Petunia - Frog Painting

“The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be.”
–Og Mandino



Petunia
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor or Strathmore Textured Paper
 
Don’t ask me where I came up with the names for these frogs, but she does look like a Petunia, right? 

Augustine “Og” Mandino II (December 12, 1923 – September 3, 1996) was an American author. He wrote the bestselling book The Greatest Salesman in the World. His books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into over twenty-five different languages. He was the president of Success Unlimited magazine until 1976 and is an inductee of the National Speakers

Work Boots

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”
– Robin Williams



Work Boots
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor ATC on Strathmore Textured Paper

Once again, I ran out of new paintings, so I’m dipping into the archives.  I really want to do some great big shoes.  They are fun and they have so much character.  It’s funny how shoe paintings always remind people of some fond memory.

I bought my first insulated work boots in 1993.  I was hand painting truck signs for our local concrete company and it was so cold out in their shop that I finally had to break down and buy some boots.  I still have them and they look just like these. 

About Robin Williams

In 2005, Robin Williams, the Oscar-winning American actor known for his wild improvisations and amazing mimicry, was voted by fellow comedians and comedy insiders as one of the top 50 comedy acts ever. He was born in 1952 in Chicago, and he first garnered attention as a stand-up comic in San Francisco. A guest role as the alien Mork on the TV series Happy Days was so popular it led to his own show, Mork and Mindy. He has starred in many successful films, including Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting. He has three children.

Peugot 202 1948

“Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Peugot 202  1948
5″ x 7″ Watercolor on Strathmore cold press paper

This painting is a venture into new frontier for me.  On Leslie White’s blog, I became fascinated by a technique she was using, creating a pathway of light by leaving that pathway white and painting into it.  It’s something she learned from Don Andrews, watching his DVDs.    Of course, I rushed right out and bought his book,  Interpreting the Landscape in Watercolor.

When I received the book, I was so excited.  I tried his suggestion and did a 10 minute value study first.  I have never actually done a value study, being a self taught watercolorist.    So here is my attempt to find a pathway of light.



He says that we, as the artist, can create the pathway that we like.  We don’t have to take the reference at face value.  The stuff I outlined is the places I wanted to use to create my path.

There was so much more, like painting wet and softening the edges of the colors and letting them blend into each other.  I played with some of that, too.  I am not patient, so I dove in before I read any further.  I can’t wait to see what else he teaches me, once I actually read the book. 


Eleanor Roosevelt

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Read more about Mrs. Roosevelt here.

Football With A Face

“Rate the task above the prize; will not the mind be raised? Fight thine own faults, not the faults of others; will not evil be mended?”
– Confucius

 

Football With A Face
Baby Crowned Lemur
5″ x 7″  Watercolor on Strathmore cold press

Sorry, but after I painted this critter, all I could see is a football with a face.     Ryan (asmalltowndad) will be suggesting the straight-jacket again when he sees this baby.  he he

It is so hot in Oklahoma right now that perhaps my brain cells are getting a little toasty around the edges.  We’ve had a long streak of heat indexes around 108F.   I have a flying lesson tonight and when it’s this hot, there are thermals coming up from the ground that bounce the plane all over the place.  When I’m coming in for a landing and all of the sudden the plane pops 100 ft in to the air, it’s a little startling!  (sometimes a woohoo escapes my lips)  Oh, and I might mention that there is no air conditioning in my little trainer either.   The fun just never ends! 

I’m gonna close my eyes for a moment and pretend I’m in Idaho.

About Confucius

The ancient Chinese social philosopher Confucius founded the ethically based philosophical system which became known as Confucianism. Legend says that he was born in 551 B.C. to a 70-year-old father and a 15-year-old mother. At age 50, frustrated with politics, he left his job as Justice Minister and began a 12-year journey around China. Returning home, he taught a growing number of disciples “The Way” and wrote a set of books called the Five Classics. He died in 479 B.C.

Distrust

“If your eyes are blinded with your worries, you cannot see the beauty of the sunset.”
–Krishnamurti

 
Distrust
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor on Strathmore Textured ATC

I am calling this one “Distrust”, in my window series theme, The  Soul of a Woman.  Some of us know this feeling.  We’ve been hurt or abused and although we still look out at the world, we are hesitant to let anyone in.  We protect ourselves against the possibility of being hurt again.  The cold steel of this train window is strongly bolted against the outside elements.  Ooooo, a little too deep for such a small painting, eh? 


The texture of this paper seems to lend itself to the feel of an old steel train.  Fun stuff to paint on.

Krishnamurti (May 12, 1895–February 17, 1986) was a renowned writer and speaker on philosophical and spiritual subjects. His subject matter included: psychological revolution, the nature of the mind, meditation, human relationships, and bringing about positive change in society. He constantly stressed the need for a revolution in the psyche of every human being and emphasized that such revolution cannot be brought about by any external entity, be it religious, political, or social.  more…

A Straight and Proper Window

“I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you can do something. Say, instead, that you are doing it. Then fasten your seat belt. The most remarkable things follow.”
– Julia Cameron

 

A Straight and Proper Window
2.5″ x 3.5″ on Strathmore Textured ATC

It’s amazing how a painting on one of these little textured ATCs takes on a whole different look than it would on a smooth paper.  I don’t like painting on canvas that hasn’t had the woven texture primed away, but I like this texture with watercolor.    I have purchased the little packages of different types of Strathmore artist paper in ATC size and they are always fun to experiment with.

For the FTC:  I do not receive anything from Strathmore Artist Papers.  I just like their paper. 

About Julia Cameron

American author Julia Cameron has become an icon in the creative community for her best-selling self-help book, The Artist’s Way, which guides people through a series of simple but profound exercises to awaken their creativity. She grew up in Chicago and has been writing seriously since age 18. In addition to her 28 books, she has written plays, screenplays, and songs. She was married to film director Martin Scorsese and has one daughter. She currently lives in New York.

The Hiker

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”
– Peter Marshall

 

The Hiker
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor on Strathmore Textured ATC

I had one more little painting in me for Harry’s challenge.  The hills are alive with his texture. 
I enjoy painting small.  The challenge for me will be to paint big.  Yesterday’s 8″ x 10″ painting was larger than I usually do.  I enjoyed it.  Maybe there are some larger paintings in my future. 

About Peter Marshall

Peter Marshall, the witty, magnetic Scottish-American preacher who became chaplain of the US Senate just two years before his death, was the subject of the 1955 movie A Man Called Peter, based on his wife’s best-selling biography. He was born in Scotland in 1902 and, as a boy, wanted to go to sea; he served in the navy before becoming a minister. His compelling orations and his belief that religion should be fun drew large congregations to his church. He died in 1949.

Christmas Tree in Red - October 28, 2009

"Calm self-confidence is as far from conceit as the desire to earn a decent living is remote from greed."

– Channing Pollack

Christmas Tree in Red
2.5" x 3.5" Acrylic on Strathmore Canvas Paper

I'm still playing with ideas for some Christmas cards. This was a fun little painting to do. In case you hadn't noticed, I love purple.

About Channing Pollack

American playwright Channing Pollack is best remembered for his work massively redesigning the plot of the film Metropolis after it was shot. He was born in 1880. He worked in every aspect of New York theater, first as publicist for the Shubert family of theater owners, then as a drama critic who was banned from every Shubert theater, and finally as a playwright whose work included the morality play, The Enemy, as well as Clothes and The Fool. He died in 1946.