From my client in ITALY!!

My client-- Fausto-- sent me the digital of the watercolor he commissioned after having it framed.

It looks beautiful and vibrant!

So wonderful to have a client that shares your vision!

I feel priveleged to see my paintings go around the world.

Thank you Fausto!

Pond

watercolor

15" h x 11" w

2011

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all of my friends who visit this blog and encourage me with your insights, vision, posts, and comments.

I cherish each and every one of you!

May Christmas be special -- filled with love, light, family, and friends.

May the new year bring peace, joy, and contentment.

Merry Christmas!!

Back To Life! watercolor from the Everglades

The painting from the Everglades series -- has been a challenge for me for a few months.

I finally got to the point where I threw the whole thing in the dumpster -- and quit working on it.

A friend inadvertentaly saw it in the dumpster.. and promptly returned it to me with the admonition-- "finish it!"

So... being humble and frustrated... I have working on it for the past two days.

I finally changed the orientation of it - and began liking a bit of the abstraction more.

After much layering and shading... I am finally "calling it quits AGAIN"... and hopefully this time... I will keep it!

Back to Life

watercolor

29" h x 41" w

2011

Tiny Back -- Nude Watercolor

This painting started out as a demo for a class of watercolor. I continued to work on it when I brought it home.

Today I resumed the rework- softenin and adding some depth and shadow.

I think I'm finally done with it ... relinquishing my efforts to let it stand on it's own.

Enjoy!

Back

watercolor

11" h x 15" w

2011

Eye Candy Finished!

The lollipop watercolor is done!

It has been fun to paint... and even funner to look at!

I really like the whimsy and color-- a painting without much content.

The lollipops were at the Farmer's Market at The Grove in LA.

I found them hypnotizing...and took a variety of photos.

This is the first time I've stepped out of the box a bit to paint them.

I think I'll do a larger version --

Eye Candy

watercolor

22" h x 15" w

2011

email for purchase

Lollipops in progress

This watercolor exploration is a work-in-progress.

I am trying new imagery-- whimiscal and different.

I think that's helpful when doing work... to try something that's unfamiliar and non-serious.

It's about mid-state at this point. I should be able to conclude the rest today.

If I like the final version and approach-- I may consider doing a larger painting.

Lollipops

waterolor

22" h x 15" w

in progress

North American Watercolor Artists to exhibit at STRATHMORE

Kathleen Alexander, Keiko Tanabe, Mark Mehaffey, Nicholas Simmons, Tom Schaller, and I will be exhibiting new and cutting edge watercolor at the Strathmore Foundation in Rockville MD in January.

The exhibition titled "Stepping Over the Line." explores the theme of pushing the boundaries of watercolor. Each artist will have 3 -4 watercolors illustrating their latest efforts in the medium.

All will be attending the opening on January 8, 2012 from 2 - 4 pm.

Please join us for the reception! All inivted!

Queen Anne's Lace!

The lovely watercolor is simple and direct and from the Everglades.

I will begin to do more on this series after the first of the year.

The backlighting and striking drama were exciting to paint.

Queen Anne's Lace

watercolor

12" h x 12" w

2011

Cash Carry Christmas a Big Success

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Cash and Carry Christmas Open Studio.

It was a huge success with tons of friends/clients and lots of art changing hands.

I am thrilled and happy that so many people came to visit.

It was so busy at times... that I could hardly say "hello" to anyone!

Thank you again - to everyone!

Your support means so much to me!

Till next year!

Happy Christmas!

OPEn STudio- Christmas Sale!

Tomorrow is the OPEN STUDIO

CASH AND CARRY CHRISTMAS show.

Please come... and see all the affordable paintings being offered.

Kristen Powers and I are hosting a holiday event... complete with Hot Chocolate, cider, cookies, wine, and cheese.

All are welcome.

Over 40 unique works of art avaiable to add to your collection!

Cash and Carry Christmas

3156 Shenandoah Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63104

12- 5 pm

ALL INVITED!

Getting Ready for the OPEN STUDIO!

This Saturday-- DEC 10 is the OPEN STUDIO for the CASH AND CARRY CHRISTMAS!

Please come!!

All works original -- and all framed!

