the graceful movement of the fish... oh, to be able to convey that on paper...

I have never thought of myself as a "creative" person... more of a math and science kind of gal here...  But, I have always loved color and texture and scent... and in the past few years, I have loved working with the beautiful variety of yarns... and the interactive magic of watercolor.  I still wouldn't necessarily refer to myself as creative, but I recognize a process of brooding and fertile dormancy before I push out something... a garment or a painting... and I wonder... is that what they call the creative process? 

Whatever it is, I seem to labor on it in my mind long before I see any physical manifestation... Maybe it is the math and science part of myself needing an equation.  LOL!  I am brooding over these fish right now!!  =)

One of my friends, Annette, who does beautiful watercolors (so sorry, she doesn't blog) sent me a link to find these instructional videos by Soon Y. Warren.  Can you say "perfect timing"?  I am so excited to have these to help me figure out the water!  Thank you, Annette!

And, speaking of creativity and art, I was most fortunate to win Catherine Holman's contest for naming her latest painting, Chimney Smoke and Cheery Snow Folk.  Please stop over and say hi to Catherine at Catherine Holman Folk Art.  I know this will become a Christmastime favorite!!  Thank you, Catherine!!

"Ever tried.  Ever failed.  No matter.  Try again.  Fail again.  Fail better." 
~ Samuel Beckett

I hope your creative process is brooding along... or churning out... or starting over...  just as it is meant to be...

blessings ~ tanna

Soon's Class in Watercolor Crystal

This was the painting I finished in Soon's class of painting crystal last month.  She is an amazing artist and excellent teacher for this process.  We used her composition from one of her earlier paintings.  Before the class, you are to do your drawing onto the Arches 140 lb. cold press paper (1/2 sheet) and apply masking fluid or frisket (like rubber cement to the areas that are to maintain white through the first washes).

 

This is actually my second version, done after I returned home.  At this point, there have been two layers:  the initial "wash" of yellow and red (you'll note I slapped it on and took off to other things, leaving myself an ugly little "bloom", where the water was collected around the edges and I didn't catch it; but, since I was going very dark, I didn't panic) and then a layer on the cherries and part of the bowl.  You can tell where the masking fluid is in the lightest areas.

 

Then it just becomes a process of adding layers...

And layers...

And layers...

And, layers... until you are ready to add your first wash of dark background... It starts to get scary at this point...  The further you go, the more time and energy you have invested and the thought of crossing the line to ruin becomes almost paralyzing...

Then, after the second layer of dark background (I used three in this one), you remove the masking fluid!!  It is really UGLY at this point... you feel a little crestfallen...

Then it is back to working out the details... more and more detailed little layers... you can see I was working on the bowl... then will come the stems and any other final detailing.  Finished painting HERE. 

 

You can see Soon Y. Warren's magnificent paintings on her website HERE.  I hate for you to... it will make mine look very crude!!  LOL!

 

Your Private Collection Art Gallery in Granbury has facilitated the three classes I have taken with Soon.  I am so thankful they do!  I'll be there the next time she's back!!

Tammy, hope this answered your question about how you get the bowl to look like this.  ;)

blessings  ~ tanna

Special Wishes... And Version 2.0 Painting...

"To My Dear Husband... Yours is the smile I look forward to each morning... and yours is the voice I love to hear throughout the day. 

Yours is the touch that can reach my heart and soul... and it is your understanding that so often calms my doubts and fears...

Yours are the plans and dreams that blend with mine, becoming ours... and yours is the love that means the world to me.

My life would be so different if you weren't a part of it, and that is why no one has more to celebrate today than I do...

Happy Birthday to my husband, my soul mate, my very best friend.  I love you."

Stolen straight from the American Greetings card I gave my Beloved this morning... He is my biggest fan... and I am his.  I thank God for His blessing in our lives and in our love.

This is Version 2.0 of the painting we did in Soon's class a couple of weeks ago.  I'll be sharing more about it and the Class Version later.  I did this one after getting back home and not being satisfied with my first one... well, you know... there are things about the first one I like better and things about the second one I like better... and, if I ever get one I am totally happy with, I am going to just stop! 

One of my dearest friends lost her Dad this week... My heart goes out to her and her family... We will be delaying birthday celebrations to spend time with them... It seems so many of my friends are losing their parents, aunts, uncles, friends... time marches on... It is good to know they are free of the cares, pains, and trials of this world... but, it doesn't stop you from missing them. 

Wishing a week filled with love and grace and comfort to all... blessings ~ tanna

Mermaid Murals and Midnight Roses...

Well, it's time for my once-a-year journey into watercolor... This weekend I'll be enjoying the teaching of Soon Y. Warren... really, the only person who ever inspires me to touch a brush. 

I was in a dark mood when I decided to push the paint around a bit in hopes of not feeling quite as awkward in the the upcoming class... but, time has been slim and practice time VERY limited.  So, I'll just be jumping in the deep... again. 

If you're familiar with watercolor, you can see several of the lessons I managed to remind myself NOT to do in this little exercise.  ;)  Still, I'm feeling a little excited... watercolor can do that to you.  It participates.  And, it is a worthy friend or foe.  Either way, I'll be taxing my brain for three days.  Wish me luck.

On, a lighter note... I enjoyed Mermaid Mural time with Karsyn this past week.  She was a very intense little Paintress!  And, did beautiful work!

