Happy Holidays!

Painting Gone Haywire

So, a few months ago, a friend of mine, LaRita Jacobs, convinced me to go to a painting class she's been attending for a while.  I thought it would be fun, while never imaging it would lead to anything.  But, I packed up all my craft paints, my rather horrible brushes, and tagged along.  That's where I met the phenomenally awesome Susan Kubes, who has become a good friend and one of my artistic mentors.

So, after my first 3 hour painting lesson, I had completed a dolphin (I posted about her here.) I was just so plum tickled with myself! I had painted a thing that looked like what it was!  How cool was that!!!!!  Since then, I've gone to painting classes almost every week, and have been getting awesome tips on blending, etc.  Susan is a remarkably patient teacher, and really let's her students progress at their own pace.  It's been wonderful!

But here's the haywire bit.  While I imagine some people begin with smallish projects and progress to larger, I've gone smaller.  Like, 1 inch or so...  Since I also make jewelry, I wanted to see if I could paint a scene on a small focal piece.  Lo and behold, I can!!!  Who knew!!  (And really, tiny palm trees are easier....) But now it's just going insane... I'm painting round beads now, too...

I honestly never knew I had any sort of aptitude for painting.  I mean, I never even considered that I could draw!  Me? Yeah, I was crafty.  I wasn't an artist.  And now, I'm actually starting to think of myself as an artist!  I actually get a little teary saying that! (I'm even considering better quality paint and brushes!)

Here's some new focals waiting for beadwork:

Okay, so not so much waiting for beadwork, as totally done...  oops... I love this bracelet... 

I'm going for a whole beach series... and wait till you see what I'm gonna do with the pink!  HA! It's gonna rock!!!!!!

Ladybug garden!  That bead is less than an inch tall....

So there it is.  Painting gone haywire...

Thanks for reading!

My Piscean Nature is Splashing about.....

So, I actually love the mountains.  North Carolina, Tennessee, etc.  Love love LOVE that area....  So I find it very amusing that my first 3 real paintings have all dealt with the sea.  Must be my piscean nature....  Take a look!

First, the dolphin:

The photo....

My Painting...

And now, an island:

I visited this little island on a trip from the Clearwater Aquarium.  There's literally only these 2 trees on the whole island.  Well, and a chair on the other end....  

I painted it!!!! 

Here's some tree close-ups.  I'm rather proud of these trees! (My art teacher, Susan Kubes, said if she gave grades, I'd've gotten an A!!! LOL)

And finally, a storm.... No real location for this one--I was just playing around....  Can I just say--I love fan brushes!!!

I'm pondering adding a boat....

Thanks!

I painted!

Yup, yup I did!

This would be my first ever painting.  And it looks like what it's supposed to be! I did good!  LOL!

With guidance from Susan Kubes (you can also find her on Facebook), a local Largo artist who teaches classes as well, I managed to give my dolphin buddy depth and movement.  Thanks, Susan!

Thanks!