Spring is Really Here!

Lent is over, thank the Lord cause I gave up wine! The spring break is over, and I'm sure every school aged parent is thankful, as I was a very long time ago!!!! We have entertained wee ones, felt deprived of certain luxuries, like wine...yeah! I'm enjoying a glass right now....have I made a spelling error yet? And, have enjoyed sleeping in past 6:25 am....!!

After my brief, but needed creative sabbatical, I intend...well that's the plan.....to get back into blogging and most importantly "art" or my "creative self".

I've had a lot a positive strokes re: the  watercolour "Bunnies" everyone that received a card, were over the moon. I was secretly really happy about all the positive feedback because I to was very pleased with the outcome; plus it's always better to make someone else's life a wee bit happier. 

The sun is shining and the temperatures are in the double digits..time to start sketching outdoors again.

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

Recharging

I have noticed that my brain, energy levels and overall creative self is tired. So I am taking a March Break!

The realities of life also come into play. I have the grandchildren visiting for several days and Easter is just ahead. April is looking a lot better for getting geared up again.

I have a painting hanging in the "Look Show" - Iris I, fluid acrylic. This show is open to the public and runs until April 10th.

Here are my last couple of acrylic minis.

Until next time....happy creating

Nadine

I Love Friday's

The sun has made a few appearances and I'm starting to have that "spring" feeling and cleaning bug, hitting. So I have done quite a bit of spring "cleaning" as well, a lot of deep "thinking" around the acrylic project. Feeling more satisfied by the "cleaning" aspect; I decided to throw myself into the Easter mode and paint some watercolour baby bunnies.  Forget the acrylics for now...have some fun and get loose.

I used Canson, 140 lb watercolour paper and separated a sheet into 6 mini panels of 4" x 4". I have never painted the same subject on a sheet to create a collage. I took my time throughout the afternoon, taking little breaks between each panel...I was so excited that I hadn't screwed any of the minis up...I'm on a roll. I'm really happy at completing a full page with this little collage. Unfortunately, the non tacky tape tore the surface of the paper again! Not as bad as before...I've never had this happen before and I'm getting frustrated. Anyways, to solve the problem, I photographed each panel individually and removed the border to create the most adorable and cute Easter cards. I really dislike waste!

Here are the results...
  


    

  

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Sun where are you?

Since we have come to Victoria, this winter has been the wettest by far and as a result not too much sun either!

While I am waiting for the sun to shine more regularly, I've kept busy with the creative side of my life. The acrylic minis are not as easy as I thought. I've struggled quite a lot, not sure if it's the size (7"x5"), the material -  gessoed,140 lb watercolour paper, or even the fact that I am trying to paint on a flat surface as opposed to an upright one. The low tack tape is even tearing the paper!  This project was to be simple with simple subjects, easy right! Not! I'm giving myself another week...if things don't start to improve..I will rethink the project.

  

Until next time...happy creating

Nadine

My Latest Project

Previously, I mentioned that I was starting up a "new" project. Basically, I have way too many supplies that I tend to "save" for a "special" use. As it happens I have finally a found a "special" use.

So the gist of this project is to use one Visual Journal Watercolour Strathmore book - 9" X 12" with 44 pages. (My granddaughter has claimed the first two pages.) This is the "product" that I'm not happy using for watercolours, so I have decided to try acrylics as the medium. Also, I have taped off a nice boarder and have included two small mini practice studies per page. The subject matter is to be simple and with a limited palette. The practice studies are to be done in order of the book...in other words don't be all over the place as it is easier to see the growth and development of my style and progress. I won't be painting everyday, but at least three or four times a week. As this practice is just that - practice; some paintings/studies will not be very successful; however it will provide enormous skill development and learning opportunities for me, similar to the 28 Day Challenge. (I kinda miss painting in watercolours now!) Ha Ha...plus, I find that I am posting to Facebook pages that I would never have posted in the past. I have a lot more confidence in myself. Practice, Patience and Perseverance....are the three necessary components.

The following are the beginnings.....

    

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

A Brand New Month

Wow this year is flying by! Today it's March 1st and I'm onto a whole new project...just to keep the daily paint momentum going. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the watercolours and I think I've become braver with practice and consistency, especially because I've been posting publicly on Facebook.

Here are my last two mini watercolours from the 28 Day Challenge. Thank you Opus for lighting a fire under me, it was a great way to spend the month of February.

  

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine