Day 15

Today's photograph is one that I took last weekend. I bought these lilies from a local florist and tried propping them against different things to get some interesting photos. I've never seen lilies this big before! They're so bright and fun.

I decided that I'm going to stop this "painting challenge" for now. I have just been posting photographs, which is fun, but wasn't my original intent. I am just too super busy at the moment to paint. I started a painting today, but I don't know when I'll have another opportunity to work on it. I'm going to be participating in "Creativity Bootcamp" in a couple weeks, and it's 2 weeks long. During this "training" I will be painting everyday for 2 weeks and it will wrap up this challenge perfectly. It begins June 6th, and I'm very excited about it.

Today's Quote: "The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions." Alfred Lord Tennyson

New Studio

I've been working on my new studio for months. This room used to be my bedroom, but I moved it to the 2nd floor of my house. I put up new curtains, pictures, and tried to organize everything. Let me tell you, there is a lot of stuff in this room! I can be very creative when it comes to storage and organization. I absolutely love my new studio space. I guess that's good because I spend a lot of time in there! :)

Day 14

Today's photograph I took recently at my favorite greenhouse. I regret not purchasing some of these flowers. I bought Foxgloves instead, and I love them, but these would have been nice too.

Well today has been spent getting ready for company - hanging up curtains, pictures, and cleaning. I accomplished a lot, but I still have a lot to do. I'm pacing myself :). I'll be lucky if I can get any painting done this week. It just might be a week full of photographs! :)

Today's Quote: "I’ve learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life'." Maya Angelou

Day 13 - Painting Challenge

It's a photograph today. I love this picture. The colors of the Dahlia petals are just stunning. I think it would make a great pastel painting.. hmmm... All I need is more ideas! :)

I received an order of art supplies yesterday so I'm excited to break them in and try some new things. I mentioned botany artist Billy Showell the other day. I've been wanting to try some realism in watercolor (inspired by her), because I have more of a loose style, but I didn't have any hotpress paper. I've never even seen hotpress paper before, so I was quite surprised at the type of surface it is. I generally enjoy painting on rough watercolor paper, so this is very different. Now my only problem is finding the time. I'm expecting some company next week, and I've been busy getting the house ready. So, I will continue posting what I can, when I can. :)

Today's Quote: "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers." - Claude Monet

Have a great weekend!!!

Day 12 - Painting Challenge

I finished the painting I started yesterday and named it, "Purple Polka Dot Petals." This painting was done using a real lily (still life) and had to be done quickly because the flower was beginning to wilt. I've actually never painted a flower from life before (at least not with this much detail), and it was interesting! The perspective I chose was to look down into the flower. I did make what I think was a mistake though, I put down a layer of white pastel first, and that seemed to have an effect on all the layers I put down after. I was hoping it would just make the colors pop a little more, but it ended up doing more than that. It didn't change the outcome of the painting, but it made the process slightly more difficult. I won't be doing that again.

I'm not sure what's next. I've been really inspired lately by Billy Showell, a botany artist. I've been reading some of her books, and I think I may try some realism in watercolor. We'll see.. I have about a million ideas and choosing what to do next is a challenge! :)

Today's Quote: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

Day 11 - Painting Challenge

This is a work-in-progress. It's the same lily that I painted yesterday in watercolor. It's a 6 by 6, on pastelbord. It needs a lot of work yet - lots of touch ups and details. I plan to finish it tomorrow.

Today's quote: "All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness." - Eckhart Tolle

Day 10 - Painting Challenge

I finally painted today! I was missing it too much so I made sure that I set aside some time today. I got these lovely lily stems from the florist yesterday and I wish I would have asked what kind of lily they were. Anyway, the picture above is just a quick shot of my painting setup. I'm not sure if the painting is done. I painted it very loose, and I may have gotten a little too carried away! :) I'm going to leave it for now and go back to it and see what I think. Tomorrow I think I will try the same lily in pastel. I'm not sure I can wait, I might start it today!

Just a few quick notes - I am now on Flickr and my username is "AngelaMarie292." I'm not entirely sure how active I will be on the site, but I am giving it a try. Also, it was recently brought to my attention that my blog was not allowing people to leave comments. I had no idea that I had the comments disabled! Oops! So needless to say, I have fixed it, and you can leave comments now.

Today's Quote: "A beautiful thing is never perfect." - Proverb

Day 9 - Painting Challenge

I definitely could not have picked a worse time to do this painting challenge. I have been busier in the past few weeks than I have been in a long time, and there is no end in sight. I have various appointments lined up. I'm also expecting some company in a couple of weeks. So, I'm not going to worry about posting everyday, if I'm unable to. If I paint something, I will definitely share it with you (if it's worth sharing :) ) and I may post other things as well.

Today I have a little homework to finish, and I think I'm going to head to the greenhouse and pick out some annuals to plant. It's 75 and sunny today! Perfect day to be outside! Enjoy your Sunday!!

Today's Quote: "There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love."
Bryant H. McGill

Day 8 - Painting Challenge

It's my birthday today and to celebrate, I went to one of my favorite greenhouses to take some pictures. I just feel in heaven surrounded by all those beautiful flowers! The photo above is one of my favorites from the day. I just love the color of those pansies. So rich and beautiful.

I plan on getting back to painting tomorrow since my homework is complete!

Today's Quote: "We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace." William Ewart Gladstone

Day 7 - Painting Challenge

I wish I would have had time to paint today, but I was doing homework all day. So, instead of a painting, I'll share another photograph! I also took this one this past Sunday at the park. I wish I could remember the name of this flower, but I can't think of it! Oh well. I took several pictures of this flower and this is one of my favorites. The wind was blowing and it was difficult to get a good shot.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I have a bunch of things planned, so I'm not sure that I will get a painting in. If not, I will be sure to share something :).

