Army of Women

Recently I spent a few days with two wonderful friends from North Carolina. We met at our favorite NC beach and caught up on families/kids news and picked up where we left off from the last time we'd seen each other...ie. being silly. The above photo is mine from that trip although it is not of my two friends, it is symbolic of the friendship most women have or should have. One of my all time favorite movies is "Beaches" and this reminds me of that too. Now, having said all this...I just a few minutes ago made an appointment for my yearly mammogram. It seems more and more people I know have been affected by breast cancer, either having it themselves or someone they love. Another friend recently forwarded a link to "Army of Women" which is a data base for breast cancer research/trials/programs/etc. I have signed up. I do not (yet) have breast cancer or have a history in my family but I'm thinking perhaps this is something we could all do to help those who do or someday shall. Please follow the link and sign up if you can.
By the way, in the photo the two women are walking into the morning sunrise...not into the sunset. ;)
www.armyofwomen.org

More Snowy Hydranges

Half sheet of Arches Cold Press with Winsor / Newton paints.

Full sheet ( 22" x 30" ) Arches Cold Press with Daniel Smith paints.

I needed see these two side by side to compare. ( The first was auctioned to help the tsunamie victims in Japan. ) I was trying to get more subtle shapes with the blossoms in the second painting. Not sure I accomplished that. As it photographed I don't see much difference in the values just the colors.
It's not untaped yet so I may go back in. But I'll let it "cure" over night & take an other look later.

Link

Where did April Go ?... or...John Salminen Workshop

I don't know how April slipped by me. I tried to use an expired coupon yesterday only to realize I was a month behind...geez. I guess I was really busy and didn't notice.

One exciting event was the annual workshop held in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic exhibition by whomever does the jurying. This year the honor went to John Salminen, the internationally well known painter from Minnesota. John & his wife Cathy, also a talented & well known photographer, wowed and informed a group of twenty five students from as far away as Florida and DENMARK. It was enlightning to just be in their presence ! John is probably best knoiwn for his urban watercolors but this workshop was intended to shake folks from their "comfort zone" and take away the fear of abstract painting. It worked. I believe twenty five students now have a new comfort zone after this experience.

Art Auction for Japan

"Snowy Hydranges"
14" x 20"
Transparent Watercolor on Paper

Current Bid : SOLD Thank you !!

email: Skejch22@aol.com


Here in the nations capital, we are looking forward to the budding of the cherry blossoms around the tidal basin in a few weeks. I don't know how anyone who comes to visit will be able to look at those pink and white blossoms without remembering the earthquake and tsunami that devestated Japan this week.

A group of artist friends has set up a site to auction paintings to benefit the Japanese Red Cross. 100% of the amount received will go to this cause. The above painting is my contribution. Please email your bids starting at $50.00. I will post current bids as I receive them and email the winner Sunday, March 20, 2011.

Thank you for your help !

Mid- Atlantic entry

This Indian corn painting was "Plan B" entry to the BWS Mid-Atlantic show this year. Ya just never know what others will think and I'm all ways surprised. John Salminen is the juror this year for entries and awards so I am "blown away" at getting in the show. This was also chosen last year to be in the Missouri water color show (Chris Krupinski ). So, I musta done something right. Paint me "happy".

A Day in DC

Wednesday was sunny & warm in DC when I met two friends at the Museum of American Art. It was just what we needed after such a cold winter. The cold isn't gone for good yet but it was a great break and we saw some incredible art work. The building houses the National Portrait Gallery as well and after living here almost 18 years this was my first visit I'm ashamed to say. The neighborhood wasn't one that made me feel at ease before but a few years ago (?) the area was developed with the building of the Verizon Center & now is a wonderul place to visit. I'll be making up for the lost time there !

Salt Experiments & Dots

"AFTER"

Here's the latest. I still have some touch ups to do because I did a little experiment on it and now have to go back & fix some things. The top photo is the way it is now before fixes. The next photo is the way it was BEFORE the experiment.

I started the piece by putting salt & light pigment on the areas that are snow. I was very happy with the results and so thought when the rest was done I should go back and do some more salt there. Well, it didn't add anything more to the piece but taking off the salt residue afterwards lifted some of the color from the darkest areas so I need to go back in & tiddy up those spots.

"BEFORE"

Now HERE's a bit of FUN !! I found out via Facebook & Jane Freeman that Daniel Smith has these wonderful pages of dots. They are samples of all the watercolor pigments they make. Ya just take a wet brush & go over them to see what they look like & how they act on the paper. I had no idea that Daniel Smith made such beautiful colors. I've always used Winsor & Newton & some DiVinci before. Now I want ALL of these !!!