Bittersweet

Thank you Rodney Campbell at "paint my photo" for sharing the reference photo that spoke to me as my re-entry after losing my Mom in August.

Acappella 2nd sitting

Gerbera

"Leap for Joy"

This painting was complete quite some time ago and I have just now decided to include it here in my blog; it was more of a study, and not quite typical of my style really; nonetheless I feel joy just seeing it like I felt while painting this from a photo by Lori Andrews on "paint my photo".

Jana's Iris

My first ever Iris and I will be painting more. This one from my own photo taken at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - when I see the beauty in a place like that it makes me wonder "how much more beautiful could heaven possibly be?"

Addie Bleu

She's a sweet, shy, little doll, soft as silk - my feline "Blue Burmese"

Addie Bleu

Addie Bleu is a sweet, shy, little doll - extremely soft, my feline "Blue Burmese"

Inner Glow

Watercolor on 140# Aches, 8" x 12"

Peekiing Through the Grapevines

Photo ref for this is from friend Kounelli "Manny" on flickr; I asked him for permission last year sometime and just painted it; thanks Manny

Tetrad Color Wheel

Some things I've learned about tetrads color groups:

- A tetrad consists of 4 colors positioned on the color wheel in either a square or a rectangle as in this diagram.
- You determine the color choice by deciding what you would like your dominant color to be and the rest will be built off this dominant color choice.
- Choose a "sister" color by moving either 2 or 3 colors to the left or right of the one you chose.
- Number 3 and 4 are decided for you by following a straight line across the square or rectangle, finding the complements apparent if you had drawn an "X" inside the box.
- See my chart below for 9 possible color groups resulting from the diagram above.

Some things I've learned about painting with a "tetrad" color group:
* Choose from the color wheel what your dominant color will be
* Next, choose a "sister" color either 2 to the left or right of the dominant color, or 3 to the left or right of the dominant color.
* Now, the remaining 2 colors are chosen for you by making a straight line across the inside of the color wheel as in this diagram.
* The tetrad consists of 4 colors, not just any random colors; they are in harmony.
* Instead of a square or rectangle you could think of it in terms of an "X" - across from each of your chosen colors, is it's complement. Striking grays can be created by mixing complements, or used in it's pure color make the painting sing.

Tetrad Painting

This study was for two purposes (1) to stay within the 4 colors chosen from my tetrad study below, in this case - the first one on the 3 row. (2) to practice painting in the round

Tetrad painting

This study helped me practice 2 things: (1) staying within the 4 colors chosen for the study, in this case - number 1 on the bottom row of my tetrad study below (2) I've been wanting to practice a round format in WC

Tetrad Color Groups - 9 possible choices

I've been studying tetrads and have created a diagram to better help me group the colors:

Crystal Bowl

Thanks to Vicki Greene for use of her photo and Susan Roper for coaching through the use of her demo, this was a project for the Watercolor Workshop online.

Valentine Roses

Dennis gave me pink roses between our anniversary and valentines day; they inspired me to paint roses and after seeing a photo by Michiel Thomas, he graciously allowed me to use it as a painting reference.

Solitude

From Brent Nesseth's photo comes this watercolor on Arches 140 lb 11 x 14

Blind Pears

Credit on this one goes to Dorena Kerry for use of her photo.

Blind Pears

Painted from a photo by Dorena Kerry - thanks Dorena

Pear of Pears

For a September "Pear Project" on WcW

The Fountain

From my photo taken at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen

Juicy June

I don't do bugs, well okay I've made an exception. This is an unusually juicy style for me; yikes I had to give up control.

Golden Tree Nymph WC

My thanks to June Damanti for allowing me to use her gorgeous photo as a reference for this painting. Please take a look at June's website for a mini vacation: http://www.bydamanti.com/

When I saw her photo I was so impressed with the macro perspective and gorgeous color I yearned to get out the watercolors.

"Favour" makes the Homepage of WcW

I am proud to announce that this painting is being featured on Yahoo's Watercolor Workshop - Homepage - for the month of June. That is such an honor and of course a boost to my ego as well. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WatercolorWorkshop/

Favour

Thanks to Vicki Greene for another lovely photo; this was sent out for my SWAP group this time. I loved painting this and hope to do it again soon.

