Three Roses

My Three Roses are complete.  They started out so much fun but then they came back and presented quite a challange.  Not that I don't like challanges. I definitely do. 

I think one of the most important things that I learned about watercolors was not to give up.  (I'm not saying I never give up but usually I try to see the painting to it's finish.)  I used to give up on a painting when I wasn't happy with were it was going.  then an instructor of mine said to keep on going.  I didn't learn to do this overnight but eventually I did.  I must say that I have learned more about watercolors by not giving up but working through my frustrations.  Not every painting comes out great but sometimes I'm really surprised.

Violet Iris



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 Here's another one of the paintings that I did on our long weekend in Duck, NC.
It was so much fun to paint.  (I say that alot but only to differentiate from the paintings that were not a lot of fun to paint.)  Right now I'm working on a portrait that is challenging me and roses in a garden that are quite challenging.  I'm also putting together some ideas for some still lives that I want to get done before the Seawall show.  None of these are as much fun as it was to paint this simple little iris!

Rose Workshop

I just wanted to tell everyone that my Rose Workshop was wonderful.  All of my students painted beautiful roses and really enjoyed the day.  The Art Studio , where it was held has such a welcoming feeling.  It really allows you to leave your problems at the doorstep and go directly to the painting zone.  Mary Pelham White has done a wonderful job setting it up as a great place for workshops and classes. 

I am currently teaching my Ongoing Intermediate Watercolor class on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and on July 6th I am starting a Summer Advance Beginning Watercolor class on Fridays form 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  I hope to see some of you there.  If you are interested in either class please contact me at katsart01@yahoo.com or 757 650-5765.

Creative Collage

On Sunday I took an all day workshop with Catherine Mein.  I've known Catherine for a while and have always loved her work.  She also does abstract watercolors and has such a unique vision that she shares with the world. 

A while ago I saw Catherine do a demo on making collages and it was so much fun to watch that I just wanted to learn how to do it.  The workshop was amazing from beginning to end.  When I walked into The Art Studio it was so well prepared with snack and drinks and supplies on all of the tables.  She really put forth an enormous effort for all of her students. 

I must say that I had never done collage or worked in the abstract before.  I really felt like I was stepping out of my comfort zone.  But immediately in the class I felt free.  I didn't have to be concerned about realism or making sure everything is "neat" but not tight.  Most everything that she said about composition I was familiar with so I just played with colors and values and shapes and textures.  I had so much fun and it was so freeing.

This is my first collage ever.  Does it look anything like my usual work?  At first when I look at it it looks totally different.  But then when I look at it more closely I start to see my style emerging.  My use of colors, textures and my sense of balance come through.  I do not have a strong center of interest.  (Also a part of my style and something I need to work on.)

It was the most fun Sunday I've had in a long time.  Thanks Catherine you really are a wonderful teacher.

Saturday at the Botanical Gardens

Here are some pictures from the Botanical Gardens.  My Saturday class went there and we had a great day.  You can see how everyone is just painting and drawing away.  It sure looks like everyone was in the painting zone!  I just love visiting the Botanical Gardens.  There is so much visual stimulation to get your creative juices flowing.  It is so beautiful and serene.  I feel instantly relaxed.  So if you live in the area and want to spend a perfectly pleasant afternoon then go and see the wonders it beholds. 

Rose Watercolor Workshop

I am teaching a Rose Watercolor Workshop on Saturday June 9th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Art Studio.  The workshop is for students that have some basic watercolor experience.  It is not as difficult as you may think to paint a rose.  We will concentrate on making the rose look translucent and ways of giving the painting depth.

The Art Studio is located at 605 Pembroke Lake Circle, Ste 102.  It is just south of Sentara Bayside Hospital.  You take Independence Rd. to Pembroke Blvd.  If you are heading north you make a left and if you are heading south you make a right. Then you make the first left and pull into Pembroke Lake Circle.  There are three parking spaces in the front of the building and then on all three sides there are other parking spaces.

We will take an hour lunch break and you can bring your own lunch, order out or go out to eat. 

The cost is $50.00 for the day.

If you are interesting in taking the Rose Workshop please contact me at katsart01@yahoo.com.  I can answer your questions, give you a supply list and register you for the class.

Come and join us and bring a friend and have fun learning to paint a rose!

Yellow Irises

This is another one of my recent small paintings.  They have been so much fun to paint, so relaxing and exciting at the same time.  I took this picture and some other irises also from my yard.  And I'm painting a few of them.  It is so much more stressful painting portraits then it is painting flowers so I thought I would take a break. 

Daffodils

I recently went on our annual painting trip to Duck on the Outerbanks of North Carolina with some friends.  It was a wonderful retreat very relaxing and yet stimulating to the creative process.  We truly had a wonderful time. 

I have been painting so many portraits for a while now and it was great to take my mind off them and concentrate on my true love of flowers.  I have been wanting to paint daffodils this spring.  They were blooming everywhere but every time I went out to photo them it was too windy to get a good picture.  So I had to take the pictures I had and use my imagination and I was able to come up with this small little painting.  I can't tell you how much fun it was to paint.

The Queen

My latest portrait The Queen.  This is the second time that I have painted her.  I really feel that I have come a long way in my choice of colors for the skin tones.  Using transparent colors really allows you to see through the different colors in the skin.  When you look at someones skin you can almost see through it. 

I have recently taken a little break from painting portraits and I have been painting some less intense paintings.  I will show you some of them soon.  It has been alot of fun just painting for the fun of it!  But I need to start putting some energy into one or two large paintings for the upcoming shows.  I hope return soon. 

Whitney Houston

I painted Whitney Houston because she was a very beautiful and talented woman. I know she will be missed by her family and friends as well as her fans.

I went through two different phases in this painting. The first phase was when I was painting her face. I really feel that I "got to know her" in a way that I certainly never have before. I really enjoyed the process of capturing her spirit. I am very satisfied with the results especially her eyes and the tilts at the sides of her mouth.

Then I went into phase two, her hair. It absoulutely drove me crazy! The curls and the highlights really challenged me to the max. I'm not totally satisfied with the results but I think it came to a natural state of being. I am glad of that as I don't think I could put another drop of paint on her hair.

I'm almost done with another portrait and will be posting it soon.