Found this small dory boat waiting to be set out for a new season....
and just waiting to be painted~!  One thing I have discovered while painting
in my Moleskine daily is that I really like to paint across both pages.
I started out just painting on the right side page, but found the look to be
too static. I now try to incorporate the left page into the piece as well.
I find it gives a "looser" look to the piece.

After a three year break from focusing on painting (so that I could start up my own business), I have finally gotten back to painting.  I am focusing on "urban sketching".  It's a great way to slowly get back into painting without the pressure of creating a "frame worthy" painting.  Every day, I take my gear with me and drive until I see something that catches my attention that I think would make a great little sketch.  I usually spend only 30-45 min. on each little sketch.  It's a great way to practice painting skills as well as record your surroundings.

A vibrant daylily......a new piece in my current sketchbook.  I enjoyed doing this quick one as it's nice to paint a carefree piece and not worry about the outcome.
Just enjoy the experience. 

Here is just a quick little painting to break the monotony.  I have been focusing on watercolour landscapes for the past month and since it is not my normal subject choice, I am finding it to be a bit of a struggle.  I had to give myself a break and revert back to old habits.  I did this quick little flower study in about 20 min.  Something quick and simple.

I have been keeping a sketchbook for three years now.  I find it’s a great place to experiment with new techniques, paint while traveling and to paint a quick little sketch when there isn’t enough time for a full-size painting.  I am on my 5^th sketchbook now and wanted to post a few pages out of my older books.  Here is one of those…in fact, it was my first entry in my first sketchbook.

Well, It has been quite some time since I have posted.  Two years to be exact.  A lot has happened in two years.  I now have a sweet little, two-year-old grandson who I love to spend time with and I started my own business.  Both have kept me VERY busy.  I have recently been forcing myself to take time to paint again.  Obviously, I'm rusty, but the passion is still there.  I am starting off slow again.  Simple little pieces to get me back in action.   Here is one of those......a quick little sunset study.  This piece took about 10 min. from sketch to completion. 

Off to paint......    :)

Coneflower

This piece took me quite some time to complete and I have to admit that, at one point, I put it aside for nine months before I decided to finish it. I didn't just want to paint the cone with a suggestion, I wanted to portray as much detail as possible. Yes, every one of those little "spikes" was painted individually. Kind of therapeutic, but quite effective~! Thank you for looking.