Saturday

December 10 2011

3156 Shenandoah

St. Louis, MO

More small Watercolors

More small watercolors for you to chose from at my OPEN STUDIO this Saturday

December 10

Noon- 5 pm.

All are invited!

3156 Shenandoah Avenue

St. Louis, MO

all paintings framed and ready to go!

Originals

local art

food

cookies

hot chocolate!

Interview on Carrie Waller's Blog!

http://carriewaller.blogspot.com/

Here is an interview on my work-- that is on my new friend's blog -- CARRIE WALLER.

It is lively and personal.

Please take a look- and be sure to tour around Carrie's work, blog, and website. She is a tremendous artist. I am happy that we have become friends!

Thank you Carrie!

Happy Clients!! From ITALY!!!

My painting finally arrived in Italy.... after being in the mail for over a month!!

My clients were so patient and agreeable-- and did not get discouraged. I was annoyed with the mail service-- as they inadvertently sent it to a different country!

Anyway, it FINALLY got delivered!

So exciting!

So here they are!!! Happy day! Thank you from the bottom of my heart Fausto!

Pond

watercolor

15" h x 11" w

2011

Cash and Carry Christmas!

Cash and Carry Christmas!

small affordable paintings this Christmas at my OPEN STUDIO!

December 10

12- 5 pm

3156 Shenandoah Avenue

St. Louis MO

63104

ALL are INVITED!!

Cookies, hot chocolate

refreshments

affordable ART!!!

please feel free to invite friends and stop by

Chinese Lanterns....

My Chinese Lanterns sold today....

I'm extra happy that they are going to a great couple. These new clients have a special house that will accentuate the particular colorful nature of these lanterns.

Wow... what a way to start the Christmas season!

Chinese Lanterns

watercolor

29" h x 41" w

2011

sold

Open STudio- Christmas Sale!

I am having an OPEN STUDIO

DECEMBER 10, 2011

12 - 5 pm.

My friend-- Kristen Powers will also be there-- to share her work.

We are providing AFORDABLE art along with REFRESHMENTS for holiday cheer~

I am busy preparing for this--- and will have a lot of small paintings.... all interesting subjects and styles for you.

Everyone is invited --- please remember--- buy art for holiday giving... buy local!

We all need to support each other this season... and it starts in your own neighborhood!

Cash and Carry Christmas

3156 Shenandoah Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63104

DECEMBER 10

12- 5 pm

All invited!

Refreshments...

HOLLYS!

Painted a hollyhock stem today.... lovely day to paint too.

It was uncharacteristically warm and humid for mid NOVEMBER in the Midwest.....

But... it does make for gorgeous watercoloring!

The glow in the back is evidence of the moisture in the air.

I love hollyhocks...as they remind me of summer.

Hollys

watercolor

30" h x 22" w

2011

email for purchase

Swamp Thing

I have been working on the last of the paintings for the Strathmore exhibition in Washington DC. A two panel painting that is of a swamp in the Everglades National Park.

It' measures about 8 feet across and 5 feet high.

Each panel has a presence of light and water and mystery.

The blooms were difficult to manage ... but keeping them centrally located on the paper was the key.

What do you think? Any ideas for titles?

Swamp

watercolor

46" h x 34" w each panel

2011

HEC TV Video of My studio

A really nice video about painting/life/art in my studio. Aaron Mermelstein did a wonderful job producing this piece.

Take a look and let me know what you think!

www.hectv.org/programs/series/state-of-the-arts/170/march-2010/#play1282

Happy and beautiful Client!

Happy dance for this client!

This lovely client bought a small watercolor as a present for her daughter.

Of course... I was thrilled.... and am so excited to be part of the new mother's collection.

Thank you thank you... for continued support of my work!!

You are the best Jan!

French Pram

watercolor

8" h x 10" w

2011

Workshop in FRANCE-

I have been invited to give a workshop in France August 6-10 2012.

It is a premier location in France-- catering to all the established watercolorist internationally. I am thrilled and honored to have been invited.

Please visit my website for my information -- or contact: manoirdemaisonblanche@orange.fr

Would love it for you to join me there!

We will paint our hearts out!

For more information:

http://www.manoirdemaisonblanche.com/

Upcoming Watercolor Workshop in Mt. Vernon IL at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts

Hey everyone... Please join me for a lively workshop in Central IL!

