Yosemite From the Swinging Bridge

Today I would like to share the largest painting I have done up to this point. It is 24"x36". I was a bit intimidated but pushed through and got it done. The reason it's this large? Well, I wanted to put it above the fireplace mantel and anything much smaller just didn't look right.

Bob and I like to hike and take our cameras with us frequently. This view was one that was taken at the Swinging Bridge at Yosemite National Park in September of 2009. It was a lovely late summer/early autumn day, and the trees had not really changed color yet, but would be any day. Perfect weather. We enjoyed the day we spent there, and I hope to go back soon....

Postcards and Tea

I belong to a group that is primarily focused on watercolor pencils. One of the fun things we do is a monthly postcard swap. The painting has to be done mostly with watercolor pencils and be on a 4" x 6" postcard. It has been a fun project and I have learned a lot by doing this. Each month we are given a challenge and this one was to be monochromatic in blues.

This is the card I sent away last month. The teapot is one I got from my Mother in law. I really love white and blue porcelain, and was sorry to have to send the card away to it's new home.

The next card due to go out this week is monochromatic again in reds, but I haven't started it yet. I think I'll go have a cup of tea and get started.

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.

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!