Art by JPL

Because my life wasn't busy enough, I signed up for another painting challenge. This one is called #28FebruaryFlowers and was started by Amanda Evanston. I decided late in January to do this challenge and at the art supply store I could not decide between acrylic and watercolors. So I ended up doing both. I've been painting the same flower in both mediums! It's fun and I'm learning a lot. Watercolors are challenging because I find it hard to control the values - the lights an

I have been painting plein air this spring while the kids take horseback riding lessons. Plein air painting means painting outside. It's a French term that we have adopted (mutilated) into English. Their horseback riding lessons are at such a gorgeous location and I have an entire hour to myself! I bring my tiny watercolor set, just one brush, and a little cup. The kids learn assertiveness, they gain self-confidence, and they have so much fun. Meanwhile, I get my painting tim

It's half-way through October and I'm still recovering from September! What a month. I completed 30 small watercolor paintings in 30 days and several of them have found new homes. I had a great time working in a new medium and really pushing myself to stay loose. Now that it's October I am working on some larger pieces and I'm getting ready to re-work or paint over some older pieces! Exciting!! Here, in no particular order, are my favorite paintings from September. If you're

When I decided to do another 30-day painting challenge I chose to switch mediums. I had never used watercolors before in any consistent way. Why would I do that to myself? Because they don't call it a challenge for nothing! And a challenge it has been. I'm not through it yet, I have 9 days left, but I have learned so much in the last few weeks. And daily painting is so good for me! The biggest lesson so far is how to loosen up. With watercolors, things happen that are out of

This month I am working on another 30-day challenge. To make it interesting I chose to switch to a new medium - watercolors! This has been fun and challenging so far. I'm getting used to not being able to fix things as easily and just go with the flow. Often I paint a few practice paintings first to get my jitters out and then things start happening. Here are the first 6 days. I'm posting them daily on instagram and facebook if you want to follow along! These aren't available