Tennessee Rose

"Tennessee Rose" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

I was in the mood for a watercolor today. I couldn't wait to paint those soft petals. The reference photo I used was from the WetCanvas reference library and the person lived in Tennessee, so that's where I got the title.

This painting was done on 140lb cold press watercolor paper with Winsor & Newton paints. I will have this painting listed on Etsy soon.

Please don't forget that until March 31st 100% of all Etsy sales will be donated to the Red Cross to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Just a few days left! If you were planning on giving anyway, this is a great way to do it. :)

Have a great weekend!

A Visitor

"A Visitor" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Another little kitty today. Actually it's the same cat as in my last painting. Once again, thank you to Nancy Rose for allowing me to use your great photo for this painting. This one was a lot of fun. It was nice to spend an equal amount of time on the background as on the cat.

I haven't listed this painting on Etsy yet, but I plan on doing so within the next week or so. I have some collectors of my little cat paintings and I'm waiting to list a few of them at the same time.

Also, if you're interested in a custom pet portrait, I am taking orders. I was thinking of what a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift that would make! For more information on custom pet portraits, click here. I also have listings available for different sizes in my Etsy shop.

Have a wonderful day!

Closeup

"Closeup" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

"Closeup" is my latest pastel painting. It's been about 2 weeks since my last one and I felt a little rusty, but it felt great to be painting again. I finally completed my final projects and finals for school and I'm on a short break. What a relief to not have to think about school for a couple weeks! :)

"Closeup" is based on a reference photo by Nancy Rose. The painting was completed with pastel pencils on pastelbord. I'm not going to list it for sale just yet. But if you're interested, keep checking my Etsy page to see if I've listed it for sale.

I hope you have a nice afternoon!

My Art in The Smurfs Movie

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while now may remember that Columbia Pictures purchased some of my art (some of my hand painted cigar boxes) last year for the set of The Smurfs. Well, the trailer is finally out! The movie comes out in August. I have no idea what role exactly my boxes will play so it will be fun to try and spot them! :)

Etsy Sales Will Be Donated To The Red Cross

Effective today, until March 31st I will be donating 100% of my Etsy sales to the American Red Cross in an effort to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I did this last year when that terrible earthquake hit Haiti and ended up having a small amount to donate. In times like this I feel so helpless, but feel like I want to do something, anything to help. This is about the least that I can do. But if you were thinking about donating some money anyway, this is a cool way to do it because you get something in return. Just visit my Etsy store, place an order and on April 1st I will place the donation with the Red Cross. Thank you so much!

Little Dahlia

"Little Dahlia" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

After about a week and a half without painting I just had to do this little painting today. I have 1 week left of classes and my professors have been piling on the work. This week is going to be the worst with final projects due and exams. But after that I will have a 2 week break.

This mini painting was done on 140lb watercolor paper with Winsor & Newton paints. These mini paintings really have to be seen in person to be appreciated. Scanning or photographing just does not do them justice. For that reason I think I might start selling them in the gallery instead of on Etsy. But I will still share them. They also make great studies for larger paintings.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Interview With Artist Nancy Medina

Continuing with my "Artists I Admire" series, I recently interviewed artist Nancy Medina. I have been an admirer of her work ever since I first set eyes on one of her large flower pot paintings.

Please read the interview below and take a look at a few of Nancy's beautiful paintings.

"Summer Wish Sunflowers"

Can you share a little bit about your art background?

I began drawing and sketching in the first grade, and I used to get in trouble for doodling in the margins of my homework. I remember drawing the Frito Bandito on a blank page in the back of my first grade reader. I just couldn't let that entire white page go to waste! When I turned 30, I made a new year's resolution to begin painting. I studied art in College, and then took some workshops but mostly I am self taught.

"Sapphire Iris"

I know you mostly paint in oil but do you ever, or have you ever painted in other mediums?

I began painting in watercolor, mostly large botanical works on heavy 300 lb paper. I was single and poor and living in Santa Barbara so I would trade paintings for furniture.

"Pas de deux Poppies"

How would you describe your painting style?

My painting style is impressionistic, with an emphasis on bold color. I like my work to feel as if it is moving, as if the color is vibrating, in the tradition of the old impressionist masters.

"Fleurs dans Blue Hydrangeas"

Can you tell me a little bit about your painting process?

Now I work mostly in oils, starting with transparent underpaintings and building up to opaque, brighter colors in the final stages.

Your florals are beautiful. Can you tell me why you enjoy painting them so much?

I love painting florals because color makes me happy. Mother nature gives me free material to work from every day. How can anyone look at a rich red geranium and not want to paint it?

"Silent Serenity White Poppies"

Did you set any art goals for this year?

My art goals are lofty, I want to be able to make enough money with my art so that I can quit my full time job and become a full time artist someday. For now, that pesky mortgage is in the way.

How has blogging and the internet changed your life as an artist?

Blogging and the internet has really helped my art career, especially after I was juried into the original Daily Painters group, http://www.dailypainters.com/. Micah Condon and a small group of talented artists created this online gallery, which has thousands of viewers each day.

"Hearts Ablaze Sunflowers"

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

For artists getting started, I would encourage them not to get discouraged, but to work hard. Put that energy into your canvas and spend time in the studio. Look to the masters and the great teachers when you feel lost. My art has grown over the past four years, you can see my style has changed drastically if you look back in time on my blog. I still have a long way to go, but I am enjoying the journey.

Thank you Nancy for a great interview!

You can check out Nancy's blog by clicking here, and you can visit her website by clicking here.

Orange Pansy

"Orange Pansy" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

Available Here

Another watercolor mini today. I had no idea painting pansies could be so much fun! I've only painted 1 other pansy before, a blue one. I remember enjoying doing the veining and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. Something about all those little details that just pull the piece together. Unfortunately the scanner seems to blend colors together and doesn't pick up the subtle details. You have to see these little mini's in person to really appreciate them. :)

This little painting is available in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested.

Have a great afternoon!