New Work

I haven't been blogging much, but I have been painting quite a bit lately (yay!) Here is some of my recent work -

 "A Summer Day on Lake Pepin" - Watercolor and PanPastel (9 by 12)

 "Butterfly in Spring" - Watercolor (8 by 10)

"Sunset Petals" - Watercolor (5 by 7)

 "Fly II" - Watercolor (5 by 7)

"Mr. Kitty" - Watercolor (5 by 7) (My first animal/pet in watercolor!)

Untitled - Watercolor and PanPastel (5 by 7)

Some of these paintings are available in my Etsy shop and the others are just practice. If you'd like to keep up with my work, please follow me on Instagram - @angelasexpressions

Hope you all had a great weekend! xoxo

New Painting!

If you can believe it, I just finished a new watercolor painting! It's called "Almost There." This is my first watercolor painting in over a year, which is completely ridiculous. School keeps me so busy that there isn't much time for anything else but I've been trying to paint for at least an hour a day. I also recently finished a new miniature watercolor. It was a fun challenge. :)

I've been posting quite a bit to my Instagram page (@angelasexpressions) if you want to see more. :) Hope you all are well!!

Burst of Beauty

"Burst of Beauty" 8 by 10, Original Watercolor Painting

"Burst of Beauty" is my latest watercolor painting. I had some help from a Facebook friend with the title and I think it's perfect (Thanks Chris!). I couldn't resist painting that bold, detailed center. I also loved the color of the flower even though I did change it a bit. 

I used two different types of masking fluid for the center of the flower and when I peeled it off I couldn't help but notice that one caused the paper to yellow while the other did not. I used a Masquepen for the outside and Incredible White Mask on the center. I experienced the exact same thing on the previous painting. I either never noticed that the Masquepen caused yellowing before, or it's only happening now because the bottle is just about empty. In any case I'm going to make a mental note and see what happens when I open a new bottle. 

This fun painting is available for purchase in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested. :)

Sale Item for the Week

"Purple Whimsy" is this week's sale item on Etsy. Regularly $75 plus shipping but this week it's only $60 with free priority mail shipping. 

Have a great week!

Blooming White Rose

"Blooming White Rose" 8 by 10, Original Watercolor Painting

 

My latest watercolor painting is this beautiful white rose. I was drawn to the photo because of the contrast of the white flower and dark background, and shadows. I just loved everything about it, and I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

 

 It's available for purchase in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested.

 

Have a great weekend!

New Painting

I recently moved my "studio" up to my sewing room and have been painting a bit.

 

 My new set up. It's not my favorite place to work because of the lack of natural light, but it will work.

 

This is the watercolor painting I've been working on the past couple days. I overworked it a bit but it still came out quite nice. I will take a proper photo soon. I ordered a light tent for photographing art so I'm anxious to receive it and give it a try. :)



Back in Bloom

"Back in Bloom" Original Watercolor, 5 by 7

 

If you can even believe it, I've finished a new watercolor painting! I started it about a week ago, and forgot to post a WIP photos. I thought I would ease back into painting slowly with a small piece (5 by 7) and with a subject that I'm comfortable with (flowers of course). I had so much fun working on this, even though I was slightly worried that it would be a disaster and that all my painting skills have gone out the window. I'm rather pleased with the way it turned out though. The pencil lines are a little dark though, and because of the fixative I used, I couldn't erase them. Oh well, now I know for next time. :)

 

This painting is available on Etsy if anyone is interested.

 

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Bleeding Hearts

"My Bleeding Heart" is my sale item of the week on Etsy. It's $15 off and shipping is free! (For the U.S. only please).

 

I hope you all have a lovely week!

Sale Item of the Week

"Beautifully Imperfect" is an original watercolor, size 8 by 10. It was my sale item of the week last week on Etsy and I've extended it for another week. The sale price is $80 (reduced from $95) and free shipping (for the U.S. only).

 

I love this piece and hopefully one of my watercolor collectors or a new one will claim this painting. :)

Falling Hearts

"Falling Hearts" - Original Watercolor Painting - Size 5 by 7

I've been working on this painting the past couple days. It's not a mini, but it was supposed to be. I just thought it would be too difficult to do that small. I'm thinking about doing some larger paintings too. Perhaps some 8 by 10's 11 by 14's and maybe bigger! Eek! :) I'm not sure why I always paint so small. I guess it's because it's just easier with realism. But I want to branch out and try something new.