Today's Quote: "The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 6 - Painting Challenge

As you can tell, no painting today. This is a photograph that I took on Sunday at the local park. I was completely struck by the beautiful colors of the tulips. They were probably the prettiest pink I have ever seen. I look forward to painting some of these flowers.

I was looking over how much school work I have this week, and I was overwhelmed! I have midterms and big assignments due this week. Don't they know I have a birthday Friday? :) Something tells me they really don't care! :) So, I have A LOT of work to do, and I don't have any time to sit down and paint. I hope to get back to painting by the weekend, or next week at the latest.

Today's Quote: "Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night." Glade Byron Addams

Day 5 - Painting Challenge

I didn't have much time today, so today's paintings are very simple. Sometimes simple is better! These are 4 by 6 watercolors. The center two (the purple coneflower and poppy) are my favorites. I have done a set of blank greeting cards in a very similar way. They sold a while back, but perhaps I should do another set! :)

Don't forget about my Birthday Sale in my Etsy shop this week! Free shipping on everything and you'll also receive a free gift!

Today's Quote: "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." Guatama Buddha

Day 4 - Painting Challenge

Today's painting, "Sunshine Lily," is on pastelbord (6x6). I've been wanting to paint this picture for a while now. The reference photo is from my own collection. I actually have a print of the original photograph available in my Etsy shop (It's called "Bright Yellow Lily"). I really like this painting, and I think it looks much more lifelike, in person. All paintings look better in person!

Today's Quote: "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." Anne Frank

Birthday Week Sale

I'm celebrating Birthday Week in my Etsy shop!! My Fiance is celebrating a birthday tomorrow, and my twin sister and I are celebrating a birthday on Friday! The sale goes from May 10th to May 16th. Free shipping store wide (You will need to pay the shipping price at checkout and I will refund the shipping cost via Paypal). Also, you will receive a free gift with every purchase!!! A 4x6 print of any painting or photograph that you see in my store. Just let me know in the "Message to Seller" box which photograph or painting you would like. If you don't tell me which one you'd like, I will choose one myself. Happy Shopping!

Day 3 - Painting Challenge

Well as you can probably tell this is not a painting. I decided to substitute for a photograph today. Sunday's are usually pretty relaxed for me, and I decided to go and take some more pictures today. This tulip is one of my favorites. We ended up taking our dogs to the park today and as soon as we got there I noticed all of these beautiful flowers. I had to rush home and get my camera before the sun fell. I got some great shots, and we had fun too! :)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Moms! I don't have children, but I feel like my two dogs are my kids! And I certainly love them as if they were :). I hope you all had a great weekend.

Today's Quote: "Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." ~Author Unknown

Day 2 - Painting Challenge

Today's painting is titled "Garden Pansies." It's a 5 x 7 on rough 140lb watercolor paper. The reference photos I used for this painting are pictures I took of pansies that I planted last year. Speaking of which, pansies are supposed to be annuals, but I have some from last year that are still thriving. I dug most of them out to make room for new annuals, but I forgot a small patch. Now I wish I would have just left them.

Anyway, this painting was a lot of fun to do. I've never painted pansies in watercolor before, but I already have ideas for bigger paintings with them. This painting just might be available for sale in my Etsy store soon. :)

Today's quote: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Henry David Thoreau

New Painting Challenge

I'm planning on embarking on a painting challenge. I was thinking about committing to a 365-day challenge, but that might be a bit of a stretch for me. Therefore, I am going to start with 30 days and if it goes well, and I feel that I can commit to a full year, then I will go ahead and do that.

I'm planning on keeping this just a "painting" challenge, but I may substitute a painting with a photograph or quilt if I need to. In any case I will be expressing my creativity in some way, everyday, and I will be sharing that with you.

I will also be including an inspirational quote with each post. I am so inspired by quotes about peace, love and happiness. I believe reading something beautiful, even just a short quote, everyday, can turn your whole day around.

I would greatly appreciate your feedback while I'm on this journey! :)

Day 1 Painting Challenge

This is Day 1 of the 30-Day Painting Challenge that I am embarking on. "Shimmering Daffodils" is an original watercolor on 140lb rough watercolor paper. I named it "Shimmering Daffodils" because I painted the petals of the Daffodils with an iridescent yellow wash that shows through all the glazes on top of it. The photograph of the painting doesn't portray the true colors of the flowers. The petals are a much brighter yellow.

Quote of the day: "We are unlimited beings. We have no ceiling. The capabilities and the talents and the gifts and the power that is within every single individual that is on this planet, is unlimited." - Michael Beckwith

Greenhouse Flowers

This morning I made a special trip to my favorite greenhouse. I make an effort to go at least once a year to take a lot of pictures. In my opinion you can never have too many pictures of flowers! :) Last year I was disappointed that I didn't get that many close ups, so today I made sure to get very close to the flowers. I got some great photos and I'm feeling so inspired to paint! I like to use my own photos as much as possible, when I'm using them as references for paintings. I hope to put these photos to good use, soon! Enjoy!

All images © Angela Bishop

Thank You

I just want to give a big thank you to Laura Trevey, creator of Bright, Bold & Beautiful blog for including my Tropical Hibiscus painting in the "beautiful things" section of her blog, earlier this week. Thank you so very much! If you haven't checked out this blog, you must! Laura gives great tips on everything from fashion to home decor.