flowering dogwood

Seriously, every day I stop, stare and have heart palpitations at the beauty of nature and of the rite of Spring.
 I decided to bring a flowering dogwood cutting inside and capture it's beauty on paper.

Here she is, currently being framed in a simple white frame, perfect in a traditional or modern setting.

Hand-Painted on Arches 140 lb. watercolor paper.

By the way, I have added google adsense to my blog in an effort to raise art supply funds and or maximize revenue.  Now in my 5th year of blogging, I cannot tell a lie, it is work but I love it.

Will you help an artist out? Do me a favor and click on the ads, you may see something you like, want or need.

The winner of the pve design florist shop note cards - Jennifer Webb.
Jennifer has a smashing blog with wonderful artwork, gardening inspiration and ladylike charm including her 2 year old lighting her hair on fire when she went to blow out her birthday candle.
The saving grace, only 2 candles.  Smile.

face in a place

Yesterday, I had posted this work of art "Betty" by Gerhard Richter and one of my very astute readers, Lisa Mende commented that it was in Kate Spade's Park Avenue home.  It is in fact a print as the original is in a Museum, I believe The St. Louis Museum.  Thanks again Lisa.

Did you know that the face in that painting is actually Gerhard's own daughter?

What a wonderful face and I love the fresh modern perspective.
Placing her face laying down adds dimension and highlights one side.

If your face were in a place, where would you hang?
Sideways, backwards or upside down?

flying colors

 Love this wall of paint swatches that look like they are about ready to fly.

Once my studio is ready to move into, I really want to make a palette of colors that I can play around with on watercolor paper and mount them on a wall.

When starting on a work, I could easily formulate a color palette by selecting flying colors.

civility

Monday morning - back to civilities of life. When I am painting, I strive for a certain civility in my work. There must be a certain politeness, a modicum of respect and an air of gentility. There is something nice about finding that in my work that sets me straight with purpose. My work brings a polite start to my day, along with a fresh cup of morning coffee in my blue and white porcelain mug.

What sort of civility or manner makes your day more well-behaved?