Her sister, Little Lady was on Noni's hip and the saddest thing of the week is that I have no photos!  She was VERY busy trying to help Noni capture these few moments (there were dozens that were way too blurry to see!).  At seven months old now, she is a busy little bundle of PURE JOY!!

Sad. Sad. That I didn't get a final shot of Karsyn's masterpiece!  It was fantastic and great fun!! Thank you, Aunt Amanda, for the excellent idea.

If ever there was a moment that I might forget what a wonderful, kind, generous group of women I enjoy knowing through your blogging, you brought it sharply to my attention with all of your sweet words about Aunt Dot and Miss Ellen.   Thank you again and again.  I know so many of you are "Aunt Dots" in your own right... I am blessed to know all of my Ladies of Inspiration.  Thank you.

blessings ~ tanna

Soon Y. Warren Workshop - Day 2

Day 2 is over!   There were more layers and more layers...

And then, the beginnings of detail... and more layers...

This is where we will start tomorrow... and get to the finish.  I am exhausted and this Internet connection is h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e!!  So, I am about to pile in bed and soothe myself with...

...  a few rows of knitting before I crash.  I am on row 73 of this Mystery Knit-A-Long and need to be finished with row 150 (gets longer each row) by Monday... not sure I'll make this deadline.  Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great weekend and I'll be catching up soon. 

blessings ~ tanna

Soon Y. Warren Workshop - No. 2 (Day One)

In November of 2010, my friend Patrice talked me into attending a watercolor workshop by Soon Y. Warren (here and here).  I had never done a watercolor and the first day I wanted to be beamed up, Scotty!!  I was stressed beyond belief because I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. 

Well, we are back for round two (round three for Patrice) of Soon's classes.  Her work is amazing and she is a wonderful teacher.  She takes you step-by-step through her process...  now, mind you ours do NOT look like hers; but you learn a process. 

Yesterday, we enjoyed our first of a three day class.

Soon demonstrating one of the many layers...

And layers... 

And, the very first photo was our last step of the day... that's where we will be starting from this morning!!

Stacey (Your Private Collection Art Gallery, Granbury, TX), Soon Y. Warren and my friend, Patrice.  It's off to class I go!! 

The real lesson here is one in humility!!  ;)

blessings ~ tanna

Hints of Fall

While most of my blog friends have been busy decorating for fall, I just haven't felt it.  We are predicted to set another record high today and our poor trees have been brown for such a long time... not fall-kind of brown, stressed-and-dying-kind of brown.  It really makes me sad.

But, there is rumor of a cool front blowing in tomorrow.  No promise of rain, but coolness.  And, I think that my compulsion impulse to lay down my soft blue alpaca project last night for this beautiful fallish, winterish color is the first hint that I may be beginning to feel like fall is on the way.

I am so excited with the way this has started out!!  I am simply lovin' it!  Hopefully, I will be posting a finished object soon.  ;)  It has been crazy busy with a new remodel in the works and the usual business of life. 

My friend, Patrice, framed another of my watercolors for me.  I'm getting in the mood for more painting, too.  The remodel project will have space for a studio to paint.  Motivation to speed along.  ;)

I did get another little Entrelac Hat made last weekend for one of my friends.  Susan, of Days at Buttermilk Cottage, has made some really beautiful ones, too.  Check them out if you get a chance.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!  Bring on the Fall!  blessings ~ Tanna

Hot Off the Watercolor Board!

Just "finished" this a little earlier today.  It is my first "portrait" watercolor.  I would never have been tempted... except, you know...  my love of the Little Man... well, it takes me to deep waters...

Now, as I examine the painting post-photographing, I see things I would like to change.  I'm not sure you ever stop seeing those things, if you are like me... Slightly obsessive... slightly perfectionistic... Thank goodness, I have mellowed with age or I would never have been able to tolerate the imperfections of learning to watercolor... It challenges me, even now... way down the line from my most driven days. 

However, at one point today (I've worked on this one several days over a period of time), I finally hit an excited moment... with the fabric... and the shadows... a moment that it felt like I might be "getting it."  Good news, for me, is that it only takes a moment of joy and excitement to incite me to continue my pursuit!  Pursuit of wonder... of joy... of satisfaction...

That is my hope for you this day... that some moment feels right... that some moment is the breadcrumb in the trail to put you on the right path... that some moment gives you joy...

... that some moment gives you hope.

To see the photo that inspired this painting click here.  It was taken Little Man's Momma.

blessings ~ tanna

p.s. I have gotten a lot done while blogger has been down this week... hmmmm... what does that tell you?

Clementines for Little Man

I took a day to paint yesterday and this one is still on the board, but I think I'm calling it done.  My Little Man loves clementines.   So, this one is made with him in mind... like he's ever not.  ;)

Please excuse the makeshift matt.  My friend, Patrice, and I have discovered that the semblance of a matt gives you a better perspective on your painting (as in, we think it makes anything look better to have a matt... even if it is a  makeshift one.  LOL).

Last week when I saw this sweet arrangement, I was struck by what a good model this rose would have been for a painting I did back in February.  Makes me want to go back and add a little more red to the outer petals! 

It was like seeing this rose come to life!

I hope to find more time to paint soon.  I have an Old Girl apartment to work on today though.   Hope you all have a day filled with sunshine and joy! 

I'm linking this with Kim's (who is going to get to be a grandmother again!! Lucky girl!) Wow Us Wednesday party at Savvy Southern Style.