Blue Skies

 Hi everyone,

Blue skies are always a welcome sight. We have had a lot of snow and ice storms lately, so blue skies with fluffy white clouds sailing by are a sight to behold.  While difficult to see just now, nature is working on her ultimate creation--spring. (No sign of any flowers yet though.) But May will tip us over the edge weather wise, and June, magnificent June, will usher in starburst blossoms everywhere, including brilliant crab apple trees. A favourite of mine.

Recently, my main computer developed a few issues. One issue: I could not download my photos.  As you know, computers sometimes have a mind of their own. I mean what really happened between then and now? Perhaps I could have ferreted out the answer and fixed the problem but, thankfully, my son, Jesse, did the wizards job for me.

Many new devices and newly installed drivers download photos, writing etc. that are also held in the cloud. That I am told enables us to train AI. Call me old fashioned but no clouds please--just those in the sky for me, thank you. Thank you very much.

Had visions of an Easter bunny but got a chick instead.

Back to watercolour for a little Easter painting including the tulips to the left. Also to the left a few new Daniel Smith watercolours and to the right Sennelier watercolour. Fun to mix colours with different paints. What works in one set may not work in the other because of  pigment load, colour temperature, and other variations. 

Although I haven't tried many mixing scenarios, the Daniel Smith primaries are both warm and cool. So possible to mix any colour with this set. Time will tell.

                                                                              Desk top. 

                         To the right on the wall is a calendar by Angela Harding.  Her linocuts are complex and masterful. I believe she does wood engraving as well. What is the difference between a linocut and a wood engraving? You can, if you wish, create more definition, texture and tone in a wood engraving.

Speaking of print making, I plan to get busy soon. There are a couple of soft blocks in my stash. I do have something in mind and my tools could use a work out.

An oldie drawing.

Someone ask me about my studio/atelier or workshop. Well, I do not really have one. My desks are in a corner of my bedroom. The small one you see above this photo faces a wall and this narrow desk above runs next to that under the window. 

Because of fumes, dust etc., there is another designated area with a standing easel for acrylic, oil, and pastel painting.

Colour swatches, flowers and ink brighten up the world.

           Lisianthus or Prairie Gentian.

First time buy of the Lisianthus. Great price and they look like roses. (Bonus) What a lovely cut flower. So pleased that the buds are starting to bloom as well.

                                 

 Recently I picked 30 cherry tomatoes from my small indoor light garden.  

                                                      

                                               Soft pastels  ~ mostly Girault and Unison.

       Throughout March I worked on smaller paintings. Tried for two a week. 

Matcha

                              

                                        An early summertime photo. So beautiful so had to add it.

       

Two watercolour paintings.  With detailed watercolour the drawing must be precise. (Oh no a mistake.)  Anyway, I covered the mistake with white gouache. Probably easier to hide in a loose painting? I also read somewhere that you can use white watercolour ground to hide a mistake, although it might need a light sanding before a repaint of the area.

 

Have a very Happy Easter!

                                                 'Til next time...

                                   Linking to other Link Parties via my link party page.

                                                   Thanks to all for hosting!

      

                                                    Cultivate Your Dreams