But I think I touched it.

I used masking tape in my journal while painting these flowers and was so excited to see if it worked that I removed the tape too soon!  Then I spent the next several layers having to be careful not to go outside my crisp edges.  

NOTE TO SELF:  Leave the tape until finished with the page!

Linking to Paint Party Friday and

Art Journal Every Day

Insect tragedies. . .

It has been nearly a month since I've last posted - summer is really busy and my free time is nearly  nonexistent.  Not sure what prompted that weird bug to be the item that breaks my slump - go figure!

How has summer been treating you?

Linking to Sunday Sketches, 

Art Journal Every Day and

Creative Every Day

More veg. . .

Finally took some time last night and this morning to paint up some more veg for the Delicious Food class being taught by the amazing Tracey Fletcher King.  I'm pretty pleased with all of them - took me forever though and loads of layers to paint these critters.  Tracey makes things looks easy that are not!!

There are crazy storms that have been blowing through these parts the past several days - the grass is really tall but when it is about time for Caleb to mow it starts raining again.  Good grief.

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day

The BEST tomato I've ever drawn. . .

YUP - This is the BEST tomato I've ever drawn - also, it is the only tomato that I have ever drawn so it wins by default but seriously now - isn't it amazing??!!  I've been a huge fan of Tracey Fletcher King for ever so long and when I found out she was hosting a class on Community Thrive called "Delicious Paint with Tracey" I jumped for the opportunity to watch her paint and learn some of her amazing secrets..  

Tracey's work abounds with luscious color and she is super FUNNY to boot so you can thank me later for pushing you her way (unless, like me, you've been enjoying her posts for years).  

I own very few pieces of original art but I am proud to say I own a painting that Tracey did of my mug for her Cuppa with Friends project.  It lives in my kitchen and makes me smile everyday!

Linking to Creative Every Day

The Huns have taken over. . .

Have you used gouache much?  I see amazing work done with it but my limited exposure hadn't impressed me much.  However, a great deal on a Turner Acryl Gouache Set (V17678) from Jerry's Artarama caught my eye so I took a chance. 

In all reality it was the set of 120 mixing cards that intrigued me the most - loved the idea of having an easy reference for color mixing.  I'm so happy with this purchase - love the creamy consistency of the paint and how matte and opaque the paint is - completely covers pencil marks like a charm! 

The fabulous blue hair is courtesy of Ultramarine Blue Color Burst by Ken Oliver.  There are more colors coming soon - can't wait to play with them!

Linking to Paint Party Friday, 

Art It Friday - Show Your Face and

Art Journal Every Day

Painting in Public

While this doodled/watercolored flower may not be a showstopper it is certainly a milestone for me.  Why?  Because it was painted in public - in the cafe at Barnes & Noble!

My friend Kim has no fear (Instagram - @artfullyvintage).  She's got her bag packed and is ready to create anywhere the mood strikes.  I was wigging out from the word go about drawing in public.  I simply would never have had the confidence to attempt such a feat without her prompting. 

Plus she brings me presents - great friend, huh??

Linking to Sketchbook Sunday and

Creative Every Day

Flower Power homework. . .

I'm currently taking Alisa Burke's Flower Power class.  Alisa is an amazing artist who does incredible watercolor work in her art journals. 

She is all about utilizing economical supplies to bring the essence of things to life.  In this particular class the emphasis is on flowers. 

I doodled a stylized flower all over a page in my journal using a ZEBRA gel pen.  Love those gel pens!!  They glide super smoothly, are a very dark black and are waterproof once dry.  The only drawback is that they run out of ink pretty quickly. 

How often can you say you've used up an entire pen though?  With ballpoint pens it can take forever but with these pens you can use one up within a few days.  Frustrating if you are in the middle of a sketch and run flap out of ink though!!

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day