Duluth Rose Garden

This past weekend my husband and I took a day trip to Duluth. I had never been there before, but my husband was sure I would love it. I did a little research and learned that they had a rose garden, so I definitely wanted to check that out. It was gorgeous! Because of my love of flowers, it felt like heaven on earth... I could have stayed there forever. These are a few photos I took:

 

I could easily have spent hours there taking pictures. I think I'm absolutely going to make a trip there every summer to take pictures. You can never have too many! I'm feeling very inspired to paint after visiting such a beautiful place, so hopefully I can do that pretty soon.

 

I hope you're having a great week! God bless!



Cosmos

"Cosmos" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

I completed this little watercolor today. It took me much longer than normal as I wasn't able to use a blow dryer to speed things along. My Fiance has been working nights again this week and I didn't want to risk waking him with the dryer. It was certainly a different way of painting. But I'm happy with the way it turned out.

This little painting will join "Twin Roses" at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery soon.

Have a lovely evening!

Red Petals

"Red Petals" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

Available Here

I am having a lot of fun with my watercolors. My previous watercolor, (Shades of Pink), took about three times as long as it should have because I had a difficult time keeping my paper wet. My studio is in the warmest room of my home and it's very dry. I would wet a small area of my paper and by the time I reached for my paint, the paper was already starting to dry. It was ridiculous. So, I decided to take my watercolors out to my old studio (the sunroom of my home). I have a big drafting table out there and it wasn't as dry.

I thought you might like to see a photo of my set up today. I know that I'm always curious about other artists work space.

Here you see everything I needed to complete this little watercolor painting. I actually really enjoyed painting there today, with all the natural light coming in. The only downfall is that it's Winter and it's much colder out there.

This painting is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Also, Laura Trevey is hosting a "Painting a Day" this month and allowing us to post recent works on her blog. Click here for more information.

Field of Flowers

"Field of Flowers" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

I've been wanting to do some more landscapes and this is one I did this morning. It's 5 by 7 on pastelbord, completed with all Mount Vision pastels. It turned out okay. I've been feeling that my paintings lack emotion and feeling, so I thought I could better express that through landscapes. Well, it's clear that I need a lot more practice.

I deeply admire Paula Ford, and I would love to take one of her workshops. Her landscapes are just incredible. I'll just keep working on it. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Garden Flowers

I thought I would share some photos with you today of flowers from around my home.

Is there anything more beautiful in the world than flowers?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Item of the Week

"Carnations" is this week's item of the week in my Etsy shop. It is an original 7 by 10 watercolor painting. The sale price is $22. It's been quite some time since I've posted an item-of-the-week item on my blog, so for those of you who don't know, I choose a different item every week to offer at a special low price, and it also ships anywhere in the U.S. for free! Prints of this painting may be available soon :). Have a great week everyone!!

New Paintings

"Carnations" 7 by 10 Watercolor

"Greenhouse Iris" 6 by 11 1/2, Watercolor

"Zebra Butterflies and Lilacs" 6 by 11 1/2, Watercolor

Whew! Things have finally calmed down around here. I had a nice time with my company this weekend but it's nice to have things back to normal. These paintings are not ones that I've done recently, but they're ones that I've held onto because I wasn't sure if I wanted to sell them. They are now available for sale in my Etsy shop.

I completed a painting today, but I'm going to go back to it tomorrow to make sure that it's finished. I really like it and can't wait to share it! I combined watercolor and pastel for the first time on pastelbord. It was supposed to just be an experiment, but it turned out really good.

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend!

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 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 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

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

New Photo Boxes

I was up early this morning creating, and this is what I came up with! The box with my "Hot Air Affair" print was an idea I had a while ago. That little print is just so cute. I'm thinking about doing more paintings with hot air balloons - a series perhaps.

The button box is just adorable! I suddenly have this thing for buttons and I have no idea why :) I think the colors of everything on this box are just perfect. Very girly and sweet.

These boxes are listed on my Etsy page : http://www.angelasexpressions.etsy.com/

New Hand Painted Cigar Boxes

I was up early this morning painting some more boxes. They are now up in my Etsy store (http://www.angelasexpressions.etsy.com/). These boxes are painted with roses, prairie flowers and rainbow shower tree flowers.

New Hand Painted Cigar Boxes

I've added four new hand-painted cigar boxes to my Etsy page (http://www.angelasexpressions.etsy.com/). These boxes have been painted with a variety of flowers including rosebuds, daisies and blossoms. These one-of-a-kind boxes make very special gifts.