Looking forward to sharing with you my watercolor technique.

6 NORTH COFFEE -- BALLWIN MO

Elisa and I installed some French watercolors at 6 NORTH COFFEE today.

This is a lighthearted exhibition of studies of France.

Please go and have a look .... and enjoy a hot coffee or chai !

They also offer great food ....

6 North Coffee

Ballwin MO

www.6northcoffee.com

Small Glads

Did a small painting of gladiolas for the French show that I'm hanging at 6 North Coffee tomorrow.

I have done a few watercolors based around the theme of France.

All are small in scale and delicate in color.

Come and visit!

Small Glads

watercolor

12" h x 12" w

2011

6 North Coffee

Clayton Road

Ballwin, MO

Happy and beautiful Client!

My wonderful client-- who is as beautiful inside as out.... bought this swimmer to add to her collection.

She is an artist and great soul.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so supportive of my work ... and trusting me to teach you a little bit about watercolor!

Thank you for your friendship too.

Swimmer

watercolor

20" h x 20" w

2006

GLADS are finished and headed to the framers

So.... this painting is finished... I tweaked areas of the blossoms to blend a flow a bit better than the other day.

It has power and explosion -- mostly because of the complexity of composition.

The blossoms seem to burst from the page.

Tell me your ideas for titles... and hopefully it will have a good name by the end of the day.

Rock on CARDINALS!!!

Did anyone see GAME 6 of the WORLD SERIES last night???? AWESOME game and AWESOME finish!!!

Can't wait till this evening's game....

Glads

watercolor

22" h x 30" w

2011

finished

email for purchase

Glads getting completeddddd

So~~ I haven't quite finished the Glads painting.

I worked all day on it --- but could not put the finishing touches on it.

Those details will have to wait till tomorow.

I am happy there is so much vibrancy and light. It has energy and complexity of a dynamic composition.

I will post the final image tomorrow- after I finish it.

French Glads

watercolor

22" h x 30" w

in progress

Glads coming together

I am happily working on the GLADS painting... in a hurry to finish it tomorrow.

It has been fun... and rewarding to see the tapestry come together.

All giant bouquets of gladiolas that I found in the market in France... have made their appearance in my work.

I have plans to finish this piece tomorrow.. and hopefully post the completed painting here.

Any suggestions for titles?

Glads

watercolor

22" h x 30" w

in progress

Gladiolas in Progress!

Started a full sheet watercolor of complex gladiolas from France. It's a cacaphony of flowers!

Boy.. has it been a struggle....

The paper is a hot press one ...and also a thinner weight than I'm used to.

All in all though... I feel I'm being stretched to make it work.

That's what I want too.... I don't always like painting in my safe-predictable comfort zone. Sometimes... it is BEST to mix it up... and struggle!

Glads

watercolor

22" h x 30" w

in progress

Happy Clients

I am always happy to share photos of my clients with their paintings. It is the favorite thing to do!

Here are three good clients with their watercolors. All look pretty happy-- and I couldn't be MORE happy for them!

I love my clients!

So, enjoy these photos...and buy LOCAL art this holiday season.

If we support each other-- we will get ourselves out of the grinding economic downturn.

Rock on !

Thank you my dear Jan, Elaine, and Nimi! I appreciate your support! I am thrilled to be in your collections!

Chinese Lanterns! Watercolor finally finished

I am also developing the Chinese Lanterns series --- and this is an ongoing painting from this week.

I have a little more to do on the foreground lanterns... to add a little more depth to the surface of lanterns.

I am enjoying it so far...and feel like the perspective and execution is challenging!

Am going to take a break from painting this for a while. Will return ito it later~!!

Chinese Lanterns

watercolor

40" h x 30" w

in progress

Still Waters- Watercolor from the Everglades Series

I have returned to this pond painting from the EVERGLADES SERIES to see if I can wrap up the last few details and complete it.

I have done a lot more to make it richer and with more depth. It's always a fine line between leaving simplicity -- or developing depth. It's also dangerous to add TOO much ... and lose the freshness of watercolor.

Right now.. I'm trying to strike that balance --- keeping it fresh -- but also having some more complexity.

I will probably leave it for now ...and consider whether it's finished or not.

Still Water

watercolor

50" h x 35" w

2011

in progress