"Falling Hearts" is available on Etsy.

Sale Item of the Week

"Cosmos" is this week's sale item on Etsy. "Cosmo's" is a watercolor painting, size 5 by 7. It's being offered at a reduced price with free shipping (within the U.S. only) until this Sunday.

Don't forget about my Charitable Item of the Month, my Bloom and Grow Baby Quilt. 100% of the sale of this quilt will be donated to Feeding America. This offer ends in 2 days!

I hope you have a great week!

Hibiscus Watercolor Paintings

 "Hibiscus" 9 by 12

"Tropical Hibiscus" 9 by 12

I decided today to list my two hibiscus watercolor paintings on Etsy. I painted "Hibiscus" and "Tropical Hibiscus" a couple years ago. They were experimental doodles I guess you could say, but I ended up liking them a lot. I've also sold several prints of each. I've had them hanging in my studio, but I think it's time to let them go.

If you're interested in either of them please visit my Etsy shop. :)



Purple Tulip Commission

"Purple Tulip" 5 by 7, Commissioned Watercolor Painting

I was so happy to paint this custom painting for one of my collectors. She has three other of my watercolor tulip paintings and wanted another, in a different color, to add to her collection. I'm very pleased with the way this painting turned out and I think she will be too.

I enjoy doing custom paintings so if you have something in mind, just let me know. :)

Tulip in White

"Tulip in White" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

Available Here SOLD

I actually completed a new painting! It's been 2 months, I can't even believe it. If I hadn't gotten married I would say that going 2 months without painting is unacceptable. :) At least I had a good reason.

Anyway, I'll admit I felt a little rusty with this piece, but I enjoyed it. Getting the shade of those shadows was a challenge. I also used a piece of 140lb watercolor paper that had been stretched on a piece of gatorboard for several weeks and I had some issues with it. I used Winsor & Newton paints on this piece and the size is 5 x 7.

If anyone is interested, this painting is available in my Etsy shop for $50 plus free shipping.

It's good to be back! I've missed you all! :)

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!

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!

Fuchsia

"Fuchsia" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

Available Here

I couldn't resist painting another mini today. I just love Fuchsia flowers and I don't know why it took me this long to finally paint one. It was fun and I think I'll try a bigger one next time.

This mini painting is available in my Etsy shop if you're interested.

Have a nice weekend!

Open Tulip & 200th Post

"Open Tulip" 8 by 10, Watercolor Painting

Ah, it feels so good to be painting again! I was worried that my hand wouldn't heal properly and that I would need surgery. It's not 100% healed, but I am able to write and paint so I am happy. :) And this is my 200th post! Blogging has been a great way for me to share my art with everyone and to receive feedback as well.

I actually started this painting before I hurt my hand and it was difficult to get back to it after almost 2 weeks. I usually like to finish a piece within a day or two so this was a bit of a struggle to get back into, but I'm pleased with the way it turned out. I originally began this painting thinking that it would end up in the gallery. I'm not sure quite yet. Have to see how it will look framed. I used all Winsor and Newton paints on 140lb cold press paper.

Have a nice afternoon!

Magnolia Blossom

"Magnolia Blossom" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

Today's painting is this little magnolia blossom. Those shadows just drew me in. I'm a little disappointed because these mini paintings don't seem to be scanning very well. They look so much better in person. In fact that's something to always keep in mind with art that you see online; it will always look better in person.

This little magnolia painting is reserved for the gallery.

I hope you have a nice weekend!

Calla Lily

"Calla Lily" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

I'm having way too much fun with these little watercolor paintings. The scanner doesn't seem to be doing the best job at obtaining a good image of the painting though. It's so much cuter in person. I can't want to get these framed. I have these white 8 by 10 mat boards with a 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 opening and these little paintings look so nice with them. I've always liked the look of a bigger mat with a small painting.

Anyway, this calla lily was a joy to paint. I have never painted a white flower before, so the shadows made me a bit nervous. However, took out some of my "cobalt's" and mixed just the right colors. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out and I will definitely be painting a calla lily in a larger size in the future.

This little painting will be available at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery in a couple of weeks.