No talking, please.

I'm painting today, so I am not talking to you. Actually, I am, because I am waiting for my background to dry.

Here is a painting I did yesterday and just listed in my Etsy Shop. We are all fascinated by watching koi; their colors, their constant movement. I tried to capture those aspects.

Koi Pond, 15" x 22", original watercolor painting

My Palette - Exposed

When we have demonstration painters at our Saint Louis Watercolor Society meetings, you will always hear, "What paints are you using?" We all seem to have a fascination with the palette of other artists. And what about the workshop supply list. "He uses Naples yellow. I better get some."

Having been to about 20 week-long workshops, I have a bag full of barely squeezed tubes. While I am still open to new ones, and a sucker for the workshop bait, I seem to have settled on this mix.Here is my palette as of last evening. I will name the paints starting in the top left corner. The number of stars indicates frequency of use, 3 being most often, and none, meaning it's gotta go.

WN Cobalt Blue **

WN French Ultramarine ***

WN Antwerp ***

WN Winsor Blue/Red

WN Winsor Green/Yellow *

Daniel Smith Under Sea Green ***

American Journey Skip's Green ***

WN Cadmium Yellow Med *

WN Lemon Yellow

WN Raw Sienna **

WN New Gamboge ***

WN Winsor Yellow **

WN Orange *

WN Burnt Sienna ***

WN Scarlet Lake **

WN Perm. Alizarin *

WN Perm Rose *

Daniel Smith Quinacridone Magenta **

Maimeri Theoindigo Violet **

WN Violet ***

WN Opera *

WN Cobalt Violet *

Holbein Manganese **

Maimeri Bleu Verde ***

Dabs in the middle: Sepia**, Maimeri Avignon Orange **, AJ Andrew's Turquoise **, S Quiller Rose Madder **

And my favorite white is "Aqua Cover" made to match brand name papers. Very nice for emergency recovery of whites.

It Matches The Bedspread

There are artists who have a statement to make or cause to promote. And there are artists who don't. That would be me. Well, not really. My artist's statement is I paint because I love the process. I paint to please my eye. I have fun painting.

There are art collectors who collect a style, or the work of an artist, or for investment potential. There are collectors who buy to make their room look better. All are very fine reasons to buy art, I'm sure.

This painting is not about anything. But it is very nice to look at and it would look great with certain bedspreads or sofas. Don't you think so? Do you collect art or buy art? What is the last thing you bought and what are you looking for next?

Here is Poppies, 11" x 15", available in my Etsy Shop and at auction on eBay through Sunday.

It's a Challenge

I belong to two Etsy teams so far, Watercolor Works and Visual Arts Street Team - VAST. As is the case with most Etsy teams, the monthly challenge is a fixture to help promote the team. I'm all for promotion and I like themed exhibits, too. My local society, the Saint Louis Watercolor Society follows the theme genre at an on-going venue, CJ Muggs restaurant. Themes are generally inspriational and certainly motivational.

For the WWETeam challenge, our team leader posted three photos to be interpreted as we see it. Here is the photo and my interpretation for that challenge. It is titled Harvest Time, 11" x 14" original watercolor, available in my Etsy Shop.

The VAST September challenge is "fall colors", that I intend to work on soon. You'll have to come back to see that one!

Just Ask Me

Many artists offer to do commissions. You might wonder why they do that and why you would want a commission. Here is an example of a recent commission request I completed. I had a painting of purple irises listed on eBay. Someone liked my style, but really wanted white irises with a yellow background for the room she was decorating. So she emailed me and asked if I could do white irises. I said sure, and because I was painting that day, and in the mood, I was able to complete her request that day. I emailed her a photo of the painting, she liked it, and she paid me through Paypal. Voila!

So artists offer commissions because they are willing to paint upon request. This is not for everyone. Some artists just really want to stay with their own "from the heart" inspiration, which is occasionally how I feel, too. On the other hand, it can be very gratifying to create a painting that fulfills the vision of someone else.

If you see an artist offering commissions, take a minute to consider their offer. It is from the heart.

Here is White Iris, prints available in my Etsy shop.

Vote For Me!

Please. I'm late with this announcement, but I was so excited about winning the puppy cake receipe contest (see below) that I forgot to post this. I am competeting in the Etsy Challenge this week. Please take a minute to go to the blog, scroll way down, (voting along the way in other categories if you wish), until you get to the 2D category. My painting is "Pedestal". The contest lasts through Sunday. Thanks!

The original painting is currently hanging in a "Big Splash", the Saint Louis Watercolor Society's annual member awards exhibit. Prints are available in my Etsy Shop.

Art Has Gone To The Dogs!