Candies

How about cellophane? I'm continuing my study on painting shiny things, stay tuned. Thank you Doris for inspiring me to do this when I saw your photo of these candies.

Under Cover

This month the focus will be on "shiny things" - this gets my creative juices flowing as I love trying to capture light in my paintings so needless to say I have a lot of subjects I'd like to try. Let's see now, what should I try next?

Time for Tea

March challenge on Yahoo's Watercolor Workshop to paint from same photo; we're working this month on painting "shiny things"

Time to Celebrate

My Dahlia painting "Peace" that I did some time ago has taken 1st place and BEST OF SHOW with the National Art Program at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul. I am overjoyed and most grateful. Thank you to my Son Brent who encouraged me to do this and works for the Health East System.

Gerbera Daisy

Inspired by Vicki Green's photo, this Gerbera called to me to fulfill a "pink" project for Yahoo's Watercolor Workshop. this painting (a 5 x 7) was gifted to Michelle H. for our Feb. SWAP.

Stella

Painted to give as a gift to my daughter and her family for Christmas. Stella is my "Grandpuppy". Contact me for commission information or a print of this painting. Email above on right.

Apples

For our Watercolor Workshop group on Yahoo - we painted from the same photo in October. I used my artistic license and added a tablecloth that wasn't in the photo. I think I could do better, but for now will let it rest.

"Grace"

I am happy to post this floral, I had such a great time working on it. My thanks go to my friend Peter Nyllet for graciously allowing me to paint this; when I saw the photo I was drawn to it.
View the work in progress of this painting at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathyness/sets/72157608745167792/

COUNTRY FALL

Art on a Plate Cookbook

The cookbook is now available that includes this ACEO painting of mine; here is the link for more information: http://www.lulu.com/content/3691579 This was a group effort by Ebay's ACEO group (Art Cards Editions and Originals).

English Dogwood

Thank you Vicki Greene for allowing me to use your photo.

Home Page Hero

"Slice of Summer" has earned the prestigious spot on the Homepage of Yahoo's Watercolor Workshop Group, to be displayed there for the month of July. Thanks to all on the group for the encouraging comments.

Slice of Summer

For the Watercolor Workshop monthly challenge to paint fruit/veggies. Thank you Liz West for consent to use your magnificent photography for inspiration.

Pink Trio

Watercolor painted from a photograph by Liz West; thank you Liz

Blown Away

When Maureen said that she was "blown away" at seeing these flowers, I decided to name them that because these wispy flowers wave and dance in the wind. They can be quite tall so they have strength in numbers to keep them from being totally blown down (much like us). Credit to Vicki G. for the photo.

II Corinthians 5:17

"...old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Thank you Doris G for the use of this photo!

Hebrews 4:12

To be transformed as the butterfly delicately becomes a thing of beauty so the Word of God divides us, soul from spirit. The root meaning of "divide asunder" metamorphosis is the same process the butterfly goes through.

From Vicki G's photo; thank you Vicki, this was fun to paint today as I painted and watched it snowing outside my studio window one more time on April 12th.

Blue Pansies

My tribute to spring, maybe painting some spring like subjects will warm me from the inside out because it does not look like spring yet here in Minnesota.

Maureen

Miss Vicki

Arches 140 lb CP; the lovely Vicki (I didn't do her justice)

Candace

This is my "new and improved" hat lady rendition. The skin tones went on more smoothly for me and I think I'm making some progress. Portraiture in WC is a challenge for sure.

Marsha's Peony

From a photo reference from Marsha on WcW; I've been wanting to try this Peony for quite some time; not entirely happy with the outcome, but stuck in a quest to conquor sunlight vs shadow.

Portrait study

I wanted to practice the sun spots on skin (and haven't sufficiently learned to paint skin yet) lol. This is for study only; I used a cover of an old Victoria Magazine for inspiration. No intention to display or sell. I hope to practice this technique until I learn it.

Doris

A portrait study of my friend Doris

Think Spring

These Apple Blossoms were mailed to Marilyn Furstenburg in Wisconsin; she was my SWAP partner this time.

Think Spring

This painting is headed out tomorrow to my SWAP partner (a total secret until this person opens it)