This soft rose (4"x4" watercolor) pleases me but I'm not sure it's finished. Maybe a little splatter of color? What else should I do? I'm interested in your opinions.

These Three are in process- definitely not finished. I'm not sure I'll be able to make them into something I like, but I'll share the results when I get there. I'm thinking ink, some background flowers i.e. forget-me-nots. Suggestions? NOW I GUESS I NEED TO ASK WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE FINISHED PAINTINGS. THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT.

Beauty

Okay, so I was talking to Lynn, and he said he thought my whimsical lady was ugly - that was his knee-jerk reaction to the picture. I, on the other hand, find her to be peaceful and interesting and someone I'd like to know. He allowed as how he could see that too - but he still didn't love her. Isn't it interesting how each person has an individual reaction to a thing? I guess that's where the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" comes from. In this world women have to defend themselves from the bombardment of the fashion industry, the cosmetic industry, and just about every commercial and sexual concern to make us feel like we aren't good enough and if we just part with enough money, we can change all that. I love the Dove commercials that bring an awareness that we are okay the way God made us- in every shape, size, color, and age. It's also interesting to become aware of how affected both women and men are by the "popular" notion of what is beautiful. Anyway, here's my lovely lady that not everyone will see as beautiful.

Pansy Patch, 15x20 watercolor... the last of the 2010 series of pansy paintings. Time to move on to something new. Roses? Tulips? Spring is technically here, but the weather isn't. I think I'll do some tulips, daffodils, and hiacynths for awhile until I can get out and get serious about the garden. Any suggestions?

Another pansy. I've been doing the pansy series on 9x12 paper. Yesterday I started a 15x20 watercolor - a mass of pansies. I'll share it when it's completed. A nice beginning so far.
Spring is trying to arrive - I have tulips, daffodills and hiacynths peeking up. The roses are getting little leaf buds, the new lilac bush I put in last year will flower for me this year, but now it has little leaves with teeny round balls that will become lovely clusters of lilacs in a month or so. Yesterday we had sun, today we have overcast skies with a threat of snow (I know it won't stick, but omigosh!) I even planted four pansies in a pot -I look at them every time I go in my kitchen door. I have to keep them under cover because most mornings we wake up to frost all over the grass.

The image above is of a ceramic rattle - a simple beginner activity. In the classroom, I often do whatever assignment the students are working on so that I have a feel for time, difficulty, etc. involved in the project. It also provides a model for the kids. They like to see the teacher working. When they feel they can't measure up to what I'm doing, I am able to remind them that I've practiced a lot and they will get better too, if they keep trying.

Working in clay can be so therapeutic.

More Pansies

I just finished these pansy watercolors. There are two more ready to paint - maybe I'll get one started today. While at Auntie's Bookstore before First Night this year, I discovered a lovely book of pansy photos on sale. I couldn't pass it up and not only did the pansy photos help with the winter blahs, it has been a wonderful resource for the paintings I've been doing.

I took a break from pansies to do a gift for my now 4 year old granddaughter's birthday - a personal little collage just for her(she loved it).

Here are two watercolors for the pansy series that I have begun. I so desperately need spring so I can get out there and play in the dirt. Until then, I'm putting my mind (and artwork) into flowers.