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