Whale Festival In Mendocino, California

I had a chance to paint a few whales Friday for the whale festival here in Mendocino. Each one
is 24 x 30 on Aches 140 lb. watercolor paper. We hung it up in the front window of Racine's art store in Fort Bragg. I was planning on using the inktense but learned that they are not colorfast. Can you guess which whale is heading north now?

The Finished Leucadendron Watercolor Painting

Mendocino Laucadendron
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I am really happy with my finished painting! The background makes everything pop and the two different shades of blue give it even more depth. In person the shades blend much better than it shows in the photo. Now on to my new project that I will hopefully have a start on before next week. 

Painting The Background of Leucadendron Watercolor

I decided to paint the background of my painting even though several people said "don't try it!" I wasn't happy with it the way it was and well, it's just a painting. I'll start over if I have to but it would not have made me happy looking at it or even selling something that felt unfinished. I bought a new tube of cobalt blue and will finish it at the bottom with a windsor blue green shade.

Almost There On My Watercolor

I've been a bit slow with the Leucadendron. The weather has been so nice here, I was itching to paint outdoors at the beach. For this painting I think it needs a few more flowers and then some shading to create more of a painting than a illustration and then I'll I will leave it at that.

Horses Friendship Gift Card Set

Horses Friendship Gift Card Set

Available here

Horses Friendship is very special to me. I took several 

photos of these horses up in Breckenridge Colorado when

I went up with my parents and my children. My dad was very ill

and I knew my time with him was short. I painted the original in 

watercolor and one other one in acrylic several years ago and 

decided to turn them into gift cards.They also make great gift tags too.

I've created more of my paintings into other items here in my shop.

Result Of This Painting Is Undecided

Peeking Sparrow

I started this painting a few posts back and I'm still undecided about it. I used a photo I had taken but decided to add the bird and take out a few of the twigs and simplify it. The plant needs more values and it just seems flat. I also realized I didn't enjoy painting on the canvas board. The texture just felt unnatural to me. I had 2 boards at the time so I will give it a try with another painting. I'll keep this and work on it more later. In the meantime I found some watercolor paper and started a new project with a plant that grows here in my area that has fascinated me. I had to call the nursery here to find out that they are a native of South Africa called "Leucadendron". Here is the photo of the plant and the start of  the painting. 

Miniature Easel Art

Sandhill Cranes on Miniature Easel

Available 

Now that the holidays are over and my mom and oldest daughter have gone 

back home and college, I am back in the studio and computer. This is a print I recently

sized down from the original oil painting. I wanted to make prints for people 

that would rather not spend on a original and now have 

the opportunity to buy a small print for small spaces. They also make 

great little gifts. I have a few more going up today in my shop.