Gladiola

The Fairfield Art Show was alot of fun. The student tents looked great. I was so proud of all my students. They presented their paintings in such a professional way and they really looked wonderful. Then on top of that Cherrie won 2nd place and Linda won honorable mention. They both really deserved it. They have worked very hard and their painting has come such a long way. And they were complimented by the Judge, Kay Hofler.

I sold my Gladiola to of all people my father-in-law, who celebrated his 90th birthday July 5th. When he said he wanted to buy a painting I told him that I didn't invite him to the show to make a purchase. He told me not to tell him how to spend his money. This was a good purchase because now I can see my painting whenever I'm at his house!

Tomorrow evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm is the Opening at the East Beach Gallery for the show 8 Women. If your in the neighborhood come on down and see what we've been working on. There will be food and wine and art. Who could ask for more!

Magnolia

This is another recent painting of mine. It is currently hanging at the Gallery at East Beach, Norfolk, VA.

In it I used gouache in the center of the flower. (The off white and yellow is gouache and the pink is watercolors.) Gouache is an opaque watercolor. Watercolors are more transparent. The gouache allows you to "cover up" more easily.

Traditionally when painting in watercolors you do not use gouache. Especially to paint the whites. You leave the paper to show the whites. I do not use gouache in my watercolor painting as I love the transparency of the watercolors. But sometimes I use it to capture a more opaque area like the center of this flower. I also use it to add a little white as in my Central Park and Ocean Wave paintings. This is why I think of it as mixed media.

Some people use gouache with their watercolors. They mix it with the colors and paint beautiful opaque paintings. Gouache can be mixed with watercolor colors and or the different colors of gouache can be mixed together. Some people paint with gouache alone.

There are three nature books by Maryjo Koch that you should check out. They are Seed Leaf Flower Fruit, Bird Egg Feather Nest and Pond, Lake River Sea. Her paintings are beautiful and she uses gouache.

6 out of the 8 Women

The Opening Reception at the Gallery at East Beach went very well. Here's 6 out of the 8 Women that were in the show.

Creative Artists of Tidewater

The Creative Artists of Tidewater is having a show at the Gallery at East Beach at 9559 Shore Dr., Norfolk, VA from July 10th to July 29th. There is an Opening Reception on July 10th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The Creative Artists of Tidewater's website is up and running. Check it out at creative-tides.com.