Well, at least temporarily anyway. The other day I turned my creative energy toward a new recipe for a puppy birthday cake contest sponsored by Melissa at Melissa's Jewelry and Gemstone blog. And I WON! Check out her blog to see my award-winning recipe. But here's the best part. I won this ring! What a wonderful prize! Thank you to Melissa and her children for choosing my cake.

The lovely color of this blue topaz reminds me of this award-winning painting of mine inspired by my years living in Richmond and cruising Chesapeake Bay.

Here is Tangier Island, prints available in my Etsy Shop.

Everything's bigger in Texas!

Ohhh, today the Texans' mantra is bad news as they cope with one of the biggest hurricanes on record. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they continue to weather Ike. My inlaws are on high ground in Houston and reporting trees down and shrubs uprooted but no broken glass yet. Cell phones are working.

On a happier note, I am pleased to be included in "Etsy Sixteen" on the lively blog by Alicia Hurst, Sunny Day Happy Face. Here's a look at some happy Texas cows on a sunny day in the cotton and wildflowers.

Moo Me?, 14" x 20" original watercolor by Linda Hammelman

It's Great To Be Loved

Isn't this cool? I received this honor from an art colleague and internet friend. Please take a moment to view her fine work at A Painting A Day By Veronica Escudero. This award personifies the sense of community one can find in the blogging world whether within your field of interest or on a wider scope.

Recipients of this award are asked to pass it on by nominating 7 other blogs they particularly enjoy. What a difficult task! After only a few weeks here I am sure I have just scratched the surface, but here are 7 blogs that I recommend:

Beadalicious

Karooart Expressions In Polymer Clay

Figures... In My Art And Life

Mary Lou's Art [Ad]Venture

LWGodsil's Jadis Jewelry

Skwiggazine

Blenda Studio

Winners may pass it on as follows:

1. Post the award image on your blog

2. Link to the person you received the award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Link to those 7

5. Leave a message on the blogs you have nominated

I'm a Tasmanian Devil

and proud of it!

A guest lecturer at one of the Saint Louis Watercolor Society's membership meetings once described three approaches to painting; the plodder, the deliberator and the tasmanian devil. The plodder works on a piece for weeks, months, years, perhaps never even finishing. The deliberator plans and considers every move and brush stroke from the detailed value sketches to the final framing. The tasmanian devil flies right at the paper or canvas with arms flailing, paint flying and brush strokes every which way AND loose!

That's me. It's the way I do it. I loathe value sketching and even most pencil work. I love the loaded brush caressing the paper. The energy and passion pours as fast as I can release it!

This is also my approach to writing although I admit that this blogging business has made me stop and think just a bit. This week I came across a great blog dedicated to successful blog writing and especially appreciated the blog, Tips on Avoiding Wordiness. I plan to spend more time hanging around on that blog, although, like I said the other day, I really need some time to paint!

Before I head off to bang out a little gem straight from the heart, here is Joyful, Joyful, an award-winning painting completed in about 15 minutes from a photo of flowers from my mother's funeral several years ago. Prints available in my Etsy Shop.

"Merv Griffin" - or Learn a new thing everyday...

So I had just gotten off the cell phone with my 27 yr old son and was talking to my sister on the house phone when my cell phone "text" rang. We were in the midst of a long-winded political debate but I glanced at the cell and it said "Merv Griffin". I interrupted my sister to say, "Charlie just texted me "Merv Griffin". What in the world?" She said, "I can't imagine" and we went on to reminisce about all of his game shows while I punched buttons on my cell attempting to reply to Charlie.

Finally, somehow, I scrolled down to see "Merv Griffin Seinfeld episode on right now TBS." This, of course, is breaking news and worthy of attention!

So now I know. If you receive a text message, scroll down!

On the other hand, you can always resort to the old-fashioned "let's meet at Buck's for a beer and some convo."

Here is Buckeroo's, prints available at my Etsy shop.

What does a full-time artist do?

Well, I can tell you what they do not do.

• They do not volunteer to be treasurer and business manager of their local art society.


• They do not volunteer to have Grandpa's 88 birthday party at their house instead of a restaurant.


• They do not blog or otherwise promote their work.


• They do not sell art on the Internet.


• They do not ship their art anywhere.


• They do not clean their house.


• They do not cook dinner for their husband and/or kids.


• They do not do laundry.


• They do not feed the dogs.


• IF they do all of the above, they do not sleep.

Well, I am doing all of the above today and I am going to sleep tonight. So, guess what? No painting again today. (Just a small rant because I am blessed with a very full life.)

But here is a look at a painting I did a few months ago.

This is White Sands, original watercolor, 15" x 20", available in my Etsy Shop.