Experimental Watercolor

I usually favor the more traditional approach to watercolor, but recently I read an article about painting with food coloring. The article of course had painting to go with it. The colors were very rich and vibrant so I thought I would give it a try. I had recently experimented with liquid watercolor, so food coloring was just one step beyond. Before I started the painting I lightly sketched a few leaves around the paper. Then I got my watercolor paper very wet. I dropped bits of red, yellow, blue and green food coloring here and there around the leaves and then let the food coloring and water do its thing. The results were an amazing mix of colors, some very vibrant others deep and rich.
I later went back into the picture and gave another layer of color to the negative spaces around the leaves to add depth. The finishing touch of gold gouache paint came last.
I am planning another experiment with food coloring, this time using cool colors and snowflakes. According to the article I had read, the color does not fade, but only time will tell. For now, I am happy with the results.

Good news from The Healing Muse

My mixed media piece tiled "Wishing I Could Remember the Violets" was selected for the 2011 Healing Muse Upstate Medical Center for Bioethics and Humanities literary and visual journal.
This picture was inspired by my mother's Irish family who lived on Tipperary Hill. I also lived in that neighborhood for several years when I was a child. I had the pleasure of frequently returning to the old neighborhood when my daughter Irish Danced (from ages 7 - 18). I spent many happy hours watching the dancers all practice their steps and thinking about my Irish heritage, and listening to sounds outside like church bells, which I never heard at my house out in the 'burbs. And also, for some unknown reason I have always associated my grandmother with violets. That's where the inspiration for "Wishing I Could Remember the Violets" came from.
Now the picture is all the more poignant as my mother has been diagnosed with dementia and my daughter has gone off to college, and so the days of watching the dancers has ended. Life changes, sometimes fast, sometimes gradually.
And I still have no clue why I am obsessing over violets!?????
Anyway, this is a mixed media piece which started with an abstract watercolor background. Images were created with colored pencil and enhanced with metallic paint and markers; de-emphasized with a layer of thin gauzy rice paper. The people pictured in the painting are my maternal grandparents Peter and Mary Enright.

A few more samples of student work

A few more samples of student work from our 3-day landscape painting session at Camp Iroquois.

Neither rain, nor bugs nor fading daylight kept our intrepid group of painters away from our 3-day Landscape painting session at Camp Iroquois last week. For most of them it was their first venture into plein air painting and also a first time using acrylic paint.The group ranged in age from teen to adult.
Here are a few samples of their work.

Landscape painting Workshop Aug. 2, 3 and 4; 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Learn the essentials of landscape painting at scenic Camp Iroquois in Manlius where woodland trails, rustic cabins and boats resting along the waterfront are all waiting to become part of your masterpiece. Each day will begin with an instructor demonstration. After learning basic techniques, beginners will be able to paint subject matter. More experienced painters will be given time to work independently. Each participant will receive plenty of guidance from the instructor and each day will include some basic drawing instruction. All supplies are included; participants are asked to dress for the outdoors. A shelter is provided in case of inclement weather. Meet in parking lot at Camp Iroquois, 4795 Sweet Road, Manlius, 13104.

Advance registration is required for this class. All art classes are open to YMCA Members and Non-members. Fee $49 Members; $59 Non-Members

Register at East Area Family YMCA, 200 Towne Drive, Fayetteville. Hours: Monday - Friday 5:30 am - 10:00 pm; Saturday 5:30 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.

Watercolor Workshop:Painting Flowers and Foliage

Register now for the 3-day Watercolor Workshop scheduled for Aug. 9, 10 and 11 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Y Arts Studio. The focus is on painting flowers and foliage. All supplies are included in the class fee; classes are open to YMCA Members and Non-members.

You can register at the East Area Family YMCA located at 200 Towne Drive in Fayetteville.
Hours: Monday - Friday 5:30 am - 10:00 pm; Saturday 5:30 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.
Visit Windy Hill Studio Arts www.windyhillsudioarts.com

Hot enough for you???

The temperature's been hovering around 90 all day long.I'm working up a sweat just writing this blog........
Here's an image from www.windyhillstudioarts.com to help you keep cool today.