Thursday, January 20, 2011

Elkhorn Slough in September


Elkhorn Slough in September, originally uploaded by kquilts.

Every year we try to take a little time out for a trip close to our birthday time. This year was Monterey and a side trip to Moss landing. We hiked at Elkhorn Slough and took lots of pictures. Just after this trip I started taking my watercolor class and our teacher lets us choose our subjects to paint and then is there to guide and advise as we work on our individual projects. I am loving this class.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Reflections on 2010 and Goals for 2011

I'm sitting here this morning and thinking back over the past year and setting goals for 2011. I started painting with acrylics in September of 2009 and continued with those classes through 2010. I plan to continue with that. I am currently working on a painting of Yosemite's El Capitan that is quite big. At least I think so. It is the largest painting I have done so far.

I had been playing with watercolors at home for the past 2 years and not really making progress there, so in September of 2010 I signed up for a class at a local art center. I'm so glad I took the class, because now I understand better how the paints behave and how to get the effects I want. I will try to get some of those paintings up here on the blog this weekend. In 2011 I am going to try to do a watercolor painting a week to post. I know I'm already two weeks into the year, but will start this this week with that. So, that's 50 paintings.

The new thing for this year is that I am going to be working with pastels. I have the materials to begin that now (Christmas presents). So far I have just done some practice making different marks and learning techniques- no pictures yet.

So I have big plans for the year. I guess I better get to work!